Off-the-shelf smart home products aren’t anything new, but wouldn’t it be great if they could all talk to one another?
That’s the premise behind Apple HomeKit, a home automation platform that makes it easier for devices to communicate between one another—and for you to manage them all by swiping through an app, tapping on your smartwatch, clicking through Apple TV, or speaking to Siri.
Using HomeKit, you can control individual devices, take command over a particular “zone,” or even create your own custom “scenes” that perform multiple functions with one command. For instance, you can tell Siri that it’s bedtime—and HomeKit will turn off the lights, close the drapes and garage door, lock the doors, and turn down the thermostat.
The HomeKit ecosystem includes devices that do everything from lighting and locks to climate control and entertainment. To get that kind of seamless connectivity, though, you need the right WiFi or Bluetooth gear. Luckily, dozens of manufacturers are implementing HomeKit into their smart home accessories. Here, we’re taking a look at everything that works with the platform to date. Feel free to tell us about your favorite in the Comments section, below.
Lights, Switches, Outlets, and Plugs
Thermostats and Smoke Alarms
Sensors, Security Cameras, and Fans
Locks and Garage Doors
Lights, Switches, Outlets, and Plugs
Philips Hue
The Philips Hue system is one of the most popular accessories for smart lighting. It’s also HomeKit compatible. Once the hub is connected to your modem or router, the Philips HUE smart lighting system—$29 for each white bulb, $49 for a bulb that can do both white and color, or $69 for a Starter Kit with hub and two bulbs—lets you remotely access your lights on your phone.
You can turn them on and off, change colors (with some bulbs), set up timers to schedule on/off times (to make it look like you’re home when you’re not), or remotely access your lights from the app.
An optional bridge Philips HUE bridge ($59.99) connects up to 50 lights. For the best brightness, color and longevity, look for third-generation bulbs.
Nanoleaf Ivy Smarter LED Lighting Kit
Another option for LED lighting is Nanoleaf’s Ivy Smarter Kit. Like Hue, it’s HomeKit compatible for automation and control, and allows Siri voice commands to control your lights (e.g. “Hey Siri, turn on my lights”). But the Ivy setup looks far more unique, and—according to the manufacturer—is more energy efficient than the competition. Each bulb sips just 7.5 watts to produce the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent, and is made to last 27 years.
Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Light Dimmer
Whether you want bright lights for reading or something dimmer for entertaining, the Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Light Dimmer with Remote lets you wirelessly schedule and control your room’s existing lighting via a small Pico remote or by iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch with the help of a Smart Bridge ($79; sold separately).
This wall dimmer works with up to 150 total watts of dimmable LED or CFL bulbs, and up to 600 total watts of incandescent or halogen bulbs.
Choose the Smart Bridge Plus, and it will also work with thermostats and window shades.
Elgato Eve Energy, Switch & Power Meter
The Elgato Eve Energy, Switch & Power Meter is a small HomeKit-compatible plug that fits into an AC outlet so you can remotely turn a device on or off with a simple tap in an app (or via Siri).
Unlike many other smart plugs, this one lets you instantly see how much energy the device that’s plugged into it is consuming. As with other Elgato smart home devices, it doesn’t require a hub or gateway.
iHome ISP5 Wi-Fi SmartPlug
From iHome are some more options for wireless plugs. The company offers a variety of HomeKit-enabled plugs in packages of one or more.
For instance, you can order a single iHome iSP5 Wi-Fi SmartPlug or a 2-pack of the iHome iSP6 Wi-Fi SmartPlugs ($79.97). They let you remotely turn on and off lighting, music, kitchen appliances, bathroom accessories, and so on—as long as the device doesn’t draw more than 1800 watts.
iDevices Switch – Wi-Fi Enabled Plug
Similarly, the iDevices Wi-Fi Enabled Plug has been on the market for a few years. It lets you monitor energy use and turn on and off whatever device you plug in to it. Simply use an app or Siri to check in (or schedule) power to the connected appliances to help shave off your utility bills each month. No hub, bridge or gateway is required—just a compatible iOS device, such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. This plug also includes a customizable LED night light, allowing you to choose the color, brightness, time, and more.
ConnectSense Smart Outlet, Koogeek WiFi Smart Plug
Other Apple HomeKit-compatible smart plug options, you say? There’s also the ConnectSense Smart Outlet with Apple HomeKit Technology ($59.95), and Koogeek WiFi Smart Plug ($34.99). For both, use Siri or your fingertip to wirelessly control this Apple HomeKit–enabled Smart Outlet.
Insteon Central Controller Hub
Finally, the Insteon Central Controller Hub is compatible with HomeKit. Insteon makes a wide variety of smart home tech, and HomeKit compatibility lets you control and monitor devices like lights and shades—and all other HomeKit devices—from home or afar.
Using your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, access your devices with a tap or Siri ask, create schedules to automate devices, and build scenes.
Thermostats and Smoke Alarms
Nest (3rd Generation)
If you've heard of any smart home devices, you likely have heard of this one. Through a combination of sensors, algorithms, machine learning and cloud computing, the well-known Nest Learning Thermostat can save you money on your heating and cooling bills.
That’s because it can turn itself down when you’re away and guide you to energy-efficient temperatures when you’re at home. You can also make various adjustments remotely over the Internet via a free app, if desired.
ecobee3
ecobee3 is a smart Wi-Fi thermostat that—the company claims—can save its users an average of 23 percent a year on heating and cooling bills.
Unlike the Nest, the app-controlled ecobee ships with one sensor to place in a room of your choice. You can also add up to a couple dozen more for room-by-room automation and control. A 2-pack of ecobee room sensors (with stands) cost $60.
ecobee3 lite
If you don’t need room sensors, the ecobee3 lite is a more affordable choice than the standard ecobee3. It costs about $80 less than the competition, yet the manufacturer claims it can pay for itself in as little as a year.
Along with adjusting temperature and comfort settings from an app (or via the thermostat’s touchscreen), ecobee3 lite can be programmed to fit your schedule. It is not, however, compatible with room sensors.
Honeywell Lyric Round
Also Apple HomeKit compatible, the Honeywell Lyric Round Wi-Fi Thermostat can be controlled via an app to give you the comfort and savings you want out of a smart thermostat.
It also includes a geofencing function—which means it’ll automatically turn the heat on or off depending on how close you are to home. Let the thermostat adapt to your comings-and-goings or program schedules. It’ll even let you know when the filter needs changing.
Honeywell Lyric T5 thermostat
While the Honeywell Lyric T5 thermostat might not look as fancy as the Lyric Round, a unique form factor and the same geofencing functionality give it an edge over the competition. In fact, it costs a lot less than most other WiFi-compatible smart thermostats.
Like the Lyric Round, it’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings.
For more information on smart thermostats, check out our Smart Thermostat Buying Guide
iDevices Thermostat
There’s also the iDevices Thermostat, which boasts many of the same features as the Nest, ecobee3 and Honeywell Lyric Round, including app and Siri voice control to keep you comfortable when you’re home and cost-conscious when you’re not. No hubs or subscriptions are necessary.
First Alert Wi-Fi Onelink
The world’s first HomeKit-enabled smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, First Alert’s Wi-Fi Onelink sends notifications to your iPhone or iPad in the event of a smoke or carbon monoxide emergency. (It also emits a loud noise, of course.)
Along with a sealed battery that lasts about 10 years, this alarm can be tested via the app on-demand, and can be wirelessly daisy-chained with others—so if one Onelink alarm sounds, they all will.
Sensors, Security Cameras, and Fans
Netatmo Healthy Home Coach
When was the last time your home had a check-up? If you answered “never,” you might consider picking up the Netatmo Healthy Home Coach. As the name suggests, these sensors give you the 4-1-1 on the air quality, temperature, noise and humidity inside your house.
Essentially, it’s an app-enabled indoor climate monitor that lets you measure these variables in one room—or an entire home if you want to buy a few more Home Coaches. Plus, you can use your voice to ask Siri for real-time info as it’s HomeKit-compliant.
Canary All-in-One Home Security Camera
Controlled via an app on your iOS device, the Canary All-in-One Home Security System and Camera includes a built-in HD (1080p) camera with a 147-degree wide-angle lens, night vision, and sensitive microphone. It allows you to check in on your home from anywhere, receive motion alert notifications, or stream real-time video from your home to your device.
Bumping up the security features is a 90+ decibel siren, incident recording, auto-arm and disarm, and real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and air quality. There are no monthly fees, no additional sensors needed, and no fees for cloud storage.
Elgato Eve Room Wireless Indoor Sensor
The HomeKit-enabled Elgato Eve Room Wireless Indoor Sensor lets you know about indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity.
Powered by a sensor that analyzes volatile organic compounds (VOC), you can also gain insight on your home’s air history with documented calendar info. This Elgato sensor includes replaceable batteries, and no hub or gateway required.
Elgato Eve Room Wireless Outdoor Sensor
There’s also an Elgato Eve Wireless Outdoor Sensor that measures temperature, humidity, and air pressure, so you can simply ask Siri what the weather is outside, or build scenes for when it gets cold, hot, or humid.
A separate Eve Door & Window Wireless Contact Sensor lets you know when you whether your door or window is open or closed, with optional Siri support. Similar to the Elgato Eve Room Wireless Indoor Sensor, you can view stats on time and duration. It’s powered by a user-replaceable battery and uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Hunter Signal Wi-Fi Ceiling Fan
Unveiled at CES 2016 the Hunter Signal Wi-Fi Ceiling Fan is Apple HomeKit compatible. That means you can control the power and speed of the fan via an app from anywhere, and it can seamlessly connect with other HomeKit-enabled products for additional management and automation options.
It’s also quite attractive, featuring a Satin Nickel housing and reversible burnt oak and reclaimed walnut blades.
Locks and Garage Doors
August Smart Lock
Supported by Apple HomeKit, the August Smart Lock offers a convenient and secure way to lock and unlock a door, check whether the door is locked, and see an activity log of when the door was locked and unlocked. Compatible with most standard deadbolts, the August Smart Lock automatically unlocks when you step up to the door and auto-locks when you leave. You can also send virtual keys to guests or service technicians, too, so they can get in and out even if you’re not home. Unlike the Kwikset Kevo, which isn’t Apple HomeKit-enabled, your exterior door hardware stays the same.
Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt
Available in Aged Bronze or Satin Nickel, the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt offers both a touch-screen keypad and mechanical lock for your front or back door.
Along with storing up to 30 personalized user codes and a built-in alarm with various settings (activity, tamper and forced entry), this HomeKit-compatible lock offers advanced remote management capabilities to help you lock or unlock your door from anywhere. This battery-operated deadbolt offers ANSI Grade 1 durability and security.
Chamberlain MyQ Garage
When you hear the word “technology” you probably aren’t thinking “garage doors” – but Chamberlain’s MyQ Garage Door Controller aims to change all that.
This Wi-Fi-enabled device shows you if your garage has been left open, and lets you close or open it from anywhere in the world via the free app. You can also set custom alerts if the garage has been open for a specific period of time. The MyQ Garage can be installed in less than 30 minutes, and easily connects to most existing garage door openers.