Get mom something truly unique for Mother’s Day with these effective smart home and security devices. From saving money to protecting packages against porch pirates, this technology is useful, practical and often time-saving. Mom will appreciate the long-lasting value of these products — and how they make life easier.
Check below to see some of my favorite picks, why mom would like them and where you can buy them now. I’ve included a little of everything with devices for young mothers, pet parents, moms living alone and plenty more.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Ecobee’s smart thermostat can save a home (and mom) time and energy.
A smart thermostat takes the time and annoyance away from adjusting a thermostat manually, letting it learn your household activity levels and helping you save money automatically. I picked this Ecobee Premium model ($244) for its included satellite sensor, which means mom can put it in a chilly room where she’s spending some time, and the thermostat will heat the home with that room in mind.
I asked Natalie Bracamontez, VP of marketing and customer engagement at home security company Brinks Home, about giving a smart thermostat as a potential gift. “I have two young boys, and one of them sleeps in a room above the garage, which tends to run warmer,” she said. “I use a temperature sensor in his room to make sure he stays comfortable-without freezing his brother down the hall. The sensor helps me adjust the thermostat based on their actual needs, and with set schedules and automation.”
Ring Stick Up Cam (battery)
Ring’s battery cam is on the higher-end but offers a versatile, weather resistance option to watch kids wherever they are.
An indoor camera is a great way to watch over kids, nannies and everything else. I like this Ring model ($90), not just because of its smart objection detection and two-way audio, but because it’s a battery model that mom can move around to whatever room she wants — or even take it outdoors for an afternoon of play. The app provides alerts, live views and motion zones for customization.
Schlage Encode Lever smart lock
Schlage’s lever lock can be installed on many kinds of compatible doors.
Sometimes, mom needs some privacy. While many smart locks are designed to work with deadbolts, I chose this Schlage Lever ($240) because it can work with all kinds of locks and doesn’t need a deadbolt. From bedrooms to pantries, moms can get smart lock protection with remote management, keypad codes and autolocking, among other features.
Read more: CNET’s Smart Lock Buying Guide
SwitchBot Meter Pro CO2 monitor
Switchbot’s Meter Pro shows local air quality anywhere you put it and is small enough for a pocket.
Air quality affects everything from workout quality to the health of kids and pets, but it’s hard to judge. This SwitchBot monitor ($70) is my favorite way to keep an eye on CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels in any room in the house. It’s portable, accurate and can connect to an app for remote monitoring. For example, put it in the kitchen and see how cooking or stovetop work affects your air quality (my CO2 levels certainly spike), then take action with an air purifier or an open window. It measures humidity, too.
Blink Outdoor 4 cam
Blink’s Outdoor 4 cam is easy to mount and reliable for watching an outdoor space.
An outdoor camera is perfect for watching kids or doggos play in the yard even when mom has to be elsewhere. I love this wireless Blink cam ($100) for its easy-to-use app and lengthy battery life — I’ve had mine for well over a year, and I still get reliable alerts on backyard animal and person activity without needing to change the batteries once.
Amazon Echo Show 5
The Echo Show 5 makes an excellent video chat option for kids as well as a way to watch through security cameras.
A smart display like this Echo Show 5 ($90) does more than just show TV shows or recipe video walkthroughs. It also gives a live view from compatible security cameras (like the Blink Cam I just mentioned) with a simple voice command, letting mom glance through cameras even when her hands are busy.
Kidde’s Ring-supported smart smoke detector
Kidde is partnering with Ring for even smarter smoke detectors.
A smoke detector brings mom plenty peace of mind: This new smart model from Kidde ($75) watches for both smoke and carbon monoxide, while tapping in the Ring security app. That app gives you remote alerts and low battery warnings, and it can tap into an emergency response subscription if you want. Plus, Kidde’s sensors are designed to help cut down on accidental alarms from enthusiastic cooking and other common — but not dangerous — sources.
Yale smart delivery box
Delivery boxes keep packages safe and easy to manage.
Is mom worried about porch pirates making off with delivered goods? There’s a new — well, an old but updated — fix for that: This smart delivery box from Yale ($280) keeps packages safe while allowing you to use an app to remotely lock or unlock it and get alerts when it’s being used. You can also upgrade it with a keypad (give the number to delivery services) or a cooler bag, depending on what mom likes to order.
Petcube 360 pet cam
Petcube’s tiny 360 cam is a strong budget option for petowners.
If mom has a furry friend she cares about, this compact pet cam from Petcube ($45) is affordable and designed specifically to watch out for pets and give AI-powered alerts about where they are and what they are doing. It’s also equipped with night vision, two-way audio to talk to a pet and sound alerts if a pet starts barking.
Arlo home security system
Arlo’s system is affordable, easy to set up and can monitor all kinds of things.
If mom’s a bit worried about security when loved ones are home, a security system can bring plenty peace of mind. One option I recommend frequently is this compact two-sensor system from Arlo ($200). It’s DIY friendly, affordable and has eight-in-one sensors that can measure anything from motion and doors opening to air quality and temperature — whatever mom wants to watch out for.
CuboAI Smart Baby Monitor 3
A CuboAI white monitor watching over a baby.
If mom has a little one who is spending a lot of time in the crib, I’ve tested this unique CuboAI baby monitor ($300) and came away impressed: It’s designed to mount on a stand or the wall and quite literally watch over your baby’s bed, giving notifications about crying, sleeping, breathing and warnings if it looks like a baby’s face is covered and so on. When kids grow, it can start to double as an AI warning system if tots wander into customizable no-no zones.
For more options, take a look at our list of the best smart home devices, best smart plugs and top fitness trackers.