There’s nothing like the excitement of moving into a new place, and it’s especially thrilling when it is your first. However, having your own place means having your own things, and you are not always so well-equipped when it comes to your first apartment.
Also: Smart home starter pack: 5 devices that will make your life easier
There are, of course, the basics — the bed, towels, and pots and pans — but there are also larger items to consider, too, from your TV to a quality vacuum to smart home products. Before move-in day rolls around, consider ZDNET’s best picks for all the tech you need for your first apartment.
A TV
Whether you’re planning on hosting movie nights or binging Netflix on your own at your new place, the best TVs will provide an excellent display with full-bodied sound for entertainment you’re sure to enjoy.
The Sony A95L OLED is our pick for the best smart TV for your first apartment, featuring Sony’s new Cognitive Processor XR. There is a stunning OLED display with built-in Google TV for easier streaming.
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Lighting
The right kind of lighting can transform a space into a home, giving cozy vibes to make a room more comfortable. Whether you like white or color lights, these are all the best lighting options you need for your first apartment, including ones you can control from your phone.
The Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance is not just the best smart lighting for your first apartment but it is also the best Philips Hue lights you can buy. These smart bulbs are Bluetooth-compatible and offer thousands of custom shades from which to choose.
Kitchen appliances
Not everyone is a chef in the kitchen, but the right kitchen appliances can help make it a little easier. From the best Instant Pots to coffee makers that will make your mornings better, here are a few staple kitchen appliances that are also high tech.
Available in 6- and 8-quart sizes, this Instant Pot can function as a pressure cooker, yogurt maker, sterilizer, and more. You can pressure cook, slow roast, or go straight to sautéing. It has a stainless steel build complete with an easy-release steam switch and built-in progress bar, so you always know how much time is left.
A vacuum
Vacuums run the gamut in price, but they are definitely a necessity in your apartment. From the best cheap vacuums to more expensive robot vacuums, these are the top picks for cleaning your home.
Especially if you have a smaller apartment, you might benefit from a robot vacuum that can do all the hard work for you. This one from Shark has great suction power, plus an impressive 120-minute run time. It also has a smaller charger station than most other robot vacs on the market.
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A smart home speaker
The best smart speakers are a staple for when you’re just starting out at your own place. A smart speaker has many functions in one little device, including the ability to play music, set reminders, make phone calls, answer questions, or act as a control hub for other smart devices in your apartment.
The Amazon Echo speaker is a great smart speaker with Amazon Alexa voice assistant capabilities, but it can also act as a smart hub to connect to other compatible smart home devices like light bulbs, a doorbell, and more. Of course, you can also simply ask it questions like “What’s the weather today?”
You might also need:
Let’s be honest, this is only a small fraction of what you’ll need in your first apartment. But here are a few other products that can upgrade your apartment to feel like home.
