Plain-jane bulbs are so yesterday. Smart lights are in, not only because they're one of the easiest ways to enter the world of smart home tech, but also because they're one of the most affordable.

Smart plugs offer the convenience of a smart home without the cost of new connected devices. And pairing them with Apple's Shortcuts app opens up a world of automation possibilities. I've written for ...

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Credit: René Ramos/Lifehacker/MirageC/Moment, Anton Zacon/iStock via Getty Images In Lifehacker’s series, “A ...