The Best Small Home Electronics for 2024, According to Our Editors

“You get the best of both worlds with the Nest, depending on whether you want to program everything yourself or let it learn your preferences over time and make its own adjustments accordingly. It’s easy to install and use, and controllable from an app on your phone so you can make temperature adjustments from literally anywhere.” —Barb, Director of Digital Strategy and Operations 

“I swear this is the Goldilocks of coffee makers. Need a carafe of coffee to feed a crowd? You got it. Don’t want to have to dirty the whole machine but just need one cup of joe to tie you over? No problem. The dual-serve coffee maker from Cuisinart has single-handedly saved our mornings, as well as our sanity.” —Bree, Digital Editor

“When your kids only eat fish sticks for dinner, this will be your go-to in a pinch. Also makes great homemade french fries.” —Jimmy, Art Director

“If you’re anything like me and listen to music everywhere (on the train, in the shower, on a run), you’re going to love the Soundlink Mini II. I’ve had the speaker since it came out in 2015 and it still works just as great as the day I bought it. The sound is clear, the bass is full, and the battery also lasts for 12 whole hours.” —Bree

“I am all about holding a physical book. But I’m pretty limited on shelf space and (admittedly) I am not a routine reader. The Kindle helps keep my apartment tidy and I can pick up a new novel whenever the feeling strikes. It’s also super light, which I love for travel.” —Megan, Editorial Director

“Roku makes a number of different devices depending on your needs, and we recommend their lineup in general—with the Express 4K+ as our top choice in terms of bang-for-the-buck. It’s a low-cost, user-friendly option for enjoying 4K streaming as well as your everyday shows.” —Barb

“An alarm clock and sound machine all in one! The Hatch allows you to wake up to a number of serene sounds, from birds chirping to waves crashing alongside a customizable sunrise. If that’s not enough, you can also create the ultimate bedtime routine with guided meditations, a soft reading light, or soothing sounds. Oh, and you can also control all of this right from your phone!” —Heather, Digital Coordinator 

“If you’re an audiophile willing to shell out for amazing sound, these wireless noise-cancelling headphones from Bose are a great choice. They’re amazing on planes (when you’re inevitably seated behind an unhappy toddler), and don’t artificially boost the bass as much as other popular favorites from Beats and JBL.” —Barb