HomeTechHacker: Getting Into Smart Home Tech Without Going All In

By Marlon Buchanan

The idea of turning your house into a smart home might sound exciting until you start imagining hubs, wiring, and a weekend spent troubleshooting your Wi-Fi. 

However, getting started with smart home technology doesn’t mean you need to dive headfirst into a fully automated setup. 

Some of the most useful smart devices work great on their own, no central hub required.

Start small and build confidence

One of the easiest ways to dip your toes into smart home tech is with a smart plug. 

These little devices plug into your existing outlets and let you control anything plugged into them from your phone. Want to turn a lamp on at sunset or a coffee maker on from bed? A smart plug can do that.

Other one-off devices that are beginner-friendly include smart thermostats, video doorbells, and smart bulbs. Many of these products connect directly to your home Wi-Fi and can be controlled via their own app or a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant. You don’t need a hub, a subscription, or a complicated setup.

Convenience and control, one device at a time

A single device can offer real value. A smart thermostat, for example, helps you save money by learning your heating and cooling preferences and adjusting automatically. A smart video doorbell gives you peace of mind when you're not home. Even something as simple as controlling your lights from your phone or voice can be surprisingly useful.

These small upgrades add up. They help you see the potential of smart home tech without locking you into a particular system or requiring a big upfront investment.

Tips for getting started

If you're thinking about trying your first smart device, here are a few quick tips:

• Choose a product from a reputable brand with good app reviews
• Make sure it's compatible with your phone or existing smart assistant
• Start with something simple, like a smart plug or light bulb
• Avoid trying to do everything at once—get comfortable with one device, then consider adding more

I break this down in more detail in my guide on 5 Steps to Start Your Smart Home, which outlines a beginner-friendly approach to smart home success.

Ready to take the next step?

If you find yourself enjoying that first smart device and want to explore more, I’ve put together a free course called Create Your First Smart Home in 5 Days. It walks you through what to buy, how to set it up, and how to make it all work together without getting overwhelmed.

Smart homes don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with one plug, one light, or one thermostat—and before you know it, your home is working a little smarter for you.

Marlon Buchanan is a best-selling author, IT Director, and founder of HomeTechHacker.com, a website with free resources to help you make the most of your home technology.

If you have questions or comments about this article, you can contact Marlon through his website or X (Twitter).

See Marlon's previous articles here.