Top 10 Smart Home Gadgets of 2025 You Didn’t Know You Needed

Smart home technology in 2025 is more innovative and interconnected than ever. With unified standards like Matter enabling seamless compatibility and advances in AI making devices smarter, the market is exploding with options. In fact, over 77 million U.S. households are using some form of smart home tech in 2025. From saving energy to boosting security and adding convenience or entertainment, there’s now a gadget for nearly every aspect of home life. Below, we count down the top 10 smart home gadgets of 2025 – a mix of budget-friendly and premium innovations – that you didn’t know you needed until you see what they can do for you.

1. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (2025 Edition)

Key Features & Benefits:

• Intelligent Climate Control: Uses built-in sensors and scheduling to optimize heating/cooling, helping save on energy bills.

• Voice & App Integration: Works with leading platforms like Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Alexa for hands-free temperature control.

• Remote Access: Manage your home’s temperature from anywhere via a smartphone app, so you’re never heating or cooling an empty house.

• Easy Install & Sleek Design: Simple DIY installation and a modern touchscreen make it a stylish, user-friendly upgrade.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  Smart thermostats have come a long way, and this new 2025 release from Ecobee offers high-end capabilities at a lower price point. It delivers most of the advanced climate-control features of pricier models (like learning your routine and supporting room sensors) but with a budget-friendly $129.99 price tag. With energy costs rising, the Ecobee Essential can pay for itself by automatically dialing down usage when you’re away and making efficiency recommendations. Its native support for major ecosystems ensures it fits right into your existing setup for a more comfortable and energy-efficient home.

Price Range: Around $130 (mid-range)

2. Ultraloq U-Bolt Smart Lock (UWB Edition)

Key Features & Benefits:

• Ultra Wideband Unlocking: One of the world’s first UWB-enabled smart locks, allowing precise, phone-in-pocket detection to unlock your door almost instantly as you approach.

• Multiple Access Methods: Supports app control, keycode entry, voice commands, and even a fingerprint reader (on the standard version) for flexibility.

• Secure & Connected: Built with advanced encryption and compatible with Matter for broad smart home integration. It can auto-lock when you leave and send alerts to your phone.

• Long Battery Life: Despite its wireless connectivity, it boasts up to 1-year battery life, so you won’t be swapping batteries often.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  This next-gen smart deadbolt takes home security to new heights with UWB technology. That means no more fumbling with keys or waiting for your lock to respond – it unlocks accurately and almost instantly when you (and your authorized phone) get close. It’s also one of the first locks built around the new Matter standard, ensuring it works smoothly with Alexa, Google, Apple Home, and others. Early demos at CES impressed testers with its speed and precision, showing a glimpse of the future of truly seamless entry. If you’re looking to upgrade your front door security in 2025, the Ultraloq UWB lock offers cutting-edge convenience without sacrificing safety.

Price Range: $399 for the UWB model (premium); $199 for the standard fingerprint model.

3. Roborock Saros Z70 Robot Vacuum (with Robotic Arm)

Key Features & Benefits:

• Vacuuming + Mopping: High-end 2-in-1 cleaning with powerful suction (over 20,000 Pa) and advanced mopping that can scrub and lift to avoid carpets.

• AI Obstacle Avoidance: Smart navigation with AI can recognize common objects on the floor. The standout Z70 model even picks up small clutter – socks, toys, etc. – and moves them aside!

• Robotic Arm Assistance: The Z70’s built-in arm (5 degrees of freedom) can grab light items under 300g and place them where they belong (e.g. drop socks in a basket). It’s like having a tiny butler tidying up as it cleans.

• Self-Maintaining Dock: Comes with an auto-empty and mop washing dock, so it cleans its dustbin and mop for truly hands-free operation.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  If you thought robot vacuums were old news, the Roborock Saros Z70 will change your mind. This futuristic cleaner doesn’t just suck up dirt – it can declutter your floors by picking up objects that normally stop other vacuums in their tracks. Imagine never having to rescue a tangled Roomba from shoelaces or Legos; the Z70 moves them and continues on its way. It’s the closest thing yet to the housecleaning robots of The Jetsons. While it’s a premium investment, early models launching in 2025 start around $1,599 for the standard versions, and the added robotic arm tech makes the Z70 truly state-of-the-art. For busy households or tech enthusiasts, this gadget brings automated cleaning to the next level.

Price Range: $1,500+ (high-end flagship)

4. Amazon Smart Plug (Wi-Fi Smart Outlet)

Key Features & Benefits:

• Make “Dumb” Devices Smart: Instantly turn any lamp, fan, coffee maker, or other small appliance into a smart device you can control remotely. Simply plug the appliance into this Wi-Fi outlet.

• Voice & App Control: Pairs with Alexa for hands-free voice commands (“Alexa, turn on the lamp”) and offers scheduling and on/off control via a smartphone app.

• Home Automation Routines: Set timers or create routines (e.g. lights turn on at sunset or off when you say “good night”). Great for vacation mode to make an empty house look occupied.

• No Hub Required: Uses Wi-Fi and is a simple plug-and-play device. Its compact design won’t block the other wall outlet.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  Sometimes the simplest gadgets have the biggest impact. A smart plug is a budget-friendly entry into home automation – this one costs only about $25. Yet it can modernize all those ordinary devices in your home. Have an old lamp or space heater? Plug it in, and now you can turn it on or off with your voice or phone from anywhere. In 2025, saving energy is a priority too. With smart plugs, you can cut off power to devices that would otherwise sit idly drawing power (like that coffee maker you always forget to unplug). It’s a small upgrade that adds convenience and can even provide peace of mind – no more worrying if you left something on when you rushed out. This little gadget brings big smart home benefits on a small budget.

Price Range: Around $25 (affordable)

5. Flic Duo Smart Button

Key Features & Benefits:

• Multi-Function Buttons: Two physical buttons, each recognizing single, double, or long-presses plus twist and flick gestures – giving you over a dozen possible commands in one tiny device.

• Shortcut Your Routines: Program it to control lights, play music, adjust blinds, activate security cameras, or any combination (e.g. a “movie night” button dims lights and turns on the TV).

• No Phone Needed: Provides tactile control for your smart home. Great for family members or guests who don’t use voice assistants – just press a button to toggle things.

• Matter-Compatible & Long Battery: Works with all major platforms via Matter and has an estimated 3-year battery life, so you can “set it and forget it.”

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  In an era of voice assistants, a physical button might seem old-school – until you realize how convenient it is. The Flic Duo is like a customizable light switch for anything in your smart home. For example, stick one by your bedside: one tap could turn off all lights, double-tap locks the doors, long-press sets the alarm – all without fumbling through apps or speaking commands. In 2025, as our homes fill with smart gadgets, sometimes you just want a quick, silent shortcut to control them. Flic Duo provides exactly that, and it’s universally compatible thanks to Matter support. Its affordability (about $49 per button) means you can scatter a few around the house for ultimate convenience. It’s the smart home accessory you didn’t know you needed until you try it.

Price Range: Approx. $50 (accessible)

6. Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp

Key Features & Benefits:

• 16+ Million Colors: This sleek floor lamp can glow in any color imaginable (and even multiple colors at once in different segments) to match your mood or décor.

• Dynamic Lighting Effects: Built-in music-sync and animated scenes paint your walls with moving light – perfect for parties, relaxing, or gaming setups. For example, have it gently mimic a sunrise in the morning.

• Smartphone & Voice Control: Design custom color patterns in the Nanoleaf app or control it via voice through Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It supports Matter over Wi-Fi, so it integrates with any smart home system.

• Slim, Stylish Design: A minimalist black stand that tucks into any corner. It provides indirect lighting (LEDs face the wall), which creates a cozy, diffused glow without glaring in your eyes.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  Smart lighting isn’t just about bulbs anymore – it’s about crafting experiences. Nanoleaf’s new floor lamp (unveiled at CES 2025) brings pro-level ambiance into the home. Whether you want a calming blue backdrop for reading or a rotating rainbow for an impromptu dance party, this lamp can do it. It’s essentially plug-and-play mood lighting that elevates any room’s atmosphere instantly. Plus, it’s one of the first of its kind to fully embrace Matter, meaning setup and integration are hassle-free. At around $100, it’s a fun mid-range gadget that delivers a big “wow” factor. If you haven’t explored smart lighting beyond basic bulbs, this floor lamp might be the stylish upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Price Range: About $100 (mid-range)

7. Google Nest Doorbell (2nd Gen, Battery/Wired)

Key Features & Benefits:

• HD Video & Night Vision: Get a clear 24/7 view of your doorstep in 1080p HDR, even at night. You can see and talk to visitors (or delivery people) via two-way audio from anywhere.

• AI Person & Package Alerts: Uses advanced AI to send specific alerts – it can recognize familiar faces vs. strangers, and even detect packages left or taken. No more constant motion pings for every passing car.

• Smart Integration: Pairs with other Nest devices and Google Home for automated routines (e.g. flash your smart lights when someone’s at the door). Also compatible with Alexa routines.

• Easy Install Options: Comes in battery-powered or wired versions to suit your home. The battery model is DIY-friendly (no drilling required) and the wired model offers continuous recording.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  Porch pirates and unwelcome visitors meet their match with the latest Nest Doorbell. It’s one of the most technologically advanced video doorbells available, offering features like facial recognition and package detection that truly set it apart. This means in 2025 you’ll not only know that someone is at your door – you’ll know who it is (and if they left Amazon goodies for you). Considering that nearly 4 in 10 Americans have experienced package theft at some point, a smart doorbell isn’t just a cool gadget, it’s a wise security upgrade. The Nest Doorbell will alert you in real-time and even record events for evidence, giving you peace of mind whether you’re home or away. With a price around $179 (cheaper than some competitors), it’s a worthy investment in protecting your deliveries and modernizing your home’s first point of contact.

Price Range: Around $180 (mid-to-high, depending on model)

8. NeoPlants Power Drops (Smart Plant Additive)

Key Features & Benefits:

• Enhanced Air Purification: These drops contain special compounds that, when added to your houseplant’s soil, boost the plant’s natural ability to filter harmful indoor air pollutants (VOCs). Your plant becomes up to 30× better at cleaning chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde from the air.

• Easy to Use: It’s a powder you mix with water and pour into the soil monthly. No fancy device or power source – just feed your plant. Each treatment keeps working for weeks.

• All-Natural & Safe: Instead of noisy electric air purifiers, you’re leveraging nature. The modified microbes in the drops work in symbiosis with the plant, and it’s safe for the plant and your home.

• Complements Existing Air Filters: While it won’t replace a HEPA air purifier for dust/allergens, it significantly improves your baseline air quality in a passive, eco-friendly way.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  One of the most unique “smart home” innovations of 2025 doesn’t have a plug or an app – it lives in your potted plants. NeoPlants Power Drops represent a crossover of biotechnology and smart living. As homes become more airtight and energy-efficient, indoor pollutants can build up. These drops effectively turn your pothos or peace lily into a mini air scrubber, actively reducing VOCs that typical filters might miss. It’s a set-and-forget solution: your only job is to remember to treat the plant each month. Given that each pack costs just about $5  (and one pack per plant per month is enough), it’s an incredibly affordable way to boost wellness at home. In 2025, we’re all looking for healthier living environments – Power Drops let your beloved houseplants do that job for you, silently and naturally.

Price Range: Approx. $5 per month (consumable packs) 

9. Lutron Caséta Smart Shades

Key Features & Benefits:

• Automated Natural Light Control: These motorized window shades can be scheduled or controlled on demand to raise or lower, letting in sunlight when you want it and providing privacy or darkness when you don’t.

• Quiet & Fast: Engineered for near-silent operation and smooth movement. They move in near-perfect unison if you have multiple shades, creating a polished, luxury feel.

• Smart Integrations: Fully compatible with all major systems – Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, etc. You can use voice commands like “Good morning” to open all bedroom shades, or have them close automatically at dusk to save energy.

• DIY-Friendly Custom Fit: Lutron offers these shades cut to your window dimensions (up to very large sizes). They ship ready to install in as little as 15 minutes, without requiring professional installers. Available in roller or honeycomb styles and even optional blackout fabric for bedrooms .

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  Smart lighting isn’t just about bulbs – controlling sunlight is the next frontier. Lutron’s Caséta Smart Shades, launched at CES 2025, bring what used to be a pricey custom luxury into a (somewhat) more affordable realm. Imagine never having to touch your blinds again: they gently wake you up with morning light, close during the heat of the day to keep your home cool, and give you privacy at night – all automatically. They’re also fantastic for energy efficiency: maximize natural light when available, minimize heat loss/gain when it’s not. These shades carry Lutron’s reputation for reliability, so they “just work” – no loud whirring or glitchy behavior. While still an investment at $399 per window for standard sizes, they’re far cheaper than earlier smart shade solutions. If you’re looking to splurge on a home upgrade in 2025, smart shades deliver convenience, comfort, and a cool factor that will make you wonder how you lived without them.

Price Range: Starting around $399 per shade (premium)

10. Click & Grow Indoor Smart Garden

Key Features & Benefits:

• Automated Gardening: This countertop garden kit handles all the hard work – it provides automated LED grow lights and a self-watering system, so you can grow herbs, salad greens, or flowers year-round with almost no maintenance.

• Plant Pods: Comes with pre-seeded pods (like capsules) for plants such as basil, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. Just pop them in – the Smart Garden delivers the right amount of water, light, and nutrients automatically.

• No Green Thumb Needed: Even if you’ve never kept a houseplant alive, the system ensures optimal growth by maintaining proper soil moisture and light cycles. It’s like having a tiny farm that runs itself.

• Health & Flavor: Enjoy ultra-fresh, pesticide-free produce from your own kitchen. Snip basil for pasta or harvest lettuce for a salad minutes before eating – the taste and convenience beat store-bought.

Why it’s worth considering in 2025:  In an age where indoor wellness and sustainable living are top of mind, a smart indoor garden brings nature into your home in the most convenient way. The Click & Grow (and similar systems) basically turns anyone into an urban gardener – no backyard, no skill required. It’s plug and plant. By 2025, these systems have matured to grow a variety of greens and even small veggies with impressive success rates. They also make for a great educational gadget for kids to learn about plants and science, all while sprouting something edible. Starting at roughly $100 for a basic 3-pod kit and scaling up for larger models, there’s an option for every budget. If you’ve ever wished for a herb garden in your kitchen but lacked the time or know-how, a smart garden is the hassle-free solution you didn’t know you needed – bringing farm-to-table literally next to your coffee maker.

Price Range: Starts around $100 for smaller models; higher for larger gardens.

Each of these 10 gadgets showcases how far smart home tech has come in 2025 – blending cutting-edge tech with everyday functionality. Whether it’s a device that keeps you secure, saves you money, or simply makes home life more enjoyable, there’s likely something on this list that sparked your curiosity. Adopting even a couple of these can significantly enhance your home’s convenience, security, efficiency, and fun. The best part? Many of these innovations are more accessible than ever, so you can start small (with a plug or button) or go big (with a robot or whole-home upgrade). In the end, “smart” home is about tailoring your space to fit your lifestyle – and these gadgets help do exactly that, often in ways you didn’t realize you needed until now.

Sources: The information and prices for the products above were gathered from recent product announcements, reviews, and official spec sheets to ensure accuracy and relevance as of 2025. Happy upgrading! (The best smart home tech at CES 2025) (The Best Smart Home Devices of 2025 | Security.org) (The best smart home tech at CES 2025) (Nest Doorbell Camera Cost & Pricing in 2025 | Security.org) (CES 2025: Lutron Debuts HomeKit-Compatible Caséta Smart Shades - MacRumors)