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21 Gadgets You'll Want in Your First Apartment

Just because you can't afford a remodeled condo doesn't mean you have to skimp on gadgets. Here are some tips for making your new home a tech-centric haven.

Chandra Steele
 & Chandra Steele Senior Features Writer

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

Overview

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Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. Read our editorial mission & see how we test.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

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  • August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
    Best for Third-Party Compatibility

    August Smart Lock Pro + Connect

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Easy to install
      • Supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Z-Wave
      • Comes with a door sensor and a Wi-Fi bridge
      • Works with Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands
      • Geofencing and IFTTT support
      • Expensive

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The stylish August Smart Lock Pro + Connect is the most fully equipped smart lock we've tested, with support for Apple HomeKit, multiple voice command services, three wireless protocols, geofencing, and IFTTT.

    Specs & Configurations

    App Mobile
    Connectivity Bluetooth
    Connectivity Wi-Fi
    Connectivity Z-Wave
    Geofencing/Location Services
    Guest Access
    Installation Interior Escutcheon
    Integrations Amazon Alexa
    Integrations Apple HomeKit
    Integrations IFTTT
    Voice Activation
    Get It Now
    Learn More August Smart Lock Pro + Connect Review
  • LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote

    LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Learn More LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote Review
  • iLife V8s
    Mopping and Vacuuming

    iLife V8s

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Affordable.
      • Mops and vacuums.
      • Good for low-profile furniture.
      • Multiple cleaning styles.
      • Supports scheduling.
      • No way to block off cleaning specific areas.
      • Lacks app and voice control.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The iLife V8s Robot Vacuum Cleaner doesn't connect to your phone or support voice control, but it will diligently vacuum and mop your floors for less than $300.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life (Tested) 90 minutes
    Dimensions 13.0 by 13.0 by 3.1 inches
    Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
    Remote Control
    Scheduling
    Get It Now
    Learn More iLife V8s Review
  • Google Nest Hub Max
    Google Fans

    Google Nest Hub Max

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Integrates with Nest and functions as a security camera.
      • Supports Google Cast.
      • Fairly loud.
      • Sound quality isn't particularly impressive.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Google Nest Hub Max is a big, bright smart display with Google Assistant, and you can even use it as a home security camera.

    Specs & Configurations

    Channels 2
    Physical Connections None
    Get It Now
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  • Digi-Piggy Digital Coin Counting Bank

    Digi-Piggy Digital Coin Counting Bank

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Learn More Digi-Piggy Digital Coin Counting Bank Review
  • TCL 55S425
    Lowest Price Possible

    TCL 55S425

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Affordable.
      • Fairly accurate colors.
      • Roku TV platform has lots of features.
      • Dim panel.
      • Color range isn't particularly wide.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    If you're looking for an affordable 4K TV in a variety of sizes, TCL's 4-series is the line to beat.

    Specs & Configurations

    Black Level 0.04
    Contrast Ratio 6,101:1
    HDMI Ports 3
    HDR HDR-10
    Input Lag (Game Mode) 15.2
    Panel Type LED
    Refresh Rate 60
    Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
    Screen Brightness 244.02
    Screen Size 55
    Streaming Services 1
    Video Inputs Composite
    Video Inputs HDMI
    Video Inputs RF
    Video Inputs USB
    Get It Now
    Learn More TCL 55S425 Review
  • Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug
    Energy Monitoring

    Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Easy to set up.
      • Supports IFTTT.
      • Compact size.
      • Tracks power usage and costs.
      • No web browser support.
      • App is a bit erratic.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug not only uses your home Wi-Fi network to turn devices on and off remotely, it also has scheduling and IFTTT recipe capability, and it can tell you how much power you are using.

    Specs & Configurations

    Amazon Alexa
    Energy Reporting
    Google Assistant
    IFTTT
    Size 2.8 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches
    Get It Now
    Learn More Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug Review Review
  • USB Charging Queen Upholstered Storage Platform Bed

    USB Charging Queen Upholstered Storage Platform Bed

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Learn More USB Charging Queen Upholstered Storage Platform Bed Review
  • Mid Century Sofa with USB

    Mid Century Sofa with USB

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Get It Now
    Learn More Mid Century Sofa with USB Review
  • Pax 3

    Pax 3

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Get It Now
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  • Ikea Eneby Speaker

    Ikea Eneby Speaker

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Learn More Ikea Eneby Speaker Review
  • Drop Scale

    Drop Scale

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Get It Now
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  • Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine

    Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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  • hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher

    hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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  • Kennedy Task Lamp with USB

    Kennedy Task Lamp with USB

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Get It Now
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  • Cinemood Portable Projector

    Cinemood Portable Projector

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Get It Now
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  • Adjustable Standing USB Desk Converter

    Adjustable Standing USB Desk Converter

    Bottom Line:

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  • Shake-N-Wake Silent Alarm Clock

    Shake-N-Wake Silent Alarm Clock

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21 Gadgets You'll Want in Your First Apartment

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Your Selections
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect

August Smart Lock Pro + Connect

LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote

iLife V8s

iLife V8s

Our Pick
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote
LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote
iLife V8s
iLife V8s
Google Nest Hub Max
Google Nest Hub Max
Digi-Piggy Digital Coin Counting Bank
Digi-Piggy Digital Coin Counting Bank
TCL 55S425
TCL 55S425
TP-Link Deco M9 Plus Mesh Wi-Fi System
TP-Link Deco M9 Plus Mesh Wi-Fi System
Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug
Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug
USB Charging Queen Upholstered Storage Platform Bed
USB Charging Queen Upholstered Storage Platform Bed
Mid Century Sofa with USB
Mid Century Sofa with USB
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote
LG Electronics 8,000 BTU Window Smart (Wi-Fi) Air Conditioner with Remote
iLife V8s
iLife V8s
Rating
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
Best For
Best for Third-Party Compatibility
Mopping and Vacuuming
Google Fans
Lowest Price Possible
Connecting Smart Home Devices
Energy Monitoring
Best for Third-Party Compatibility
Mopping and Vacuuming
Wireless Specification
802.11ac
Voice Activation
Video Inputs
Composite, HDMI, RF, USB
Streaming Services
1
Size
2.8 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches
Separate Bands
Security
WPA2
Screen Size
55
Screen Brightness
244.02
Scheduling
Resolution
3,840 by 2,160
Remote Control
Refresh Rate
60
Quality of Service (QoS)
Physical Connections
None
Parental Controls
Panel Type
LED
Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port)
1 on main router, 2 on node
Number of USB ports
1
Number of Nodes
1
Number of Bands
3
Number of Antennas
6
MU-MIMO
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
IPv6 Compatible
Integrations
Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTTAmazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT
Installation
Interior EscutcheonInterior Escutcheon
Input Lag (Game Mode)
15.2
IFTTT
HDR
HDR-10
HDMI Ports
3
Guest Access
Google Assistant
Geofencing/Location Services
Energy Reporting
Dimensions
13.0 by 13.0 by 3.1 inches13.0 by 13.0 by 3.1 inches
Coverage
4500
Contrast Ratio
6,101:1
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-WaveBluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave
Channels
2
Black Level
0.04
Battery Life (Tested)
90 minutes90 minutes
App
MobileMobile
Amazon Alexa
AC Speed
AC2200

Buying Guide: 21 Gadgets You'll Want in Your First Apartment

20 High-Tech Cities You'll Want to Call Home

None

Recommended by Our Editors

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If you haven't settled on a new home yet, New York and San Francisco aren't the only places for a tech-savvy, post-college abode.

About Our Expert

Chandra Steele

Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My Experience

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme. 

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Making incomprehensible tech news easy to understand
  • Expanding the boundaries of topics covered in the industry
  • Figuring out tips and tricks in apps and on devices and letting you know about them
  • Putting together gift guides for everyone in your life 

The Technology I Use

All that gadgets is gold for me: my iPhone 11 Pro, my fifth-generation iPad that I use only for streaming videos and music, my iPad mini 4 that I like to take with me whenever I carry a bag that can fit it, and my MacBook Pro. Why are they all different shades of gold, though? What’s going on, Apple? 

None of them quite live up to my two past loves: my LG Lotus LX600 phone and my Sony Walkman NW-E005 MP3 player. 

I've never given up wired earbuds so I was ahead of all those trend pieces. I use a Mangotek Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter to connect them to my phone. 

I have had so many ebook readers, but I prefer paper to them all. Still, my Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for traveling or when I’m too impatient to wait for a book to be released in paperback.

Read the latest from Chandra Steele

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