MYMOVE Gift Guide: Ring In the Holidays With These Internet Devices

Smart home devices are the toys of the adult world. But they aren’t just fun to play with — these days, they’ll actually simplify your life, too. We picked out seven of our favorite smart devices that will give any new home a PhD in convenience. 

Our favorite smart home gifts

• Wi-Fi Router: TP-Link Archer AX21
• Mesh Wi-Fi System: TP-Link Deco XE75
• Smart Display: Amazon Echo Show 8
• Smart Plug: Leviton D215P-2RW
• Smart Speaker: Echo Dot (5th Gen)
• Video Doorbell: Arlo Essential
• Smart Lock: August Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Router: TP-Link Archer AX21

What we like: 

• Wi-Fi 6 technology
• Speeds up to 1,200 Mbps
• Easy to set up
• Compatible with all internet providers

A lot of times, the barrier to faster internet in a new home isn’t the connection — it’s the equipment you’re using to connect to it. Experts recommend replacing your wireless router every three to five years. After that, it might not be able to stay up-to-date with the latest security features, and speed could slow considerably.

Mesh Wi-Fi System: TP-Link Deco XE75

What we like: 

• Covers up to 5,500 square feet
• Spreads Wi-Fi to every corner of the home
• Supports up to 5,400 Mbps of speeds
• Compatible with all internet providers

If you recently moved to a multi-level house or apartment, you’ve probably experienced some Wi-Fi dead zones — those scary corners of your house that the buffering wheel haunts. Good news: a quality mesh system will give you fast Wi-Fi in every room. 

A mesh system is like having multiple routers throughout your home. Your devices automatically connect to the one they’re closest to. TP-Link’s Deco XE75 comes in a pack of two for just $249.99, and outperforms other systems that cost three times as much. It’s even equipped with Alexa if you want to do things like disconnect a phone with your voice. 

Smart Display: Amazon Echo Show 8

What we like: 

• 8” HD touchscreen
• Camera centers you automatically for video calls
• Detects people in the room to trigger routines

Buy it here

The quickest way to turn a house into a smart home is with a quality smart display, and Amazon’s Echo Show 8 is as functional as they come. It has all the usual tricks in its bag — voice commands, photo display, stereo speakers — but where it really excels is its video calls. The camera automatically pans and zooms to keep you in the conversation wherever you go. You can also use the Echo Show 8 to follow recipes while you cook, watch streaming services, and play games.

Smart Plug: Leviton D215P-2RW

What we like: 

• Turns any appliance “smart”
• Slim, unobtrusive design
• Easy-to-use app
• Works with Amazon, Apple, and Google voice control

A smart plug is the simplest way to turn any electrical device “smart.” Just plug an item like a lamp or fan — anything with an on/off switch — into the smart plug, and you can start controlling it through an app. This Leviton smart plug also gives you the ability to set schedules for these devices. Most importantly, it’s one of the few smart plugs that works with the three major smart home ecosystems — Amazon, Apple, and Google — so it can seamlessly fit in with any other smart home devices you’re using. 

Video Doorbell: Arlo Essential

What we like: 

• 180-degree view 
• Two-way communication
• Motion activated
• Built-in siren

The Arlo Essential video doorbell is like an entire home security system in one small package. It gives you a wide-angle, motion-activated view of your front door, and you can speak to visitors through an app. Arlo doorbells even have a siren built in that you can activate if anything looks fishy. Unlike similar smart doorbells from Ring, you’ll have to hardwire Arlo yourself. Fortunately, their app provides a simple walkthrough, and it should only take about 20 minutes. 

Smart Speaker: Echo Dot (5th Gen)

What we like: 

• Excellent sound quality
• Compatible with more apps than other smart speakers
• Option to have mesh router built in

The best smart speakers offer a combination of pristine sound quality, effective voice control, and compatibility with other apps and devices. Amazon’s latest model checks every box. Its sound is much fuller than you’d expect from a speaker that’s just slightly bigger than an apple, and the Echo Dot does an incredible job of accurately processing voice commands. You can even pair multiple Echo Dot devices together for surround sound throughout the home. 

Smart Lock: August Wi-Fi

What we like: 

• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Syncs with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri 
• Not as bulky as other smart locks

Smart locks are a lifesaver when you need to let someone in while you’re out of the house — or for those of us who can’t remember if we locked the door on the way out. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has long been a favorite with testers. It has Wi-Fi built in, so you won’t have to buy a separate plug-in hub, and it even auto-locks and unlocks when you enter or leave the vicinity. You can even opt for the a keypad version for rental homes that have frequent guests. 

The bottom line

Remember: your devices are only as useful as the internet they’re connected to. If you’re going to make the most of your holiday gifts, you’ll need a strong internet connection. Because internet providers are constantly expanding service, it’s a good idea to compare internet plans in your area a couple of times a year to make sure you have the best deal out there.