It seems like a time before every household has some form of smart home technology. There are all sorts of smart home devices that can be incorporated into the design of one’s property. There is no rule saying that you have to have everything, but there’s a real opportunity here to customize the technology in your home to match your needs and preferences.
Here are ten coolest smart home devices you might bring into your household:
Device #1: Smart Speakers
A smart speaker can come in various designs, from a Bluetooth smart soundbar to Amazon Echo. You have lots to choose from. A smart speaker or voice-enabled speaker is almost a necessity. If you’re integrating smart home devices into your home, a speaker can be activated to play podcasts, music, radio, news programming, and any audio you want to program. Many of these have excellent sound and are what many smart homes are built around.
Device #2: Smart Displays
A smart display is a tablet-like screen that can be used to play videos, display recipes, and offer video assistance in various ways. This syncs up to a smart speaker and hub and will expand your smart home universe to include screens. For the past decade, a lot of smart technology has been built around voice and being screenless. However, a smart display has its benefits with dozens of dynamic uses.
Device #3: Indoor Smart Lighting
Smart lighting is one of the most popular smart home devices requested by homeowners. Smart lighting allows you to dim the lights automatically when a movie comes on, or another instruction is given. Brands like Lutron Caseta allow you to control them remotely, such as if you’re away on vacation. You want the lighting to be on during evenings, and some lighting or smart bulbs are known for changing their colour temperature and offering thousands of colour options.
Device #4: Outdoor Smart Lighting
Outdoor smart lighting receives its category as this type of lighting behaves differently than indoors. A lot of it is automated, such as motion-based security lights. These can be applied outdoors on your property, often in floodlights, pathway lights, spotlights, and step lights. They are for safety, security, and visibility at night and can, of course, be customized just like any other smart home device.
Device #5: Smart Plugs
Smart plugs allow you to control outlets virtually by your smartphone. You can set times and customize the operation of almost anything in your home. If you have hard-to-reach outlets somewhere in your home, plug in a smart plug and have full control over that plug at all times. Smart assistants can also send commands to your smart plug, allowing you to manually turn it on/off by voice.
Device #6: Smart Appliances
Smart appliances are becoming increasingly common as their prices have lowered considerably in the past decade. There are all sorts of smart appliances, including refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, coffee makers, blenders, water dispensers, vacuums, washers, and dryers. All of these can be customized and automated according to your preferences. Endless possibilities exist, from your kitchen to your bedroom.
Device #7: Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat controls climate conditions in the home according to how you like it. These thermostats will record your habits and control the temperature automatically according to what it’s learned. You can also control your thermostat virtually, allowing you to adjust the settings so that it’s just how you like it when you get home. You can also program your thermostat to interact with your lighting and other smart home devices, such as in a home theatre room.
Device #8: Smart Doorbells
Smart doorbells, such as Ring, are also very popular and acclaimed for their ability to detect movement, record images, and act as another source of security at your front door. Smart doorbells vary in functionality and cost. They are highly valuable items, with the ability to provide video evidence to the police if there is a break-in or theft and save money on your homeowners’ insurance.
Device #9: Smart Garage Door Controller
It’s become a lot easier to open and close your garage door. You can do so remotely or automatically through a smart garage door controller. It allows you all the tools you need to control one or more garage doors or gates, allowing you to pull in and out and maximize privacy without reaching for a remote or getting out of your vehicle.
Device #10: Smart Home Security
There is a long list of smart home security technology built around a smart home hub. From window and door sensors to detect unauthorized entry to smart home cameras, technology’s progressed to the point where you can essentially build your security system on the cheap and have it operational through your smartphone. Some cool smart home security devices are available if you have luxury items or high-expense assets requiring additional security.