The easiest way to start a smart home is to pick one system, buy one simple device such as a smart plug or smart bulb, and get that working before adding more. You don’t need a hub, an installer or a whole-house plan on day one. A phone, home Wi-Fi and the right app are enough.
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This guide explains how the main systems differ, what Matter means on the box, which devices make good first buys and how to set them up safely.
What Is a Smart Home?
A smart home is a home where some everyday devices connect to the internet or your home network, so you can control them from your phone, by voice or on a schedule. A lamp that switches on at sunset, a heater you can turn off from the bus, or a doorbell that shows you who’s there are all smart home devices.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre describes smart devices as electrical items that connect to the internet, usually through Wi-Fi. That covers speakers and cameras as well as ordinary appliances such as thermostats, kettles and washing machines.
Choose One System First
Most smart home gadgets are controlled through one of three big systems: Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home. Picking one to start with keeps everything in a single app and makes voice control and routines simpler.
| System | Voice assistant | Works best if you |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | — |
| Amazon Alexa | Alexa on Echo speakers and displays | Already own an Echo speaker or like Alexa voice control |
| Google Home | Gemini or Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays | Use Android and Google services every day |
| Apple Home | Siri on iPhone, HomePod and Apple TV | Use an iPhone and want everything in the Home app |
Samsung SmartThings is a fourth option, popular with people who own Samsung phones and appliances. You can mix systems later, but starting with one avoids confusion.
What Does Matter Mean on the Box?
Matter is a shared standard that lets smart home devices from different brands work together. It is run by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, an industry group whose members include Amazon, Apple, Google and Samsung. A device with the Matter logo should work with any of the main systems above.
For a beginner, this is the most useful thing to look for when shopping. It means you’re less likely to be locked into one brand, and if you switch from Alexa to Google Home or Apple Home later, your Matter devices can come with you.
Hubs, Thread and the small print
Some Matter devices connect over Wi-Fi. Others use Thread, a low-power wireless network that needs a Thread border router. Many recent smart speakers and streaming boxes include one. Apple, for example, says you need a home hub such as a HomePod mini or a supported Apple TV to add Matter accessories to the Home app. Google lists a Matter-enabled hub as a requirement for Google Home. Check the box or the app’s help page before you buy.
The Best First Smart Home Devices
The best first devices are a smart plug, a smart bulb, a smart speaker or display, a video doorbell or camera, or a smart thermostat, whichever solves a small, real annoyance in your home. Start with one of these simple, inexpensive categories:
- Smart plug. Plugs into a normal socket and lets you switch a lamp, fan or coffee machine on and off from your phone or on a timer. No wiring.
- Smart bulb. Replaces an ordinary bulb. You can dim it, schedule it and on many models change its colour or warmth.
- Smart speaker or display. Gives you voice control and often acts as the hub for Matter and Thread devices.
- Video doorbell or indoor camera. Lets you see who’s at the door or check on a room while you’re out. These need more thought about privacy and placement.
- Smart thermostat. Lets you control heating or cooling from your phone. Installation can involve wiring, so read the requirements carefully or ask a qualified installer.
A smart plug is often the easiest win. It works with things you already own and takes a few minutes to set up.
How to Set Up Your First Device
To set up most devices, update your app, put the device in pairing mode, add it in the app, scan its QR code, then name it and assign it to a room. These steps are based on Google’s instructions for adding a Matter device, and Alexa and Apple Home work in a similar way.
- Update your phone and install the latest version of your chosen app: Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home.
- Plug in or power on the device and put it in pairing mode, following the leaflet in the box.
- In the app, choose the option to add a device. Many phones also show a pop-up when a new device is nearby.
- Scan the QR code on the device or its packaging. Keep this code somewhere safe, as you may need it again.
- Choose your home Wi-Fi network if asked, then give the device a clear name and assign it to a room.
If the device won’t connect
Many low-cost smart plugs and bulbs only work on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. eufy’s support pages, for example, say its smart plug only supports 2.4 GHz. If your router combines 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one network name, setup can fail. Moving closer to the router, checking the Wi-Fi password and checking the router’s settings for a 2.4 GHz option usually solve it.
How to Keep Smart Devices Secure
Keep smart devices secure by changing default passwords, turning on two-step verification, installing updates, checking the support period and wiping devices before you sell them, because each one is a small computer on your home network that needs the same care as a phone or laptop. The National Cyber Security Centre gives clear advice for households:
- Change any default password during setup and use a strong one. The NCSC suggests combining three random words.
- Turn on two-step verification for the app account if it’s offered.
- Keep the device updated. Updates fix security problems, so turn on automatic updates where you can.
- Check the support period before buying. Devices that no longer get updates are easier to hack. Under UK rules in force since April 2024, new smart devices must state how long they’ll receive security updates.
- Wipe it before you sell or recycle it. A factory reset removes your account and Wi-Fi details.
Name devices by room and job, such as “Bedroom lamp” or “Hallway plug.” Voice commands and routines are much easier when names are short and clear.
Simple Routines to Try Next
Once a device works, try routines such as a lamp that turns on at sunset or a fan that switches off after an hour, because routines are where a smart home starts saving effort. A routine, called an automation in some apps, is a set of actions that runs on a schedule or when something happens.
Good first routines include:
- Turning a lamp on at sunset and off at bedtime.
- Switching off a plug-in heater or fan automatically after an hour.
- A “Good morning” voice command that turns on the kitchen lights and reads the weather.
- Making lights look lived-in while you’re away by switching them on and off in the evening.
Add new devices one at a time and test each routine before relying on it.