5 Outdated Gadgets Homeowners Might Need to Upgrade

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When homeowners make a big smart home upgrade, they naturally get excited about how futuristic their living space has become. Voice-activated devices and automated home management systems seemed like science fiction concepts in living memory, so it’s hard to imagine them becoming obsolete. In reality, though, your smart home gadgets will change in 2026. Most of the smart devices and lifestyle gadgets you implemented during your first big home upgrade project are probably now obsolete.

The technology you use at home isn’t that different from the technology you keep in your pocket. Like a smartphone, any home technology you buy has a limited lifespan. These products wear out over time and may even lose support from their manufacturers. Newer models will generally perform better, have greater compatibility with newer products, and come with a host of new features to sweeten the deal. If you feel like your smart home isn’t as smart as it once was, check out these 5 outdated gadgets that might need an upgrade.

The first Philips Hue bulbs were released in 2012. If you’re still using one of the original models to add color to your home, it’s definitely time to upgrade. According to Philips, the expected lifespan of an old Hue bulb is around 15,000 hours. Since most household light bulbs are used an average of three hours per day, 2026 is the year when many of these original bulbs will reach their end of life.

Philips claims that the newer Hue bulbs have a lifespan closer to 25,000 hours. The current-generation Philips Hue Essential Smart LED A19 bulbs are available in a four-pack for $59.99, cementing smart bulbs as one of the cheapest ways to build a smart home – or upgrade one, as the case may be. Of course, Philips Hue isn’t your only option for smart bulbs. The WiZ Connected Smart Bulbs also hold a respectable Amazon customer rating and are even cheaper at $24.99 for a three-pack.

The original Lutron Caséta Smart Hub, formerly known as the Caséta Smart Bridge, was launched in 2014 and is still working today. That’s because Caséta devices use Lutron’s proprietary Clear Connect wireless protocol, which does not rely on Wi-Fi or Internet connections to operate or communicate with other devices in your home. This means that Lutron cannot force your Caseta to become obsolete by simply discontinuing support. That being said, there’s no doubt that your Caseta is starting to look outdated if you’re using one from as far back as 2014.

Any smart hub, including one that is “future-proof,” will start to feel more and more inconvenient as new protocols emerge and other methods of communicating between devices improve. We can even say that no one needs a smart hub anymore. Voice assistants connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth do their job just as well, or even better. But if you like the novelty and unique utility of a dedicated hub, the Google Nest Hub is still worth buying in 2026.

Speaking of Google smart home gadgets worth buying, the Google Nest Doorbell is a worthwhile upgrade if you’re still using an outdated Ring video doorbell. After some uncomfortable truths about Ring cameras were revealed in early 2026, some Ring customers felt that the whole idea of ​​using one had become obsolete. A CNET review found Google Nest to be superior to Ring in terms of security and privacy, but it’s also worth considering home security cameras with local storage to ensure you have more control over your footage.

Privacy controversies aren’t the only thing that can make an old doorbell camera obsolete. Even if you’re perfectly happy with the company behind your current home security gadgets, you may need to upgrade every three to five years. Reddit users have discussed the longevity of video doorbells and concluded that wired models have an internal battery that inevitably fails. If you want a product that won’t need to be completely replaced anytime soon, a model with replaceable batteries may be a good compromise.

Early smart locks, such as the Kwikset Kevo, relied on wireless connectivity with a phone or key fob to initiate a “touch to open” unlock. Smart locks are some of the best smart home gadgets for minimalists, which is precisely why the need for an extra “key element” is now obsolete. A modern lock, like a current-generation August Wi-Fi smart lock, can be purchased with a fingerprint scanning option. Other common features of today’s smart locks include mobile remote access and the ability to set up multiple custom passcodes.

Replacing your smart lock regularly is a prudent idea, even if you’re not looking for new features. Your door lock is your home’s first and foremost defense, but it is also something that will prevent you from entering your own home if it is not working properly. Smart locks can last up to seven years, but even though they’re built to last, exposure to the elements can wear them out. If there’s even the slightest hint that your current lock is past its prime, it’s time to start thinking about a replacement.

A little-known fact about smart homes is that any device can be “smart” with the right outlet. Smart plugs are among the first gadgets homeowners should purchase when introducing automation into the home, and arguably the only ones you need if energy conservation is your goal. A study by Jooseok Oh of Korea University’s Department of Architecture found that households equipped with smart plugs consume 5 percent less energy than households without them. Of course, this statistic only applies if your smart plug isn’t outdated.

Smart plugs struggle to be useful after five years, either due to performance issues, compatibility issues, or forced obsolescence. If it’s been a really long time since your last upgrade, there are some exciting new ways to use smart plugs in your home. That’s why it’s worth getting a feature-rich plug like the TP-Link Tapo Mini Smart Plug or the Eve Energy Outlet, both recommended by PCMag’s expert reviewers. On top of that, you’re not limited to reducing your energy consumption by just 5%; The more devices you connect and the more you monitor your usage, the more of an upgrade a simple set of smart plugs can be.