The 27 Most Useful Gadgets for the Home

Practical, convenient, and designed to make life easier, these are the most useful gadgets to have around the house.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

The modern home is full of gadgets, but not all of them are worth their weight. Home gadgets can span an entire range of usefulness, from rarely used contraptions that end up as clutter to everyday tools that truly make life easier. These items will be helpful in most homes, and we’ve compiled them in a handy list. From convenient smart devices to home essentials, here are some useful gadgets that can lend a helping hand in any home.

1. Eufy Smart Lock S330

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Eufy Smart Lock S330
Photo: amazon.com

Gain even more control over who enters the house and when with the Eufy Smart Lock S330. More than just a standard smart lock, it also has a 2K HD camera built-in, so it’s essentially a smart lock and video doorbell in one device. It makes it possible to see who’s at the door and even let them in remotely through the smartphone app. We tested this lock for our guide to the best smart lock and found it both easy to set up and control with clear video quality.

Get the Eufy smart lock at Amazon for $349.99.

2. Roborock Q5+ Robot Vacuum 

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Roborock Q5+ Robot Vacuum
Photo: homedepot.com

A good robot vacuum makes it possible to clean with very little effort, and the Roborock Q5+ robot vacuum takes it to another level. It comes with a self-emptying feature that unloads dirt and dust into the charging base, which can last up to 7 weeks between emptying. This robot vacuum is a smart model, and when we tested it for our best robot vacuums guide, we appreciated its user-friendly app.

Get the Roborock robot vacuum at The Home Depot for $399.99.

3. Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier
Photo: amazon.com

At its budget-friendly price tag, the Levoit Core Mini air purifier is a worthwhile addition to any home. It has a multilayer filter that snags particles like pet hair, dust, and other allergens from the air. It helps filter out smoke and odors as well. With over 20,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this purifier is compact and quiet, so it’s suitable for most rooms.

Get the Levoit air purifier at Amazon for $39.95.

4. Kidde Wi-Fi Water Leak Detector & Freeze Alarm

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Kidde Wi-Fi Water Leak Detector & Freeze Alarm
Photo: homedepot.com

Leaky or frozen pipes can cause a major problem. Catch small issues before they become big ones with the Kidde Wi-Fi water leak detector and freeze alarm. This alarm is smart, sending notifications to a connected smartphone. It detects water leaks as well as falling temperatures, so users can take action to prevent larger leaks and stop pipes from freezing.

Get the Kidde leak detector at The Home Depot for $34.97.

5. Gütewerk Shower Squeegee

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Gütewerk Shower Squeegee
Photo: amazon.com

A good squeegee is just a useful item to have on hand to clean up and dry wet surfaces. The Gütewerk shower squeegee is intended for the shower and comes with a strong suction hook to store the squeegee on the wall. It has over 20,000 positive reviews from Amazon shoppers, with many noting that it works well and has a sleek appearance.

Get the Gütewerk squeegee at Amazon for $15.95.

6. Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Photo: amazon.com

A Crock-Pot is a staple in many households, and it only takes coming home to dinner already cooked to understand why. This is a highly rated Crock-Pot model with almost a thousand positive reviews. It holds 6 quarts, so it’s suitable for many families. Best of all, to add to the convenience, this Crock-Pot is smart and can be controlled and monitored from an app or with an Alexa-enabled device.

Get the Crock-Pot slow cooker at Amazon for $143.11.

7. Google Nest Learning Thermostat

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Photo: amazon.com

A smart thermostat can make climate control more convenient in any home, and this Google Nest thermostat takes it to the next level. Like any smart device, it’s possible to control it remotely. On top of that, it’s also a learning thermostat. It tracks household habits over time and programs itself according to its observations. Over 40,000 Amazon shoppers rate this smart thermostat positively, noting that it’s easy to use and has a nice appearance.

Get the Google Nest thermostat at Amazon for $201.00.

8. Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker
Photo: amazon.com

What is lost can be found with the Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker. The small tracker can be put in (or on) a range of items. The brand recommends it for keys, bags, and purses, but it’s possible to use it for so much more. Compatible with Android and IOS devices, this tracker can keep tabs on anything you want to track. It uses Bluetooth technology so you can remotely see where the tracker is (or the last place it was detected).

Get the Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker at Amazon for $24.88.

9. Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder
Photo: amazon.com

Pets add so much joy to a household, but it’s not always possible to be available during feeding time. Whether it’s to quiet a cat that likes to meow in the wee hours or to feed your feline their lunch, this automatic pet feeder can help. It’s smart, so it’s possible to control it from a smartphone. Schedule up to 10 meals per day for pets that like to snack.

Get the Petlibro cat feeder at Amazon for $74.99.

10. Vornado 660 Large Air Circulator Fan

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Vornado 660 Large Air Circulator Fan
Photo: amazon.com

The Vornado 660 large air circulator fan was the top pick in our best fans guide. It’s compact but mighty, circulating the air well without being too loud. With a powerful motor, blades that create excellent air circulation, and four speed settings to choose from, it’s a great choice for cooling down.

Get the Vornado fan at Amazon for $99.99.

11. DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock
Photo: amazon.com

Using a phone as an alarm clock isn’t the best for sleep hygiene, so bring it back to basics with a physical alarm clock. The DreamSky compact digital alarm clock is compact, so it’ll fit on crowded nightstands. The digital display makes it easy to read: It has large, bold numbers and is dimmable.

Get the DreamSky alarm clock at Amazon for $14.98.

12. Cosori Rice Cooker

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Cosori Rice Cooker
Photo: amazon.com

The Cosori rice cooker can do so much more than just cook delicious and fluffy rice. It has several settings to cook different types of rice to varying desired textures. It also cooks other grains like oatmeal, quinoa, barley, and farro. With a 10-cup capacity, it’s great for meal-prepping or feeding a family.

Get the Cosori rice cooker at Amazon for $99.99.

13. JBL Flip 5

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option JBL Flip 5
Photo: amazon.com

Play music almost anywhere with the JBL Flip 5. This portable speaker earns high ratings from over 70,000 reviewers. It’s compact enough to throw in a backpack, but it boasts a big and clear sound. A lot of reviewers also liked that it’s waterproof, so it’s fabulous for outdoor use, rain or shine.

Get the JBL portable speaker at Amazon for $79.93.

14. Wyze Wi-Fi Smart Plug

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Wyze Wi-Fi Smart Plug
Photo: homedepot.com

The Wyze Wi-Fi smart plug can turn pretty much any dumb device smart. It connects to a Wi-Fi network and enables users to switch it on and off from a mobile app. It also allows for scheduling as well. While this doesn’t include as many features as most smart devices, it’s a good way to modernize a simpler gadget.

Get the Wyze smart plug at The Home Depot for $19.98.

15. OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner
Photo: amazon.com

The OXO Good Grips large salad spinner does a great job at drying lettuce, and over 30,000 reviewers praise how easy it is to use. With a few presses, the top button whirls the lettuce around, flinging off most of the water (which means no more soggy salads). Unlike many other salad spinners, where you need to hold the bowl section, this one can be spun with just one hand.

Get the OXO Good Grips salad spinner at Amazon for $29.99.

16. Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+
Photo: lowes.com

The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ is the right tool for many small cleaning jobs. This cordless handheld vacuum is powerful and comes with a couple of useful attachments: a motorized pet hair brush and an extra-long crevice tool. The crevice tool is built in, so it’s always on hand for cleaning jobs and is impossible to lose.

Get the Black+Decker Dustbuster at Lowe’s for $99.00.

17. Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer 6-in-1

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer 6-in-1
Photo: amazon.com

When it comes to air-frying, the Instant Vortex Plus air fryer is a top performer. It’s earned over 60,000 positive reviews on Amazon. It’s a crowd favorite because it’s easy to use, easy to clean up, and churns out crisp results. It doesn’t only air-fry—it can also bake, roast, reheat, dehydrate, and broil food.

Get the Instant Vortex Plus air fryer at Amazon for $85.95.

18. Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
Photo: target.com

The Bissell Little Green portable carpet cleaner is useful for carpets, rugs, and upholstery. This mini carpet cleaning machine can be used on most soft surfaces. It’s highly rated for its great performance with a deep-cleaning nozzle and excellent suction to lift and remove dirt.

Get the Bissell portable carpet cleaner at Target for $109.59.

19. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Food Processor

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Cuisinart Mini-Prep Food Processor
Photo: amazon.com

Meal prepping is easier with the Cuisinart Mini-Prep food processor. This mini electric food processor takes up very little space in the cupboard but is powerful, dicing veggies, fruits, and more with its stainless steel blade. It’s hard to go wrong with the push-button controls, and after the food is sliced and diced, it’s simple to clean this utensil since the bowl and lid are dishwasher-safe.

Get the Cuisinart food processor at Amazon for $36.72.

20. SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher
Photo: amazon.com

Smart plugs are useful for devices that plug into an outlet, but they won’t work for switches. Try the SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher, which makes it possible to control rocker light switches and buttons from a smartphone. It’s battery-powered, so it can be installed almost anywhere, and thousands of happy reviewers say this product fills a small but very useful niche.

Get the SwitchBot smart switch at Amazon for $29.00.

21. Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber Brush

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber Brush
Photo: homedepot.com

With its small scrubbing head and cleansing oscillating motion, the Rubbermaid Reveal Power scrubber brush can help with all detailing jobs around the house. It’s battery-powered, so it can work in the house, patio, car, and beyond. It has two brush heads, one of them tapered, so it’s excellent for cleaning corners, grout lines, and other tight spots.

Get the Rubbermaid scrubber brush at The Home Depot for $19.98.

22. Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven
Photo: amazon.com

The Ninja 12-in-1 smart double oven is a countertop oven with two independent cooking sections, allowing you to cook two dishes at the same time. The sections are sealed, preventing smells from transferring between them, and allowing them to bake savory dishes and sweets at the same time. With this useful feature and 12 functions, it’s earned over 1,000 happy reviews on Amazon.

Get the Ninja double oven at Amazon for $279.99.

23. Blink Mini Indoor Security Camera

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Blink Mini Indoor Security Camera
Photo: amazon.com

The Blink Mini indoor security camera makes home monitoring affordable. It’s a mini indoor security camera that connects directly to Wi-Fi to make it possible to see, hear, and speak to anyone in the room. It has hundreds of thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, offering excellent performance and peace of mind for a budget-friendly price.

Get the Blink security camera at Amazon for $29.99.

24. ThermoPro TP-16 Digital Thermometer

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option ThermoPro TP-16 Digital Thermometer
Photo: amazon.com

The ThermoPro TP-16 takes some of the guesswork out of cooking. This digital cooking thermometer is accurate and easy to use. It has a probe on a highly heat-resistant wire, which makes it possible to stick in a roast while it’s in the oven. To make sure nothing gets overcooked, it has a built-in alarm to alert users when the preset temperature is reached.

Get the ThermoPro digital thermometer at Amazon for $19.99.

25. Olight S2R II 1150 Flashlight

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Olight S2R II 1150 Flashlight
Photo: amazon.com

Whether it’s for emergencies or DIY repairs, every household should have a good flashlight on hand. The Olight S2R II 1150 flashlight is our favorite pick (it’s our best bang for the buck pick in our best flashlight guide). It’s bright, comfortable to use, waterproof, and built to last.

Get the Olight flashlight at Amazon for $64.96.

26. FlexiSnake Drain Weasel

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option FlexiSnake Drain Weasel
Photo: amazon.com

It’s better to be prepared with the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel for a drain blockage. This pack includes the sink snake cleaner and five refills. Measuring 18 inches long and with patented micro hooks, it grabs hair and other clogged materials to clear pipes. Over 20,000 shoppers give it a five-star rating, especially since it’s saved several people from making a call to the plumber.

Get the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel at Amazon for $19.99.

27. Anker PowerCore III Sense Portable Charger

The Most Useful Gadgets for the Home Option Anker PowerCore III Sense Portable Charger
Photo: bestbuy.com

Keep phones and devices charged up anywhere with the Anker PowerCore III Sense portable charger. This sleek and compact charger is powerful, with two USB-A Power-IQ outputs to charge a couple of devices at a time. Anker portable chargers tend to perform well, and this one has hundreds of positive reviews to back it up.

Get the Anker portable charger at Best Buy for $61.99.

Share
Jasmine Harding Avatar

Jasmine Harding

Contributing Writer

Jasmine Harding is a freelance writer specializing in home products. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2020 and covers a range of product-related topics, from the best household appliances and tools to the latest gadgets and tech for the home.

WHY YOU CAN TRUST BOB VILA