The First 7 Smart Devices I’d Buy If I Had To Start From Zero
If all my smart gear disappeared tomorrow and I had to start again from an empty apartment, I would not rush out and buy twenty devices. I’d rebuild slowly, choosing a few things that make every single day noticeably easier.
This is that list: the first seven smart devices I’d buy again, in the order I’d actually buy them.
1. A Smart Speaker / Display To Be The “Brain”
I’d start with a single smart speaker or small display that works with the voice assistant I’m most comfortable with. This becomes the front‑end for everything else.
What it does for me:
- Turns lights, plugs and scenes on/off with simple phrases
- Sets timers and reminders while I’m cooking or working
- Plays music, news and weather without touching my phone
Why it comes first:
- Without a central “brain”, every gadget lives in its own app.
- A speaker or display gives non‑tech people in the house an easy way to use the system.
Think of this as buying the remote control for your future smart home before buying the rest of the devices.
2. Smart Plugs For The Stuff I Already Own
Next, I’d grab a few good smart plugs.
These are the easiest way to make existing devices “smart”:
- Lamps
- Fans
- Routers and modems
- Irons, kettles, some chargers
How I use them:
- An “all off” routine when I leave home or go to bed
- Scheduled off for heat‑producing devices (iron, steamer)
- Remote control when I’m out and not sure if I left something on
They’re cheap, simple, and let you experiment with automations before committing to more expensive gear.
3. Smart Bulbs or a Smart Switch In the Main Room
Lighting is where a home starts to feel smart.
My third purchase would be either:
- A couple of smart bulbs in the main room, or
- One smart switch controlling the main light
What I actually do with them:
- Evening scene that shifts the room to warm, dim light
- “Movie” mode that lowers brightness around the TV
- “Goodnight” routine that shuts everything off from bed
If you rent and can’t change wiring, bulbs are easier. If you own and want guests to keep using the wall switch, a smart switch is cleaner.
4. One Indoor Smart Plug Or Switch For Climate (AC / Heater / Fan)
In many apartments, cooling and heating are the biggest part of the electricity bill. So the next step is to give climate some brains.
Depending on what I have, I’d either:
- Put the AC, heater or main fan on a smart plug (if safe for its load), or
- Use a smart IR controller that can “press” the AC remote for me
What this enables:
- Turn AC on before I reach home, off automatically when I leave
- “Night” mode that gently raises the temperature as I sleep
- Auto‑off if a window stays open for too long (combined with a simple sensor later)
Even basic schedule and presence‑based control here saves both money and comfort.
5. A Couple Of Motion Sensors For Hallways / Bathroom
Once lights and climate are controllable, I’d add motion sensors in places where people forget switches the most:
- Hallway or entrance
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
What they do:
- Turn lights on automatically when someone walks in
- Turn them off after a few minutes of no motion
- At night, trigger a dim “night light” instead of full brightness
This is usually the point where guests say “okay, that’s actually useful” – you stop having to think about lights in high‑traffic areas.
6. A Simple Camera For The Main Door Or Entrance
Only after the core comfort stuff is done would I add one camera, usually for the front door or entrance.
How I’d use it:
- Get a notification when someone’s at the door, even if I’m not expecting anyone
- Check in on the apartment when I’m away for longer trips
- Keep short clips of motion events, not 24/7 video of everything
I’d pick a camera that:
- Supports both local storage (microSD) and cloud clips,
- Has reliable notifications, and
- Integrates with my chosen assistant so I can pull it up on my phone or display easily.
Security can get complex fast; starting with just one important angle keeps it manageable.
7. A Robot Vacuum To Handle Daily Dust
Only after the “brain”, basics and security are in place would I buy a robot vacuum.
Why it’s seventh, not first:
- It’s more expensive than bulbs or plugs.
- It shines only when everything else (Wi‑Fi, power, basic routines) is stable.
- It’s a quality‑of‑life upgrade, not a core control layer.
But once everything above is set, the robot vacuum becomes the daily cleaning assistant:
- Scheduled runs on weekdays while I’m out
- Spot‑clean commands after cooking or hosting
- Less visible dust, fewer “I should really sweep” moments
In a small flat, it’s the difference between constantly chasing crumbs and quietly staying ahead of them.
Why Not Start With Everything At Once?
If you buy all seven categories on day one, you’ll spend weeks just learning apps, fixing bugs and explaining to other people “how to use the house now.”
Building in this order:
- Brain (speaker/display)
- Control of dumb devices (plugs)
- Lighting
- Climate
- Motion / presence
- Basic security view
- Automation‑friendly cleaning
…means every step gives you a new, visible benefit without overwhelming you.
You can stop after step 3 and still have a nice setup. You can live with steps 1–5 for months before adding cameras or robots. The idea is to create a smart home that feels less work than a normal one, not more.
If your own starting point is different – for example, you care most about security or about cleaning – you can shuffle the order a bit. But staying close to this sequence will keep your setup sane, extensible, and friendly to everyone who has to live with it, not just the person doing the automations.
