What do I need to make my apartment smart? A simple guide for beginners

If you're thinking of converting your apartment into a smart home for the first time, you don't need to buy dozens of devices at once. The correct approach is to start with a few basics, then gradually expand according to your actual needs.

1. Start with a central smart hub

The hub is the essential piece that connects all your smart devices together and allows you to control them from a single app on your phone, instead of a separate app for each device. Browse our smart home hubs by your preferred protocol (Zigbee or WiFi).

2. Add a smart lock or light switch

This is the first device visitors actually touch on day one. Smart door locks give you an immediate sense of security, while smart light switches give you tangible immediate convenience from day one. Explore our smart locks and smart lighting.

3. Add a security camera for the main entrance

Monitoring the main door gives you peace of mind and the ability to know who is knocking even when you are away from home. Browse our security cameras to compare.

Common mistake: Starting with everything at once

Many beginners buy everything at once then discover that some devices are not compatible with each other. The easiest solution: make sure that every product supports the same protocol, or use our store's smart "design your home" tool to get a compatible recommendation according to your budget.

Conclusion

Hub + lock/lighting + camera is the golden trio for any apartment starting its smart journey. If you want a faster way, try our ready-made Apartment Security Package which combines these categories with a unified discount.