The idea of owning a “smart home” in today’s society is practically accessible to everyone, even though you might have never thought this day would actually come. Home technology is ever evolving, and while the idea of a smart home has been around for a while, for those who haven’t invested the time or money into these tech gadgets may find the time to do so is now.
We’ve broken down a few of the main smart devices that you can implement into your home, if you’re feeling ever so adventurous:
Home Assistants
The Amazon Echo and Google Home are the top two contenders to consider if you are looking to add a home assistant to your space. These two devices function as a personal assistant, speaker, and smart home controller. You can play music, games, ask the assistant questions such as what the weather will be today or when your next Amazon order will be arriving. Both devices work seamlessly with other smart home products mentioned below. While the Google Home is normally $129, the Amazon Echo Dot will only cost you a mere $50.
Smart Bulbs
Edison might be rolling in his grave knowing what a simple light bulb can do today. There are a myriad of smart bulb choices out there, from white-light to colored, and smart security lighting. Smart bulbs will fit into traditional lamp fixtures and can be controlled using your phone or by voice via the aforementioned home assistant. This allows you to control the lights even if you aren’t home (don’t you just hate forgetting if you turned the lights off?) or if you’re just too lazy to get up off the couch. You can even program them to go on and off, working around your schedule. Color changing bulbs are fun for parties or just to set a relaxing mood. Philips, LIFX, and Belkin are some of the more popular brands to choose from.
Surveillance Cameras
While surveillance cameras are not made to make your home more secure, they do help monitor what is happening in your home. If you have kids or pets at home that you want to check in with regularly or just want some piece of mind, these cameras will do the trick. Lots of surveillance cameras allow you to interact with your home via two-way audio streams o ar by video recording. These cameras can also alert you by sensing motion that otherwise shouldn’t be there, which may signal a home intruder. Make sure everyone in the home is on board with a surveillance camera before buying. Nest, Canary, and Belkin all offer great choices. The Petcube is great to check in on your pets and play with them when you’re away!
Heating and Cooling
Traditional thermostats may be a thing of the past. Heating and cooling can account for up to half of your home’s energy costs, and a smart thermostat can help you greatly reduce your energy bill. They have the ability to work with your schedule to heat your home when you’re there, and know to turn down when you’re gone. You can easily check and change the temperature from anywhere by accessing the thermostats app on your phone. You can also receive a monthly report on your energy usage and analyze the data to become more energy efficient. Nest, Honeywell, and Ecobee are all good options to consider if adding a smart thermostat to your home.
Cleaning
If you just despise cleaning, robotic vacuums and mops might be the next item you should put on your Christmas wish list. The iRobot Roomba has been on the market for a very long time, but technology is making these devices better every year. Other brands such as Neato and Dyson have emerged onto the market. Simply press a button, or schedule the vacuum to clean when you’re gone, and your home will be spotless! These vacuums have sensors to know not to travel down stairs or to avoid your nice furniture. Robotic mops are much newer to the scene, and have the ability to wet mop, damp sweep or dry sweep your floors.
Furniture
Some of our furniture vendors are even jumping on the smart home bandwagon. Some of the pieces from Smart Stuff Furniture feature surprise elements to keep your family safe and connected. From bed frames with built-in reading lights to nightstands with night lights and charging stations, the options and styles are endless. You don’t have to sacrifice design for function in these great pieces.
Smart home gadgets give you the possibility to live more connected and make our lives more convenient, you just have to be willing to invest a little money to get there. Does anyone already own a smart home device? What has your experience been like? Share with us below!