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Our picks
- 1 Check price on Amazon
Alexa starter hub with Matter/Thread/Zigbee
Amazon Echo Dot Max (2025)
- 2 Check price on Amazon
First-week plugs with Matter + energy monitoring
Kasa Matter Smart Plug KP125M (4-pack)
- 3 Check price on Amazon
First camera with microSD and no required sub
Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor Camera
- 4 Check price on Amazon
Cheapest outdoor-capable local-recording cam
Wyze Cam v4
- 5 Check price
Renter-friendly lock if landlord OK’s retrofit
SwitchBot Lock Pro + Hub Mini Matter
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Research-based kit — no hands-on testing.
Associates pricing note: Figures are approximate street prices from our price checks (not Amazon Product Advertising API data). We do not display live Amazon prices. Always confirm the current price on the retailer page.
Quick answer
For a new move, buy in this order: (1) a hub that matches your phone, (2) a 4-pack of smart plugs (Kasa KP125M if you want Matter + energy monitoring), (3) one local-storage camera (Tapo C120 or Wyze Cam v4), then (4) a no-sub doorbell or retrofit lock only if the lease allows. Skip cloud-only Ring kits unless you will pay for history. Deep dives: hubs, plugs, outdoor cams under around $100, doorbells without a subscription, renter locks, renter thermostats.
Starter kit table
| Slot | Pick | Why it’s day-one | Approx. price (price checks) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hub (Alexa) | Echo Dot Max (2025) | Matter + Thread + Zigbee | Around $120 (as of Oct 26) | Amazon |
| Hub (iPhone) | HomePod mini | Thread / Apple Home | Around $99 | apple.com |
| Plugs | Kasa KP125M 4-pack | Matter + energy monitoring | Around $40–50 | Amazon |
| Camera | Tapo C120 | IP66, microSD, no required sub | Around $40 (as of Oct 26) | Amazon |
| Camera (budget) | Wyze Cam v4 | IP65, microSD | Around $45 | Amazon |
| Lock (if allowed) | SwitchBot Lock Pro hub kit | No-drill retrofit; keeps key | Check current price | SwitchBot store |
Android or Google homes can use a Nest Hub (2nd gen) from our hub guide. Alexa+ is free only for a limited time, then needs Prime or a monthly fee.
Rough first cart (hub + plugs + cam): often around $140–$250 depending on hub choice — confirm live retailer pages.
How we researched this
Assembled from the research behind our individual guides to smart plugs, renter-friendly locks, and no-subscription doorbells, with prices checked Oct 15, 2026. Research-based only. We have not tested this kit hands-on.
Week-one setup order
- Wi-Fi + hub — one always-on Matter/Thread controller.
- Plugs — lamps, chargers, fans, and electronics; never space heaters, which the CPSC says should plug directly into a wall outlet.
- One camera with microSD (not “live view only”).
- Doorbell / lock / thermostat only after lease check (see our renter locks and renter thermostat guides).
- Matter lights when you decorate — Matter smart lights.
Renters vs owners
- Renters: plugs + magnetic/stick cams + battery doorbells + retrofit locks; written OK for deadbolts/thermostats.
- Owners: same starter, then Hue/Bridge or whole-home Thread mesh, then Ecobee/Nest (comparison).
What to skip on move-in week
- Subscription-required camera ecosystems as your only cam.
- Full deadbolt swaps without landlord OK.
- Five overlapping apps before one hub is stable.
- Exact Amazon price shopping from old screenshots — check the live tagged link.
Buying guide
- Match hub to phone.
- Plugs before bulbs (instant automation).
- Local storage before cloud plans.
- One security device, done well.
- Expand later with keypad locks or a Ring vs eufy vs Wyze camera ecosystem.
Related guides
- Best smart home hub for beginners
- Best smart plugs for 2026
- Kasa vs Tapo: which TP-Link line to buy
- Best outdoor smart plugs for Christmas lights
- Best smart light switches
- Best outdoor security cameras under $100
- Best smart locks for renters
- Best smart locks with keypad
FAQ
See front matter for schema-ready Q&A.
Frequently asked questions
What should I buy first for a smart home after moving?
Start with the hub that matches your phone (HomePod mini, Echo Dot Max, or Nest Hub), then a 4-pack of Matter or multi-assistant smart plugs, then one local-storage camera or no-sub doorbell if security matters. Add a retrofit lock only with landlord OK.
What is a good smart home starter kit under a few hundred dollars?
An Echo Dot Max or HomePod mini, a Kasa KP125M 4-pack, and a Tapo C120 or Wyze Cam v4 covers automation plus a no-required-sub camera for many movers. Skip Ring-first kits if you refuse subscriptions.
Can renters build a starter kit without drilling?
Yes: Wi-Fi plugs, stick-on or magnetic cameras, battery doorbells where allowed, and retrofit locks that keep the existing key. Get written permission before any deadbolt or thermostat swap.
Do I need Matter on day one?
Helpful if you might switch assistants later. Pure Alexa or Google homes can start cheaper on Wi-Fi-only plugs and add Matter bulbs/plugs next.