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3 min readSmart products can play a huge role in your safety while living alone—and they can make everyday tasks more convenient and fun.
If you live by yourself, take a look at these smart home technologies. We’ve found five great gadgets that let you do everything from turn off your appliances to feed your pets—all from your connected device.
Here are the best smart devices for people living alone
- : Best video doorbell
- : Best smart light switch
- : Best smart pet food dispenser
- : Best smart outlet
- : Best smart slow cooker
1. Nest Doorbell (Battery): Smart video doorbell
Best overall
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Seeing who is at your front door before you open it can give you valuable peace of mind, particularly when you live alone.
The Nest Doorbell is a battery-powered smart doorbell that lets you see, hear, and talk with your visitor via your smartphone—whether you are at home or away. It's motion-activated, so even if someone doesn’t ring the doorbell you’ll know they are there.
Pros
Free cloud recording
Smart motion detection
Battery or wired options 
Cons
Above-average price The Nest Doorbell comes with free video recording, which is a rarity in the industry.
Learn more in our full Nest Doorbell review.
2. Lutron Caseta Smart Start Kit: Smart light switch
Best smart light switch
When connected to the Lutron Caseta app, the Lutron Light Switch allows you to use your smartphone to manage your home’s lighting. Among other benefits, this means you can turn on lights remotely so you don’t come home to a dark house, create the illusion that someone is home with you, or make it seem as though your home is occupied when you’re away.
Pros
Dimming remote included
Works with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit
Works with existing wires Cons
Limited IFTTT functionality View other options in our review of the best smart light switches.
3. 7L Automatic Cat Feeder: Smart pet food dispenser
Automatic cat feeder
Pets can be wonderful companions, but ensuring they get fed on time can be tricky when you live by yourself. Fortunately, there’s W7L Automatic Cat Feeder—a smart pet feeder that dispenses food on a schedule that you can set or modify—no matter where you are. With this cat feeder you can use your smartphone to schedule your pet’s feedings in advance and you can even implement slow feeding or portion control if the vet put your fur baby on a diet.
Pros
Holds up to 29 cups. of cat food
Compatible with iOS and Android
Programmable schedules
Battery backup Cons
Not compatible with 5G networks 4. Wemo Smart Plug: Best app-controlled outlet
Best smart plug
Leaving the house and forgetting to turn an appliance off wastes energy—and it’s potentially dangerous. If you live by yourself, there’s no household member to correct the problem, which is one reason to consider getting the Wemo Smart Plug.
Pros
Works with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit
Programmable schedules
Compact design Cons
No energy monitoring It’s a smart plug or remote control electrical outlet that allows you to control small appliances via your smartphone or tablet, from an Insteon keypad or remote, or even from an Apple Watch. With the Wemo Smart Plug, you can do things like create schedules for your small appliances and receive alerts about outlet use.
5. Alexa-enabled Crock-Pot: Smart slow cooker
Smart slow cooker
Cooking for one can be a hassle, but not with the Alexa-enabled Crock-Pot Programmable Slow Cooker. This state-of-the-art slow cooker syncs with your Alexa app and prepares an amazing meal while you’re at work.
Pros
Voice control through Amazon Alexa
Adjustable cook times
Temperature control
6 quart capacity
Dishwasher safe insert and lid Cons
Spotty Alexa connectivity possible Using your smartphone, you can monitor cooking time, adjust the slow cooker’s temperature, and turn it on or off. When your food is cooked, the Crock-Pot sends you a notification and automatically switches to the warm setting to keep your meal at serving temperature until you get home.
Read our guide to building a smart kitchen for more gadgets like this.
Final word
Living alone can be safer, more convenient, and more fun when you integrate one or more of these smart devices into your home. For additional security, consider getting a monitored home security system.
How we reviewed the best smart devices for people living alone
We looked for devices that solved common problems faced by people who live alone and that integrated with multiple smart home hubs. Although affordability is always important, we stuck with the best-of-the-best for this roundup, even if that meant recommending products that were a little pricey.
Link to SafeWise methodology page.
Related articles on SafeWise
Disclaimers
*Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
Google, Nest, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
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