My Favorite Smart Devices of 2023
I’ve reviewed a lot of smart technologies this year, and the best ones I’ve reviewed have made my life more efficient, saved me some money, and reduced my anxiety. That’s what good smart technology should do. Surprisingly, though, some of this year’s best finds were the least important—they just quietly made life better. Here are the products I’m still using at the end of the year, long after the review was posted.
Smart diffuser Pura
One of the most unexpected successes I discovered this year was the smart diffuser from Pura . I’m not even a candle person, and plug-in scents have always seemed aggressive and harsh to me. I certainly couldn’t imagine how the application would improve the quality of the essential oil. However, many months after testing the Pura, I use it almost every day and have added another one to the house. The ability to control how much scent you get, what scent you get, and when, all from the comfort of your couch, has been a game changer. Stupid plugins mean you set it and forget it, so you are simply overwhelmed by the aroma all the time until it runs out and you forget to refill it. Choosing from hundreds of premium scents from luxury brands like Brooklyn Candle, Antica Farmacista, and Votivo was the hardest part of the process, but each bottle lasts me about six weeks (use may vary), so it ends up being pretty affordable. I’m such a fan, I’m trying their car diffuser , which six months ago you would have had to bribe me for with migraine medicine.
Meross smart plugs
Every smart tech company in the world makes smart plugs, and despite all the smart products out there, they are the secret cog in most homes, turning basic light fixtures, humidifiers, and coffee makers into automated machines. Meross smart plugs do not have the problems that others face, such as suddenly disconnecting from Wi-Fi or simply burning out. This year I updated many of my Meross plugins to the new Matter-enabled version, and many months later they still work. I also tested forks from four or five other brands; Like clockwork, they all failed and were replaced with Meross plugs.
Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Light Strip Kit
I doubt I’d ever look for them, but as I keep saying, they’re my favorite smart thing this year . They are not essential. They don’t solve any real “problems”. They just create a good atmosphere. Not only did I decorate my living room and bedroom with more Nanoleaf lights , I sent kits to all my friends who were experiencing even a hint of depression and everyone I knew. children with autism, and all this to great success. Turn off the overhead light, turn on Nanoleaf, and adjust the colors or rhythm in the mobile or desktop app. This creates an aura of light that reflects on the walls, like the northern lights in your Shapes such as hexagons, squares and lines are sensory and interactive. No mindfulness app has made me as calm and happy as my Nanoleaf flashlights.
Envi smart heater
Smart heaters are new on the market and I was excited to test every single one on the market from a major brand. While I liked the Dyson Hot+Cool (it’s keeping my feet warm as we speak, and it’ll be back in the summer to keep me cool), I liked eHeat’s Smart Envi . Not to mention, it doesn’t touch the floor by attaching its slim profile to the wall: with just 500 watts of power, it magically (there was a cheeky comment section about how this is possible) maintains the temperature in a room of over 200 square feet. without making a sound, where 1500 watt heaters were really bad and cost a ton of money. I’m looking forward to the larger Smart Envi Max coming out in the next month or two to take up space in my living room.
Switchbot
It’s less about a specific product (though I still love the original Switchbot ) and more about a love letter to the brand that comes through in every single product. The Switchbot hubs, sensors, controllers—hell, even the Switchbot I’m testing right now—are all robust, chunky, small, and most importantly, adorable. Everything is thought out, even the packaging is affordable and well thought out. The concentrator functions as a temperature and humidity sensor; Curtain controllers come with solar chargers that capture light from the window. The top of the robot vacuum cleaner , the place where dust and dirt usually accumulate, is completely removable and fixed with a magnet, so it is easy to clean. Switchbots want to be touched, held, and adored.
Wireless combustion thermometer
If you hate standing over the stove or barbecue like I do, or are worried about cooking meat long enough, a wireless thermometer can help put your mind at ease. Of all the wireless sensors I tested this year, the Combustion came out on top because it connected consistently to Bluetooth and made using the thermometer painless. You can even put it in a sous vide bag. While I don’t let go of my instant read thermometers, for anything that’s going to sit and cook for a bit, I use my burn. The recent update gives users even more information, making it easier to know that food is cooked enough without necessarily falling within the high USDA temperature ranges that tend to overcook.
CES is right around the corner and I can’t wait to see what these brands will unveil this year. The New Year promises to be full of new technologies that will make your home (and everywhere you go) smarter.