Today Show: WiFi and Why Not? Surprising Smart Gadgets That Deliver Unexpected Convenience
From smart ice-makers to lightbulbs that double as speakers, these quirky Wi-Fi-connected gadgets are here to make everyday life easier, cooler, and way more fun.
Who says high-tech convenience has to come with a sky-high price tag? From movie projectors that fit in your palm to curtain bots that open your drapes with a whisper, these under-the-radar Wi-Fi-powered gadgets add smart functionality to parts of your home you never thought needed it.
I tested each one myself and showed them off on the Today Show — and I don’t hold back on my honest reviews below. Whether you want to automate your morning routine, surprise your bestie with lights that dance to music, or just make the perfect cup of tea from bed, these clever connected gadgets offer a little extra wow factor for less than you’d expect. Most clock-in under $100, and all are available online now.
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Govee Life Smart Kettle
Boil water like it’s the 21st century — because, well, it is. This sleek, glass-sided kettle is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled, meaning you can start your tea from your phone or ask Alexa to do it for you. With preset temps for everything from green tea to French press coffee, and the ability to keep water warm for up to two hours, it’s the kitchen upgrade you didn’t know you needed. And because it shuts off automatically, you’ll never again forget the kettle and return to a dry pot and a smoky kitchen.
Winees Water Leak Sensor
This three-pack of leak sensors is like a smoke detector for soggy disasters. Place them behind your toilet, under your sink, or next to your water heater — and the second they detect moisture, they scream (literally) and ping your phone. The 100-decibel alarm is louder than a blender, so even your teenager might hear it. Setup takes less time than brushing your teeth, and you can even connect them to smart home routines to trigger other devices. Cheap insurance for anyone who’s ever had a plumbing surprise turn into a full-on flood.
HY300PRO Mini Projector
Ready to ditch the tiny screen and turn your bedroom ceiling into a private theater? This projector fits in your hand, streams directly from YouTube and Disney+, and rotates 180 degrees so you can aim your viewing wherever the popcorn takes you. It handles 4K input, though its native resolution is 720p, and it throws a screen up to 130 inches — that’s wall-filling size for movie nights or gaming marathons. It’s not for sunny spaces, but in the dark? This thing absolutely shines.
Monster Smart LED String Lights
These are not your grandma’s fairy lights. Monster’s LED string lights are customizable, weather-resistant, and equipped with a mic that syncs them to your playlist for an instant party mode. Control each of the 12 bulbs individually via app or voice, then set the mood from chill sunset glow to full-blown rave rainbow. They’re perfect for patios, bedrooms, dorms, or anywhere that needs an easy and affordable vibe boost.
Tapo Matter Smart Light Switch
Why walk to the wall switch like a caveman when you can control your lights with your voice or smartphone? This Tapo smart switch replaces your old-school one and connects to Alexa, Google, and Apple Home thanks to Matter compatibility. Set schedules, use away mode for added security, or just revel in the joy of never having to stumble into a dark hallway again. Heads-up: it’s for single-pole switches and doesn’t do dimming, but for fifteen bucks? Total steal.
PRICE: $10.69
Silonn Smart Countertop Ice Maker
Perfect bullet ice in under 10 minutes? Yes, please. The Silonn countertop ice maker is a viral hit for good reason: it’s fast, quiet, and churns out enough ice to keep the whole neighborhood hydrated. It holds up to 2 liters of water and produces two different ice cube sizes — essential for iced coffee snobs and smoothie fiends. Plus, it’s compact enough for tiny kitchens and cute enough to leave on the counter.
PAPIFEED Smart Automatic Pet Feeder
Your dog doesn’t care if you’re running late — they care if dinner’s on time. This smart feeder connects to your phone, letting you schedule up to 30 meals a day (yes, thirty). Great for portion control or pets on a special diet, it even includes voice recording so you can call them to the bowl with your own voice. Because nothing says "I love you" like a robotic version of your voice yelling, "Time to eat, Buddy!"
SwitchBot Curtain 3
If you’ve ever whispered "I wish I didn’t have to get out of bed to open the curtains," congrats, your moment has arrived. SwitchBot Curtain 3 clips onto your existing rods and automates the whole thing — opening and closing via app, voice, or on a schedule. Pair it with the Hub 2 for smart home integration and solar charging for maintenance-free living. It’s like having a butler, but without the awkward small talk.
Nintendo Alarmo Smart Alarm Clock
Finally, an alarm clock that makes getting up kind of fun. Alarmo uses motion sensors to detect when you're stirring and gradually turns up the sound — think Nintendo game effects instead of obnoxious beeps. You’ll get sleep tracking, smart alarms, and even ambient soundscapes for winding down. It’s geeky, it’s gadgety, and it might just make mornings suck a little less.
Stay tuned for more tech treasures that do way more than they cost. Because smart doesn’t have to mean spendy — just savvy.
***The listed prices above are correct at the time of publishing, but as we’ve learned from doing this for so long — subject to change at any time.***