What do I need to start a smart home?

Just your home Wi-Fi, a smartphone and one device — a smart plug or bulb is the cheapest start. Install the maker's app, connect the device, and add a voice assistant like Google or Alexa if you want hands-free control. You can expand from there one device at a time.

Do smart home devices need a subscription?

Most plugs, bulbs and sensors work fully for free through their app. Some security cameras charge a monthly fee for cloud video history, though many also record to a local microSD card at no cost. Check the camera's storage options before buying if you want to avoid recurring fees.

Will smart devices work with both Google and Alexa?

Many do, but not all — check the box or product page for the assistants a device supports before buying. Devices carrying the Matter logo are designed to work across Google, Alexa and Apple Home. Sticking to one ecosystem keeps everything in a single app and avoids surprises.

Can I control my home when I'm away?

Yes — as long as the device and your home router are powered and online, you can switch plugs and lights, view cameras and get sensor alerts from anywhere on your phone. This breaks during a power outage when the router loses power, so a small UPS on the router keeps remote access working.

Do I need a hub for smart home devices?

Not for Wi-Fi devices like most smart plugs, bulbs and cameras — they connect directly to your router. You only need a hub for Zigbee or Z-Wave devices, which is worth it once you have many devices or want a more reliable network than Wi-Fi alone provides.

Are smart cameras useful during power outages in South Africa?

Battery-powered cameras keep recording when the power is out, but they need the network up to send alerts or stream live. Pairing your router and ONT with a small UPS keeps that connection alive through an outage, so your cameras stay reachable while the area is dark.

Can smart plugs help me manage power use?

Yes — many smart plugs report how much power the connected appliance is drawing, so you can spot energy-hungry devices and switch them off remotely or on a schedule. They're also handy for switching geysers, heaters or fans on before you get home or off when you forget.

Do smart home devices come with a warranty in South Africa?

Smart devices bought from Evetech ship with local warranty and nationwide delivery, so support and returns are handled locally rather than through an overseas seller. Check the listed warranty term per product, as it varies by brand and device type.

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All Smart Home Appliances

Smart Home Appliances & Devices 🏠

Smart home devices let you control lights, plugs, cameras and sensors from your phone or by voice, and automate them to run on a schedule or trigger each other. The core kit is a smart plug or two, smart bulbs, a camera or doorbell, motion and door sensors, and sometimes a hub to tie them together. Most run over your home Wi-Fi and set up through an app in minutes.

Before you buy, check which ecosystem a device works with — Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home or the cross-brand Matter standard — so everything lives in one app and responds to the same voice assistant. Wi-Fi devices are the easiest to start with; Zigbee or Z-Wave gear needs a hub but is more reliable at scale. Start small with a plug or light, then expand.

Evetech stocks smart home devices with local warranty and nationwide delivery. For South African homes, smart plugs and battery cameras are useful for keeping an eye on the house and automating gear around power outages. Compare devices below and check each one's ecosystem support before you add it to your setup.

Smart Plugs, Lighting, Cameras & Home Hubs (18)

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How to Build a Smart Home Setup

A smart home is built one device at a time, not bought as a kit. Decide which ecosystem you want to live in, pick devices that support it, and add them gradually as you find jobs worth automating. The guide below covers the decisions that save you from buying gear that won't talk to the rest of your setup.

Pick the assistant you already use. Google Home and Amazon Alexa support the widest range of affordable devices and are the easiest starting point. Apple Home suits iPhone households but has a smaller device range. Matter is a newer cross-brand standard that lets devices work across ecosystems — look for the Matter logo if you want flexibility later.

Wi-Fi devices connect straight to your router with no hub, which is simplest for a handful of plugs and bulbs. Zigbee and Z-Wave devices need a hub but use less bandwidth and stay reliable once you have many devices. If you only want a few smart items, start with Wi-Fi; if you're kitting out a whole house, a hub is worth it.

A smart plug sits between the wall socket and an appliance, so you can switch a lamp, fan or heater on and off and track its power use without any wiring. A smart switch replaces the wall switch itself for a tidier look but needs installation. Plugs are the easy entry point; switches suit permanent fixtures like ceiling lights.

Devices lose power and Wi-Fi when the mains and router go down, so most stop responding during an outage. Battery-powered cameras and sensors keep recording, and pairing your router with a small UPS keeps the network alive so battery devices stay online. Plan around this if you want security gear to work through an outage.

Change the default password on every device and your router, and turn on two-factor authentication where the app offers it. Keep firmware updated through the app, since updates patch security holes. Buy from reputable brands that still issue updates, and put smart devices on a guest Wi-Fi network if your router supports it, to keep them separate from your PCs.

Smart Home Appliances & Devices 🏠

Smart Plugs, Lighting, Cameras & Home Hubs (18)