If you’re looking to make your home a little more intelligent, smart home devices are the way to go. They’re affordable, simple to install and automate a lot of your everyday tasks.
You can buy anything from a smart light bulb to an entire system with thermostats, lights and even locks. You can also find a variety of security cameras and sensors to monitor your home.
1. Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats can save you a lot of money by learning your daily habits and preferences. Then they automatically adjust the temperature in different rooms based on what you prefer.
These thermostats are also much more energy efficient than standard programmable thermostats. They use remote sensors and processors to learn your habits and proactively make adjustments.
You can control these devices through an app, or you can use a compatible smart display or speaker with voice commands. Many smart thermostats integrate with home assistants like Apple HomeKit and Google Home.
Some of these thermostats even have the ability to schedule automatic heating and hot water changes when you’re away. These features can be extremely convenient, especially if you’re a long-distance traveler.
2. Smart Lighting
Smart lighting products are great for homeowners who want to improve the look and ambiance of their home. They come in a variety of different styles and are easy to install.
They can be controlled by your smartphone or a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. They’re also a great way to save energy, since they can be set to turn on and off at specific times of the day, reducing the amount of time that lights are left on when you aren’t in the home.
Some of these smart lighting systems incorporate machine learning techniques that will automatically turn on or off a light based on your everyday habits. This can reduce the amount of energy that is used, since it can be difficult to remember to turn off lights when you are not in the home.
3. Smart Locks
Smart locks can be a great way to add a touch of convenience to your home, and they’re also a key feature of many integrated smart home systems. They replace the ageing lock-and-key methods that were once the only way to access a property, and they can even be programmed to automatically unlock when someone enters or leaves the premises.
A key factor to consider when shopping for a smart lock is how secure it is. Generally speaking, you want to go for a model that uses encryption and other security measures to keep your data safe.
You’ll also want to make sure that the lock you choose supports a connection method that lines up with your existing smart home devices. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are common options, with the latter often allowing you to set geofencing to limit the range of your smart lock’s operation to within a predetermined distance.
4. Smart Speakers
If you’re looking for a way to enhance your home entertainment or control activities, smart speakers can be a great option. These devices have the ability to answer your questions, play music, and even set reminders.
Depending on the model, some also offer access to local radio stations and TV controls. Some also allow you to make hands-free phone calls or order take-out or delivery.
These devices have become popular with older adults, as they make it easier to do many tasks in the home without having to use a computer. They can also help you remember things like medication schedules, birthdays and anniversaries.
5. Smart Displays
Smart displays pack all the fundamentals of a smart home device on top of an easy-to-use interactive touchscreen. They can stream music from streaming services, view security camera live feeds, call friends and family, ask for recipe ideas and more.
As with smart speakers, smart display touchscreens support Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands, but they also let you see expanded information that a speaker can’t do, like the weather report on a screen.
The touch functionality is especially useful for cooking tutorials, watching video lyrics onscreen (like with the Echo Show and Amazon Music) or for quickly spotting the time on a clock face. They can also make it easier to control and connect to other smart home devices through a centralized portal.
