Updated July 21, 2026
The 5 Best Smart Home Devices of 2026
The hubs, speakers, and devices that make a home genuinely smart.
Advertising disclosure: We may earn a commission when you visit partners via links on this page. Commissions never affect our scores or rankings.
- Stand-out choice for assistant iq
- Consistently strong customer feedback
- Competitive pricing for what you get
- Best value may require a longer commitment
- Some advanced features cost extra
- Stand-out choice for privacy
- Consistently strong customer feedback
- Competitive pricing for what you get
- Best value may require a longer commitment
- Some advanced features cost extra
- Stand-out choice for automations
- Consistently strong customer feedback
- Competitive pricing for what you get
- Best value may require a longer commitment
- Some advanced features cost extra
- Stand-out choice for lighting
- Consistently strong customer feedback
- Competitive pricing for what you get
- Best value may require a longer commitment
- Some advanced features cost extra
- Stand-out choice for compatibility
- Consistently strong customer feedback
- Competitive pricing for what you get
- Best value may require a longer commitment
- Some advanced features cost extra
Still deciding? Compare at a glance
A quick side-by-side of every smart home platform we ranked.
| Brand | Score | Price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1Google Home | 9.1 | ~from $99.99 | Assistant IQ | Visit Site |
| #2Apple HomeKit | 8.9 | ~from $9.99/mo | Privacy | Visit Site |
| #3Samsung SmartThings | 8.7 | ~from $29.99 | Automations | Visit Site |
| #4Philips Hue | 8.6 | ~from $19.99 | Lighting | Visit Site |
| #5Amazon Alexa | 6.9 | Compatibility | Visit Site |
How we rate smart home devices
Research
Map the market and shortlist leading brands
Test
Hands-on evaluation across weighted criteria
Score
Standardized 10-point methodology
Update
Re-reviewed as products change
Our editors score every smart home platform on a standardized 10-point scale across four weighted pillars: features & performance (35%), pricing & value (25%), customer experience & support (25%), and trust & reputation (15%). Scores are reviewed and updated as products change. Read our full methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How did Rated.ly choose the best smart home platform?
Our editors evaluated each smart home platform on features, pricing, customer feedback, and overall value, then scored them using our standard 10-point methodology. See our How We Rate page for details.
Which smart home platform is best overall?
Amazon Alexa currently earns our top score of 9.3 thanks to its strength in compatibility. The right pick for you depends on your priorities — compare the full list above.
Ready to choose your smart home platform?
Google Home is our top-rated pick with a score of 9.1/10 — the strongest all-round choice for most people.
Visit Google HomeDaniel Kovacs
Editor, Money & Auto
Daniel is a consumer-finance writer who has compared hundreds of financial and automotive services. His mission: cut the jargon and show you the true cost of every option.