How we choose: Build Smart House does not test products in-house. These picks are based on published test results and reviews from independent labs and publications, which we name throughout.
You do not need a four-figure budget to start a smart home. In 2026, plugs and bulbs — the two highest-impact starter devices — cost less than ever. Here are the best cheap picks that do not feel cheap.
Best smart plug value: IKEA Matter plugs
IKEA’s new Matter-over-Thread plugs are absurdly affordable and pair directly with any ecosystem — Apple, Google, Alexa or SmartThings — via any Thread border router. No proprietary hub, no app lock-in.
Best Wi-Fi plug: Amazon Smart Plug / TP-Link Tapo
Around $7–20 each. The Amazon plug is flawless inside Alexa; the Tapo P400M (~$20) is the top budget pick for outdoor use — schedules for garden lights and holiday decorations included.
Best budget bulbs: WiZ
WiZ Color bulbs run about $12 (often under $10), connect over Wi-Fi with Matter compatibility, and need no hub. The best balance of price, colours and reliability in 2026 testing.
Cheapest usable bulbs: Wyze
About $8 per bulb, straight onto Wi-Fi, works with Alexa and Google. Outfit two or three rooms for the price of one premium starter kit.
Best colour effects: Govee
A 4-pack for $32.99 with 16 million colours and music sync — the fun pick for media rooms and teenagers’ bedrooms.
The $100 starter recipe
1) A smart speaker on sale (Echo Dot or Nest Mini, ~$35). 2) Two smart plugs for lamps or the coffee machine (~$15). 3) Three or four budget bulbs for the rooms you use most (~$40). That is voice control, scheduling and automation across half your home — for under $100. Upgrade to Thread devices as prices keep falling; IKEA’s lineup makes that path cheaper every quarter.