I’ve Tried These College Dorm Devices At Home. Here’s What I Recommend

CNET tested several subscription-free smart home devices suitable for college dorms, including the Lepro A1 table lamp, Google Home speaker, Tapo smart surge protector, and Amazon Echo Spot. The Lepro A1 uses AI prompts to generate light schemes, the Google Home speaker offers strong bass for $100, and the Tapo surge protector allows remote control of plugs and USB ports.

It doesn’t take much to give dorms powerful smart upgrades https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/best-smart-home-devices/ that are useful — and stylish — for anyone packing up for move-in day. I’ve kept my eye out for devices that fit well in dorms during my testing https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/the-smart-home-devices-i-kept-using-after-my-reviews-were-done/ , including the latest smart speaker with big sound, an AI table lamp that learns your mood and pocket-size security https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-diy-home-security-systems/ for your precious belongings. Good news: These devices are all subscription-free https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-home-security-cameras-without-subscriptions/ , and I’ve avoided any high-budget items to help with your budget. See what’s the ideal fit for your college dorm or university apartment. Lepro A1 table lamp When I tested this spiraling table lamp https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLepro-TB1-Addressable-Christmas-Generated%2Fdp%2FB0DDXD8BMQ%3Fth%3D1&app deeplink=1 , I found its use of AI prompts fun and incredibly versatile. The lamp can use voice or text ideas to suggest all kinds of light schemes, including colors, patterns, movement and much more. You can say anything from “Star Wars” to “workout mode” to get several interesting ideas. It can also sync to music if you prefer. The light patterns can create soothing glows, dancing party swirls and everything in between. From studying to cozy vibes, all you have to do is describe the mood and pick your favorite option from what AI comes up with. Check out more of my experiments https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/i-commanded-this-smart-light-to-change-based-on-my-mood-and-i-liked-it/ with this foot-high light in my full review. Google Home speaker I recently tried out the Google Home Speaker https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/i-tried-googles-new-smart-speaker-its-one-of-the-best-at-100/ , and found it has some of the best sound in the $100 range https://www.amazon.com/Google-Premium-Audio-Speaker-360-Degree/dp/B0H6GXQ7NT/?th=1 , with a surprisingly strong bass level, easily enough to fill a dorm room. It’s also easy to set up with the Google Home app https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/settings-that-make-nest-and-google-devices-useful/ . The speaker can connect to a variety of music streaming services, including Spotify and Tidal, as well as apps like Netflix and Google Plus. In addition to playing music, the Gemini for Home features a speaker that allows you to set timers, reminders and calendar events with a “Hey, Google.” It can also answer any question from what info it pulls from the internet. And the speaker can control many of the other smart devices listed here with the right voice commands. That’s all for free — the subscription versions of Gemini aren’t really necessary in a dorm. Tapo smart surge protector Tapo’s surge protector https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/best-surge-protector/ protects from electrical surges, sure, but each plug and USB port can also connect to a smart home app and allow you to name it, then turn it on/off remotely or with voice commands. This power strip https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTapo-Smart-Wi-Fi-Power-Strip%2Fdp%2FB0F5LNYTR7&app deeplink=1 is an important add-on for a desk where students may do a lot of work on a computer alongside other devices — including those on my list. Amazon Echo Spot Amazon makes many smart speakers and displays https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/best-smart-displays/ , but the Echo Spot https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAmazon-Echo-Spot-2024-release-Smart-alarm-clock-with-vibrant-sound-Alexa-Black%2Fdp%2FB0BFC7WQ6R&app deeplink=1 is one of the best suited for a dorm room. It’s designed to serve as an alarm clock, with a top screen that can show you the music playing, the weather, the time and more. Unlike an alarm app on your phone, it can perform gradual wake-ups with glowing lights and growing music, too, or do the same to help you fall asleep. Like the Google speaker, you can connect Alexa to a variety of music services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and many others. Via Alexa app connections, you can also use voice commands for timers, alarms, reminders and compatible smart device controls. Aqara P100 multipurpose sensor Most security sensors https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-diy-home-security-systems/ aren’t designed for dorms, but this new Aqara model https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAqara-Multi-State-Vibration-Monitoring-Sensitivity%2Fdp%2FB0G6ZH8SRC%3Fth%3D1&app deeplink=1 is made for nearly everything. On its own, it can connect to the Aqara app and give you alerts whenever anything is opened or closed — like a door, a closet, a drawer, a lid and so on. You can place the small sensor on nearly anything with adhesive strips and know when it’s opening, ideal for securing certain spots in a dorm. If you want to add an Aqara hub device, like the Aqara M3 hub https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0CWLHSKYC&app deeplink=1 , the sensor can do much more, like detecting tampering, vibration, tilting and more movements. However, you may not want to pay extra for a hub or an Aqara camera https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-home-security-cameras-with-apple-homekit-and-siri/ that adds these capabilities, so open/close sensing can be sufficient. Wiz Connected Color smart bulb Not every dorm room needs a dazzling smart lamp. However, if the dorm has normal light sockets https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/best-led-lights/ , you can upgrade it with a very affordable Wiz light bulb https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWiZ-Connected-Smart-Light-Bulbs%2Fdp%2FB0DDCV7C7M%3Fth%3D1&app deeplink=1 . These cost only around $10 but let you adjust color and brightness to whatever you want, whenever you want it. That’s useful for late-night study sessions, morning wakeups and much more. Plus, it also supports voice assistants and scheduling options if you like to tinker. Lockly Wi-Fi smart safe Most home safes https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-smart-home-safes/ are far too large to lug into a dorm. Lockly’s safe https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLockly-Smart-Safe-Biometric-Fingerprint%2Fdp%2FB0CNK35DB2&app deeplink=1 is small enough to carry with you, but it offers high-quality security and a useful biometric thumbprint reader, too. I tried smashing it open with hammers and screwdrivers, but the safe easily resisted my efforts. It’s small enough to fit in a drawer, on a shelf, under a bed, in a closet and many other spots. Just remember to replace the batteries every year or so. K-Mini Mate Coffee Maker You can’t beat this tiny coffee maker https://www.cnet.com/deals/keurig-k-mini-mate-deal/ for size or price it’s currently on sale for $50 . The one-cup coffee maker is only 4 inches wide and takes just a couple of minutes to brew 12 ounces. It’s a lifesaver when time is very short, and it travels well, too. For more info you may find useful in similar cases, visit my recommendations for the best security devices for renters https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-home-security-systems-for-renters/ and the best security that can move with you https://www.cnet.com/home/security/the-top-home-security-devices-that-can-move-with-you/ .