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Most Popular Smart Home Devices: Ranked by Real Ownership Data

By Jordan Ellis · Data & rankings writer · 

Ninety-three percent of Americans own at least one smart home device. That number, from the American Home Shield (AHS) survey in 2024, tells you everything about where this market stands. The U.S. smart home market generated $38.8 billion in revenue in 2024, according to Statista data cited by electroiq.com. More than nine out of ten American households have crossed the threshold. If you have not yet, you are in the shrinking minority.

So what are all these people actually buying? This article ranks smart home device categories by real ownership rates, not editorial scores. Every data point comes from named surveys and market research. Prices are current as of early 2025.

What Makes a Device “Smart”?

Before the rankings, a quick definition. A smart home device connects to your home Wi-Fi network or a dedicated hub, and can be controlled via a smartphone app, voice command, or automation rules. It often learns from your behavior over time. Smart bulbs that turn off at a set time, thermostats that detect when you leave the house, and cameras that send alerts when motion is detected all share this core definition.

The term sometimes causes confusion because “smart” has been applied to everything from TVs to refrigerators. This article focuses on dedicated smart home devices that live on a network and can interact with other devices in your home.

1. Smart Speakers and Voice Assistants: 73% of Smart Home Owners Have One

The clear leader. The AHS survey (2024) found 73% of smart home device owners have a smart speaker or voice assistant. Statista data from September 2023 shows 27% of all U.S. households own at least one smart speaker, with other estimates pushing that figure to 35.6% of Americans. By 2027, Statista projects 335.3 million smart speakers in active use globally. That is more than any other smart home category by a wide margin.

Smart speakers are the most common first purchase into smart home ecosystems. They are affordable, require no installation, and take about five minutes to set up. That low barrier to entry is the whole story. You buy an Echo Dot, download the Alexa app, and suddenly your home is “smart.” From there, adding more devices is a logical next step.

Amazon controls roughly 25-30% of the global smart speaker market. Google holds a significant share as well. Apple HomeKit users have fewer options but the HomePod mini ($99) integrates deeply with Apple devices.

Here are the key products and their typical retail prices:

  • Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen), around $50. The entry-level bestseller and the device most commonly purchased first.
  • Amazon Echo Show 10, roughly $250. Adds a rotating display and screen-based controls.
  • Google Nest Audio, around $100. The default choice for households already using Android phones or Google services.
  • Apple HomePod mini, around $99. Required for deep Apple HomeKit integration. Works with Matter devices too.

Voice assistants differ in their strengths. Alexa has the widest third-party device compatibility. Google Assistant handles natural language queries more fluidly. Siri is the most private option but the most limited in terms of third-party integrations. Most buyers choose the speaker that matches the voice assistant they already use on their phone.

2. Smart Security Cameras: 50% of Smart Home Owners Have One

Tied for the second most common category. The AHS survey (2024) found 50% of smart home device owners have an indoor or outdoor security camera. Market Research Future valued the smart security camera segment at $18.5 billion in 2024.

Security cameras are often the second device purchased after a smart speaker. Once a household has the voice assistant infrastructure in place, adding a camera feels like a natural extension. The motivation is clear: 43% of smart home device owners cite increased safety as their primary reason for purchase, according to the AHS survey. About 12.3% of Americans specifically own outdoor security cameras, per electroiq.com citing Statista.

Most cameras require a subscription for cloud video storage. This is a cost that buying guides often bury. Expect to pay $3-$10 per month depending on the brand and plan.

Key products and typical prices:

  • Ring Indoor Cam (2nd gen), around $60. The budget entry point from the market leader.
  • Ring Spotlight Cam, around $100-$130. Adds motion-activated lights to the camera.
  • Google Nest Cam (battery), around $180. Works with Google Home and offers familiar face detection (subscription required).
  • Arlo Pro 4, around $150-$200. Known for strong video quality and no base station required.

Ring cameras pair naturally with Ring doorbells, and many households standardize on one brand for app simplicity.

3. Video Doorbells: 50% of Smart Home Owners Have One

Also at 50% ownership, per the AHS survey (2024). The smart doorbell market grew from $5.06 billion in 2023 to $5.92 billion in 2024, according to market research data. Ring (owned by Amazon) dominates this category by brand recognition.

Most video doorbells sold today shoot in at least 1080p, support two-way audio, and send push notifications when motion is detected at your door. Wired models require existing doorbell wiring. Battery models are easier to install but need periodic recharging.

Key products and typical prices:

  • Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, around $100. The category bestseller with 1536p head-to-toe video.
  • Ring Video Doorbell Wired, around $60. The budget option with core features at a lower price.
  • Google Nest Doorbell (battery), around $180. Works with Google Home. Offers three hours of event history without a subscription.
  • Arlo Essential Video Doorbell, around $100. A solid Ring alternative with wide-angle video.

Ring and Google Nest dominate the consumer market. The two brands are the most common comparison shoppers make when buying a video doorbell.

4. Smart Thermostats: 43% of Smart Home Owners Have One

The AHS survey (2024) found 43% of smart home owners have a smart thermostat. The market has grown roughly 30% per year since 2018, per strategic market research. Connected thermostats are now in 14% of all U.S. households, according to Statista.

This category has the clearest return-on-investment argument. The EPA credits smart thermostats with up to 8% savings on heating and cooling bills. For a device that costs $130-$250, recouping the price over a few years through lower utility bills is a realistic expectation. That math drives a lot of purchases in this category.

Key products and typical prices:

  • Google Nest Thermostat, around $130. The entry-level model, simple to install and use.
  • Google Nest Learning Thermostat, around $250. The premium model that learns your schedule automatically.
  • Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced, around $190. Includes room sensors to manage hot and cold spots.
  • Ecobee Premium, around $250. Adds radar-based occupancy detection and a speaker for Alexa announcements.
  • Amazon Smart Thermostat (built by Honeywell), around $60. The budget option for households that want basic smart features without the premium price.

The Nest Learning Thermostat and Ecobee Premium are the two products most commonly compared in this category. The Amazon option targets buyers who want smart features at the lowest possible price.

5. Smart Lighting: 34% of Smart Home Owners Have It

The AHS survey (2024) found 34% of smart home owners have smart lighting. The global smart lighting market was valued at $15.75 billion in 2024.

Smart bulbs are the first non-speaker device many households add. They are cheap, easy to install, and immediately useful. Replacing a lightbulb is simpler than replacing a thermostat or installing a deadbolt.

One key distinction matters at purchase time: hub-required versus hub-free. Philips Hue requires a hub (the bridge) to connect to your network. LIFX bulbs connect directly over Wi-Fi without a hub. This matters for setup complexity and cost.

Key products and typical prices:

  • Philips Hue Starter Kit (White, 3-bulb), around $70-$90. The most recognized brand. Requires the Hue Bridge ($45 sold separately or bundled).
  • Philips Hue individual bulbs, around $15-$25 each.
  • LIFX Ultra (Wi-Fi, hub-free), around $25 per bulb.
  • IKEA TRADFRI bulbs, around $10-$15 each. The budget entry point and Matter-compatible.
  • Govee smart light strips, around $20-$40. Popular for accent lighting behind TVs or under shelves.

Philips Hue dominates brand recognition but IKEA’s Matter-compatible TRADFRI line has brought smart lighting within reach of first-time buyers who do not want to spend $100 to get started.

6. Robot Vacuums: 29% of Smart Home Owners Have One

This category often surprises people. The AHS survey (2024) found 29% of smart home owners own a robot vacuum. Many consumers do not think of robot vacuums as “smart home” devices, but they absolutely are: they map your home, connect to Wi-Fi, can be scheduled via an app, and respond to voice commands.

iRobot pioneered this category and Roomba remains the dominant brand name. The value proposition is simple and immediately understood: it cleans your floors while you do something else. That is why this category has high satisfaction rates.

Key products and typical prices:

  • Eufy RoboVac 11S, around $200. The budget entry point with solid core features.
  • iRobot Roomba Combo Essential, around $300. Mops as well as vacuums.
  • Shark IQ Robot, around $300. Self-emptying base available on higher-end models.
  • Roborock Q5 Pro, around $400. Strong navigation and mopping on higher-end models.

Price and suction power scale together. Budget models navigate randomly. Mid-range models map rooms and clean systematically. Premium models empty themselves and mop.

7. Smart Locks: 19% of Smart Home Owners Have One

The AHS survey (2024) found 19% of smart home owners have a smart lock. Statista (September 2023) estimates 13% of all U.S. households. Adoption lags cameras and thermostats for two reasons: installation complexity and reliability concerns about a security-critical device.

Smart locks skew toward homeowners rather than renters. Most require deadbolt replacement, which means drilling and wiring. Renters cannot do this without landlord permission. Homeowners face a one-time installation that takes about 30-45 minutes.

August Smart Lock is the notable exception. It retrofits over existing hardware rather than replacing the deadbolt, making it the easiest option for renters or anyone who does not want to swap out their current lock.

Key products and typical prices:

  • Schlage Encode Plus, around $230. Apple HomeKey support and Matter-compatible.
  • Yale Assure Lock SL, around $200. Slim touchscreen design, no physical key.
  • August Smart Lock Pro, around $230. Retrofit design works over existing hardware.
  • Level Lock+, around $230. Discreet design hides all the smart technology inside the door.

8. Smart Plugs: The Cheapest Entry Point

Not tracked separately in the AHS survey but worth a mention. Smart plugs typically cost $10-$25 each and are the literal first device many households buy after a smart speaker. A plug costs almost nothing, requires no installation, and immediately makes any “dumb” device scheduleable and voice-controllable.

Kasa Smart Plug (by TP-Link), Amazon Smart Plug, and Gosund plugs dominate this low-cost segment. The main limitation is power: smart plugs work for devices that simply turn on and off, like lamps or coffee makers. They cannot control devices that need variable settings, like thermostats or TVs.

Matter-compatible smart plugs are now available and work across Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit simultaneously. This is a meaningful improvement over older plugs that lock you into one ecosystem.

Who Is Buying Smart Home Devices?

The demographics of ownership are telling. Forty-four percent of Millennials own at least one smart home device, compared with 33% of Gen X and 24% of adults aged 55 and older, per AHS (2024). Forty percent of smart home owners are aged 18-34. Households with children adopt at higher rates than childless households.

Average spending: $3,026 per household on smart home devices and $498 per year on ongoing subscriptions, per the AHS 2024 survey. Eighty-eight percent of owners say the devices are worth the investment, according to the same survey.

The Ecosystem Question: Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit?

Most smart home devices work with one or more of the three major ecosystems. Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit are the platforms that tie everything together. The good news for buyers: the gap between them is narrowing.

Matter, launched in 2022 and updated with version 1.4 in November 2024, is the new universal standard backed by Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung. More than 550 companies are now building Matter-compatible devices. Matter-certified products work across all three platforms simultaneously, which means ecosystem lock-in matters less than it did even two years ago.

Practical guidance: if you already own an iPhone and use Apple services, HomeKit via Matter is the smoothest path. If you are in an Android household, Google Home is the natural fit. If you already own Echo devices, staying with Alexa makes sense. The purchase you have already made is the strongest signal for which ecosystem to commit to.

Privacy Concerns

Fifty-seven percent of smart home owners express worry about data privacy, and 46% fear hacking, per the AHS 2024 survey. These concerns are legitimate and worth addressing directly.

The reassuring points are practical. Major brands like Amazon, Google, and Apple publish security update commitments and support timelines for their devices. Matter’s local-first architecture reduces cloud dependency, which means less data flowing to company servers. Two-factor authentication is available on most accounts and should be enabled.

The practical privacy steps are straightforward: use strong unique passwords for each device account, enable two-factor authentication where it is offered, and consider placing smart devices on a separate network from your main computers. Most people do none of these things, which is why the concerns are valid. The risk is manageable with basic hygiene.

What People Are Actually Buying

The rankings by ownership tell a consistent story. Smart speakers brought most households into the ecosystem. Security cameras and video doorbells followed as the next logical purchases for safety. Thermostats came next because the energy savings justify the cost. Lighting, robot vacuums, and smart plugs filled out the rest of the average household.

The devices on this list are not gadgets for early adopters. They are mainstream purchases made by ordinary households. If you are building a smart home, starting with a speaker and a camera is where most people began. That path is well-trodden and well-supported by every ecosystem.

Prices are estimates based on typical retail in early 2025. Check current pricing before purchasing, especially around major sales events.