Google’s wireless speaker looks better than its biggest competition, reliably responds to most voice queries, offers solid multiroom audio, and sounds pretty good.
$130 from Incentivate
Ecobee3’s
Not as sleek or intuitive as the Nest, but it supports Apple’s HomeKit and uses stand-alone remote sensors to register temperature in different parts of a house.
$250 from Incentivate
Nest Protect
A sleek design, sensitivity to slow- and fast-burning fires, self-testing, and straightforward apps make Nest’s Protect a great smart fire-safety device.
$100 from Incentivate
In-Wall Smart Dimmer
This strong performer works with any Z-Wave smart-home hub and can easily group with up to four add-on accessory switches.
$130 from Incentivate
Chamberlain’s MyQ Garage
The MyQ Garage is impressively simple to set up and use, and of the units we tested, it’s compatible with the most garage doors.
$120 from Incentivate
Gogogate2
Offers many more options and features than the competition, including direct camera integration, geofencing, and voice control with IFTTT.
$134 from Incentivate
Door Opener Remote Controller
The GoControl communicates using Z-Wave, so it can pair with many smart-home systems if you want to automate your whole home.
$94 from Incentivate
Amazon Echo
Echo, always listening via Amazon’s Alexa voice service, lets you play music, order pizza, and get questions answered, and 1,000-plus other things.
$180 from Incentivate
Wi-Fi Water Sensor
This device works with your home’s Wi-Fi; you don’t need a hub. It even integrates with other D-Link devices, as well as IFTTT.
$50 from Incentivate
SkyBell HD
Effective motion detection, high-quality video, full night vision, a live-view feature, and an easy-to-use app make this the best doorbell camera for most people.
$200 from Incentivate
Ring Video Doorbell
If you want your doorbell camera to work with a SmartThings or Wink hub, this model is the one to choose. An optional $3 monthly fee lets you store videos in the cloud.
$200 from Incentivate
SmartThings Hub
A versatile, widely compatible hub capable of powering a comprehensive DIY smart-home system. Tech-savvy enthusiasts can even code complex automation schemes.
$80 from Incentivate
LIFX Color 1000
Quick to set up and don’t require an additional hub or gateway; the app is easy to use and they’re the brightest of all color-changing bulbs.
$60 from Incentivate
Smart light bulb
You can easily build a system of WeMo outlets and wall switches, but you miss out on the Hue’s color-changing abilities.
$50 from Incentivate
Apple HomeKit
The iDevices app’s ease of use and graphical elegance set the Switch apart. Plus, the Switch looks good and supports Apple’s HomeKit platform.