After years of testing various smart home products professionally, I've developed a pretty good sense of which ones actually deliver on their money-saving promises versus which ones are just gimmicks.
I want to share my list of money-saving smart home products that I consider actually worth the investment, and I'd love to hear what others would add or remove from this list:
1. Smart thermostats (but only if you currently have no schedule or a very inefficient one)
2. Smart plugs for entertainment centers and office equipment
3. Smart irrigation controllers for gardens/lawns
4. Energy monitoring plugs for identifying power hogs
5. Smart water shutoff valves (for leak prevention)
What would you add to this list? And more importantly, what products have you found to be NOT worth it for savings? I'm trying to help people make useful smart home purchases that actually improve their bottom line, not just add to their electricity bill with more devices drawing standby power.
I'd add smart power strips with individual outlet control to your list. They're like smart plugs but for multiple devices. I have one on my entertainment center that turns off everything except the DVR (which needs constant power).
Also, smart window film or automated blinds. They can reduce solar heat gain in summer, which lowers AC costs. Not a huge savings, but combined with other measures, it helps.
What I'd remove from many must-have" lists: smart refrigerators. The energy savings claims are usually exaggerated, and they're expensive. A regular Energy Star fridge plus a $15 smart plug on the ice maker (if it has a heating element) achieves similar savings for way less money.
The most money-saving smart home products are often the simple, single-purpose devices, not the fancy all-in-one solutions.
I'd add smart ceiling fans to the worth-it list. They can make a room feel 4-7°F cooler, allowing you to set your AC higher. In cooling season, that can save 10-15% on cooling costs.
Also, smart water heater controllers. Most water heaters are set too hot (140°F+) when 120°F is sufficient for most uses. A smart controller can lower the temperature when not needed (overnight, when you're at work) and heat water just before you need it.
Not worth it for savings in my experience: smart sprinkler systems unless you have a very large lawn. The water savings are minimal compared to the cost. Better to just use a basic timer and adjust manually based on weather.
And definitely not worth it: smart mirrors, smart trash cans, smart toilets. These are novelty items, not money-saving smart home products.
From a budget perspective, here's what I consider actually worth buying for savings:
Worth it:
- Smart thermostat (but get rebates)
- Smart plugs for entertainment/office
- Energy monitoring plug to find other savings
- LED bulbs (smart or regular)
- Smart power strip for computer setup
Not worth it for savings alone:
- Whole-house smart lighting
- Smart appliances (fridge, oven, etc.)
- Smart window treatments
- Voice assistants (unless you use them for automation)
- Smart security cameras (for savings - great for security though)
The pattern I see: Simple, single-purpose devices tend to have better smart home devices ROI than complex, multi-function devices. A $15 smart plug that saves $20 annually is a better investment than a $1,000 smart fridge that might save $30 annually.
Useful smart home purchases are often the boring, practical ones.
I'd add occupancy sensors to the worth-it list. Not the fancy ones, but simple motion sensors that turn lights off when no one's in the room. They're cheap ($20-30) and can save 10-20% on lighting costs in frequently used rooms.
Also, smart vents if you have rooms that are always too hot or cold. They balance the temperature throughout your home, which can reduce the need to over-cool or over-heat the whole house.
Not worth it: Smart coffee makers. A $15 smart plug on a regular coffee maker achieves the same result for way less money. Same with smart slow cookers, smart tea kettles, etc.
The most useful smart home purchases are often the ones that add intelligence to existing appliances, not replace them with expensive smart versions.
I'd add whole-house energy monitors to the worth-it list. They're not cheap ($200-300), but they help you identify where your energy is actually going. I discovered my water heater was using way more energy than it should have been. Replaced it and saved $300 annually.
The monitor paid for itself in less than a year by identifying that one issue.
Also, smart pool pumps if you have a pool. They can save 50-90% on pool pump energy use by running at lower speeds during off-peak times.
Not worth it: Smart plant sensors unless you have very expensive plants. A $5 moisture meter does the same job. Smart air purifiers - a regular HEPA filter plus a smart plug for scheduling works just as well.
The best money-saving smart home products solve specific, measurable problems, not general might be nice" scenarios.