The smart home era is here. Hundreds of smart devices are popping up in the market every year, and many homeowners are jumping on the bandwagon to make their living spaces as futuristic as possible.

But what if you don't have that much budget to work with? Don't despair. You have plenty of options.

We're highlighting a number of inexpensive gadgets that can help push your house into the future.

1. Smart Speaker

hand touching amazon alexa echo

What's a futuristic home without a trusty voice assistant helping you with every mundane task? That's exactly why the smart speaker should be on top of your must-buy list.

Packed with smart features and cool Easter eggs, a smart speaker serves as the brain of your smart home. It helps you control your other smart devices using only your voice or your phone. On top of that, it has built-in features on its own like playing your favorite radio station, creating a timer for your pasta, and reminding you about your neighbor's birthday party.

Typical players in the smart speaker market include Amazon Echo and Google Home.

2. Smart Plug

smart plug on White Wall

If you have a limited budget but still want to turn your home into a futuristic living space, then investing in smart plugs is a wise idea. Smart plugs work just like your typical power outlet but with the added ability to connect to your home network. This allows you to control the device using its companion app anytime, anywhere.

Creative uses for your smart plugs include automatically turning on your toaster at a scheduled time, so you always have a nice toast as soon as you wake up. The smart outlet is also useful for things you typically forget to unplug like curling irons and electric fans. Even if you're out of the house, you can still turn them off from your phone, giving you peace of mind.

3. Smart Bulb

smartphone controlling colors of smart light bulb

Lighting in the home goes beyond just illuminating the rooms after dark. It can also serve as a mood setter and a great addition to parties. But instead of just using regular bulbs, take your lighting game up a notch with smart lights.

This kind of bulb is pretty cheap, with some going as low as $10. But the main advantage of smart bulbs over regular LED bulbs isn't the price, but their ability to pair easily with smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest. This makes adding them to your existing smart home system a breeze.

If you happen to grab one that isn't compatible with your smart speaker, you don't have to worry as they also come with their own apps. You can still control them remotely from there.

4. Smart Security Camera

hand holding 3d rendering mobile connect with security camera
Image Credit: Phonlamai Photo/Shutterstock

If there's one thing you need to really invest in for your home, it's smart security cameras. Yes, they can't guarantee that your home would be safe from robbers, but at least having them would somehow deter people from breaking into your home. Additionally, they're great tools for keeping an eye on your pets while you're at work or on vacation.

Like other smart home devices, smart security cameras have the functionality to connect to the internet. They then send live video streams to your smartphone or cloud storage. Some even have motion detection features that notify you of any movement around the house, so you're more aware of what's happening at home while you're away.

5. Streaming Stick

Chromecast with Google TV remote

Consuming content on TV has dramatically changed in the last decade. Gone were the days when cable was the primary source of entertainment, because today, you have tons of options, from Disney+ to Hulu. Unfortunately, these services are only available to TVs with an internet connection, and you probably already know that smart TVs are anything but cheap.

This is where streaming sticks like Amazon Fire TV Stick and Google Chromecast come into the picture. Streaming sticks turn your 'dumb' TV into smart ones. They simply plug into your TV's HDMI port, connect to your home network, and then automatically let you access a variety of streaming platforms online.

The best media streaming devices even come with voice support, so you no longer have to look for the remote control to change the show. Just ask your voice assistant to do it for you.

6. Smart Garage Door Opener

Smart garage door ismartgate opening on iPhone
Image Credit: ismartgate

The garage door is probably one of the most frequently used doors around the house, so it only makes sense that you'd want to automate it. Luckily, they're not as expensive as you thought they'd be, and you can get your hands on a high-quality smart garage door opener.

These smart devices are similar to your traditional garage door opener. The only difference is that they can connect to the internet and come with a mobile app. This is how you can remotely control your garage door.

Aside from letting you control the door from any location, you can also set the device up, so it notifies you when you left the door open. There are also logs available for you to check when the door was last opened and closed.

Some garage door openers are compatible with popular voice assistants, allowing you to integrate the device into your existing smart home system.

7. Smart Curtain Motor

switchbot curtain - rod2

Why bother yourself with opening and closing the curtains manually when you can just sit back and control them from your phone? That's exactly what smart curtain motors can do for you.

These nifty devices are so easy to install that you can have them up and running on your curtain track in as fast as five minutes. You can control them remotely via the mobile app or connect them to Amazon Alexa, Apple's Siri, or Google Assistant for voice control. There's also an option to schedule them to close and open the curtains at certain times of the day.

A Smart Home Doesn't Always Come With a Hefty Price Tag

These smart home gadgets are proof that it's possible to have a futuristic home without breaking the bank. But don't just stop here. There are hundreds of other inexpensive products—everything from automatic toilet flushes to smart trash cans.