These Prime Day Smart Home Deals Are Here to Make Your Life Easier and Save You Money

Blink’s security devices are affordable in any case, but they’re especially affordable during Prime events. I just tested this new wireless doorbell on my porch, and one of the best budget models I’ve ever tried, providing reliable 2K resolution views of your front yard and anyone making a delivery or showing up unexpectedly.

This doorbell includes two-way audio, and you get person detection for free, so it’s a strong option if you want to avoid subscriptions (there are subscriptions for cloud video storage and more complex AI features if you want to splurge a few extra dollars per month). However, I highly suggest bundling this extra-affordable camera with the Sync Module, which you’ll need to connect to Wi-Fi, or a larger Blink Module that can handle local video storage, too.

Ring’s latest and greatest video doorbell can do almost everything, including recognize multiple objects like packages, vehicles or people, zoom in up to 10x with its 4K resolution and enable extra-clear two-way audio. Just keep in mind it’s wired, so unless you want to spend more for the battery version, check the position of your doorbell wiring before you buy.

This doorbell has a massive Prime discount, but it’s an especially good front door device if you already have Amazon subscriptions. A Prime subscription, for example, allows you to recruit Alexa Plus and give the voice assistant commands on how to handle visitors ringing the doorbell, letting Alexa carry on entire conversations for you. A Ring subscription, which starts around $5, lets you access AI-generated video description, cloud storage and plenty more, too.

If you aren’t sure about all these fancy features, stop by my guide on how to turn off Ring settings you’re uncomfortable with, and you’ll be set.

Arlo is one of my favorite security companies, and its 2K doorbell (wired or wireless) not only tests especially well, but also has very advanced features for those willing to pay an Arlo subscription (starting at $8 per month). That includes not only person and package detection, but also early warnings, animal detection, fire detection, sound detection for gunshots and breaking glass and even custom detections to watch specific objects.

Features like these make Arlo the complete package when it comes to front door patrol, and this doorbell is available for under $30, making it a steal compared to the alternatives.

Eufy’s little cam is a masterclass in how much a security camera can do without requiring any extra fees or monthly subscriptions. It offers basic person and vehicle detection, as well as supported local video storage (which is expandable if you want to add a hub).

The little camera also has a cool design with a magnetic base that can lock onto metal surfaces as well as screw in if necessary. It also has color night vision, motion zone settings and a plethora of other handy features. Just keep in mind, if you do want to use local video storage, you’ll need to add a microSD card. You may have a spare one if you use a camera or mobile game console, but otherwise you might want to purchase one.

I keep coming back to the Ring Stick Up/Outdoor camera model as one of my favorites, for a very important reason. It’s a very portable camera with its own built-in stand. Pair that with its battery power, and you can not only set this camera anywhere, but move it between locations as you want, indoors or outside.

This means you can carry around the HD cam to watch a playroom, kids in an outdoor yard, a busy entryway or a garage all in the same afternoon, while you’re busy in another space (it pairs well with a tablet, too). If you do find a place to put this camera, you can mount it permanently, and it has enough outdoor weather resistance to survive rain if you accidentally leave it out overnight.

Most floodlight security cameras are wired in, which means you need a junction box and some annoying wiring work on a ladder to install them. Blink is one of the very few brands with a battery-powered floodlight that I can recommend, offering both 2K resolution and 700 lumens of lighting for a dark deck, backyard, driveway or walkway.

You can position this camera anywhere you want, and get human detection for free, so a subscription isn’t really necessary, especially if you pair it with a Blink Module plug-in device that can support local video storage. Blink’s lithium AA batteries are typically rated for up to two years (mine lasted around a year and a half), but with the floodlight LEDs they can drain more quickly. I suggest keeping the LED brightness low to avoid draining the batteries too much or blinding the neighbors.

Smart plugs make great first-time home upgrades, adding app-based scheduling and remote control for typically just $10 to $15. They work especially well with common household appliances, including something as simple as a lamp.

Tapo’s two-pack option is one of my favorites for an important reason: It also adds energy monitoring, which few plugs have but is handy for spotting energy hogs around your home, such as those hungry space heaters you may have brought out for cold weather.

If I had my way, everyone would get a smart thermostat for Christmas. These devices are a major improvement over old heating and cooling controls. They offer eco and vacation modes, easier scheduling through apps, voice controls and algorithms that learn when the house is active or quiet and adjust automatically.

Many smart thermostats pay for themselves within a year or two with energy savings. My Nest model eventually did, and it’s one of the fanciest around, with a dazzling dial display and optional connections to other appliances, too.

After testing airflow and more, we can confirm that Zafro’s smart fan is one of the best we’ve ever found, with detailed speed and direction controls, plus up to a 43-foot reach. Do you know how handy it is to control a fan with your voice or a phone app when you’re across the room? It’s very, very nice.

The fan includes timers, modes such as a smart sleep setting so it won’t disturb light sleepers and plenty more choices. You won’t believe how much of a difference this upgrade can make.