Smart Home Upgrades at Home Depot: Beyond Paint and Fertilizer

Walk into a typical Home Depot, and you’ll find shelves full of light bulbs, smoke alarms, plugs, and thermostats. What many don’t realize is that many of these everyday essentials double as smart home gadgets, offering potential cost savings and increased convenience. Home Depot is becoming a key destination for accessible smart home technology, a shift from the past when building a smart home required specialized equipment and online ordering.

These gadgets are appealing because they integrate seamlessly into daily life. For example, carbon monoxide detectors can now send alerts directly to your phone, garage door openers offer remote control, and light bulbs can change color without a complicated hub. Smart home tech is becoming practical for everyday households.

Home Depot offers a wide range of connected devices focused on security, energy savings, convenience, and automation, many of which are easy to use and compatible with major platforms like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. Here are eight smart gadgets from Home Depot worth considering.

Kidde Hardwired Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector

Smoke detectors are essential safety devices, and the Kidde hardwired smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector offers a modern upgrade. This detector connects to the Ring app, sending alerts to your phone if smoke or carbon monoxide is detected, even when you’re away from home. It too features a voice alert system, clearly stating the type of danger detected.

According to Good Housekeeping, the real-time alerts and remote alarm checking are particularly convenient. On Home Depot’s website, this product has a 4.3 out of 5-star rating from over 170 reviews, with customers appreciating the battery backup for continued functionality during power outages.

Installation requires basic electrical knowledge, and a Ring account is needed to utilize the smart features.

Philips WiZ Color and Tunable White A19 Smart Bulbs

Smart lighting is a popular entry point into smart home technology, offering simple, affordable benefits. The Philips WiZ color and tunable white A19 smart bulbs connect directly to your Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for a separate hub.

A two-pack is available for $14.98, offering millions of color options and adjustable white light. PCMag notes the bulbs deliver solid brightness and a wide color range at an affordable price. Home Depot customers (4.3-star rating from 139 reviews) appreciate the flexible lighting automation, including scheduling and color changes based on time of day.

Some users have reported occasional setup difficulties and Wi-Fi connection issues.

Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Control

The Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Control addresses the common worry of whether the garage door was left open. Priced at $29.98 and rated over four stars by more than 1,000 buyers on Home Depot, it’s an affordable way to add smart-home convenience.

The system includes a Wi-Fi hub and sensor that work with existing garage door openers, allowing users to check the door’s status, operate it remotely, and receive alerts if it’s left open. Tom’s Guide highlights the clear installation manual.

Compatibility with garage door openers should be checked before purchase, and some users have reported Wi-Fi connectivity issues. The device does not currently integrate with Alexa or Google Assistant.

Blink Mini 2 Smart Security Camera

The Blink Mini 2 offers 1080p video, two-way audio, night vision, and a built-in spotlight in a small, affordable package. It can be used indoors or outdoors for pet monitoring, entryway surveillance, or general security.

Wired praised the camera’s functionality and affordability. Setup is simple: plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and position it as needed.

Some advanced features require a subscription, and the camera needs to be plugged in as it is not battery-powered.

Defiant Smart Hubspace Outdoor Plug

The Defiant Smart Hubspace Outdoor Plug simplifies outdoor lighting control with two outlets controllable via the Hubspace app. It’s an affordable way to automate holiday lights, landscape lighting, or fountain pumps.

PCWorld highlighted the plug’s durability and individual outlet control. Home Depot customers appreciate its ease of use and scheduling tools.

Hubspace is less well-known than Alexa or Google Home, potentially limiting integration options.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) automatically adjusts your home’s temperature based on your habits, potentially reducing energy waste. It learns your routine and adjusts the temperature accordingly, and can be controlled remotely via the Google Home app.

CNET praised its smart scheduling features and informative screen. The included Nest Temperature Sensor helps balance temperatures across different rooms.

Installation can be more involved, and compatibility with older HVAC systems should be verified.

Lutron Caseta Smart Lamp Dimmer Kit

The Lutron Caseta Smart Lamp Dimmer and Remote Kit offers wireless dimming control for lamps. The kit includes a dimmer and remote, and can be integrated with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Home with the optional Caseta bridge.

Wirecutter recommends the Caseta kit for its compatibility, easy installation, and user-friendly keypad. Home Depot customers appreciate the quick installation and voice control integration.

Lockly Visage Facial Recognition Smart Lock

The Lockly Visage Facial Recognition Smart Lock offers keyless entry using facial recognition technology. It also supports fingerprint scanning, a keypad, mobile unlocking, and Apple Home Key for iPhone users.

Wired found it easy to install and responsive. Facial recognition works best with proper positioning and lighting, and the lock is more expensive than other options.

How We Picked These Products

We selected these gadgets based on their utility and safety, focusing on items that simplify home management. We prioritized products with positive Home Depot user reviews (at least 4 out of 5 stars with at least 100 reviews) and confirmed their reliability through expert reviews from sources like PCMag and Tom’s Guide.