Turning your home into a smart home doesn't have to cost a fortune. After testing dozens of gadgets, these five devices offer the best mix of usefulness, reliability, and value. Whether you're starting from scratch or filling gaps in an existing setup, each one earns its place.

1. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

The Echo Dot remains the easiest entry point into a smart home. The fifth-generation model adds a built-in temperature sensor and improved bass. Place one in every room and you have whole-home voice control for less than the price of a dinner out.

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2. Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen)

The Paperwhite replaces a shelf of physical books and lasts weeks on a single charge. The flush-front design and adjustable warm light make it genuinely pleasant to read in bed without disturbing anyone.

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3. Fire TV Stick 4K Max

The fastest Fire TV Stick Amazon has made. Wi-Fi 6 support and a more powerful processor mean noticeably snappier app launches and smoother 4K HDR streaming. If your TV lacks a smart platform or the built-in one is slow, this is the upgrade.

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4. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1

The Instant Pot Duo replaces seven kitchen appliances: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and food warmer. The 6-quart size handles meals for up to six people and pays for itself in a few months of home cooking.

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5. TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug (4-pack)

Smart plugs are the cheapest way to make any lamp or appliance voice-controlled. Kasa plugs work without a hub, set up in minutes, and are rock-solid over years of daily use. Buying a four-pack keeps the per-unit cost low enough that there is no reason not to use one behind everything.

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Bottom line

These five products cover the core pillars of a practical smart home: voice control, entertainment, cooking, reading, and flexible automation. Start with one or pick all five — each works independently and gets more useful as you add the others.