A few decades ago, the idea of walking into one’s home and instructing a device to turn on the lights, set the temperature to a comfortable degree and play some tunes seemed fantastical. Fast forward to today and we have that very technology which was previously only depicted in movies about the future. All these items bring about a greater sense of convenience to our lives. Check out our top five gadgets for smart homes!
Smart Thermostat: Amazon Smart Thermostat
You don’t have to break the bank with this smart thermostat. But you will need a compatible Alexa-enabled smart speaker, like an Echo, to use the voice commands. Alexa does the programming for you, automatically adjusting the temperature to suit the user’s preferences. Its design is simple and modern, and the touchscreen interface is efficient. This little gadget will end up saving households an average of $50 on their yearly energy bill. In addition, some utility companies offer a rebate, that covers the cost of the device, with proof of purchase.
Indoor Security Camera: Ring Indoor Cam (Gen 2)
The indoor security cam market has gotten cluttered over the years, but Ring (one of the original companies in the space) still remains the best. It is an excellent camera for monitoring your home or office, providing 1080p resolution—and while it may not be the highest resolution available, it is sufficient for most individuals, ensuring clear footage of activities in your view. For audio, you not only can listen to what is happening but also communicate from the other side, enabling you to interact with delivery personnel and visitors.
Smart Lights: Philips Hue Color Ambience
The Philips Hue is a great choice for those looking to build up their smart home experience with their exceptional smart light bulbs. The installation process is straightforward – a mere replacement of your current bulbs with the intelligent Hue bulbs. These bulbs are also highly responsive, offering a wide range of color options and effects to cater to your preferences. Note that these are among the most expensive smart bulbs out there, but they are worth every cent.
Smart Lock: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
With a smart lock, you no longer have to worry about forgetting your keys or creating spare keys for other users. Our favorite is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. First off, it’s very easy to install and can be set up within 10 minutes. Since this device won’t replace the actual lock mechanism itself, you can still use your original, physical key. The lock itself connects to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and from the August app, you can assign, and revoke timed virtual keys to anyone you like, from your in-laws to your dog sitter!
Video Doorbell: Arlo Essential Video Doorbell
Slim, stylish, and more affordable than competitors, Arlo takes first place when it comes to the best video doorbell. But it’s more than just aesthetics—the design offers a 180-degree field of view in 1:1 ratio and high quality, detailed footage so that users can see the entire length of a visiting neighbor at the door or the Uber Eats delivery on the ground. Thanks to the Arlo Foresight functionality, the security camera captures video prior to every motion-triggered video recording so you don’t miss a beat. With the subscription plan, users can receive notifications directly to their mobile, so they can react quickly.