The future promised to us decades ago never really came to fruition. Flying cars and jetpacks aren’t close to mainstream, and domestic staff robots are five or ten years away. However, we have met or exceeded expectations for some areas, such as smartphones and smart home devices. Setting up whole-home control and security systems is now easy and affordable.
We put together a list of smart home accessories that allow you to control lights and appliances in your dwelling. The accessories range from $90 to $250, are easy to set up, and are compatible with Google Assistant. They can be operated using voice commands or with an Android device via the Google Home app. Whether you are getting started or want to build out your current system, here are five essential Google-friendly smart home products for consideration.
5
Google Nest Hub Max
Several smart devices in one
Google Nest Hub Max
It’s a bit on the pricier side, but if you can swing it, we really like the Google Nest Hub Max for smart home control. It has a built-in camera for video calls and added security, a speaker for all your favorite streaming services, and you can use it to pull up your live feed from your video doorbell when the need arises.
Many people dismiss smart displays as needless devices that are only capable of controlling smart home accessories, but that’s not the case. A smart display can serve as a streaming device for services like Netflix or Disney+, a smart speaker for music and podcasts, and a digital picture frame capable of displaying your favorite photos from any number of sources. Set one of these hubs up in the kitchen for on-demand timers and recipes, or put it in the living room to keep the kids entertained while you finish cooking.
There are many great smart displays, but our favorite is the Google Nest Hub Max. It’s on the pricier side but features a large 10-inch touchscreen, a surprisingly good speaker, and a 6.5MP camera with a wide field of view and auto-framing for video calls. The Nest Hub has Google Assistant and can control your lights and your thermostat and show you who is at the front door, but it’s much more than that.
4
Arlo Video Doorbell
Sharp 2K picture and a wide field of view
Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen 2K)
$32
With sharp 2K video, 180-degree viewing angle, and night vision, we like the Arlo Video Doorbell a lot. It also has a rechargeable battery for completely wireless installation and a built-in siren to ward off both neighbors and ne’er-do-wells.
A smart video doorbell is the perfect product for those looking to dip their toes into the smart home waters for the first time. Most have a wireless option or can utilize existing doorbell wiring, so they are easy to install and offer a ton of value. You can receive alerts when motion is detected at your front door, protect packages from porch pirates, and answer your door remotely, anywhere, with two-way audio.
This category is largely dominated by Amazon’s Ring brand. However, if you want a Google-friendly smart doorbell, check out the 2K from Arlo. It’s not perfect, but it strikes a balance between price and performance. It works well with Google Assistant, as well as Alexa, and you can choose the wireless setup with a rechargeable battery, or you can hook into your previous wiring for nonstop monitoring. The video is crisp, most of the expected features are there, and the 2K can be had for under $100.
3
Google Nest Audio Speaker
Surprisingly good sound and voice recognition
Google Nest Audio
Google’s unassuming smart speaker sounds surprisingly good for its size and has some of the best voice recognition and responsiveness of all the Google Assistant smart speakers on the market. We like it a lot for Google smart homes.
The smart speaker is another interesting piece of the smart home system. You can use it to play music, set reminders, control your lights or thermostat, or pair two together for fantastic stereo sound. The real fun starts when you add a third and fourth speaker, as this creates a multiroom system that plays music from the same source as you move throughout the house, broadcasts messages across all speakers like an intercom, and more.
Though it’s five years old and overdue for an update, we still like the Nest Audio. These speakers are small and unassuming, so you can stash them anywhere. They sound surprisingly good for their size and remain one of the best speakers for picking up voice commands, which is crucial for smart speakers. While there are other options, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better choice for using Google Assistant.
2
Philips Hue Smart Bulb Starter Kit
It’s time to get lit
Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit
$19
The Hue Starter Kit includes everything you need to add smart lighting to your current smart home system. The two LED light bulbs are compatible with most light sockets and the included Bridge connects you with Google Assistant and other platforms.
Smart lighting has long been a fixture of the smart home world. For many, it’s the first component they buy when building their system. This is because entry-level lightbulbs are affordable and as easy to install as screwing in a lightbulb. Still, don’t be fooled by the simplicity. Smart lighting offers more than turning lamps on and off with your voice. For example, check out what the Philips Hue Smart Bulb Starter Kit can do.
The kit includes two LED bulbs that display over 16 million colors and one Hue Bridge, which connects to your preferred platform, like Google Assistant. This setup gives you access to features like timers, creating custom scenes, and adjusting light colors and brightness (or dimming) on the fly. Plus, the Bridge supports up to 50 Hue lighting products, and there’s a whole ecosystem to choose from, including string lights, floor lamps, and bar lights for your TV or computer monitor.
1
Dreametech D9 Max Robot Vacuum
Clean your floors the easy way
Dreametech D9 Max
$100
The Dreametech D9 Max hits a sweet spot between capability and affordability. It’s an auto-charging robot vacuum with strong suction, long battery life, and mopping features, and right now you can snag one for just $200.
Many people wrote off robot vacuums before they had the chance to mature. When they first came onto the scene, they were new and futuristic-looking, but they didn’t fulfill their promise of an automated device that kept your house clean. They were expensive, underpowered, and not as smart as they claimed. However, that has changed, as the products available today are better than four or five years ago.
The Dreametech D9 Max is a good example of this. It’s the current best value pick in our buyer’s guide to the best robot vacuums thanks to its stellar vacuuming performance, long battery life, and excellent Google Assistant compatibility. It’s a self-charging robot that vacuums, mops, and cleans nonstop for up to 240 minutes. It’s smart, too. You can remotely control suction power and water flow (when in mop mode), send it to clean specific rooms, schedule cleaning routines, and set up automations based on other smart devices.
This is only the beginning
Cutting this list down to five accessories was difficult. There are many product categories we didn’t cover, such as security cameras, floodlights, door locks, and thermostats. We barely scratched the surface. If you’re building a Google-friendly smart home system and looking for ideas or inspiration, the above products serve as great tent poles. They offer remote control lighting, cleaning, security, house-wide music and communication, and more.
