What do I need to start a smart home?

Start with one ecosystem (Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home), a reliable Wi-Fi router, and a couple of devices that solve a real need — a smart plug, a few bulbs or a camera. Add a hub later if you move to Zigbee or Matter devices. Building gradually around one platform avoids app sprawl.

Do smart plugs save electricity?

They help by letting you switch off standby loads and schedule appliances, and energy-monitoring plugs show exactly what each device draws. The savings come from changed habits, not the plug itself. In South Africa they're also useful for managing what stays on around power outages.

Will my smart home devices work during a power outage?

Wi-Fi devices need your router powered, so keep the router and ONT on a small UPS to stay connected. Devices that support local control keep responding to physical switches and hub automations even when the internet is down. Battery sensors and cameras continue running on their own power.

What is Matter and should I care about it?

Matter is a cross-brand smart-home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and others, designed so devices work together regardless of brand. Buying Matter-compatible devices reduces the risk of being locked into a single ecosystem. If you're starting now, prioritising Matter support is the safer long-term choice.

Do I need a hub for smart lighting?

Wi-Fi bulbs connect directly to your router with no hub, which is fine for a few lights. For a larger setup or Zigbee bulbs, a hub gives more reliable control and better automations. Decide based on how many devices you plan to run and whether you want everything in one app.

Are smart cameras safe from hacking?

No internet-connected device is risk-free, but you reduce exposure by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping firmware updated and choosing reputable brands. Cameras that support encrypted or local storage keep footage more private. Treat camera security like any other account you want protected.

Does Evetech deliver smart home devices across South Africa?

Yes — smart home devices ship nationwide with local warranty and support. Most are wireless and set up through the manufacturer's app on your phone. Check this page for current stock and delivery timeframes to your area.

Can I mix smart devices from different brands?

Often yes, especially if they share an ecosystem like Google Home or Alexa, or support Matter. Without a common standard you may end up juggling several apps. The cleanest setups stick to one ecosystem and add devices that explicitly list support for it.

►Specials

►

All Smart Home Appliances

Smart Home Devices 🏠

Smart home devices let you control lighting, power, security and sensors from your phone or by voice, and automate them on schedules or triggers. The practical wins are everyday ones: switching off standby loads, getting an alert when a camera spots movement, or having lights come on at sunset without lifting a finger.

Most devices connect over Wi-Fi or a low-power mesh like Zigbee, and many now support Matter for cross-brand compatibility. Decide whether you want each gadget working on its own app or tied into one ecosystem — Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home — before you buy, so everything talks to each other. A hub helps when you're running several Zigbee or Matter devices.

Evetech stocks smart plugs, lighting, cameras, sensors and hubs, all with local warranty and nationwide delivery. In South Africa, smart plugs and energy monitors are also handy for tracking consumption and managing gear around power outages. Compare devices below and check ecosystem compatibility before adding to your setup.

How to Build a Smart Home Setup

The key to a smart home that actually works is compatibility: pick an ecosystem first, then add devices that support it. From there it comes down to connection type, whether you need a hub, and which jobs you want automated. The points below cover the decisions worth getting right early.

Pick the assistant you'll actually use — Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home — and buy devices that support it. Standardising on one ecosystem means a single app, shared automations and voice control across everything. Devices that support Matter are the safest bet because they work across multiple ecosystems.

Wi-Fi devices connect straight to your router with no hub, which is simple but adds load as you add devices. Zigbee uses a low-power mesh and needs a hub, but scales better for many sensors and bulbs. Matter is a newer standard built for cross-brand compatibility — look for it to avoid being locked into one brand.

A handful of Wi-Fi plugs and bulbs work fine without a hub. Once you're running several Zigbee or Thread devices, a hub gives you a more stable mesh, local control and richer automations. If you're starting small, begin with Wi-Fi devices and add a hub when your setup grows.

Smart plugs and energy monitors let you see what's drawing power and switch non-essential loads off remotely, which helps manage usage around outages. Pairing a router and ONT with a small UPS keeps your network — and any cloud-connected cameras — online while the area is dark. Local-control devices keep working even when the internet drops.

Choose cameras and sensors from established brands, enable two-factor authentication on the app, and keep firmware updated. Prefer devices that support encrypted cloud or local recording so footage isn't exposed. Place cameras for coverage of entry points, and use motion sensors to trigger lights or alerts rather than relying on footage alone.

How to Build a Smart Home Setup