Transitioning into a
smart home can be intimidating, but once you’ve started collecting your gadgets and powering them with a
fast and reliable WiFi connection, you’ll find it's not as complicated—nor expensive—as you first thought. The key is
purchasing devices one at a time and according to your needs.
But how much would you really need to shell out for a DIY smart home? We list down common devices and how much each costs so you can start saving up and planning your home automation today.
Smart Speaker (starts at ₱1,395)
From Google Store Official Website
The first step to a DIY smart home is purchasing a smart speaker with a smart assistant (like Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa, or Apple’s Siri) to control your home. While there are many features to consider—music quality, touchscreen capabilities, portability, and more—the most affordable option out there is the Google Mini, which retails at around Php1,395 in online stores, and the Amazon Echo Dot, which costs around Php1,850 at Lazada. You can buy these basic offerings for your main ‘hub,’ then opt for other smart speakers with more features for other rooms in your house.
Smart Plugs and Power Strips (starts at ₱249)
From Lasco Official Website
With these two devices, you no longer have to manually plug/unplug or turn your appliances on/off ever again, as everything can be controlled remotely via an app. These help you save on electric consumption and lessen your worry about leaving gadgets on while you’re away since you can quickly turn them off from anywhere in real-time.
If you want to start small, one of the cheapest smart plugs you can buy is the Lasco Smart WiFi EcoPlug for ₱249 or the EcoPlug+, which comes with an Energy Monitor for ₱369. And because it helps to have the same brands in your smart home ecosystem, your next upgrade can be the Lasco Smart WiFi PowerStrip for ₱1,490. All these work with Alexa and Google Home.
Smart Lighting (starts at ₱899)
From Zalora Official Website
Smart bulbs and lamps elevate lighting in our homes, adding a host of functionalities: set timers, sync with sunrise and sunset, dim or change color, and turn on and off automatically based on motion or occupancy, just to name a few. It’s also great for security (never come home to a dark house again!) and convenience (shut off lights automatically or turn them on and off with a simple voice command). There are many affordable options out there, starting with the Mi LED Smart Bulb at ₱899.
If you want to take it to the next level, you can opt for smart switches, which turn every light in your home into a smart one. The downside is you might need the help of an electrician to install a neutral wire, which is required for smart switches to work. Or you can purchase a (more expensive) wall switch that doesn't require you to modify existing wiring, like the Zigbee Wall Switch, at ₱2,100.
Smart Cam (starts at ₱1,195)
From Eufy Official Website
Nowadays, you don’t need expensive CCTV systems to secure your home. Smart wireless cameras connect to your WiFi and easily lets you see every corner of your home via an app. Helpful features include motion detection and two-way audio, so you can communicate with family members even when you’re away. For a starter cam, you can opt for the affordable Tapo camera at ₱1,195 or one with better features, the Eufy Indoor Cam 2k at ₱3,350.10.
These four categories cover your needs for a beginner smart home, and if you buy the basic devices mentioned above, it will set you back around ₱3,738. Not bad for a starter pack!
Of course, once you get the hang of it, you can purchase more devices, including smart faucets, smart blinds, smart refrigerators, smart TVs, and even smart locks. Connect your devices seamlessly and without worry—everything’s possible when powered by your PLDT Home Fiber Plus Plan.