Smart Home Setup

Aug 28

🏴‍☠️ Sharing my smart home setup with explanations on why I chose these gadgets! 👑

All products are ones I use or have used personally

Scroll down to learn more about how and why I use these specific smart home gadgets

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Smart Cleaning

Roborock Robot Vacuum with Docking Station - https://amzn.to/3yM325x
Roborock Robot Vacuum only - https://amzn.to/471OCuH

Smart Security

eufy Security Video Camera Smart Lock S330 - https://amzn.to/3X0lQWL
eufy Security Outdoor Solar Camera - https://amzn.to/3X0m4x5
eufy Security Homebase S380 - https://amzn.to/4dAe5Od
eufy Security Indoor Cam E220 - https://amzn.to/46XG5J4
eufy Security Indoor Cam C120 - https://amzn.to/4dX3VXV
Fingerprint Smart Door Lock - https://amzn.to/3Xgj1ST

Smart Assistance

Echo Show 10 Premium Sound & Motion - https://amzn.to/46Zm0Cr
Echo Show 8 - https://amzn.to/3MjXCSp
Echo Spot - https://amzn.to/3XhkZCt
Echo Dot - https://amzn.to/4cAVkce
Echo Pop - https://amzn.to/46UNg4V

Smart Lighting

Kasa Smart Light Switch - https://amzn.to/3Mh48cE
Kasa Smart Plug Mini - https://amzn.to/3yM1Tef
Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch - https://amzn.to/3yT30c3
Kasa Motion Sensor Switch - https://amzn.to/3yOXkzL
Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor Switch - https://amzn.to/3SZbTHS
Lutron Maestro Companion Switch - https://amzn.to/3WX9dvF

Smart Gardening

Rainpoint Wifi Sprinkler with Hub - https://amzn.to/3YVtzYF
Rainpoint Wifi Sprinkler - https://amzn.to/3yPLxBi
Eden Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler - https://amzn.to/3yDflBa

AboveTek

AboveTek Pillow Stand Holder - https://amzn.to/4czFajf
AboveTek Desk Mount - https://amzn.to/4dyzAPw
AboveTek Table Stand Holder - https://amzn.to/3Xfvsyg

Others

De’Longhi Automatic Espresso Machine - https://amzn.to/3XeHWWR
Frigidaire Mini Fridge - https://amzn.to/3T1Rged
Dyson Vacuum - https://amzn.to/4dyAdsm
Nongshim Instant Noodle - https://amzn.to/3MeS1wL

Smart Cleaning

“Roborock vacuums are my best purchases of 2024.”

— PK's wife

I never imagined the day would come when my meticulous wife—who borders on mysophobia—would entrust vacuuming duties to a robot. She’s the kind of person who prefers to clean herself because others rarely meet her high standards (including mine). But I'm thrilled to say that, thanks to our robotic helpers, the entire Pirate Household is finally free from vacuuming and mopping!

Roborock, a leading brand in the robot vacuum industry, has created machines that can navigate every corner of your home, map out the floor plan, and operate according to schedules set via a smartphone app. Despite the higher price, I highly recommend opting for the model with a docking station. This allows the robot to automatically deploy, return to its station when the cycle is complete, empty the dustbin, and recharge. It’s even smart enough to return to the dock for a recharge if it doesn’t have enough battery to finish the job in one go.

Initially, I started with just one Roborock on the first floor to see how well it performed. After witnessing my wife's satisfaction, we quickly decided to buy a second one for the upper floor.

Roborock Robot Vacuum with Docking Station - https://amzn.to/3yM325x
Roborock Robot Vacuum only - https://amzn.to/471OCuH

Smart Security

**eufy Security Video Camera Smart Lock S330**

When I started researching this area, my goal was to find a brand that offered both security cameras and door locks. I further narrowed my search to brands that allowed for storage expansion without hidden fees or monthly subscriptions. After hours of research, Eufy emerged as the best choice. Unlike most smart security cameras that require monthly fees for additional storage, Eufy's HomeBase 3 provides up to 16 TB of local expandable storage. Eufy’s devices connect to HomeBase over Wi-Fi, securely storing footage without recurring costs. Their products integrate with a smart app, allowing you to control devices, view live camera feeds, and receive security notifications directly on your phone.

If you're like me and despise carrying keys, I highly recommend Eufy’s Smart Lock S330. I installed this biometric lock with a built-in security camera on my front door, which allows access through multiple methods, including fingerprint recognition. For my garage, I chose this Fingerprint Smart Door Lock, which offers a simpler design and takes up less doorknob space since I already have a separate camera there.

For an outdoor smart security camera that doesn't require battery replacements or a physical power connection, I highly recommend Eufy’s Outdoor Solar Camera. I have one in my front yard and another in the backyard, both installed since November 2023. Before installing, I fully charged each camera from the start and haven’t encountered any battery issues since. If these solar-powered cameras can operate in a city known for its rainy climate, they can certainly sustain themselves with zero maintenance wherever you are.

eufy Security Video Camera Smart Lock S330 - https://amzn.to/3X0lQWL
eufy Security Outdoor Solar Camera - https://amzn.to/3X0m4x5
eufy Security Homebase S380 - https://amzn.to/4dAe5Od
eufy Security Indoor Cam E220 - https://amzn.to/46XG5J4
eufy Security Indoor Cam C120 - https://amzn.to/4dX3VXV
Fingerprint Smart Door Lock - https://amzn.to/3Xgj1ST

Smart Assistance

A smart home isn’t truly smart without a smart assistant. I chose Amazon Alexa over Google Home for its broad compatibility with various brands and devices and because I was an early adopter of smart assistants. The Echo Show 10, with its premium sound and motion-tracking screen, might seem like a splurge, but it’s incredibly convenient on our kitchen island, allowing my wife and me to watch YouTube while we eat. To fully harness the capabilities of smart assistants throughout your home, I suggest placing at least one device in every major living space.

Echo Show 10 Premium Sound & Motion - https://amzn.to/46Zm0Cr
Echo Show 8 - https://amzn.to/3MjXCSp
Echo Spot - https://amzn.to/3XhkZCt
Echo Dot - https://amzn.to/4cAVkce
Echo Pop - https://amzn.to/46UNg4V

Smart Lighting

Replacing all the light switches with app-controlled smart switches was always a top priority for me. I swapped out most of the manual switches in my home with either a Kasa Smart Light Switch or a Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor Switch.

For areas where you spend more time, like the kitchen, living room, dining room, and bedrooms, I installed Kasa Smart Light Switches. These are integrated with Alexa for easy voice control. The Kasa Smart Plugs are also useful for remotely controlling light stands in areas without ceiling lights.

In spaces where you only pass through or stay briefly, like the hallways, stairs, and pantry, I installed Lutron’s Motion Sensor Switches that activate when they detect movement. While this might seem like overkill, once you experience it, you’ll truly appreciate its value. It eliminates the hassle of remembering which switch controls which light and makes it easy to forget about manually turning lights on and off. For multi-location (3-way+) switches, a Lutron Maestro Companion Switch may be necessary. Be sure to check your home's electrical system for compatibility with these devices.

Kasa Smart Light Switch - https://amzn.to/3Mh48cE
Kasa Smart Plug Mini - https://amzn.to/3yM1Tef
Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch - https://amzn.to/3yT30c3
Kasa Motion Sensor Switch - https://amzn.to/3yOXkzL
Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor Switch - https://amzn.to/3SZbTHS
Lutron Maestro Companion Switch - https://amzn.to/3WX9dvF

Smart Gardening

Gone are the days of manually watering your lawn. If you're like me and prefer a more convenient approach, simply connect an oscillating sprinkler to a Wi-Fi-controlled faucet timer. The Rainpoint Wi-Fi Sprinkler with Hub is perfect for managing multiple faucets. After all, time is money.

Rainpoint Wi-Fi Sprinkler with Hub - https://amzn.to/3YVtzYF
Rainpoint Wi-Fi Sprinkler - https://amzn.to/3yPLxBi
Eden Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler - https://amzn.to/3yDflBa

AboveTek

Let's be honest—you've probably dropped your phone on your face at least once. These gadgets are essential for falling asleep comfortably without risking a bruise. I bought the latest AboveTek Pillow Stand Holder, much to my wife’s initial disapproval, but it quickly became her favorite accessory. I ended up buying another one for myself.