What Smart Home Devices Should I Buy First? 9 Essential Picks and Exact Placement Tips for First-Time Buyers

Justin McCurdy
Jan 3
10 min read

If you’re asking yourself, “what smart home devices should i buy first,” you’re in the right place. I’ve helped a lot of people set up their first smart homes, and I’ve made all the early mistakes so you don’t have to. The trick is to start with devices that give you immediate wins in safety, comfort, and convenience, then layer in the fun upgrades. By the way, I write and share all of this on Justin’s Key to Home Life so you can modernize your space without the overwhelm.

When I moved into my first place, I threw in random gadgets and hoped they’d work together. Spoiler: they didn’t. Now, I take a “front door first, comfort second, leaks and lights third” approach. It saves money, reduces headaches, and builds a solid foundation you can expand as your lifestyle evolves. Ready to get specific about gear and exact placement so everything feels effortless?

What Smart Home Devices Should I Buy First? Start Here

Before we jump into the nine essentials, let’s quickly choose your “home language.” Most devices work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home. All three are great, and you can switch later, but picking a primary assistant now helps you buy compatible gear and keep routines simple. Think of it like picking a phone ecosystem: the apps follow your choice. Also, make sure your Wi‑Fi [Wireless Fidelity] is solid in the rooms you care about. No smart gadget is smarter than a weak connection.

Here’s a quick, neutral comparison I share with clients. Use it as a guide, not a rulebook. If you already own a phone or speaker you love, lean into that ecosystem first.

Two more quick notes. First, look for the “Matter” logo where you can, because it helps your devices talk across ecosystems. Second, plan placement early. A few inches of height or a slightly different outlet can make a device feel magical instead of finicky. I’ll give you exact placement tips below so you can set things once and enjoy them for years.

9 Essential Picks with Exact Placement Tips

1) Video Doorbell

If you want an instant daily upgrade, start at the front door. A video doorbell lets you see visitors, talk to delivery drivers, and deter porch pirates with a simple “Hey, I’m watching.” Many neighbors report significantly fewer package issues once they install one, and insurance data suggests a lot of break-ins start with a door knock to check if someone is home. A doorbell also anchors your whole system, since it’s the first thing you check when your phone buzzes. If you rent, there are battery and no-drill options that work beautifully.

Mount height: about 48 inches from the floor for a face-and-package view.
If the camera sees only your wall, add a wedge kit to angle it toward your walkway.
Prefer 2.4 band on Wi‑Fi [Wireless Fidelity] for range; place your router centrally.

2) Smart Lock

Lose the key chaos. A smart deadbolt gives you auto-lock, shared codes for guests or cleaners, and phone-based unlock when your arms are full of groceries. You can set it to lock after you close the door and get alerts if it jams. For families, temporary codes are a lifesaver, and for first-time buyers, it is one of the best safety-and-convenience combos. Make sure your door and strike plate align cleanly so the motor never strains.

Install at your primary entry; keep the keypad visible from the front step.
Test door alignment and smooth manual turns before you attach the smart unit.
Enable auto-lock with a short delay, like 60 to 120 seconds, for peace of mind.

3) Smart Thermostat

Comfort, efficiency, and lower bills in one device. Modern smart thermostats learn your schedule, nudge you to save when you leave, and can cut heating costs by roughly 8 to 15 percent according to energy studies. Cooling savings are also common. If you have a heat pump or multi-stage system, pick a model designed for it. Pro tip: if your old thermostat has no common wire, many kits include an adapter, and your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning [HVAC] pro can install it quickly.

Place on an interior wall about 52 inches high, away from direct sun and vents.
Use room sensors to balance hot or cold spots in bedrooms or home offices.
Run schedules that match your real life, then let occupancy automation fine-tune.

4) Smart Lighting: Switches or Bulbs

Smart lighting sets the mood, improves safety, and saves energy with gentle schedules. If you want whole-room control with normal wall switches, choose a smart dimmer or switch. If you rent or want flexible color scenes, start with smart bulbs in lamps. I like pairing a front room dimmer with a few lamp bulbs so evenings feel cozy and mornings pop awake. For hallways, use motion-activated lighting so you never fumble at night.

Switches: place where you already reach; confirm bulb compatibility with dimmers.
Bulbs: use in table lamps to create layers; set sunrise and wind-down scenes.
Hallway and bath: motion sensors at about 40 inches high for kids and adults.

5) Smart Plugs

These are the easiest way to make “dumb” devices smart. Smart plugs help you schedule lamps, switch off curling irons, and create vacation lighting. They’re fantastic for renters and a budget-friendly starter for anyone nervous about wiring. Just make sure the plug’s power rating matches your device. I typically avoid using them with portable heaters and stick to lamps, fans, and holiday decor to stay safe.

Pick outlets with good Wi‑Fi [Wireless Fidelity] reception; use a plug with energy tracking if you like data.
Label plugs in your app so “Living Lamp Left” is obvious later.
Create “Goodnight” and “Away” automations that cut everything non-essential.

6) Smart Speaker or Display

This is your hands-free control center. Voice control is great when you’re cooking, wrangling kids, or walking in with bags. A display adds a quick glance for front door feeds, timers, and calendar reminders. Once you try “Good morning” and watch lights, weather, and news pop up automatically, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. Pick the assistant that matches your phone and watch for the smoothest daily experience.

Place in the kitchen or living room about 6 to 10 feet from your main seat or prep area.
Keep it 12 inches from sinks and heat; use the physical mic mute when you want.
If you have multiple floors, add a small speaker upstairs for intercoms and alarms.

7) Indoor Camera (With a Privacy Plan)

Indoor cameras can be super helpful for checking on pets, teen arrivals, or the back door. I recommend a unit with a privacy shutter or a schedule that disables recording when you’re home. Mounting height matters here: slightly higher than eye level gives you a fuller view. If you’d rather avoid indoor cameras, skip to leak sensors and stick with a doorbell and an exterior floodlight camera later.

Mount around 7 feet high in a corner for wide coverage of entries and common areas.
Avoid bedrooms and bathrooms; use schedules and geofencing to protect privacy.
Prefer local storage or encrypted cloud, and enable Two-Factor Authentication [2FA].

8) Leak Sensors and Optional Water Shutoff

Water damage is one of the most expensive and stressful home issues, and small leaks often go unnoticed until floors buckle. Affordable leak pucks under sinks and behind toilets can alert you before a drip becomes a disaster. If you own your place, a smart main water shutoff can pay for itself with a single saved incident. Many households see thousands of gallons wasted by minor leaks every year, so a little sensor goes a long way.

Place under every sink, behind the toilet, near the water heater, and under the washing machine.
For two-story homes, add a sensor in any ceiling below a bathroom.
Test monthly with a damp cloth and name each sensor by exact location in your app.

9) Smart Smoke and CO Detector

A smart smoke and CO [Carbon Monoxide] detector sends phone alerts if you’re away, and many allow quick silencing for false alarms from cooking. If you own, a whole-home set is best. If you rent, a single combined unit in the hallway near bedrooms is a strategic start. I like models that do gentle nightlights so late-night trips feel safer without harsh brightness.

Install one on every level and outside each sleeping area; follow your local code.
Avoid placing too close to windows or vents to reduce false alarms.
Test monthly and set battery reminders; choose 10-year sealed battery models when possible.

Quick Placement Cheat Sheet and Budget Planner

If you like seeing everything at a glance, here’s a quick-reference table. Use it to plan weekend projects and stretch your budget without wasting a purchase. Costs vary by brand and features, but these ranges are a reliable starting point across the USA.

Pro tip: If you can only buy two items this month, grab a video doorbell and either a smart lock or a smart thermostat. Those combinations deliver the biggest, most noticeable upgrade in daily life, especially when paired with one smart speaker for voice control.

Setup, Security, and Privacy Essentials

Smart homes should feel safe by default. Start by giving every device a unique password and turning on Two-Factor Authentication [2FA] in each account. Update firmware when prompted, since those updates often fix security issues you’ll never see but will always benefit from. If your router offers a separate network for gadgets, use it for your smart devices so your phone and laptop stay on a primary network.

For cameras and speakers, review your privacy settings once during setup and again every few months. Decide whether you want cloud or local storage for cameras. Keep doorbells and locks on strong Wi‑Fi [Wireless Fidelity] and consider a small Uninterruptible Power Supply [UPS] battery for your router so alerts still work during brief power blips. Finally, name devices clearly by room and function so routines are easy to build and easy to troubleshoot.

Turn off features you do not need, like continuous recording in quiet rooms.
Use geofencing so devices behave differently when you’re home versus away.
Back up your automations by taking screenshots of key routines.

Real-World Routines That Actually Save Time

Automation is where a house starts to feel like a home that knows you. Try a “Good Morning” routine that raises the thermostat a few degrees, turns on kitchen lights, reads the weather, and starts your news briefing. In the evening, a “Wind Down” scene can warm the lighting, lock the door, and set your smoke and CO [Carbon Monoxide] detector’s nightlight if it has one. Small touches add up to a calmer vibe.

Arrive Home: Front door unlocks, entry light turns on, thermostat shifts to comfort mode.
Movie Time: Living room dims to 20 percent, lamps glow warm, and the robot vacuum pauses.
Away Mode: Lights randomize at night, leak sensors stay on high alert, and the doorbell notifications get more prominent.

Parents love routines tied to school days: hallway lights on softly at 6:30 a.m., kitchen bright at 7:00 a.m., and “Did you lock the door?” checks at 8:05 a.m. Pet owners often schedule a camera snapshot every afternoon just to say hi to a furry friend. If it makes you smile or saves you a few steps, it belongs in your routine list.

From Renting to Buying: Smart Upgrades That Move With You

If you rent, start with totally portable gear: smart speakers, plugs, bulbs, leak sensors, and indoor cameras with stands. Bring those with you when you buy, and layer in devices that are easier to hardwire or professionally install. When you are house-hunting, these basics also help you evaluate homes: a good central spot for a thermostat, a Wi‑Fi [Wireless Fidelity] friendly layout, and safe, well-lit entries all matter more than most people realize.

On Justin’s Key to Home Life, I blend home buying advice with smart home technology insights, financing and mortgage tips, credit building advice, modern home design ideas, lifestyle upgrades and inspirations, simple how-tos and guides, kitchen cooking appliances, devices and gadgets, home design, and home renovation strategies. If you like to visualize before you buy, I also offer a home visualizer you can try with a free 7 day trial and cancel anytime. Upload a photo of your space and experiment with lighting, devices, and design changes in real time, then take the best ideas into your actual setup.

Common Questions I Get From First-Timers

Do I need a hub on day one? Not necessarily. Many devices connect directly over Wi‑Fi [Wireless Fidelity]. If you later add sensors and want ultra-reliable automations, you can add a hub or choose Matter-ready devices that talk well together. What about internet outages? Your door lock still works with a code, and many systems keep local routines running. For peace of mind, I keep essential alerts on my phone and spread devices across a few brands so one outage never stops everything.

What if my place has tricky wiring? That’s common and solvable. Start with bulbs and plugs, then hire an electrician for a couple of key smart switches where you spend the most time. And if privacy is your biggest worry, focus on devices like locks, thermostats, and leak sensors that do tons of good without recording audio or video inside your home.

How to Pace Your Purchases Without Regret

Think in phases. Phase 1: Front door and voice control, plus one comfort device like a thermostat. Phase 2: Lighting in the main living area and a couple of leak sensors. Phase 3: Cameras and more specialized gear like a garage controller or a smart water shutoff if you own. This approach keeps your spending intentional and your tech stress low. According to market surveys, more than half of U.S. households now have at least one smart device, and the happiest owners expand in stages rather than buying everything at once.

One last budgeting tip I love: set a small monthly smart home fund and let it build for a bigger item like a thermostat or smart lock. In the meantime, scoop up smaller upgrades like plugs or a hallway motion sensor. You’ll feel progress without blowing your budget.

Your Roadmap, Simplified

You now have a practical plan: secure the front door, boost comfort with climate control, prevent water damage, then shape lighting to fit your routines. With that foundation, your home feels smarter every week instead of more complicated. And whenever you need extra help, I’m here to make the pieces click together. That’s the whole reason I created Justin’s Key to Home Life — to make modern, personalized living actually feel easy.

Let’s make this real: pick one device from the list and place it this weekend using the table above. Next week, add one routine. By the end of the month, your home will run smoother than you thought possible. If you’re still wondering “what smart home devices should i buy first,” come back to this guide and follow the sequence step by step.

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