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Rachel Cericola is a writer covering smart home. In addition to testing hundreds of smart devices, she has also tested dozens of ice cream sandwiches. Caregiver Call Button
We have refreshed this guide with up-to-date information and our latest recommendations.
No one likes moving. At best, it’s as expensive as it is stressful. That may help explain the trend of many older people electing to age in place—that is, opting to live at home rather than transitioning to assisted-living facilities. Staying put, however, presents its own challenges.
And that may explain another trend, as older folks turn to smart-home devices for help. These internet-connected DIY devices, such as window shades, light bulbs, security cameras, speakers, doorbells, and smoke alarms, among many others, can be powerful problem solvers. They also enhance convenience and comfort while boosting safety and peace of mind.
Start small and think about what devices you’ll get the most out of and feel comfortable using on a daily basis.
If you don’t know how to install, use, and troubleshoot devices, enlist family, a caregiver, or a service to provide guidance and installation assistance.
If you want to use one app, all your devices must be compatible with the same smart platform, such as Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home.
Some devices, such as alarms, can be configured to automatically text or call a relative or other third party, as well as 911.
Anne Madison, a 73-year-old Baltimore resident, has a growing collection of smart-home devices. Some smart lights illuminate dark areas to prevent falls, while others remind her about important medications and appointments, and even put her in touch with emergency services if needed. “I think these little devices are helping to keep me independent and out of an assisted-living or nursing-home facility,” she said.
We’ve spent years testing smart-home gear of every variety, and with the help of experts and device owners, we’ve compiled this collection of devices that are especially well suited to helping older adults live more independently. And for people who rely on a caregiver, these tools can provide feedback on daily activities, instant communication, and a better sense of security.
I first started testing smart-home devices more than 20 years ago, when the only smart-home devices were X10. I’ve been covering smart-home gear for Wirecutter since 2016, and I’ve had my hands on everything from in-wall light switches, smart strip lights, and smart bird feeders to video doorbells, outdoor security cameras, and security systems. I’ve also contributed to The New York Times, Wired, and Men’s Health, among others.
This guide is for the person wanting to age in place, as well as family members, friends, or caregivers who support an older adult’s decision to live independently. More than 77 million people over the age of 60 live in the US, according to the 2021 American Community Survey, and in a 2021 AARP survey, more than three-quarters of people 50 and over said they intended to remain in their homes as they aged, whether for comfort or cost reasons.
Smart-home devices aren’t a replacement for human care, but they can be a reliable tool when caregivers can’t be around in person, providing a 24/7 connection to help ensure safety, assist a loved one with daily tasks, and allow them to check in. These devices include:
“You’re really empowering someone to live ways that they’ve never been able to live before based on their chronic conditions,” said Andy Miller, senior vice president of innovation and product development at AARP. (Note: AARP has partnered with some smart-home device makers to offer discounts on select devices and services.)
If you’re buying and setting up smart devices for yourself, you need to be capable of dealing with smartphone apps and some lightweight installation, and you may need to do some low-level technical troubleshooting, such as adjusting Wi-Fi settings. If you’re not up for that sort of thing, you need to depend on a family member, a friend, a caregiver, or potentially a professional service to get things up and running (and, occasionally, back up and running).
If a caregiver is the person intending to use smart devices to help in the care of someone else, the experts we spoke with were emphatic that the caregiver and older person work in collaboration. The person being cared for should be fully informed as to what devices are being used and where, what they do, and how they work. The caregiver should explain how these devices can help them feel safer and more comfortable, and even live a more independent life.
Claire Perlman, Wirecutter’s editor of accessibility and aging in place, noted that it’s important to recognize that most smart-home devices are not one-size-fits-all. “The spectrum of ages and abilities of those aging in place varies so widely that it’s difficult to choose just one smart-home device for such a broad community,” Claire said. “Is the goal to help the older person control their immediate environment or the ambience of their home? To help a long-distance caretaker know that their loved one is okay? I think it depends on the individual’s goals more than anything else.”
Also, the decision to use smart technology necessarily raises security and privacy concerns. At Wirecutter, we vet all of our product and service picks to confirm that they abide by standard safety practices. Whatever privacy sacrifices you may incur by using the picks we recommend, based on our experience we believe that the real-world benefits outweigh any likely risks.
“I don’t worry about privacy, because it’s already gone straight to hell,” Anne Madison told us. “These people are smarter than I am. I just don’t think about it much. I’m more worried about turning on my lights. That’s where I assign more worries.”
This guide is the product of several years of testing and reporting on smart devices, as well conversations and interviews with a range of manufacturers, doctors, caregivers, experts, and smart-home device owners. That group includes William Dale, MD, PhD, professor and chair of supportive care medicine at City of Hope and director of the Center for Cancer and Aging; Andy Miller at AARP; and Laurie Orlov, analyst and founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch. I also consulted research conducted for Wirecutter’s previous guides to emergency-contact systems and pill dispensers.
The input of those experts, along with the experience of smart-home device owners, helped shape our decisions about which devices to include. Some of these selections may not be our overall top picks in their respective guides, since older people and their caregivers may be better off with a different option that meets their specific needs.
For each section of this guide, we looked for devices that offered the following features and attributes:
Although you can start small and build up a smart home as your time and budget allow, do-it-yourself home security systems pack many of the devices we consider to be essential into one purchase that works seamlessly.
A smart security system provides more than just protection from break-ins. These DIY systems work with a wide array of helpful devices that make it easier to keep tabs on your home overall.
Such systems include relatively inconspicuous sensors that let you know when a door or window has been left open. Security cameras notify you when visitors of any sort come, and they also record when deliveries arrive. Some systems offer other helpful add-on devices, such as water-leak sensors, key fobs, glass-break sensors, and panic buttons. Conveniently, the systems also allow you to manage all of these devices using a single smartphone app (instead of juggling several).
We strongly recommend adding a professional monitoring plan to a security system so that in the event of an alarm, a live person from a call center will alert you directly—and if you’re unreachable, they’ll notify anyone else you deem an emergency contact. The call center can also contact the police or fire department if there’s a need, or if no one can be reached.
This security system works with a comprehensive variety of add-on devices and is especially easy to install and use.
May be out of stock
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Works With Ring
How it helps: The Ring Alarm system can support almost every add-on you can imagine, including a few options for door and window sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and several types of hardwired and battery-operated doorbells and cameras. If you want something more advanced, the Ring Alarm Pro system can improve Wi-Fi coverage in your home and includes emergency internet backup (for a fee) and up to 24 additional hours of backup power in case of an outage.
Why it’s a pick: Ring’s system is easy to set up, it’s completely reliable, its sensors perform well, and Ring offers more types of indoor and outdoor camera add-ons than we’ve seen for any other system we’ve tested. It also offers the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to professional monitoring ($20 per month or $200 per year).
When you’re making an aging-in-place plan, personal safety should be a top priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one out of four people 65 and older fall each year. The US Fire Administration (an entity of FEMA) says that the same age group is 2.6 times more likely to die in a fire than the population as a whole. Smart safety devices can keep tabs on potential dangers and connect you with emergency services if needed. And if you’re a caregiver, you can keep an eye out for some of those worries and possibly save your loved one’s life, notifying both emergency services and contacts whether they’re on the other side of town or the other side of the country.
Everyone should have working smoke detectors throughout the house, but there’s a particular concern as to whether someone with reduced hearing will notice an alarm—and how quickly they might react to it. Smart smoke detectors not only deliver an audible siren inside the house but can also send alerts to friends, neighbors, and caregivers.
This smoke and carbon monoxide alarm warns of danger by voice and siren, and it sends smartphone alerts to as many as nine contacts. It also has a built-in self-check feature and a useful night-light.
How it helps: A smart smoke detector like the Google Nest Protect can send smartphone notifications that alert you, as well as family, friends, and caregivers, to potential danger, whether someone is home or not. Many models have 10-year batteries that last the lifetime of the device itself. This alarm also has a built-in night-light and a self-test feature that ensures it’s always working properly.
Why it’s a pick: Available in hardwired and battery versions, the Google Nest Protect responds quickly and reliably to actual danger—and not every time someone cooks bacon or takes an extra-long hot shower. Once it detects smoke or carbon monoxide, it triggers a loud voice alert to let you know which room the danger is in and that it will trigger its siren shortly, which is a great feature as it allows someone nearby to pause the alarm before the siren goes off.
It also sends smartphone alerts, which you can set up to go to a designated contact (as long as they have the Nest app). Note that you can’t silence an alarm via voice control or when you aren’t home; you can silence it only via the Nest app, and only if you are in close proximity to the Nest Protect.
Typical emergency-contact systems consist of wearable electronic devices that provide on-call monitoring and may include fall alerts; some charge a monthly fee. Having a way to contact emergency services is an absolute must. “A device that can be worn on the wrist allows for 24/7 monitoring and can help identify against the biggest and most common concern, which is a fall,” said David Siegel, CEO of Nationwide Medical. “A wrist-worn device can also provide important data, detect falls, determine location, and even serve as a telephonic or text communication device.”
For this guide, we considered nontraditional smart options, which don’t require a contract, can be used every day, and incorporate a variety of convenience features.
This stylish emergency-contact system can detect falls, car crashes, and certain types of cardiac events, as well as send help automatically.
How it helps: An emergency-contact system works only if you actually wear the device. Our experts noted that they’ve frequently heard of resistance to wearing devices such as clunky bracelets and necklaces with built-in emergency buttons. “[Many people] don’t want to wear them because of the stigma,” said Andy Miller, senior vice president of innovation and product development at AARP. “It makes them feel old.” The Apple Watch SE is more discreet than any other emergency-contact system out there—probably because it wasn’t designed as an emergency-contact system. It’s a smartwatch that can make and take calls, stream music, control smart-home devices via Siri voice commands, and more.
Why it’s a pick: The Apple Watch SE has built-in fall detection and crash detection, as well as a side button that can call emergency contacts. This version of the Apple Watch can also share with emergency responders important medical information, such as blood type and medications, and physical activity including ECG stats. It even works with apps like FallCall, which can trigger a central monitoring station (versus 911) via Siri voice commands or an icon on the watch. If you want more advanced sensors to monitor additional heart info and blood-oxygen levels, we recommend the Apple Watch Series 9.
One important note: To contact emergency services, the base-model Apple Watch must be paired with an iPhone that’s within Bluetooth range or connected to a known Wi-Fi network (with Wi-Fi calling enabled). If that’s a concern inside or outside the home, opt for a pricier model with a cellular plan (which costs extra). We also recommend pairing the Apple Watch with a bedside wireless charger, which increases the cost but also improves the functionality.
Alexa can’t call 911, but it does provide you a fast, hands-free way to contact family, friends, and caregivers using voice commands.
How it helps: If you don’t like the idea of a wearable but want the reassurance of easy access to assistance, consider an Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker. The Dot, a smaller and less expensive version of an Echo smart speaker, is controlled by app or voice commands to Alexa. Its primary job is to provide entertainment and news, but with a simple voice command it can also put you in near-instant touch with emergency contacts such as family, friends, and caregivers through Alexa Calling.
You can’t call 911 through an Echo speaker, but a few options allow you to trigger an emergency response from professionals. One option is Alexa Emergency Assist, a paid service ($5 per month or $50 per year) that connects you to live responders who can request emergency services and relay medical information. A pricier option intended for caregivers is Alexa Together, a subscription service ($20 per month or $200 per year) that lets caregivers remotely check in on you or other loved ones (note that we have not yet tested either service).
Why it’s a pick: The Echo Dot offers the least expensive way to access loved ones and emergency services in an instant. Aside from the emergency-help features, an Echo Dot—or any Echo smart speaker—is great for playing music, listening to news and weather reports, playing trivia games, and calling friends. Alexa can also control most of the other devices we mention in this guide, making those devices accessible via voice commands.
Smart screens make keeping in touch easier and more personal than a simple phone call. These devices connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network, allowing for video and voice calls to family, friends, telemedicine appointments, emergency services, and more. They also offer voice control, which allows you to call up news, weather, and trivia, as well as to control and view smart-home devices such as light bulbs, security cameras, and smart plugs.
Instantly video-chat with family and friends, or call up music, video, recipes, and more. Alexa consolidates most smart-home devices for easier control via voice or a single app.
How it helps: Smart speakers with a built-in screen let you stay on top of the news and weather, and stay in touch with the important people in your life. “Voice-enabled technologies also provide a little bit of information and social interaction for people who live alone primarily,” said Laurie Orlov, founder and principal analyst at Aging and Health Technology Watch. “A smart speaker is so nice because they can ask a question and hear a voice.”
Why it’s a pick: The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) has excellent sound and a 13-megapixel face-tracking camera, both of which are great for making video calls. Alexa-based smart displays also have a “drop in” feature, which enables a two-way video chat with another Echo Show, just like on a two-way intercom. (If only one party has an Alexa device, that’s okay: Video chats also work with the Alexa app on any smartphone.)
People who are more tech-savvy can also use Alexa on the Echo Show to schedule Reminders about appointments and medication doses, watch videos about cooking, or view video with closed captioning (when available). In addition, the 8-inch touchscreen can call up the Show and Tell feature, in which blind and low-vision people can identify grocery items simply by holding them up to the Echo Show’s camera and asking “Alexa, what am I holding?”
If you have speech limitations, you may have problems using Alexa successfully.
This tablet has a large screen that’s easy to see and control. It includes Siri voice control, it’s light enough to carry anywhere, and it offers an easy way to have video and audio calls with family, friends, and caregivers.
How it helps: Several experts we spoke to highly recommended a tablet, especially the Apple iPad due to its easy-to-use touchscreen, portability, and large screen size, as well as the Siri voice-control system. Like all smart speakers and screens, the iPad can provide news, weather, and podcasts, as well as games, video-streaming services, and more. Many people find an iPad more comfortable to use than a laptop, especially as it functions more or less like a smartphone and manual controls are easier to use because the app icons are larger.
Why it’s a pick: If you’re a little tech-savvy, you can use an iPad to access the apps for all of the devices we mention elsewhere in this guide. Using both Siri and an iPad, you can combine the control of multiple smart-home devices with one voice command: For instance, you can say “Siri, turn on the living room” to power several lights—and you can combine those lights with smart plugs, cameras, and other smart devices, as long as they support the Apple Home platform. (Siri voice commands and the Home platform are not compatible with as many smart-home devices as Alexa and Google Home are.) The newer Apple iPad (10th generation) is a bit faster, but we still think the 9th-gen version has enough power for daily use, and you can save a few bucks on it since it’s a little older.
If you’re planning to get a home security system, such as the Ring Alarm system, buy sensors that work with that specific system. Otherwise, individual smart contact sensors are very inexpensive and offer a good way to create a do-it-yourself home security system that can keep tabs on doors, windows, and drawers. Such sensors are also helpful for caregivers who need to track a loved one’s daily activities. For instance, a sensor on a door can send smartphone alerts whenever someone enters or leaves, or if the door has been left open too long. And a sensor placed on a refrigerator door lets you know that your loved one is remembering to eat.
This sensor is easy to install and reliable in providing alerts. It requires the use of an Aqara Hub, which can support up to 128 sensors around the house.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, IFTTT, Matter, SmartThings
How it helps: Many smart contact sensors are tied to security systems or specific platforms, such as Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home. All of them can integrate with other smart devices so that opening a door can trigger a light, prompt a voice announcement, or even call the police.
Why it’s a pick: The Aqara Door and Window Sensor uses Zigbee wireless technology instead of Wi-Fi, so it works well in parts of a house where Wi-Fi is weak. This device requires the use of a plug-in device called an Aqara Hub, which can support up to 128 sensors and also adds smart-home support so that you can pair it with other smart devices around the house. For instance, we created automated Routines using the Alexa app that would announce “The back door is open” on an Amazon Echo Show and trigger a smart light bulb to turn on whenever someone opened the door.
About one in 60 US households each year file an insurance claim related to water-damage incidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Those often happen in hard-to-notice and even harder-to-reach areas such as the basement, by the water heater, or behind the washing machine. Smart water-leak sensors can alert you the instant they detect water, by sending an alert to your smartphone. Some also have a siren or alarm or can be configured to trigger other devices like smart lights to ensure that you catch small leaks before they become a big headache.
This kit includes a plug-in hub with an optional sensor cable and can connect with up to 16 battery-powered remote sensors. Both respond quickly to water with a loud (94 dB) siren and rapid smartphone alerts.
Compatible with: Google Home, IFTTT
How it helps: A good leak sensor ensures that you are aware of detected water, even if you aren’t home or nearby. The best models have a loud alarm and the ability to integrate with smart-home platforms so that you can receive smart alerts. We also prefer when alerts can be silenced in the app, so you don’t need to physically access the detector (or wade through water) to stop an alarm.
Why it’s a pick: The D-Link DCH-S1621KT consists of two parts: a plug-in hub with a removable 19-inch water-sensing cable and a 38-inch extension cord, and a matchbox-sized remote battery-operated sensor capable of connecting wirelessly to the hub from up to 300 feet away. If water is present, the hub emits a 94-decibel alarm and sends a smartphone alert. Just know that the alarm continues as long as water is present, which may be a problem if it’s in a hard-to-reach place. (If that concerns you, the competing Flo by Moen Smart Leak Detector is compact and can be silenced in the app but has a much softer, 60 dB audible alarm.)
Everyone forgets their keys now and then—and sometimes people forget to lock the door, too. Smart locks let you live key-free if you like, and they also allow others to have access to your home without difficulty. Smart locks can respond to remote control as well, and you can set them to alert you when the lock is triggered (and set them to auto-lock). A smart lock can also be helpful if you’re caring for a loved one who tends to wander, or if you just want to make sure the house is locked up for the night. (Note that although many smart locks also offer a keypad option, we don’t recommend that option for anyone with memory issues.)
This commercial-grade lock is easy to install, is the most intuitive to use, and allows you to lock and unlock the door remotely and monitor when someone is coming or going.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
How it helps: From a security perspective, smart locks are especially handy because there are no keys to lose—and you can be notified whenever someone triggers the lock. You can also check the status of locks using voice or an app, and you can program them to automatically lock after a set period, when you leave or arrive home, and at a set time every night.
Why it’s a pick: The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles of other smart locks, but this model is about as easy as it gets to set up and use. This lock is also strong and reliable, with built-in smarts that allow you to lock and unlock the door remotely, as well as to check whether the door has been left open. And if you or a loved one ever forgets or misplaces a key, you can use an app to unlock the door.
Another option to consider: The Aqara Smart Lock U100 offers more ways to get into the house, including a keypad and a fingerprint reader. And if you own an Apple Watch or iPhone, you can set up this smart lock to unlock when you simply hold up your phone, via Apple HomeKey. This lock is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Matter.
Smart security cameras are like a digital castle wall—they allow you to see who is outside your door without having to open it. Doorbell cameras let you screen who is visiting and allow you to decide whether to answer, and regardless they send smartphone alerts and capture video footage when someone visits. Indoor cameras are a great tool for caregivers to keep an eye on the things of a loved one, and they can send alerts when someone is moving about the house (and can serve as a way to document falls for health professionals).
All the experts we spoke with cautioned that the decision to put a camera into someone else’s home should be made in conjunction with the person who will be living with the camera. Some people find a camera to be intrusive, and it can be very scary for anyone with memory issues.
This doorbell sends fast, accurate alerts and can distinguish between people, animals, and cars. And it offers free and paid video storage, as well as an option for 24/7 recording.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
How it helps: A smart doorbell camera allows you to screen whoever comes to the door from anywhere in the world, regardless of whether the guest rings the bell. When someone rings the bell, you hear it at home but also receive a smartphone notification. From there, you can opt to answer the door remotely or just keep a record of who is coming and going—and how long they hang around. “Video doorbells are great, especially if [the person living with them is] having mobility challenges,” said William Dale, MD, PhD, professor and chair of supportive care medicine at the Center for Cancer and Aging at City of Hope. “Maybe the house is a little big for them or they have to be in a far part of the house, and getting all the way to the doors becomes a challenge.”
Why it’s a pick: The Google Nest Doorbell delivers the best performance, when it comes to speed and accuracy, for determining whether a visitor is a person, animal, car, or package delivery. It can record video to cloud-based storage for free—though it hangs on to that footage for only three hours. If you want to keep video recordings longer, a Nest Aware plan costs $8 per month or $80 per year; bumping that up to $15 per month (or $150 per year) buys you motion-event storage for up to 60 days or 10 days of 24/7 recording.
This camera offers a sharp picture, four choices for video storage, and a continuous-recording option. It can also distinguish between different types of motions and sounds.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home
How it helps: An indoor camera provides peace of mind when you’re not home, whether you want to monitor your property or your pet. For caregivers, it allows you to remotely monitor home visits, movement, and whether someone is taking their medicine.
All the experts we spoke with were adamant that for caregivers, installing indoor security cameras needs to be a decision made between you and your loved one. “Transparency should be obvious. Nobody likes to be monitored without knowing,” said City of Hope’s William Dale. “These kinds of things have to be really carefully thought about rather than just assumed that it’s okay.” Talk about why it’s important to the person living with the camera, how it works, and how you can use it to communicate, since most cameras come equipped with a speaker and microphone.
Why it’s a pick: The Eufy IndoorCam C120 can distinguish between people, pets, vehicles, and general motion, but it’s also inexpensive to run. You can opt to use a microSD card or network-attached storage, and you can record 24/7 footage or just motion-activated events. It also supports cloud storage, so you never have to worry about accessing content if someone pulls the card or a power outage occurs; a Eufy cloud plan starts at $3 per month or $30 per year (per camera). You can also use Apple HomeKit Secure Video, a free video-storage service that comes with paid iCloud plans.
As people age, they may develop motor or memory issues. The following devices may be especially helpful for anyone with such challenges to live more independently and accomplish everyday tasks such as turning lights on and off, turning fans and space heaters on and off, and monitoring appliances.
Smart plugs bless traditional electrical devices with smart controls, yet they are the most straightforward assistive devices around: Plug one into an electrical outlet, pair it with a smartphone, and then connect a table lamp, a fan, or another on/off device to the smart plug. You can now remotely turn your device on or off or put it on a repeating schedule.
Easy to use, reliable, and affordable, this plug also includes real-time energy monitoring so you can keep tabs on electricity use in hours, minutes, watts, and kilowatt-hours.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings
How it helps: Smart plugs alleviate the need to physically manipulate switches for devices such as table lamps, heaters, and fans, as well as for Christmas lights and other items that may be inconvenient to access. Smart plugs are also less complicated to set up than traditional timers, which often have tiny pins and buttons that make programming them complicated.
Why it’s a pick: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) has everything you may want in a single-outlet smart plug, including remote control, easy-to-set timers, and scheduling. It’s also compatible with all of the major smart-home platforms for voice control. An extra feature for anyone who is conservation-minded is that it monitors the energy usage of whatever device you plug into it.
A dark house can be intimidating but also dangerous for people of any age. Smart lighting, in the form of in-wall switches or dimmers and LED bulbs, allows you to put lighting on schedules, have the lights triggered by movement or other devices, or simply turn lights on and off as needed using a voice command or a smartphone. “For so many, getting up to turn off the lights before bed or fumbling to find the light switch when you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night isn’t only inconvenient, it can pose a real danger,” said Claire Perlman, Wirecutter’s editor of accessibility and aging in place. “These devices can make so many things in your house hands-free, which can be a game changer.”
This in-wall light switch works with most any electrical system, integrates with a lot of smart-home devices, and offers an easy-to-use rocker paddle for dimming and powering lights manually.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
How it helps: Many people prefer the option to control their lights the old-fashioned way: by flipping a switch. Smart light switches and dimmers, which replace existing light switches, extend smart capabilities such as remote control, scheduling, and integration with other smart devices to existing non-smart lighting.
Why it’s a pick: The Leviton Decora Smart No-Neutral Dimmer DN6HD doesn’t need a neutral wire, so it should work just fine no matter how old a home’s wiring is. We also like that the dimmer looks and functions like any non-smart dimmer, making it easy to operate lighting at the switch location. It does require a $20 plug-in Wi-Fi bridge, which creates a wireless network to make up for Wi-Fi dead zones in your home. The hub can accommodate up to 25 no-neutral-wire dimmers and switches, which you can control individually or in one or more groups of devices, as well as schedule to go on or off at specific times and dimming levels.
This inexpensive smart bulb is a simple, quick option for easily controllable lighting. It also features color options, which you can set as reminders.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri Shortcuts, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings
How it helps: Smart light bulbs are a quicker and less permanent option for smart lighting than smart dimming switches. Most of them look like standard bulbs and fit the same fixtures but provide smart-lighting features such as remote control and scheduling. Just keep in mind that if you turn the bulb off at the lamp or a switch, you can’t use an app, scheduling, or voice control—that restriction makes smart bulbs best for areas where you want them to turn on and off on a regular schedule.
Why it’s a pick: The WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb uses Wi-Fi (so there’s no need for a wireless hub) and is easy to set up and control, yet it’s inexpensive enough that it allows you to add smart lighting throughout a home. You can dim it, tune it to different colors and white temperatures (warm white, daylight, or cool white), control it remotely, and put it on a schedule, all through the app.
You can find many varieties of pill boxes, but we have yet to encounter a decent, affordable smart pill dispenser. We’ve seen several models with particularly high prices ($700 to $1,500), hefty subscription fees (averaging $30 per month), or both, and we haven’t tested them due to a number of concerns about how they work. What if you drop a pill in the sink? What if your loved one is in pain and needs medication sooner rather than later? Judging by our findings, we don’t think there is one perfect smart pill dispenser at the moment, and the decision to get one is best made with your physician, who can recommend a model that fits your needs and is (hopefully) covered by insurance.
We were planning to test the Ome Smart Stove Knob, a Wi-Fi–enabled add-on that provides remote control and monitoring of a stovetop. However, we’re going to wait until the company releases its second-generation version this summer. The device also features timers that can automatically turn the stove off, as well as smartphone notifications and Alexa support.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
Christian Cerda, CEO of SimpliSafe, phone interview, March 12, 2020
William Dale, MD, PhD, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, phone interview, February 19, 2020
Anne Madison, smart-home device owner, video interview, February 22, 2024
Andy Miller, senior vice president of innovation and product development, AARP, phone interview, March 5, 2020
Laurie M. Orlov, principal analyst, Aging and Health Technology Watch, phone interview, April 23, 2020
Claire Perlman, editor of accessibility and aging in place, Wirecutter, email interview, April 12, 2024
David Siegel, CEO of Nationwide Medical and board member of the American Association for Homecare, email interview, April 8, 2024
Rachel Cericola is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter who has been covering smart-home technology since the days of X10. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Men’s Health, USA Today, and others. She hopes her neighbors read this bio because it would explain why she always has four video doorbells running simultaneously outside her home.
These smart-home devices don’t need permanent installation, so you can take them with you when you move.
A smart lock lets you go key-free and know whenever someone comes and goes. Our pick, the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt , is sturdy, simple, and reliable.
These tiny robots motorize your curtains so that you can open or close them on a schedule or on command, using an app or a voice speaker.
Smart devices can make any backyard easier to maintain, more functional, and simply more fun.
Chair Sensor Alarm Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).