This deal has now finished, although you can still pick up some of the bundles below at low prices and we've noticed some Echo speakers are still discounted. We'll update this article again if we notice more great affordable smart home bundles back on sale.
We know setting up a smart home can feel daunting, and that the idea of voice-controlled and automated gadgets can sound too expensive or complicated. But it doesn’t have to be. And you might find it’s far more affordable than you’d assumed, especially if you take advantage of the current Black Friday sales. Got £27? Then, yes, you too can have a smarter home.
The best way to get going is to start small. You don’t need the entire setup to be ready immediately with a security kit, wifi cameras, smart locks, speakers and bulbs all working together. Build it up over time.
In the beginning, all you’re after is whatever feels helpful. Maybe that’s getting a light to turn on with a voice command, getting the kettle boiling as you’re on the way home or having a plug that tells you that your hair straighteners are definitely off once you’re out of the door.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation, 2022 release) + Sengled Smart Plug
With this smart plug and Echo Dot speaker deal (bundled at £26.99 for Black Friday), you can do all that without spending more than you would on a quick run to the shops.
The Echo Dot (5th generation, 2022 release) is one of Amazon's very best smart speakers, featuring smart assistance, smart home commands, and very good audio quality relative to the size and price of the speaker. Meanwhile, the Sengled smart plug is a plug adaptor that can be used to turn any power socket into a smart outlet.
So, if you were to plug a lamp into the Sengled smart plug, for example, you could use voice commands via the Echo Dot smart speaker to turn the lamp on and off. The first time you experience this will be a real 'the future's here' moment!
Using your smart plug with Amazon Alexa, you'll be able to control a wide range of devices such as coffee makers, floor lights and hair straighteners hands-free, and remotely.
More smart home deals
We’ve spotted a few other worthwhile bundles depending on what aspect of your home you want to make a bit more connected, including one with an indoor security camera and smart display, or a bundle with a video doorbell, smart speaker and local storage for your security feed.
Our favourites, however, package a smart display or speaker with a smart bulb – all you'll need for a basic setup. These three offers do just that, pairing Alexa devices with a Philips Hue bulb:
If you can increase the budget slightly, this bundle is a big step-up in quality. The Pop is a full-blown smart speaker that plays music, tells you the weather, set timers and even control other smart home gadgets around your home. It's now £24.99, which is a fantastic 58% saving.
For even better quality and more features than the Echo Pop, we recommend the Echo Dot smart speaker. This bundle with the Philips Hue smart bulb is an ideal starting point for your smart home, and it's now an impressive 58% off the RRP for Prime members, falling from £72.98 to £28.99.
Fancy a smart display instead of a basic speaker? This bundle gives you the latest model of the Echo Show 5 alongside a B22 smart bulb that can be altered into a huge variety of colours, and controlled directly with Alexa voice commands. It's now £56.99, which is a 45% saving!
Before you rush into thinking that smart home tech is too complex, it’s worth noting that the level of complexity depends on your needs. Smart thermostats and security gear can be pricey, of course, but basic smart home devices like smart bulbs or plugs are straightforward to set up, often requiring just a few steps through a smartphone app.
We think a smart plug is an ideal way to start out as they’re so versatile – we use them to switch on and off lights (especially hard-to-reach ones), switch on the kettle or start up the slow cooker.
Curious about other smart home devices? Throughout Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday, there are also limited-time offers on affordable Amazon devices, which help you add a bit more security and convenience to your home. These are ideal if you’ve ever wished you could answer the front door from a smart display, or check in on what your pets get up to while you’re away with an indoor camera.
Just want to answer your doorbell no matter where you are and to have a smart display that’ll answer your questions, show off your photos and videos and work just as well as a bedside clock or recipe-showing companion? This is the bundle for you, giving you a Ring doorbell and the latest 5-inch Echo Show at 50% less than the usual cost.
The Echo Pop is a great little speaker to put in a smaller space like a spare room or hallway, and you can use it to answer questions and control your smart devices. With the Blink doorbell, you’ll be able to answer your door from anywhere and it works without wires or connected to your existing doorbell wiring. We like that this bundle comes with the Sync Module 2 for local video storage.
This is an ideal smart home starter kit for renters or anyone checking in on pets while they’re out for the day. The battery-powered camera is great for use around the home and weather-resistant for outdoor use too. And you can use the display to call other Alexa speakers, ask for news and weather updates, or check the security feed of your camera, whether it’s watching over your hallway or front garden.
If you pick up any of these bundles, you will be getting your smart home started with Amazon’s setup meaning you’ll be using the Alexa voice assistant to control your gadgets. We think this is one of the best options for its wide compatibility with other smart home products and in our comparisons we note that it has more smart home integrations than rival options like Google’s Assistant, Apple HomeKit or SmartThings.
However, whatever voice assistant you prefer, we’d always suggest starting out small and not trying to purchase a whole raft of smart home products in one go. Only pick up one or two devices and a speaker to solve whatever problem you have, and then add more in the future.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
Jason Murdock was Hearst UK’s Deputy Technology Ecommerce Editor, contributing to multiple titles including Good Housekeeping, Esquire and Digital Spy, between 2022 and 2023.
With more than eight years’ experience covering tech at publications including Radio Times, Newsweek and the International Business Times, Jason has extensive knowledge of the latest gear and gadgets – reviewing phones, tablets, laptops, headphones, smart home products and more – and covering the biggest shopping events of the year, including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
He won Digital Writer of the Year at The Drum's Online Media Awards in 2017 for his cybersecurity coverage in the International Business Times. When not writing and testing the latest gadgets, you’ll find Jason playing the guitar or learning how to parent his new baby.
