Problem solver · updated 13 October 2026
A short list on purpose: the two things worth having before anything else.
| Pick | Product | Our rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start with the network | TP-Link Deco XE75 | 8.6/10 | $229 as of 8 October 2026 | Check price for TP-Link Deco XE75 on Amazon, opens in a new tab |
| Then add a hub | Amazon Echo Show 8 (2025) | 7.8/10 | $199 as of 8 October 2026 | Check price for Amazon Echo Show 8 (2025) on Amazon, opens in a new tab |
Most smart home advice starts with a bulb or a plug. The more useful question is what everything else will depend on. Most smart devices need Wi-Fi to reach them, and most households want one place to control them from. We have only reviewed two products in this area so far, so this guide is short. We will add to it when a named product earns a place.
Start with the network
If any room has always had weak signal, fix that before adding anything else. Mesh solves distance, which a single router cannot, and setup is driven by an app and takes under fifteen minutes. Some features push you towards a paid subscription.
Then add a hub
A screen makes controlling devices much faster than voice alone, and it earns its place in a kitchen as a timer, recipe screen and doorbell viewer. It does lock you further into one ecosystem, the camera shutter is gone, and Amazon uses the home screen to promote its own services.
Our verdict. If your Wi-Fi already reaches every room, skip the first pick and start with the hub. If it does not, buy the network first, because a hub is only as reliable as the signal reaching it.