Smart Home Starter Guide

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A smart home is ordinary devices you can control from your phone, by voice or on a schedule. In an apartment, the useful ones share three features: they plug in or stick on, they need no rewiring, and they leave with you. This guide sets out the order to do things in and links to the detailed article for each step.

Step 1: Choose one system

Pick the app that will run everything, usually the one that matches your phone: Apple Home for iPhone households, Google Home for Android, or Alexa if you already own Echo speakers. Buying devices with the Matter logo keeps your options open, because Matter works with all three.

• Alexa vs Google Home vs Apple Home
• What is Matter and do you need it?

Step 2: Start with a smart plug

A smart plug turns any lamp, fan or simple heater into something you can schedule. It is the cheapest device and teaches you how the app works.

• Smart plugs for beginners
• Best smart plugs

Step 3: Add smart lighting

Smart bulbs add dimming and warm evening light; LED strips light dark shelves. Remember that a smart bulb only works while the wall switch is on.

• Best smart lights for renters
• How to brighten a dark apartment without rewiring

Step 4: Add sensors that prevent problems

A leak sensor under the sink or by the washing machine warns you early about a problem that could cost your deposit or reach the flat below. Contact and motion sensors stick on and can switch lights on when you come home.

• Best smart home devices for beginners

Step 5: Use it to save energy

An energy-monitoring plug shows what standby costs. Smart thermostats and radiator valves cut heating, with the landlord's agreement where wiring is involved.

• Best energy-saving smart devices
• What do your appliances cost to run?

Keep it secure and renter-safe

• Use a strong, unique password for each account and turn on two-factor sign-in.
• Install updates; buy from makers that provide them.
• Tell housemates and guests about any indoor camera, and switch it off when people expect privacy.
• Ask your landlord before fitting anything to doors, locks, the thermostat or shared entrances.
• Before you move out, remove each device from your account and reset it.

Putting it together

A good first month looks like this: one system chosen, a smart plug on the main lamp with a sunset schedule, a leak sensor under the sink, and one routine that solves a real annoyance. Live with that before adding more. The smart home starter quiz suggests an order for your home.

Keep reading

• Smart plugs for beginners
• Best smart plugs
• Best smart lights for renters
• Best smart home devices for beginners
• Best energy-saving smart devices
• Alexa vs Google Home vs Apple Home
• What is Matter and do you need it?

Choose your system first

Most smart home devices work best when they belong to one system: Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home. Pick the one that matches the phone and speakers you already use; Alexa vs Google Home vs Apple Home compares them. Devices labelled Matter work with all three, which keeps your options open if you change later; what is Matter explains how.

A sensible first month

1. Week one: one smart plug on a living-room lamp, on a sunset schedule.
2. Week two: a smart bulb in the bedroom, dimmed in the evening.
3. Week three: a speaker or hub if you want voice control.
4. Week four: decide whether you actually use it. If you do, add more; if not, stop there.

Privacy and security

Use a strong, unique password for each account, turn on two-step sign-in, and keep the apps updated. Mute the microphone on speakers when you want privacy. Before you move out, remove devices from your account and reset them.