5 devices under $20 that made my smart home work way better than I expected

You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy hubs to build a smart home that actually works well. I’ve messed around with all kinds of gear over the years—cheap stuff, expensive stuff, everything in between—and, weirdly enough, some of the devices I reach for most cost less than a pizza. The smart plug remains one of the most versatile devices in any connected home, but it’s far from the only affordable option worth your attention. These five devices—all under $20—integrate with ecosystems you probably already own and solve everyday annoyances I didn’t even realize I had.