A growing number of people are jumping on the smart home bandwagon, and for a good reason. Smart devices make it easier for you to run your home while saving time and money.
But as the market for smart home technology grows by the day, there is now a broader selection of devices than ever before. To cut your research time down, here are some essential smart home products you need to outfit your home.
1. Smart Speaker
When building a smart home, you will first need a brain that you can get in the form of a smart speaker. Smart speakers come with voice assistant support that can help you control your other smart home products, from your light bulb to your favorite coffee machine. They’re pretty straightforward to set up and are one of the easiest ways to bring smart home technology into your living space.
These nifty gadgets do much more than managing your smart home devices, though. You can use them for setting alarms and reminders, playing music or audiobooks, and asking questions quickly without having to scroll through Google.
Smart speakers help you get through your day, too. Simply sync your speaker with your calendar and ask your digital assistant what your schedule looks like. It’s important to note, though, that since they’re primarily intended for home use, many of them aren’t portable and may need a power outlet.
2. Smart Lights
Another important smart home product you should have on hand is smart lighting. The best smart light bulbs deliver the perfect illumination and easily pair with your existing smart home system.
After connecting them to your network, you can start controlling them with just your voice, saving you the trouble of getting up from your couch. Most smart bulbs also come with companion apps, so even if you haven’t bought a smart speaker yet, you can still control them remotely.
3. Smart Plug
Enjoying the convenience of a smart home doesn’t mean you have to break the bank by buying expensive smart home products. A low-cost smart plug will do the trick. Smart plugs are basically plug-in outlets or power strips that come with mobile apps and can be connected to your home network.
They do a decent job of transforming your existing devices like lights or fans from mindless to smart. Simply set up your smart outlet, plug in your “dumb” device of choice, and you can start controlling it straight from your smartphone.
You can set up schedules for the devices to turn on and off at certain times, as well as monitor how much energy they consume. Plus, the best smart plugs are compatible with popular voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, so you don’t have to reach for your phone all the time.
4. Smart Thermostat
When it comes to how we heat and cool our homes, smart thermostats are changing the game. Since these smart home devices are app-enabled, you can control them from any location with Wi-Fi or cellular service.
That way, you can stay on top of your heating system whether you’re at work, on vacation, or just hanging out at home. You can also control many models with your voice through Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa.
In certain smart thermostats, occupancy sensors are used to monitor the activities in your house. This data is then used to automatically regulate your HVAC system based on what times you’re usually home and how cold you prefer the room to be. These smart devices can also notify you about issues, connect with your other smart home products, and show you how much energy your HVAC system consumes over time.
5. Smart TV
Regular TVs, which use an HDTV antenna or cable to display content, are going the way of the dodo. In today’s interconnected world, people demand something more high-tech. This is where smart TVs come into play.
Unlike old-fashioned TVs, modern TVs can connect to the internet and support a wide range of apps, much like your regular smartphone. This gives you access to a whole new world of entertainment. You can now watch Netflix and YouTube videos, play games, and check social media right from your TV.
Plenty of models now include voice control capabilities, as well. This means you can connect your smart TV to your smart speaker and use your voice to switch channels or search for programs.
6. Smart Security Camera
There is no doubt that security cameras are a worthwhile investment. But if you want to bring your home security into the 21st century, get a smart security camera.
Using your home Wi-Fi connection, smart cameras send live and recorded footage to your smartphone or cloud storage. You can then keep tabs on what’s going on in your house in real-time. Some models also send you alerts to notify you of any activity in the home.
But beyond image capture and video recording, these smart home devices also offer extra features to help you get the most out of your surveillance system. Among these features are face tagging, geofencing, and two-way communication.
7. Smart Video Doorbell
A simple way to deal with porch pirates, unwanted guests, and even annoying salespeople is by installing a video doorbell, a homeowner’s first line of defense.
Fitted with a camera, microphone, and Wi-Fi connectivity, this smart device sends a live video stream from the front door to your phone’s doorbell app. This lets you see and talk to the person at your doorstep. The video doorbell also records and saves footage of guests who arrive while you’re away.
Just like smart security cameras, this smart home product offers a range of other features, including facial recognition, cloud video storage, and motion detection.
8. Smart Smoke Detector
Having a smoke detector that sounds the alarm to alert you of a house fire is a good idea. But installing a smoke alarm that warns you of fire wherever you are is even better. Enter the smart smoke detector, which offers distinct benefits over its traditional counterpart.
Smart smoke detectors give your home an added layer of protection by sending a signal to the cloud. So whether you’re at home or away, your smartphone can receive alerts about a fire.
The best part about this smart home technology is that it can be seamlessly integrated with your existing smart home devices. For instance, if you’re at home when a fire does break out, your smart smoke detector pairs with your smart lighting system to safely guide you to your escape route.
Upgrade Your Home With Essential Smart Home Products
If you’re thinking of converting your home into a smart house but aren’t sure what to invest in first, these essential smart home products can jumpstart your home renovation.
They add comfort and convenience to your living space and streamline your daily routine, so you can better enjoy life’s little pleasures.
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About The Author
Marinel Sigue (29 Articles Published)
Marinel is an Electronics Engineer whose first love is writing. She has been freelance writing since 2018 and has worked closely with GineersNow, an online magazine for the engineering community. She is obsessed with anything pink and wastes her free time finding new home tech to buy or meditating with her crystals.
