Small, smart home devices can easily upgrade your dorm room for those heading back to school. A smart speaker or smart lighting system could just make your room the one everyone wants to hang in. CNET has picked these four smart home gadgets with which to get your dorm life off to a roaring start.
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Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation)
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/reviews/amazon-echo-dot-2nd-generation-review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The second-gen, mini-size Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker is just as smart as the full-size Echo at half the cost. It boasts more skills and third-party integrations than its rival, the Google Home Mini, and it also includes an aux-out jack for quick, direct connections with external audio setups, which the Home Mini lacks.
The bad: The Home Mini offers noticeably better sound quality out of the box, and Google Assistant is better at pulling from the internet to answer a wide variety of questions.
The cost: $49.99
The bottom line: The Echo Dot takes Amazon’s popular smart home speaker and wraps it in an ultra-affordable package — but the Google Home Mini is a very worthy competitor.
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Apple HomePod
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/reviews/apple-homepod-review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: Apple’s $349 HomePod has excellent bass and consistently superior sound quality across a wide variety of music genres. The speaker is easy to set up and Siri can hear you from across a room.
The bad: You’re stuck with Apple-only audio services when using voice commands and the HomePod only works on iOS. Siri and HomeKit lack the polish and device compatibility of Alexa and Google Assistant.
The cost: $329.00 to $349.00
The bottom line: Apple’s HomePod doesn’t match the features offered on Alexa and Google Assistant speakers. But if you’re an iPhone user who prizes sound quality above all, you should seriously consider this speaker.
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Eufy Smart Plug Mini
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/reviews/eufy-smart-plug-mini-review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The Eufy Smart Plug Mini is a smart, affordable space-saver with a solid mix of in-app features. It works with both Alexa and the Google Assistant.
The bad: It doesn’t work with HomeKit and it doesn’t include a side USB charging port.
The cost: $20.99
The bottom line: With plenty of options for scheduling and energy monitoring, Eufy’s Smart Plug Mini is a great addition to any Google or Alexa smart home.
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Sengled Element Color Plus Starter Kit
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/reviews/sengled-element-color-plus-starter-kit-review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: Sengled’s newest color-changing smart bulbs are more budget-friendly than the competition, and they offer full compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant. The app tracks the real-time power draw of each bulb at each setting, which is a nice touch.
The bad: Though accurate, the colors aren’t as bright as you’ll get with Lifx or Hue, and the app is a bit clunkier to use, too. You can’t use the bulbs with IFTTT or Apple HomeKit, either.
The cost: $79.99
The bottom line: These aren’t the best color-changing bulbs that we’ve tested, but they offer very decent value, making them a good budget pick.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Associate Editor Ashlee Clark Thompson, Senior Associate Editor Ry Crist, Associate Editor Molly Price, Senior Associate Editor Megan Wollerton and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com
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