The 8 best smart devices that are actually worth buying, according to a professional product tester

•  READ MORE: How the Daily Mail tests tech products
• From a digital photo frame that displays an unlimited number of pictures to a soundbar that turns your living room into a movie theater

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more

I absolutely love my job — I get to shop for, review and test products for a living — but it can get a bit arduous and sometimes repetitive, especially when trialing the same products over and over again. Specifically, when it comes to smart devices, several of them perform similarly, so when I find one that impresses me, I make sure to share the knowledge with you guys.

When shopping for tech today, it seems as almost every product has a "smart" component, but that doesn't quite qualify it for being a smart device, by definition. At its truest essence, the best smart devices are supposed to make your life easier and help you carry-on everyday tasks more quickly and efficiently.

So, I've taken a log during my many years of product testing and reviewing, and listed some of my favorites below that I believe are worth the investment. 

From an anti-glare digital photo frame with unlimited storage to a soundbar that makes my living room sound like a movie theater, these picks are 100% product-tester-approved.

The best smart devices of 2025, tested and reviewed

• Best digital photo frame: Aura Aspen 12-inch HD Frame
• Best soundbar: Sonos Arc Ultra
• Best smart display: Google Nest Hub
• Best video doorbell: Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (Wire-free)
• Best smart wireless speaker: Sonos Move 2
• Best smart cooker: Chef iQ Smart Pressure Cooker
• Best smart air circulator fan: Dreo TurboPoly Fan 715S
• Best smart diffuser: Pura Smart Home Scent Diffuser

How we test

When testing smart devices and other tech products, we try them out for at least a week (usually longer) and use them in our everyday lives through practical trial-based testing. I've owned most of these products for years and have been added to my everyday regular rotation after I finished testing them.

From testing if the surround sound on a soundbar actually fills a room or if the subwoofer gives you that movie theater-like bass during action scenes to if a smart TV displays true blacks in its definition and not deep greys, we've put it all to the test.

Why trust us

While implementing and enforcing a thorough testing process is essential for producing honest and well-researched content, we also believe that experience is invaluable. This is why all of our testers are experts in their field.

I have been testing and reviewing tech products for over six years and formulated the testing methodologies and rubrics we use in our tech, men's fashion and travel reviews and buying guides.

My reviews are honest, impartial, direct and don't shy away from highlighting the bad as much as the good to help you make the most informed buying decision.

Best smart devices that are worth buying, tested and reviewed 

1. Best digital photo frame: Aura Aspen 12-inch HD Frame

Spiked property

Product Specs

• monthJanuary
• Colorsblue

Review

Review text 1

2. Best soundbar: Sonos Arc Ultra

Vauxhall Astra

★★★★★

This is a vauxhall astra

US$1,200

US$1,200 from Amazon US

Product Specs

• Colorsred

What we love

• PriceReally cheap
• SpeedThis is really fast

What could be better

• ReliableKeep breaking down

Review

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

Great car hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhh

US$1,200

US$1,200 from Amazon US

  3. Best smart display: Google Nest Hub

Spiked offer

Review

Review text 1

4. Best video doorbell: Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (Wire-free)

test new product

★★★★★

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim.

US$15.77US$18.98

US$15.77 from product US

Product Specs

• Colorsgreen
• Warranty12 month
• Width300 m

What we love

• Test pro 1Test Test
• Test pro 2test test

What could be better

• Test con 1test tets tets
• Test con 2test test

Review

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim.

US$15.77US$18.98

US$15.77 from product US

5. Best smart wireless speaker: Sonos Move 2

6. Best smart cooker: Chef iQ Smart Pressure Cooker

7.  Best smart air circulator fan: Dreo TurboPoly Fan 715S

8. Best smart diffuser: Pura Smart Home Scent Diffuser

FAQs

What are smart devices?

Smart devices are electronic gadgets that must connect to the internet to work. They usually have accompanying apps and sometimes artificial intelligence built-in to help them pair with other devices in your home to make your life a bit more seamless and stress-free.

Are smart home devices worth it?

Yes, smart home devices are extremely worth it, in my expert opinion. Of course, you can fully control how many smart devices you're willing and able to have in your home, but they come in handy when you've already left home and forgot to turn off your fan or need to see who's at your doorstep without actually opening the front door.

What are the most popular smart device types? 

Video doorbells, smart soundbars and digital photo frames are the most commonly used and frequently bought smart devices for homes. They come in a range of prices, sizes and meet various customer needs, especially for those who are elderly or disabled.