The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
Starting a smart home can seem daunting from both a money and time perspective.
If you spend hours on a project that’ll only save you a few seconds a day, you’re working harder rather than smarter.
Thankfully, there are plenty of smart home upgrades you can make in only 10 minutes — one of them doesn’t even require tools.
Philips Hue White Smart Bulb Starter Kit
Amazon
Philips’ Hue bulbs have been my favorite smart-home accessory for years, and they’re incredibly easy to set up. Just unscrew your current light bulbs from their fixture, screw the Hue bulbs in, and the hardest part is done.
The second component to the setup is connecting the Hue Bridge (included in the kit below) to your Wi-Fi router, and connecting the bridge and bulbs through the Hue app. I’ve gone through this several times now, and it couldn’t be easier.
Philips Hue White Smart Bulb Starter Kit, $ 88.99, available at Amazon
Philips Hue Dimmer Switch Smart Remote
Amazon
If you’re techy, you might not mind controlling your lights through an app, or your voice through a smart-home hub like the Amazon Echo, but that may not be the case for the people you live with.
This battery-powered can control up to 10 Hue bulbs, and comes with a mount you can stick on a wall via adhesive tape or screws (sold separately). After attaching the mount to your wall, set the remote up using the Philips Hue app, and you’re all done. No wiring necessary.
Philips Hue Dimmer Switch Smart Remote, $ 24.99, available at Amazon
SnapPower Guidelight
Amazon
A great quality of life upgrade, SnapPower’s Guidelight can illuminate dark spaces without taking up an outlet.
You might think it would take a lot of electrical know-how to set this up, but it’s actually very easy. After removing the one outward-facing screw, you can remote the outlet’s face plate, and stick the SnapPower plate on. Screw in the screw you removed 30 seconds ago, and you’re done.
The only mildly annoying part of this upgrade is having to turn off electricity in the part of the house you’re working in to avoid electrocution.
SnapPower Guidelight, $ 44.99, available at Amazon
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- 10 must-have tech accessories for travelers under $ 50
- This popular workout system is a lot cheaper than a gym membership — and it fits into one little bag
- Save up to $ 100 when you pre-order the newest Samsung Galaxy phone — and more of today’s best deals from around the web
SEE ALSO: 20 must-have tech accessories under $ 20
