The easiest way to start a smart home in Lebanon is with Wi-Fi devices that need no hub: a smart plug, a smart bulb or a Wi-Fi sensor that connects straight to your router and runs from one phone app. Add a Zigbee hub later, when you want several battery sensors. At Buyrouth, a Wi-Fi smart plug costs $11, smart bulbs start at $12, and the MOES Zigbee and Bluetooth hub is $44. Most MOES, Tuya and SMATRUL devices run in the Tuya Smart / Smart Life app; Govee uses its own Govee Home app.

Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth and Matter: what's the difference?

• Wi-Fi: the device joins your home network directly, so no hub is needed. Almost all of these devices use the 2.4 GHz band, so make sure your router has it switched on.
• Zigbee: a low-power wireless network for sensors and switches. Zigbee devices talk to a hub (also called a gateway), and the hub connects to your router. It suits homes with many small battery sensors.
• Bluetooth: works when your phone is nearby; reaching it from outside the house needs a gateway.
• Matter: a newer standard that lets one device work across smart-home platforms such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa. The MOES Matter bulbs below support it.

Step 1: smart plugs and switches (no hub)

• LDNIO Wi-Fi Smart Power Socket #SEW1080 ($11): makes a normal appliance smart, with timers, power measurement and Alexa or Google Assistant control in the Tuya app. Rated up to 2500 W.
• LDNIO Wi-Fi Smart Power Plug with Lamp #SEW1058 ($13): the same idea, with a touch LED night lamp.
• LDNIO Wi-Fi Smart Plug Power Strip #SEW3452 ($29): three outlets and USB ports (PD, QC 3.0 and two auto-ID) with up to 30 W of USB charging.
• Tongou 63A Wi-Fi Rail Smart Switch Breaker ($18): a DIN-rail breaker for the distribution board, with schedules and energy metering in the Smart Life app. The listing suggests loads under 40 A. Have an electrician install it.

Step 2: smart bulbs and lights

• Tuya Smart Wi-Fi 10 W RGB E27 bulb ($12): 1000 lumens, colours plus warm and cool white, no hub needed.
• MOES 7 W smart Wi-Fi filament bulb E27 ($19): a vintage filament look with 806 lumens and white light from 2700 K to 6500 K. Its "do not disturb" mode stops it switching on by itself after a power cut.
• MOES Matter E14 smart bulb ($13) and MOES Matter GU10 smart bulb ($13): Matter over Wi-Fi, with colours and 2700–6500 K white, for small-socket lamps and spotlights.
• Govee 800 lm smart LED bulb #H6004 ($13): Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth, controlled in the Govee Home app.
• SMATRUL smart LED neon strip (from $38): Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, in 5 m or 10 m, with a remote and music sync.

Step 3: sensors

• MOES Wi-Fi door and window sensor ($18): sends an alert to your phone when a door, window or cabinet opens. Runs on two AAA batteries; no hub needed.
• MOES Wi-Fi water leak detector ($19): place it by the washing machine or water heater. It sounds an alarm and sends a phone notification when it detects water.
• Tuya Wi-Fi temperature and humidity sensor #WSD008 ($12) and the Tuya Wi-Fi sensor with LCD display ($29): check readings from anywhere and trigger automations, such as switching on a dehumidifier through a smart plug.
• Govee H5075 Bluetooth hygrometer ($25): accuracy of ±0.3 °C and ±3 % humidity according to the listing, on two AAA batteries.
• MOES Zigbee temperature and humidity sensor ($26): LCD display, CR2032 battery. It needs a Zigbee hub.

Step 4: when to add a hub

The MOES Multi-Mode Zigbee and Bluetooth Gateway Hub ($44) connects Zigbee 3.0 and Bluetooth devices to the Smart Life app and supports up to 128 devices. Buy one when you add Zigbee sensors, or when you want to reach Bluetooth sensors away from home. For voice and touch control on a screen, the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) ($110) controls compatible lights and devices with Google Assistant.

Power cuts and generator switchovers

Smart devices need power and a working router, so keep the router (and hub) on an inverter or UPS if you want alerts during a cut. Some smart bulbs switch back on when the power returns; the MOES filament bulb has a setting to stop that.

Buying from Buyrouth

Standard delivery across Lebanon costs $5 and takes 2–5 working days, free on orders of $75 or more. Fast delivery costs $8: 24 hours within Beirut, 72 hours outside. Pay cash on delivery or by card, or pick up in Sin El Fil between 9 am and 4 pm.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a hub to start a smart home?

No. Wi-Fi plugs, bulbs and sensors connect straight to your router. You only need a hub such as the MOES gateway for Zigbee devices, or to reach Bluetooth sensors when you're away.

Do these devices work with 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

The listings specify 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Most routers broadcast both bands, so keep 2.4 GHz switched on during setup.

Can I control everything from one app?

MOES, Tuya, SMATRUL and Tongou devices run in the Tuya Smart / Smart Life app. Govee uses the Govee Home app. Both link to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice control across brands.

Will my smart home work during a power cut?

Only the parts that still have power. Keep the router and hub on an inverter or UPS so battery sensors can still send alerts. Wi-Fi devices reconnect when power returns.