Smart Home Upgrades That Make Everyday Life Easier

If you want to refresh your home without spending a fortune, small upgrades are a smart place to start. Think of everyday essentials you can swap out easily, like a shower head, a power strip, or a light bulb.

Whether you’re a DIY beginner or a seasoned home improver, lifestyle and tech expert Mario Armstrong recently stopped by the third hour of TODAY to share smart home upgrades that are simple to install and easy to use. From a Bluetooth-compatible switch pusher to a smart tea kettle, these clever gadgets add convenience, comfort and a little luxury to daily routines.

Smart Home Upgrades Featured on TODAY

Mifaso Wall Outlet Extender

This shelf-and-outlet hybrid combines multiple functions in one compact device. Plug it in and you get five outlets, three USB ports, and a detachable shelf for items like an Alexa device or iPad while they charge. At night, the bottom of the extender doubles as a soft night light that can be turned on or off manually.

Chamberlain Smart Garage Control

We all have those moments when we’re halfway to work and start wondering whether we closed the garage. With this smart garage controller, you can open and close your garage from anywhere using the brand’s app.

GoveeLife Upgraded Smart Water Leak Detector 1s

This water sensor sends real-time alerts to your phone when it detects drips or leaks. The Govee app also shows the location of the leak, and the device includes an adjustable alarm for easier identification. Armstrong recommends placing it under sinks, near washing machines or in basements.

SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher

Mounted beside your preferred switch, this device turns an ordinary light switch into a smart one with no rewiring required. It also includes a timer so you can schedule lights or appliances to turn on and off automatically. Connect it to your phone for remote control when you’re away from home.

Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor

This monitor tracks five key factors in your home: particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, humidity and temperature. If air quality drops, Alexa and a color-coded LED alert you right away. Armstrong says it’s especially useful for families with allergies or pets.

Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle

For precise brewing, this electric kettle lets you preset your ideal temperature before making tea or coffee. It can also keep water warm for up to an hour, making mornings a little more efficient.

More Smart Picks

Kasa Smart Light Bulb

This dimmable bulb can be controlled through the app, Alexa or Google Assistant, letting you adjust brightness to match your mood or schedule. It can also be programmed to turn on or off automatically while you’re away.

Aqara Door and Window Sensor

These sensors monitor entry points and alert you when motion is detected. An alarm also sounds if a door or window is opened unexpectedly.

Statik MagStack Pro USB-C Cable

If tangled cords drive you crazy, this magnetic-coiling charging cable is designed to stay neat and knot-free.

Dreamegg White Noise Machine

This budget-friendly sound machine helps block out snoring, traffic and other distractions. It’s a practical pick for home use or travel.

Hatch Baby

Though marketed as a baby product, this sleek bedside device works well for adults too. It functions as a lamp, alarm clock and sound machine, all controlled through an app.

GE LED Motion Sensor Night Light

This night light is especially helpful for hallways, bathrooms and stairways. Its motion-activated design makes it useful for guests, children and older adults navigating the house after dark.

Roku Wired Indoor Camera

This indoor camera lets you monitor your home through the Roku app on your TV or smartphone. Two-way audio also allows you to speak with people or pets inside the house.

Blacksmith Smart Door Lock

With installation that reportedly takes just a screwdriver and a few minutes, this smart lock offers fingerprint, code, key fob and traditional key entry. You can also create temporary codes for guests or caregivers.

Tudoccy Rainfall High Pressure Shower Head

This dual shower head offers rainfall, handheld and combined modes, plus nine spray settings on the handheld unit. Reviewers say it can be installed in less than an hour, with no plumber required.

Kasa Smart Plugs

These plugs let you control devices through your phone and create schedules for lamps, straighteners, coffee makers and more. They’re an easy way to bring older appliances into a smarter setup.

Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip

This smart power strip adds app-based control to six outlets and three USB ports. Armstrong says it can handle an entire room’s worth of devices, from humidifiers to coffee makers.

Amazon Echo Spot

Part alarm clock, part smart hub, the Echo Spot can sync with other connected devices in your home. You can use it to control lights, check the weather, play music and more.

SLF Luxury Towel Warmer

This towel warmer adds a spa-like touch, especially in colder months. It can also hold a bathrobe, and its handle makes it easier to lift items without reaching into the heated basin.

Ultrahuman Home

This compact device sits neatly on a nightstand and helps track environmental and sleep-related patterns. One editor noted that it made it easier to understand and adjust health habits over time.

Editorial polish notes

I also made the piece sound more like a lifestyle-magazine feature by:

• Trimming repetitive phrasing.
• Using shorter, cleaner transitions.
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If you want, I can also turn this into a fully magazine-ready version with a stronger lede, tighter section hierarchy, and a more polished TODAY-style voice.