Mornings often fall apart into pieces because of small, repetitive actions: turning off the alarm, turning on the lights, opening the curtains, boiling water, checking if the door is locked. Each of these actions seems insignificant, but in total, they consume time and attention that you would rather spend on more important things. Six devices from The Gadgeteer review solve exactly these tasks without unnecessary apps or complex settings—with one caveat: each works best if you use it for one specific problem.
Hatch Restore 3 is a smart lamp that sits on your bedside table. Its main advantage: it doesn't wake you up with sound, but gradually increases the brightness of the light a few minutes before the alarm goes off. This mimics a natural sunrise and helps the body wake up more smoothly. The device supports customizable light and sound scenarios via an app, although basic functions work without a Hatch+ premium subscription. The price is 169,99 dollars. The main idea: leave your phone in another room and don't reach for notifications immediately after waking up. This brings real results—people who use such lamps report better sleep quality.
SwitchBot Curtain 3 attaches to existing curtain rods and automatically opens and closes curtains on a schedule. The model supports control via an app, physical touch, and Matter integration via SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub 3. Matter integration requires a separate hub, without which the device only works via the app. The price is about 140 dollars. The device's motor can exert a force of up to 33 pounds (15 kilograms), which is twice as strong as the previous generation—meaning it can handle even heavy drapes. The device is ideal for rental apartments where you cannot change the entire curtain system, but it requires the fabric to move easily.
Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 uses millimeter-wave radar to detect human presence, not just motion. This is a critical distinction: standard motion sensors (PIR) turn off the lights if you stand still, but this radar continues to see you even when you are sitting or sleeping. The sensor divides the room into zones (up to 30 zones in one room) and allows you to trigger different lighting scenarios for different areas—for example, turning on the light only over the bed if motion is detected there. The price ranges around 75 dollars, although it can be found for less during sales. It requires constant power to operate (it is a wired sensor) and initial calibration, but the result justifies the cost: the light does not turn off as long as a person is in the room.
GoveeLife Smart Electric Kettle Pro H717A heats water on a schedule to a set temperature with an accuracy of one degree. It has a capacity of 1,7 liters and a power of 1500 W—enough to boil water in 5–7 minutes. The device supports Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can give a voice command: "Okay, Google, turn on the kettle." The app allows you to set a start time in advance—for example, 10 minutes before you wake up—so that boiling water is ready in the morning. The price is from 80 to 90 dollars depending on the region and season. There is one limitation: you still have to pour the water manually, so this is not full automation, but rather a way to speed up the process by a few minutes.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is a smart lock with a biometric fingerprint scanner, keypad access, and an Auto-Lock feature with a DoorSense sensor. The sensor detects whether the door is fully closed and only then automatically extends the deadbolt. This solves an age-old problem: you left the house and are wondering if you locked the door? The lock will give you an exact answer via the app, where you can also see a full entry history. Basic models without Wi-Fi start at 190 dollars, while models with Wi-Fi and a fingerprint scanner cost from 230 to 250 dollars. The lock requires proper installation and is suitable only for owned homes, not rental properties.
Eve Energy is a smart plug with Matter support via the Thread protocol. It turns connected appliances (lamps, fans, small heaters) on and off according to a schedule. The device stores schedules locally in its memory, without relying on the cloud, and monitors the energy consumption of the connected device directly in the app. The price is about 70 dollars. The main limitation: the plug is only suitable for appliances that are safe when power is instantly applied. For example, a fan or a lamp—yes, but a computer or a refrigerator—no.
Choose one device for the most repetitive and annoying morning problem you have. It might seem like a small thing, but when automation starts working, you stop noticing it—and that is a sign that it is working correctly. A smart home starts not with expensive installations, but with understanding which routine tires you out the most.
