A good gift doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be useful. That’s why I always recommend people buy a smart home gift. There are so many affordable products that people will love to have in their homes. It will make a big difference in their life, and they have you—and your thoughtfulness—to thank. Let’s take a look at some smart gifts that are $100.
Build a smart home with smart speakers
You can’t have a smart home without a smart speaker. By giving someone a smart speaker, you’re really giving them a smart home. There are many smart speakers to consider under $100. However, the first thing you need to decide is the ecosystem. You basically have two choices: Google or Amazon. There is also Apple, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a HomePod smart speaker under $100.
Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen)
The Google Nest Mini is a small, powerful, and affordable smart speaker. It brings Google Assistant into any room. People can use it to listen to music, podcasts, set reminders, and more. Furthermore, users can connect it to other smart home devices like smart lights for voice control. The one room I always suggest for the Google Nest Mini is the bathroom. Use it to listen to music while you shower. If you think of something you need to do, use Google Assistant to set a reminder. Used right, the Google Nest Mini is a versatile smart speaker. I recommend people put one in every room and create a house group for multi-room audio.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
The Amazon Echo Dot proves that you don’t need a big speaker to get room-filling sound. As a speaker, the sound is clear, loud, and room-filling. As a smart speaker, Alexa is always there to help. This is a good gift for someone new to a smart home. Saying “Alexa” is more natural than saying “Hey Google”. I reviewed the Echo Dot (5th gen), and I’m really impressed at how natural Alexa sounds. In fact, I was at an Amazon event where they showed how Alexa will sound in the near future. It’s great to have at the bedside or in the kitchen to listen to music and have Alexa always ready to help.
Smart lights in a smart home for under $100
As a gift, you can never go wrong with smart lights. It’s a simple, affordable gift that will literally brighten someone’s day. With a smart light, users get access to voice control with smart speakers, setting schedules, and changing the colour in an app. It’s perfect to set moods in a gaming room, theatre room, or even in a bedroom. The first thing to narrow down is if you want indoor or outdoor smart lights. You can get both for under $100.
TP-Link Kasa 10m Smart LED light strip
I’m a huge fan of LED strip lights. It allows for many creative ways to light a room. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, check out the TP-Link Kasa 10m smart LED light strip. That’s 32 feet of LED strip lights. It’s a great gift for someone with a long strip of kitchen cabinets. Install it on top and face the strip to the ceiling. It adds bright, ambient lighting that can be controlled on a smartphone or through voice commands. You can also cut it to size but 10 meters give you plenty to work with.
My suggestion is to install it where you can’t see the light strip. You want the light to reflect onto a surface like a ceiling, wall, or floor. For example, suggest someone install it under a desk, bed, or behind a TV. It will look amazing, and it’s under $100.
Philips Hue 2M outdoor LED light strip
Who says you can’t have LED strip lighting outside? The Philips Hue 2M outdoor LED light strip is perfect for someone with an outdoor space. These outdoor light strips can be installed under a patio handrail, covered roof, or around a walkway. It brings multi-colour lights outdoors in a flexible LED light strip that can withstand the outdoor elements. It’s a great addition to any outdoor space that hosts people. With Spotify integration, the lights react to the music in real-time. It’s sure to impress—both as a gift and as an outdoor light.
Smart switches under $100
People don’t realize how much impact a smart switch can have on their day-to-day home life. That’s why it makes for such a great gift. Give people more flexible ways to turn their lights on and off. The only thing they will need is a smart speaker. Thankfully, virtually all smart speakers are under $100.
TP-Link Kasa smart Wi-Fi light switch – 3 pack
What’s better than one smart switch? Three of them. The TP-Link Kasa smart Wi-Fi light switch is a 3 pack that makes for an affordable and impactful gift. Users can install it in the bedroom, bathroom, or hallway for voice and app control of lights. It’s a great gift for frequent travellers. With schedules, they can make it appear as if they are home when they are not. Plus, they can be grouped together for voice control. Turn three lights off with a single voice command. That’s living in the future.
Lutron Caseta wireless dimmer kit with Pico remote
Dimmer light switches have become smart and wireless. The Lutron Caseta wireless dimmer kit with Pico remote is a smart dimmer switch with a remote. That means you can control light brightness with your voice, in an app, on the switch itself, or from a wireless remote. It’s a great gift for someone who could use that kind of flexibility. Keep the Pico remote at someone’s desk. While they work, they can adjust the lighting in the room. Or if they have a smart speaker, they can control the lights with their voice. If you know someone with a light on a dimmer switch, this is worth considering.
Smart home gifts under $100
There are many smart home gift ideas that won’t break the bank. The key is finding something that someone will use and love. Think about their daily habits at home. Do they always keep the lights on, do they love listening to music, or do they have mobility issues? The answer to these questions will help you decide which gift is right for them. If you’re new to smart homes, this buying guide is a great first start. Otherwise, browse through all the different smart home products under $100.
