The First 5 Devices to Make Your Home Smarter
You don’t need to spend a fortune or buy dozens of gadgets to have a smart home. The smartest way to start is with a few devices that make an instant difference to your daily life — and are easy to expand later.
Here are five devices that deliver maximum impact for first-time smart homeowners in India, with real examples you can buy today.
1. Smart Lights – Instant Gratification
Lighting is the easiest way to experience the “wow” of home automation.
What they do: Turn lights on/off, dim, or change color using your phone, voice, or automation.
Options:
Wozart Switch Controllers – retrofit behind your existing switches so you can keep your familiar wall switches and make them smart.
Philips Hue – great for mood lighting (bulbs, strips, lamps).
Wipro Smart LED Bulbs – budget-friendly Wi-Fi option.
Example Use: Lights in the living room switch on automatically when you walk in after sunset.
Pro Tip: If you’re building or renovating, choose a retrofit solution like Wozart so you don’t have to replace every bulb with a smart one.
2. Smart Plugs – Make Any Appliance Smart
Smart plugs are underrated — they can make almost anything “smart.”
What they do: Let you switch appliances on/off remotely or on a schedule.
Options:
Wozart Smart Plug – works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings.
TP-Link Tapo P110 – solid, affordable option.
Example Use: Turn off the geyser from your phone or have it switch on automatically 30 minutes before your morning shower.
3. Voice Assistant Speaker or Display – Your Smart Home Brain
Without a hub, you’ll just be tapping apps all day. A voice assistant ties everything together.
What they do: Control your devices with voice, create automations, and act as your smart home “dashboard.”
Options:
Amazon Echo Dot/Echo Show – Alexa ecosystem.
Google Nest Mini/Nest Hub – Google Home ecosystem.
Apple HomePod mini – best choice for Apple users.
Example Use: Say “Hey Siri, good night” and have all lights turn off, doors lock, and AC switch to sleep mode.
4. Smart Lock or Video Doorbell – Security Upgrade
Start your smart home with peace of mind.
What they do: Let you see visitors, unlock doors remotely, and receive alerts.
Options:
Yale YDM7116 or Aqara A100 – reliable smart locks with PIN, fingerprint, and app control. Works with Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa.
Qubo Smart Doorlock or Godrej Locks – Indian brands with growing smart lock lines.
Qubo or Aqara Video Doorbells – crystal-clear video and app alerts.
Example Use: See and talk to your delivery person from anywhere and unlock the door for family members without sharing a key.
5. Smart AC Controller – Save on Power Bills
In India, AC bills can eat a big chunk of your budget.
What they do: Turn your normal AC into a smart one with scheduling, remote control, and geofencing.
Options:
Oakremote – popular AC controllers that work with most brands.
Wozart IR Controller – works not only for AC but also BLDC Fans and other remote-controlled devices. Works with Apple Home
Example Use: AC switches off automatically when you leave home and turns back on 10 minutes before you arrive.
The Smart Way to Start
Start with these five, then expand slowly. Once you have the basics, you can add:
Motion/Presence sensors (lights turn on automatically at night).
Curtain controllers (curtains open with sunrise).
Energy monitors (track which devices use the most power).