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The Best Smart Home Accessories to Boost Your Curb Appeal (2026)
This is a WIRED buying guide recommending stylish smart home gadgets that add convenience without detracting from a house's exterior appearance, updated for July 2026 with a new pool-cleaning robot pick. It targets homeowners keen to add smart features such as locks, doorbells and lighting to their outdoor spaces without the bulky, obviously "techy" look many such devices have.
– LevelLock Pro (from $349): a smart lock that replaces only the rear mechanism, keeping the original-looking front; supports NFC, Apple Home Key and Matter – Google Nest Doorbell, Wired 3rd Gen (around $180, often discounted): a video doorbell with a slimmer, less obtrusive design than rivals like Ring – Birdfy Nest Duo (around $320): a smart birdhouse with cameras that lets owners watch nesting birds while adding a neat feature to the front yard – BeatBot AquaSense 2: newly added pick for households with pools
In short
- WIRED's 2026 guide picks stylish, discreet smart home gadgets
- Recommendations include a hidden smart lock and sleek doorbell
- New pool-cleaning robot added for July 2026 update
Explained simply
This is a buying guide recommending smart home devices for homeowners who want modern features but do not want their homes to look visibly technological. Many smart devices such as video doorbells and locks are bulky and can dominate a home's exterior appearance. The guide identifies products designed to offer convenience whilst blending naturally with a house's exterior.
The recommendations include slim video doorbells, smart locks that keep the original front appearance, and items such as a smart birdhouse with built-in cameras. The guide includes a pool-cleaning robot pick alongside traditional smart home features. Each product balances modern functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Homeowners increasingly want smart technology for their properties, but many prefer not to sacrifice their home's appearance in doing so. This guide addresses that tension by recommending products that achieve both.