Diving into AliExpress: I Tested 5 Budget Home Gadgets to Uncover Their True Value!

When purchasing a new piece of household equipment, gaming accessories, or audio devices, several budget retailers often catch your eye with deals that seem too good to be true. Inexpensive technology often translates to subpar quality, but my experiences have shown me that’s not necessarily accurate.

I frequently watch YouTube videos that evaluate affordable items available on budget websites like AliExpress, Temu, and Wish. In that vein, I chose to put to the test some economical home technology products from the Chinese discount platform AliExpress.

My guidelines for this review:

• Items must be priced below $15.
• Products should be less expensive than a conventional counterpart.
• Quirky gadgets are more likely to be included.

I’m pleased to report it was a genuine experience, featuring a blend of reasonably good items and a few truly disappointing ones. From the top to the bottom, here’s how my AliExpress acquisition unfolded.

Best: Tuya Zigbee smart USB adaptor switch

USB chargers intended for illuminating and small gadgets take up way too much room in my smart plugs, so I often pondered whether a USB smart plug was feasible. I acquired the Tuya Zigbee Smart USB Adaptor Switch — which features three USB-A ports — for an astonishingly low price of $5.02. Tuya products like this are rare finds for smart home aficionados, even though they aren’t always user-friendly. I’m pleased that it was straightforward to connect to my SmartThings home automation system.

Although it’s basically just an on/off switch, I appreciate that I don’t need a bulky USB multiport charger to power the few small USB gadgets on my bedside table. While you can’t manage the ports independently — and the power output is too limited for charging most devices — it serves as a decent option for slow-charging portable speakers or headphones. Furthermore, it can hook up to nearly any USB power source, including unused ports on my computer.

The Smart USB Adaptor Switch receives an A for its value and performance. Being a Zigbee device, it also carries a lower cybersecurity risk compared to any Wi-Fi gadget sourced from AliExpress and Temu.

Better: USB-powered ceiling fan

Ceiling fans have always been out of reach for me, as I reside in an antiquated apartment lacking them. This predicament compels me to rely on a series of air circulators in my bedroom and office. But what if renters could effortlessly incorporate a ceiling fan without the trouble of persuading the property manager for installation? Enter the mini ceiling fan which I procured for $14.

I appreciate the aesthetics of this fan, particularly the 12-foot USB cable, which is lengthy enough to reach a ceiling hook without much difficulty. The fan operates surprisingly quietly and offers three power levels. Nevertheless, it isn’t incredibly potent, as the maximum setting generates only a gentle breeze from a few feet away. The speed and timer controls are easily comprehensible, which is beneficial since the complete manual is written in Chinese. While you can grasp the essence of the manual using Google Lens to translate the text, it’s largely unnecessary.

I would rate this item a B+ for its utility, particularly in niche situations where standard ceiling fans are impractical.

Good: Tuya Zigbee water sensor

Unlike Tuya’s smart USB switch, the Tuya Zigbee water sensor failed to connect properly to my SmartThings system on the initial attempt. SmartThings recognized it as a generic Zigbee device — it was unable to detect when the sensor identified water. This serves as a prime illustration of Tuya’s devices not consistently cooperating with smart home hubs.

Consequently, I got to work and explored the SmartThings Edge Driver Builder, a development tool designed for assigning drivers to smart home devices. After identifying my Tuya leak sensor from the array of devices in my smart home, I opted for the Zigbee Water Leak Sensor driver and set it up as a water sensor. Like magic, the sensor began functioning. It’s quite responsive, and I appreciate that it operates on standard AAA batteries.

The extra work may justify the $4.59 I spent on the Tuya Zigbee Water Sensor, but I can’t rate it higher than a C+ for anyone seeking seamless smart home compatibility with SmartThings. I can’t determine if it’s exceptional for other smart home platforms, but I hypothesize it performs even better in Home Assistant.

Inferior: Smart Wi-Fi clock movement mechanism

I recently embarked on replacing most of the analog clocks in my residence with silent clock movements, which are far less irritating than the tick-tock of a second hand when trying to drift off to sleep at 2 a.m. I decided to try a smart Wi-Fi clock movement mechanism for automatic time setting, akin to the digital clock on my Google Nest Hub. What ensued was one of my most exasperating setup experiences in years.

Out of the box, the clock I purchased did not include hands for seconds, minutes, or hours. I spent an excessive amount of time attempting to fit leftover hands from a previous DIY project, only to discover that the clock was non-functional.

The provided instructions, which arrived on a sheet of printer paper, were of little assistance. They failed to mention that you must detach the gray “locating needle” from the back of the clock before it will operate. This pin secures the gears at Noon, likely intended to maintain clock alignment during shipping and while affixing the hands, which is sensible for a Wi-Fi clock that self-sets. It took two hours before I managed to get it operational.

I am even more disheartened by the Wi-Fi security, which is far from secure. Anyone can access the clock’s Wi-Fi connection to view your network’s name and password. I’m grateful I utilized my phone’s hotspot for a temporary network. I rate this product, which is priced at $14.01, a D- for functioning as promised, despite the delayed setup, and its significant Wi-Fi vulnerability. Nonetheless, it’s not the worst product by any means.

Worst: Smart portable clothing dryer

I acquired the Beauty-Health Store smart portable clothing dryer for merely $12.32. I won’t squander your time: This is the most hazardous product from my AliExpress purchase. How do I know? It literally melted approximately two hours into my very first drying session. The plastic utilized in this product is not heat-resistant whatsoever. It didn’t even dry a single shirt entirely, so there’s no justification for buying an inexpensive portable clothing dryer when laundromats can handle much larger drying loads at a fraction of the price.

When I searched online to see if other consumers encountered this issue, I found the product page was no longer accessible. With my suspicions validated, I will not delve into the attributes of this dreadful product. Instead, I will use it as a case to illustrate why purchasing generic electronics from AliExpress, Temu, Wish, and similar budget retailers is risky. With certain categories of technology, you’re risking your safety and privacy. As you can imagine, this device earns an F for being unsafe.

Now, kindly excuse me while I navigate the 90-day AliExpress return policy, which is a silver lining. Hopefully, it performs better than these last two items.