What makes a smart home? The more automation you have, the smarter your home can be. Here are some great gadgets to aid in this venture.
When you walk into your home, do your lights come on, and your thermostat automatically change to your preferred settings? When you leave, does the opposite happen? This might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but we have the technology to make this happen right now.
Here are ten gadgets that you need to have a smart home.
The Command Center
Most smart home functions are operated through one of the smart speaker systems available to you. This means an Amazon Echo, Google Nest, or Apple HomePod is required to get things started. These speakers are virtual assistants, helping you command the connected functions of your home through voice control.
The Comfort Zone
It might not be on the list of gadgets for most smart home functions, but a smart thermostat will ensure you have the comfort and temperature desired when you’re at home. This device can also be programmed to change the temperature to save money on your energy bill when you’re away from home and at work. Choose a Nest Learning Thermostat or an Ecobee SmartThermostat to learn your schedule and preferences.
The Right Mood Lighting
Forget the days of flipping switches and install smart lighting systems in your home to have the lights on and off and dimmed to your preferences. Systems like Philips Hue and LIX are great choices when you want to control your lights using the command center, which allows light controls through voice commands.
Security the Smart Way
A smart security system is one of the most important gadgets for your smart home. A system can give you the security and peace of mind you want anytime day or night. Choose a system like Ring, Arlo, or Nest and enjoy the combination of cameras, sensors, and motion devices that will help keep your home safe and secure from potential intruders.
Easy, Convenient Entry and Exit
Instead of making several keys for family members, adding smart locks to your home will help you enjoy the security and access desired. You can lock and unlock your doors remotely, grant access to guests, and integrate your locks into your security system to enjoy the added convenience of this feature. A smart lock from August or Schlage will give you the remote access you desire to use your smartphone to lock and unlock the door.
Who’s at Your Door?
Most smart security systems also have smart doorbells, but if yours doesn’t, this is one of the many gadgets you need to create a smart home. Most of these smart devices come with video and voice systems to allow you to see and talk to anyone that comes to your door. You don’t have to answer the door for the solicitors you don’t want to engage with, and you’ll know if someone is doing something they shouldn’t on your front porch.
Give it Smart Power
Some devices in your home don’t have smart features and you might not want to change that. To make these items smarter, install smart plugs in your home, like those rom TP-Link and Wemo, which allow you to control when the device receives power via your smartphone or commence center. The voice commands and these smart plugs could be perfect in your home.
Let Your Refrigerator Help You
You might not classify a smart refrigerator as a gadget, but it’s important to have one to create a smart home. Models from Samsung and LG bring a new level of intelligence to your kitchen and food storage. These refrigerators can itemize the contents, create shopping lists, and even suggest recipes based on what’s inside them.
Automate Your Vacuuming
A smart vacuum like the iRobot Roomba and the Roborock can handle your cleaning needs. Thes automatic vacuum cleaners navigate your home and clean up everything in their paths with ease. This takes away the challenge of scheduling time to do this yourself. Let your smart vacuum handle the cleaning duties while you’re at work and then you can relax when you get home.
The Brains of Your Operation
A smart home hub is the central control point for all of your smart devices. This is one of the most important gadgets when you want to create a smart home. This device allows you to automate routines, control multiple devices simultaneously, and ensure everything works together. This is a necessity if you want to have the smartest home on your block.
