All It Takes Is Two $10 Smart Plugs to Make It Look Like You're Home, and Deter Potential Intruders
Setup takes just five minutes and doesn't require anymore expensive tech
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While I don't want to understate the value of a security system, there are ways to secure your home while you're out that don't cost $100s or require specialist installation.
It's also incredibly simple. All you need is two smart plugs, like this $9.97 iHome smart plug at Walmart, to make it seem as if you're home by connecting them to your existing lamps.
The 'Two Smart Plugs' Trick
Plug a lamp into a smart plug, and you can control it with your phone, setting schedules and routines for each day. If you time it right, you can make it look as if you're moving through your home, even while you're out say Gene Petrino, lead advisor for Security.org. 'For example: Living room lamp on 6:30-9:30 pm, then bedroom lamp on 8:30-10:30 pm,' he reccomends.
Here's the step-by-step:
- Plug lamp A and lamp B into smart plugs.
- Set up a schedule for each plug (like the one Gene suggested above).
- For more realism, set up a few different schedules for different days.
- Test for a few evenings while you are home to make sure the timings look natural.
Setting up these routines isn't difficult, nor does it require any specialist tech know-how. Just download the free iHome app and you can set timers and routines. And as the iHome smart plugs at Walmart have Wi-Fi built into them, you don't need an expensive hub to control them.
But they're also compatible with Google and Alexa devices, so if you already have a hub, like a Google Nest Mini (also at Walmart), you can bring it into your current smart home setup and control everything from the same device.
Setting different routines for different days is key if you're going on vacation or you work late every night, and you're worried about potential intruders knowing this trick and scoping out your place for multiple days to detect a pattern.
This technique can take as little as five minutes to set up. It's more affordable than almost all other home security options (the best video doorbells we've tested are great, but can cost anywhere between $50 and $250, often with monthly subscriptions).
'Two decent smart plugs and two table lamps cost a fraction of a camera, alarm system, or monitored service. It is not a replacement for alarms or cameras, but it is one of the highest return, lowest-effort deterrents you can buy. If you want extra realism, a cheap plug behind a TV that turns on for a while makes a big difference,' Gene shares. Alternatively, this energy-saving fake TV light from Amazon does a similar job.
Why It's Effective
While doorbells, cameras, and outdoor lights all help to deter potential intruders, these are devices that can be overcome by those with the right tools or experience. But the feeling that somebody is home can't be ignored.
'Most break-ins are opportunistic and happen when the intruder thinks a home looks empty and easy to access. A home with no activity for extended periods of time while homeowners are away can send a clear signal that no one is home, giving them the confidence to attempt to break in,' says Laura Finson, director of product and strategy at Brinks Home Security.
Gene agrees, 'Burglars look for easy targets and predictable patterns. An empty, dark house is an invitation. Lights that turn on at realistic times increase perceived occupancy and raise the cost and risk for someone casing the home. That alone will stop many opportunistic intruders who want a quick, low-risk score.'
If you're looking for reasons to invest in home security in 2026 but don't want to splash out, this is the affordable solution.
What to Shop
Really, all you need are the $9.97 iHome smart plugs at Walmart, but there is always more to be added to your home security setup.
Plug your existing lamps into these smart plugs, download the iHome app, and you'll be able to set routines for different days, so that it never looks as if nobody is home.
If you realise you don't have enough lamps to do this trick – or if this article has inspired you to reconsider your lamp game – IKEA's collection of lights and lamps is a great place to start. They're affordable, but unique.
If you have any other smart devices, like a robot vacuum or smart shutters, you can control them all using your voice using a Google Nest.
For more peace of mind, having eyes on your front door will give you secure evidence in worst-case scenarios. This model also has an anti-intruder siren that proactively deters opportunists.
Read more in our full Arlo 2K Video Doorbell review.
This affordable security step can activate an alarm if your front door is opened, so if used in tandem with smart lighting and a video doorbell, you'll be triple-protected against intruders.
This alarm kit can sound alarms and give you alerts from multiple points throughout your home – not just the front door.
Meet the Experts
Gene Petrino is a nationally recognized security expert and retired S.W.A.T. Commander dedicated to helping people protect what matters most — their homes, families, and peace of mind.
Laura Finson is the director of product and strategy at Brink's Home, a leading global provider of security and valuables management solutions.
Next, learn how to secure your home if you're a renter.
