With smart homes being all the rage, it is easy to get swept up in the trend of modern living without being entirely sure of how all these devices fit into your home (and your life). After all, from smart doorbells to robotic cleaning devices, the options are endless.
But with the limitless possibilities of home automation, comes the daunting task of selecting the ones that work best for your lifestyle. Fortunately, the tech-geeks in us, have compiled a list of the best smart home devices that add value, comfort, and convenience to your day.
Need to know more to get started? Read on below!
What is a smart home?
A smart home is essentially a home that has an integrated home automation system that allows you to control different aspects such as lighting, heating, electronic devices, and appliances remotely through an internet connection. This control and monitoring can be done via a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or PC.
Smart home technology can be as simple or as advanced as you want. And they may range from lightbulbs to virtual assistants. Therefore, selecting the right devices that complement your lifestyle, without complicating it, is key.
What are the benefits of smart home technology?
Like the possibilities, the advantages are endless.
Just some of the incredible benefits of bringing smart technology into your home include:
- Your home becomes safer
Smart technology can actually make your home feel safer and more secure through improved security and better surveillance. Devices such as smart doorbells, door locks, and motion sensor technology allow you to ensure that your home is protected against unwanted visitors even when you are miles away.
So, next time you worry about your pet being alone at home? Don’t!
- You experience greater comfort and convenience
Imagine being cosily tucked in bed, only to remember that you left the kitchen light and instead of having to get up, you can simply switch it off using your phone. Well, that’s just a small taste of the incredible convenience that smart technology offers.
The devices and settings can also be customised to ensure optimal comfort; be it the ideal temperature or light setting. Simply put, smart technology allows your home to work for you.
- You can control your energy consumption
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of smart homes is the amount of energy it saves every single day.
Being able to adjust the temperature settings, switch off the lights, open and close windows, monitor energy demands, and control the settings in different parts of your home, even remotely; enables you to reduce your energy usage, energy wastage, and even your carbon footprint.
- It offers better protection for your devices and appliances
There is no longer any need to worry about leaving your iron switched on.
Devices such as smart plugs help control and regulate the flow of energy to your plugged-in appliances. This means that once the appliance is no longer in use, it is turned off. This allows you to control any device, from lamps to coffee-makers; and everything in between.
- You save money!
While the primary concern for anyone looking to ‘smarten up’ their homes is usually the expense involved, the advantages that smart home technology brings with it far outweigh any expenditure. In fact, it is one of the best ways to save money now, and in the future. How?
Because the control and monitoring of the lighting, heating, and air conditioning, and the consequent reduction in the consumption of energy all translate into reduced utility bills and greater savings.
What are the best smart home devices that are must-haves for your home?
With such a large number of smart devices available on the market today, the search to find the perfect ones is not that difficult; but you have to know how to find the right devices that perfectly align with your needs (and your budget).
To make it easier for you, we have categorised these devices based on function and utility. Let’s start with:
Appliances
Smart home appliances can make your daily life more convenient, efficient, and comfortable. And here are some of the best:
- Smart refrigerators like the Samsung Family Hub, LG’s Instaview ThinQ, and Whirlpool’s Smart French Door Refrigerator can be used to keep track of food inventory, create shopping lists, and even suggest recipes based on what you have on hand. They also have built-in screens that allow you to access the internet, stream music, and watch TV.
- No more burning the house down with smart ovens such as the June oven that can be used to set and adjust cooking times and temperatures remotely using a smartphone app or voice commands. Some may even have built-in cameras that allow you to monitor your food as it cooks; eliminating the risk of ruining the souffle by opening the oven door.
- Smart washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers (Samsung FlexWash, Bosch Smart Front Load Washer, LG QuadWash, Bosch Benchmark) can be used to set and adjust wash cycles remotely. They also have built-in sensors that detect the type and number of clothes/ dishes and adjust the temperature, and water and energy usage accordingly.
- While the Roomba has become the standard for smart vacuums everywhere, others such as Ecovacs Deebot N79S and Shark IQ Robot also offer mapping technology which allows them to navigate your home and remember the cleaning routes. Basically, you can come home to a clean house every single day!
Lighting
Often regarded as the best way to start your smart home journey, smart lighting systems are an excellent way to add convenience, energy-efficiency, and flexibility to your home’s lighting. You can achieve this by using:
- Smart light bulbs such as Philips Hue, LIFX, and Wyze Bulb Colour support app and voice control; meaning you never have to get off the couch to switch on the lights again. They can even be programmed to turn on and off based on your schedule; for instance, when you arrive home from work, or at sunset.
- Smart light switches such as the Lutron Caseta and Ecobee Switch+ allow you to control your existing light fixtures and dimmers via an app or voice commands.
- Smart plugs such as the Amazon Smart Plug are designed to make controlling your devices easier and more convenient.
Entertainment
Definitely the most fun to install and use, smart home entertainment devices make your entertainment experience more immersive and enjoyable. For instance:
- Smart speakers are a great way to listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks, as well as to control other smart home devices via voice commands. They can also be used to set reminders, make phone calls, and ask questions by accessing your favourite virtual assistants. Some of the most popular smart speakers on the market today include: Amazon Echo, Google Nest Audio, Apple HomePod mini, and Sonos One.
- Smart TVs enable you to stream content such as movies and TV shows directly from the internet without the need for a separate device. These too can be controlled via app or through voice commands. Our top picks? Samsung QN90A Neo QLED TV, Sony Bravia XR A90J, Vizio OLED TV, TCL 6-Series, and LG OLED C1 Series; just to name a few.
- Streaming Devices such as Roku Ultra, Amazon Fire TV Cube, and Apple TV can be used to stream content from various online services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
- Gaming consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox provide hours of entertainment with access to a wide range of games, TV shows and movies.
- Smart soundbars are used to enhance the audio quality of your devices. Many also have built-in voice assistants. Examples include the Sonos Beam and Roku Streambar.
- Smart projectors like the Anker Nebula Capsule II provide a larger and better viewing experience than a traditional TV. They may also include speakers and support for 3D content.
Security
When it comes to smart home devices for surveillance and security, there are several options available. Here are our top picks:
- Security cameras (both indoor and outdoor) are a great way to monitor your home and may even act as a deterrent against potential intruders. The cameras come with various features such as motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. Three of the best ones on the market today are the Arlo Pro 4, Nest Cam IQ, and Ring Spotlight Cam.
- Video Doorbells such as the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 and Nest Hello allow you to see who is at your door before you answer it. The two-way audio system also enables you to communicate with visitors even when you are not at home.
- Smart Locks which feature remote locking, keyless entry, auto-locking, and voice control, offer an added level of security for your home and make it easier to control who has access to your property. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and Yale Assure Lock SL are two such examples.
- Motion sensors like the Philips Hue Motion Sensor can detect movement in your home and trigger an alarm or send a notification to your smartphone if any suspicious activity is detected. They can also be used to turn on the lights or other smart devices when you enter a room.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors such as Nest Protect can send alerts to your smartphone if smoke or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected in your home, even if you are not there, giving you added peace of mind.
Utility Management
One of the smartest uses of smart home devices may be in the management of utilities which allows you to be energy-efficient, reduce wastage, and save money. Here are some of the best smart home devices for utility management:
- Nest Learning Thermostat and Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat are just two examples of smart thermostats which can be used to control the heating and cooling of your home; allowing you to set schedules, and adjust the temperature remotely via an app. They can also learn your preferences and adjust the temperature automatically to save energy when you are away from home.
- Smart power strips can be used to monitor and control the energy usage of multiple devices, and also allow you to turn them off via an app or through voice commands. Some may even feature built-in timers and energy-usage trackers. Two of the very best include the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip and the GoSund Smart Power Strip.
- Smart water monitors like the Phyn Plus and Flume can be used to track water usage and detect leaks; preventing water damage and saving you money on water bills.
- Smart lighting systems are used to control the lighting of your home, allowing you to set schedules, and adjust the brightness remotely. They may also be integrated with other smart devices, such as motion sensors, to conserve energy. The Philips Hue lighting system, for example, can even be integrated with a variety of smart home platforms including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
Conclusion
It cannot be denied, our homes are getting smarter.
From the Marvel movies to The Matrix, we have seen futuristic fantasies and possibilities come to life. And while the idea of smart homes may seem intimidating at first, particularly if you are not tech-savvy, it is undeniably worth it. Why? Because the control, efficiency, flexibility, and customization offered are unparalleled. And it’s exciting!
However, if you are new to this, it is best to start slowly and look around for the best devices for your home and lifestyle.
Another important consideration is the compatibility of these devices with each other as well as to your own network. But even this may be a concern of the past as Matter’s new connectivity technology makes it easy to set up, integrate, and operate different devices, no matter who made them.
So, take your time. Assess your needs. Consider the size of your home, and understand your preferences. But take the leap.
Because, whichever way you look at it, it cannot be denied that this is one trend that is here to stay, and jumping on this technology bandwagon may be the smartest decision you will ever make.
Hoping to upsize and upgrade your home, while making it smarter? Contact us at Good Design and Build for the best in innovation, and seamless transitions to a smarter home.
For even more ideas and inspiration, see our recently completed projects, and begin your dream home journey with us today!
