“Can you share a smart home device that was actually worth the investment for you? Why would you recommend it over similar alternatives on the market?”
Here is what 13 thought leaders had to say.
Smart Pool Monitors Deliver Real-Time Water Balance Data
I have a smart pool monitor, and I would highly recommend getting one if you have a pool. When you have a pool, one of the most important maintenance elements you have to stay on top of is water balance. You have to make sure that everything from the pH level, to the chemical balance, to chlorine levels, to temperature all remain in the proper range. This is vital for the health of your pool and those swimming in it. Smart pool monitors are a game changer because they give you real-time insights on all these things 24/7, sending that data straight to your phone. This makes it easier to know what you need to do to maintain your pool, and any major issues can be identified right away.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO, Cabana
Smart Plugs Add Affordable Value to Modern Homes
Smart plugs have been one of the most practical pieces of technology I’ve added to my home. They’re easy to set up, affordable, and make everyday routines simpler. I use them for things like lamps and appliances that I want to control remotely. If I forget to turn something off before heading out, I can do it from my phone in seconds. It saves energy and gives me peace of mind, which is something most homeowners value.
In real estate, I’ve noticed that buyers respond well to homes with these small, thoughtful upgrades. They don’t need to be expensive to make an impression. A few smart plugs here and there show that the home has been cared for and updated in a way that fits modern living. People appreciate features that make life easier without adding complexity or high costs.
I often point out simple smart additions during showings because they demonstrate how technology can work quietly in the background to make a home feel more efficient and comfortable.
Jeff Burke, CEO, Jeff Burke & Associates
Nest Learning Thermostat Reduces Bills Through Automation
One smart home device that was definitely worth the investment for me is the Nest Learning Thermostat. I was initially skeptical about smart thermostats, but this one has significantly improved both my home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
What sets it apart from similar alternatives is its self-learning capability. Over time, the Nest Thermostat learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature automatically, optimizing energy usage based on when you’re home or away. This feature not only keeps my home at the perfect temperature but also helps reduce energy bills without any extra effort on my part.
Additionally, the remote control via the app is incredibly convenient, allowing me to adjust the temperature from anywhere, which is perfect for when I forget to change the settings before leaving for the day. The integration with other smart devices (like Google Home) further enhances the convenience, making it a seamless part of my smart home ecosystem.
I’d recommend the Nest Learning Thermostat over other options because of its ease of use, efficiency, and long-term cost savings. Unlike some competitors, it doesn’t require constant manual adjustments or monitoring, making it a truly smart investment for home comfort and energy management.
Wayne Lowry, Founder, Best DPC
Robot Vacuums Maintain Clean Floors Without Effort
The one smart device that paid me back. I recommend a robot vacuum. It gave me clean floors every day without thinking about it. That sounds small. It is not. Crumbs, pet hair, and grit never pile up. I run short daily passes. My floors look better on Tuesday than they used to on Saturday. I got time back and my house stays guest-ready. Most smart gear adds alerts. A good bot removes a chore. It does the work when I am out or asleep. No nudging, no nags, no extra habits to maintain.
Jacob Rhodes, Owner and Chief Engineer, TrueTrac
Ecobee Sensors Target Energy Use Room by Room
One smart home device that was definitely worth the investment for me is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat. I’ve found it to be incredibly efficient in both energy savings and comfort, making it stand out from similar alternatives like the Nest Learning Thermostat.
What sets the Ecobee apart is its room sensors, which can detect temperature and occupancy in different rooms, allowing the thermostat to adjust the heating or cooling based on the actual usage of each room, rather than just the temperature of one central location. This ensures that energy isn’t wasted heating or cooling rooms that aren’t in use, and it leads to more consistent comfort throughout the house.
The integration with smart home systems like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit is also seamless, and it allows for voice control and easy management via an app. The ability to track energy usage and receive tips on how to optimize heating and cooling has led to noticeable cost savings on energy bills.
I would recommend the Ecobee over other options because of its smart sensors, customizable settings, and real-time energy tracking—features that genuinely contribute to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, making it a great long-term investment.
Belle Florendo, Marketing coordinator, My Accurate Home and Commercial Services
Nest Thermostat Prevents HVAC Strain While Saving Money
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat proved to be a smart investment because of its reliability and long-term savings rather than novelty. It learns household patterns over time, automatically adjusting temperatures for comfort and efficiency without constant input. The benefit extends beyond energy savings—it helps prevent strain on HVAC systems, a common issue we see in home restoration work. Compared to other models, its real advantage is integration. It connects seamlessly with smartphones and other Google devices, allowing full control even when away from home. For anyone focused on both comfort and cost management, the Nest strikes the right balance between convenience, durability, and measurable utility.
Ysabel Florendo, Marketing coordinator, Ready Nation Contractors
Smart Thermostats Learn Routines to Cut Energy Costs
The smart home device that’s actually been worth it for me is a smart thermostat. I was skeptical at first because there are so many on the market but after installing one, the difference in comfort and energy savings was noticeable. What makes it valuable isn’t just the ability to adjust the temperature from my phone; it’s how it learns your routine over time and fine-tunes heating and cooling so the system isn’t running when it doesn’t need to.
I’d recommend investing in one that’s compatible with your existing HVAC setup and gives you control without being overly complicated. The best smart thermostats out there don’t need constant attention as they just quietly improve efficiency in the background. Ours helped lower our utility bills and made temperature control feel effortless, especially during New Mexico’s big temperature swings. For anyone who wants to make their home a little smarter without going overboard, a thermostat is a great place to start.
Sarah Trujillo, Operations Manager, Wagner Mechanical
Smart Leak Detectors Prevent Water Damage and Pests
As a homeowner and someone who spends a lot of time helping people keep their spaces pest-free, I’d say my favorite smart home device is the smart leak detector I installed near our water heater and basement sump pump. It’s a small sensor that connects to my phone, alerting me instantly to any leaks or sudden humidity spikes. In the Midwest, where basements are common and humidity can get out of hand, such early warnings can prevent water damage that often attracts pests like ants and silverfish.
I’d recommend it over other “fancier” smart home options because it’s practical and inexpensive, yet it actually solves a real problem from the start. You don’t need to pay for a subscription or set up a complicated system—place it in key spots and let it do its job. It’s one of those devices that quietly protects your home every day without you having to think about it.
Joel Miller, President, Miller Pest & Termite
Smart Irrigation Controllers Reduce Water Bills Automatically
One smart home device that’s really been worth it for me is the smart irrigation controller. In Arizona, water management is huge, and this device made it easy to keep my yard healthy without wasting a drop. It connects to local weather data and adjusts watering automatically—so if it rains in the morning, it skips the cycle that night. Before installing it, I was constantly tweaking sprinkler timers, especially during heat waves or monsoon season. Now, it basically runs itself and has noticeably cut down my water bill.
I’d recommend it over traditional timers because it does the thinking for you. Some models even track your water usage, which helps spot leaks or overwatering. It’s one of those upgrades that quietly makes your home more efficient and eco-friendly, which fits right in with how we approach things at Green Home Pest Control.
Jonathan Anderson, Co-Founder, Green Home Pest Control
Cellular Water Sensors Protect Homes When WiFi Fails
The smart home device that was actually worth the investment wasn’t a fancy entertainment system; it was the Cellular-Enabled Water Leak Detection Sensor. Most smart home devices are aesthetic additions, but this one provides essential structural defense. The conflict is the trade-off: homeowners overlook the cheap cost of prevention in favor of expensive, visible technology, creating a massive structural failure vulnerability.
I recommend it over similar alternatives because of its redundant structural communication—it uses cellular data, not just Wi-Fi. Many cheap alternatives fail when the home’s internet goes down during a storm, which is precisely when a basement pipe is likely to burst. My device is a dedicated system that eliminates this single point of failure. It guarantees the alert gets through immediately, allowing me to start remediation before the water damage compromises the entire foundation and decking structure.
This device provides an immediate, verifiable return on investment by eliminating the risk of catastrophic internal failure. It’s the cheapest form of insurance against the high cost of interior water damage. The best smart home device is the one that allows you to be a person who is committed to a simple, hands-on solution that prioritizes structural certainty by eliminating the risk of catastrophic water-related loss.
Ahmad Faiz, Owner, Achilles Roofing and Exteriors
Nest Thermostat Adjusts Automatically for Service Professionals
As someone who spends most of the day moving between homes and businesses for pest control work, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat has been one of the smartest investments I’ve made for my own home. I appreciate how it learns my schedule and adjusts automatically, so I don’t have to run the AC all day while I’m out on service calls around Austin. It helps cut down on energy use without me having to think about it, and that’s something I can appreciate both as a homeowner and a business owner.
What sets it apart from others I’ve tried is its simplicity. The app interface is easy to use, and the thermostat doesn’t require constant adjustments to achieve optimal results. I’ve seen many smart devices that sound impressive but don’t hold up in daily use. The Nest works — it does its job quietly, saves money on utilities, and doesn’t overcomplicate things. That’s a win in my book.
Tony Ragan, President, Absolute Pest Management
Smart Leak Detectors Catch Problems Before Damage Occurs
I’d say my favorite smart home investment has been a smart leak detector. It’s one of those devices you don’t think you need until it saves you from a disaster. Ours alerted me to a slow leak under the kitchen sink before it turned into real damage. Given the high humidity in Alabama, even a small leak can lead to mold quickly, so catching it early made a huge difference.
I’d recommend it over flashier devices because it solves a problem most people overlook. It’s inexpensive, works quietly in the background, and gives you instant alerts through your phone. Compared to other “smart” products that add convenience, this one actually protects your home—and that’s what makes it worth every penny.
Samantha Stuart, Co-Founder, Magic City Pest Control
Smart CO Detectors Alert You Even When Away
One smart home device that was genuinely worth the investment for me is a smart carbon monoxide detector. Unlike standard plug-in or battery-only models, a smart detector connects to Wi-Fi and sends real-time alerts to your phone, giving you peace of mind even when you’re away. I chose a dual-function model that combines smoke and CO detection in one unit, meeting UL safety standards and integrating with my smart home system so that all alarms trigger together if one senses danger. What sets it apart from cheaper alternatives is the reliability and connectivity — traditional detectors may sound an alarm, but if you’re not home, you might never know. The ability to receive instant notifications, monitor battery life, and check status remotely makes this device far more valuable than its analog counterparts. For me, the convenience and added safety justify the slightly higher cost, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants smarter, more proactive home protection.
Derek Colvin, Co-Founder & CEO, ZORS