From smart thermostats and light bulbs that have minds of their own to door locks integrated with Bluetooth technology, sensors of all kinds, and wireless monitoring cameras, the latest high-tech home technology has never been as sophisticated as it is today. 

That said, its offerings also haven’t been as dizzying. Installing them is only half the battle when you manage to pick out some stuff. You must also ensure that everything works together smoothly and is operated from a single user interface. 

Finding the ideal system for your home can be difficult, but essential gear can get you there. The gear can be separated into two categories: smart all-around home systems and security-focused systems. 

Here are some of our top picks, which include starter kits with hubs and a few devices. Some kits have just the hub, in which case you would need to add components certified by the manufacturer. 

Best Smart Home Systems

Our top picks are some of today’s easiest systems to install and operate. Check them out. 

Best All-around System: Aeotec Smart Home Hub

Contrary to what some may have been led to believe, SmartThings isn’t dead. At least, not entirely. The only part Samsung sent off to retirement was SmartThings hub, meaning they’re no longer manufacturing their hardware. 

However, the platform is still alive, and hub-manufacturing has been taking place in other companies, including smart-home stalwart, Aeotec. 

The Aeotec Smart Home Hub is a small box you connect to your router that allows you to control the broad assortment of SmartThings-compatible products using a simple and intuitive app. All the major companies are covered, including Amazon, Google, Ring, and various smart products like doorbells, door locks, lighting accessories, and more. 

Best Security-focused System: Ring Alarm Pro (Eight-piece)

Ring Alarm Pro takes their already-sophisticated security system up to several notches by adding an expandable battery, broadband backup feature, and Wi-Fi 6 router. 

You simply won’t find a smart home security package that offers better value or a system that delivers superb professional security monitoring for so little as a $20 monthly fee. Not to mention, it has cloud storage for video clips, security cameras, and unlimited ring video doorbells. 

In general, the Ring Alarm second gen comes runner up to the Alarm Pro (eight-piece), but it could be the more practical choice for those who don’t feel the need for the latter’s more advanced features. 

However, it is worth noting that Ring has yet to turn its Ring alarm systems, this one included, into full-on home hubs. There’s also the fact that the Pro’s Zigbee radio is mostly dormant, and its home automation can be disjointed at times. Perhaps Ring will have all these things in order one day, but the Alarm Pro’s current setup will have to do for now. For the most part, it does very well, so we aren’t complaining (much). 

Best System for Privacy: Minut Smart Home Alarm

When controlling home smart devices, the Minut Smart Home system’s ability is quite limited. However, where privacy is concerned, this system doesn’t necessarily need microphones, security cameras, or similar technology sometimes deemed invasive to protect your home. 

Honorable Mention: Abode Iota

The security-focused Abode Iota impresses with its 1080p security camera housed in a more compact enclosure than the original’s but retains all the best features we loved about its predecessor. These include the Z-Wave and Zigbee smart home support for devices and sensors, professional monitoring (optional), and phone backup for added security (optional).   

What To Consider When Shopping

Many of today’s popular smart home systems tend to nail the following aspects:

Device Support 

There are smart hubs that only support devices developed by the hub. Some offer certification for third-party gadgets or offer hooks into systems manufactured by third parties such as Nest, Amazon, and Google. These are three of the biggest names to pay attention to regarding affiliations, as quality devices tend to come from them. 

That said, you may also want to add Apple to that mix, seeing as their Homekit could become a significant player soon. Furthermore, unless you’re thinking about replacing some of the devices you already have, it’s essential to consider whether or not they would be compatible with your hub.

Wired or Wireless

Numerous smart home hubs have to be connected to a wireless router using an ethernet cable, limiting placement and requiring an ethernet port on your router. That can be a problem with some new generation routers with limited ethernet ports. You can set up wireless hubs anywhere within the router’s range. 

Sensor Range

Consider the hub's sensor support if you have a large, spacious home with devices positioned well apart. Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi have varying sensor ranges, affecting device placement and physical obstructions. Take time to assess these specifications to determine if the sensors and third-party gadgets will function within your home.