The Best Smart Home Accessories to Boost Your Curb Appeal (2026)

Nena Farrell GearJul 21, 2026 7:02 AMYour Outdoor Smart Home Gear Doesn’t Have to Be UglyThese locks, lights, and other smart home upgrades let you add automation without messing up your home’s vibe.Courtesy of Cync; GoogleCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe days are longer, the weather's warming up, and we're all spending more time outdoors. I certainly am as my son begs to ride his bike to the playground every day after school now that the sun hasn't immediately set.As we transition into these longer days, you might find yourself looking to solve a few problems for your outdoor-living lifestyle. Maybe you want to upgrade to a smart lock to make it easier to hang out in the neighborhood without needing to worry about your keys or locking the front door, or maybe you want some fun lighting that you don't need to manually turn on and off. Either way, those problems and many more can be solved by all kinds of outdoor smart home gadgets. Smart locks, smart lights, and more can upgrade your outdoor lounging and hosting experience from now until daylight savings sneaks up on us again.But not every piece of smart home gear is easy on the eyes. If you're big on curb appeal, these are the gadgets I recommend grabbing to give your home some smarts without costing you in the style department.Updated July 2026: I added the BeatBot AquaSense 2 for yards that have pools, and ensured up-to-date links and prices.A Discreet Smart LockPhotograph: Nena FarrellPhotograph: Nena FarrellPhotograph: Nena FarrellChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistLevelLock Pro$349 Amazon$349 Level$507 Level (With Keypad and Bridge)I am obsessed with this smart lock. The Level Lock Pro is a full-lock replacement, but it looks like you kept the original front of your lock and only swapped out the backing (which is also an option! More on invisible swaps below.) The inside even looks normal, unlike the massive, bulky backing most smart locks have. The only one who will know it's smart is you.Even with such a small form, it's not lacking in features. You'll get lots of unlocking options, including NFC and Apple Home Key, plus Matter compatibility and a long battery life. You'll want to add Level's Connect Wi-Fi Bridge ($79) if you want to control it from afar.A Sleek DoorbellPhotograph: Julian ChokkattuPhotograph: Julian ChokkattuChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistGoogleNest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen)$180 $152 (16% off) Amazon$180 Google$180 $140 (22% off) Walmart$180 Best BuyWhen I think of a video doorbell I actually want on my home, the Nest Doorbell is the one I think of. The stylish form factor feels like a big upgrade from the bulky shapes of the Ring camera, and it comes in a handful of finishes to best match your home. It is still obvious what it is, but all video doorbells are; this one is the least amount of eyesore.I tried the battery version, which does require you recharge it every couple of weeks, but the wired-in version is the top recommendation on our guide to the Best Video Doorbells.A Better BirdhousePhotograph: Kat Merck<video autoplay="" class="responsive-clip__video" loop="" muted=""></video>Video: Kat Merck<video autoplay="" class="responsive-clip__video" loop="" muted=""></video>Video: Kat Merck<video autoplay="" class="responsive-clip__video" loop="" muted=""></video>Video: Kat MerckChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistBirdfyNest Duo$320 $257 (20% off) AmazonI had a new-to-me problem this spring: bird invasion. A little bird made a nest in my front-door wreath without us noticing. One evening, my sister opened the door, and the bird flew out of the nest and straight into our house. After a 30-minute battle to get it outside again (and keep my cat from eating it), it wasn't until we saw the bird fly off the door again the next day that we realized it was calling our home its home, too.If this is a common problem at your house, our resident bird-gear tester Kat Merck has a so