Compare the top 3 picks in Australia 2026

For most Australian first-home buyers the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) at around $59 is the right buy as the first smart-home device. Alexa as the voice assistant has the deepest device-compatibility list in AU (works with TP-Link, Eufy, Philips Hue, Google Nest thermostats, and most major brands), the 5th-gen speaker quality is genuinely listenable for podcasts and background music, and the sub-$60 price means you can put one in 2-3 rooms without serious budget impact. Echo Dot is the right "start here" hub because every other smart device on your future setup will integrate with it.

If you want to add smart-plug control without buying expensive smart appliances, the TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug 4-Pack at about $49 is the value pick. $12 per smart plug is the cheapest credible price for making any wall-powered appliance app-controlled + Alexa/Google compatible, lamps, coffee machines, fans, heaters, anything with a plug. Schedule on/off times to reduce vampire-power draw, control devices from your phone when you're away, and group control via voice commands.

The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual at about $299 is the security essential, the dual-camera setup (one at face height, one at package-level pointing down) is the genuinely differentiated Eufy feature, local storage means zero subscription fees forever (unlike Ring's $5-15/month paywall for recorded video), and AI person/package detection cuts notification noise. Pair with the Echo Dot above for voice announcements when someone's at the door.

One honest limitation: none of these three is a Matter-only ecosystem. If you specifically want Apple Home Key + Matter-native devices (Apple-first households), the Aqara U300 smart lock + HomePod mini are the right starting trio instead, different ecosystem covered in our best smart lock guide. The picks above are the Alexa/Google/Tapo ecosystem starter set, not Apple-only.