A few months ago, I shared my top 7 smart home devices that I actually use on a daily basis. But then I moved into a new apartment and needed to rethink the connected products for my rental home that I wanted to incorporate into my current lifestyle.

While I need a more permanent solution for a DIY smart home renovation in my parents' home, my personal apartment has different needs. I can't install a video doorbell or smart thermostat on my door, and replacing the existing switches with smart ones would be a daunting task for a temporary location.

As was the case in my previous apartment, most of my smart home devices fall into the Best Smart Light and Best Smart Speaker categories. I use both Alexa and Google Assistant to operate my products hands-free (I didn't feel obligated to choose one over the other as I did with the home renovation). The routine of using both assistants introduces an effortless automation that I think anyone with the right hardware - even in a small rental apartment - can achieve.

Here's a starter pack of the best smart home devices for apartment living.

Anyone who knows me knows that the $60 Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is my favorite smart home device wherever I live. When this orb-shaped Alexa speaker was released last year, I knew I needed one of these on my desk. Not only does it look great, but it displays the time so I can easily keep track of my priorities and workflow. In addition to the best Alexa skills, the Amazon Echo Dot displays a countdown timer, which helps me keep track of breaks, deadlines, etc.

The Echo Dot with Clock is my vehicle for Alexa, but I also need access to Google Assistant. Whether it's to try out the best Google Home commands, the best Google Assistant commands, or to manage my Google Calendar events, the new $99 Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) is a great addition to my smart space. I place it on my nightstand opposite my Alexa speaker, where it tracks my sleep. It was a little creepy at first, but as my sleep profile grows, the Nest Hub compares my nightly consistency and provides me with a timeline of my overnight activity and practical advice based on American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines. Sleep is never easy for me, especially in a new environment. However, my Google Nest Hub provides useful suggestions for getting more sleep.

I love light strips, but the ones from Philips Hue and other top-class smart light manufacturers can be expensive, depending on how many yards of LEDs you need. In my search for a light strip that wouldn't break the bank and would offer physical control buttons in addition to voice assistant compatibility, I found the $40 Govee LED light strip. This pretty light from Amazon has two posts, and a remote control connects the two posts in the middle to send the strip in two different directions. I lined up these light strips in my bedroom to emit either static or strobe-like, party-oriented colors throughout the space. The adhesive is sticky enough to hold the light strips in place, but did not ruin the wall or bed frame when I wanted to reposition them.

As for the lamps in the apartment, we purchased Philips Hue lights. Specifically, the $40 Philips Hue Smart Dimming Kit. Not only is this kit ready to use right out of the box and does not require the company's bridge, but it also does not require screws or other hardware to attach the dimming switch to the wall. Instead, the plate is magnetic, so it can be affixed to a refrigerator or magnetic door frame. In addition, the dimmer remote can be placed on a coffee table in the living room, allowing the user to adjust the lights without having to open their phone or speak while watching TV. This also comes in handy when I have guests over who are unfamiliar with my smart home products.

Neither the Amazon Echo Dot nor the Google Nest Hub are great smart speakers for music; the Sonos One is a great stationary smart speaker, but you might want to buy something portable. I am trying out the new Sonos Roam and appreciate the ability to take it from room to room. This way, music, podcasts, and a voice assistant are always nearby. The Roam's lightweight design also makes it easy to pack in my bag for a summer trip to the park or train ride to the beach. With Bluetooth capability on the outside and clever Wi-Fi on the inside, this 2-in-1 speaker delivers excellent sound for only $169.

No smart apartment is complete without a smart TV. While most of the best TVs are smart TVs that offer dozens (if not hundreds) of streaming apps, you may want a TV that supports voice assistants. Currently, the top 4K sets from brands like LG, Sony, and Samsung all support Alexa, Google Assistant, or both. I used to be an OLED devotee, but recently became a QLED devotee after seeing the $1,200 Samsung Q80T QLED TV. Only one assistant can be activated at a time, but either assistant can navigate content and control other smart home devices.

For more gadget recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the best smart home devices (and the best inexpensive smart home devices). If there is anything you would like to see covered in the Connected Space, please email us at [email protected] or leave a comment below.