When you think about home automation and the smart home, what comes to mind? Are you picturing big brother? Do you envision the Jetsons? Maybe it’s something else entirely. What really is the smart home? A house that is full of IoT devices to control all aspects of your home from electronics to appliances to heating and cooling systems. It’s a fully automated home with so many features! However, that isn’t exactly how it works.
Smart Virtual Assistants
It’s never been easier to make your home as smart as a new iPhone. There are a number of virtual assistants available, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, that can help you control your home with just a few minutes of setup.
Amazon has a line of products called Alexa that are designed to be used with its voice assistant software. If you already have an Echo device (or any Alexa-enabled device), it’s easy to connect it to your smart bulbs or thermostat so that you can control them with your voice. The best part is that the equipment is relatively inexpensive; you can get an Echo Dot for less than $50!
Google Assistant is another great option for anyone who owns an Android phone or tablet. It comes preinstalled on most recent Android devices and lets users interact with their phones without touching them, just by speaking into the microphone! If you want to use Google Assistant in conjunction with your smart home devices, this will also require buying additional hardware: either an Echo Dot or an Amazon Tap.
What Smart Home Devices Do l Need to Buy?
We live in a world where technology has become an essential part of our everyday lives. However, it is important to understand that the technology we use can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. It is also important to understand that not all smart devices are created equal. Some are great for improving your home security, while others can help you save energy and money or even improve your overall health.
The first thing that you should consider when purchasing a new smart home device is whether or not it will be compatible with your current setup. You need to make sure that any new products are compatible with your current router and other devices before making a purchase. This will ensure that they work properly together without any issues.
Another consideration is whether or not the device will be compatible with your mobile phone or tablet device. If your phone does not support Bluetooth connectivity, then some devices may not work as intended because they require this type of connection for proper operation.
In addition to these considerations, there are many things that can go wrong when installing new items into an existing system such as wiring issues or incompatibility problems between different types of equipment such as televisions versus computers versus smartphones etcetera). These kinds of problems can cause serious damage if not properly checked and fixed before you begin installing any new devices into your system.
Smart Lights
Smart lights are one of the most common smart home devices available. If you’re looking to make your home smarter, smart lights are a great place to start. They allow you to control your lighting remotely, and can even be programmed to turn on or off at certain times.
Many people use their smart lights for convenience purposes: they want their lights to turn on when they enter a room, or they want to be able to control their lights from their phone if they need dimming or brightening in another room. Other people have more specific uses for smart lights. For example, some people with young children have had success using smart lights as an alternative naptime method (by dimming the lights when it’s time for bed). Others have used them as a way to ensure that they don’t forget about taking out the garbage by setting up automatic reminders through their phones!
Our Recommendation
Wyze Bulb: I’ve tried a lot of different brands, and one of my favorites is Wyze Bulb. They’re LED light bulb that are controlled by an app on your phone and uses Bluetooth to connect with your Wi-Fi network. The bulbs cost just $20, which is pretty awesome!
The app lets you set timers, change colors, and even dim them down when you go to bed. You can also sync them with other smart devices like Nest thermostats and Amazon Alexa speakers so they’ll work together—like turning off when the house goes into “away mode” or turning on when someone comes home from work at night.
Philips Hue Lights: One of the best bulbs out there is Philips Hue Lights. This is one of the most popular brands available on the market today because it offers several different options for lighting colors and brightness levels, so you can find the perfect fit for your home or business. The bulbs come with their own remote control unit so that users can adjust how bright or dim they want their lights to be using just one hand (or even their voice). The app is easy to use, and it works well with other devices like Apple Home Kit or Amazon Alexa. Plus, it will last for years!
Indoor Smart Security Camera
A smart security camera is a great place to start when it comes to smart home technology. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, some are designed to look like an air freshener, while others are more like a traditional surveillance camera with a dome-shaped lens. Prices range from about $100-$300 depending on the model and features. Some have night vision capabilities so they can see in the dark; others have two-way audio so you can talk back through the device itself (instead of having to use your phone).
If you want something that will help keep an eye on things when you’re out at work or on vacation, this is a great place to start!
Our Recommendation
Wyze Cam Pan v2: The Wyze Cam Pan v2 is a great indoor camera for smart home security. It has a wide-angle lens that lets you see almost your entire living room or office, and it’s the perfect size to fit on any shelf or table. The camera streams 1080p video at up to 30 frames per second and captures crisp images of your home, so you can see what’s going on when you’re not there.
The Wyze Cam Pan v2 also has motion detection, so it will send you an alert when something moves in its view. You can set up this feature to be triggered by specific motions or activities—for example, if someone walks through the room or if someone opens your front door—so that only important moments get recorded.
The camera also supports two-way audio recording so you can talk to people in the room from anywhere in the world through the Wyze app on your phone or tablet. This feature works even if the person isn’t carrying a phone because there’s an optional mic accessory available for purchase that connects directly into the camera itself (and also takes up less space than other options).
You’ll be able to access all of this data through an intuitive mobile app that makes controlling and viewing your recordings easy. The Wyze app is available for both Android and iOS devices, so you can use it no matter what kind of phone or tablet you have.
Smart Lock
Smart locks are one of the most important smart home devices you can buy. If you’re looking to upgrade your home and make it more secure, there is no better place to start than with a smart lock.
Smart locks are like a keyless entry system for your front door. They allow you to open and close your door with a remote, instead of having to carry around physical keys or digging through your pockets for them every time you want to go inside or leave.
This makes it much easier to get into your house if you lose track of your keys, or if you’re juggling groceries or other items in one hand and trying not to drop them on the way in. You can also set up access codes for guests who need temporary access—for example, if they’re staying over at your house for a night or two.
Plus, smart locks have several other features that make them worth considering:
They let you monitor who comes and goes from your home by letting you see who has opened up the door recently (and when). This is great for people who live alone and want some extra peace of mind that they aren’t being robbed while sleeping!
They can alert you when someone opens or closes the door, so you’ll know if a guest has arrived or left. You can even set timers to limit how long someone can be inside: If your kid comes home late from a party, you can program the lock to automatically shut after 15 minutes of inactivity. you when someone opens or closes the door, so you’ll know if a guest has arrived or left. You can even set timers to limit how long someone can be inside: If your kid comes home late from a party, you can program the lock to automatically shut after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Our Recommendation
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is our top pick for smart locks because of its ability to work with any smart device and its ability to be controlled via voice control through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This means that if you have an Amazon Echo or Google Home device in your home, you can simply ask Alexa or Google Assistant “lock the door” and it will do just that!
Mesh Router
When it comes to smart home devices, you can’t go wrong with a mesh router. This technology allows you to use multiple routers in your home, which means that your Wi-Fi signal reaches every corner of your house and even outside, as well. This is great for people with large houses who want to make sure their entire property is covered by Wi-Fi.
The only downside of using multiple routers is that it takes a bit more memory and processing power than a single router would require—plus the fact that you have to configure each device separately. But if you’re not willing to put up with those inconveniences, a mesh router will give you fast, reliable Wi-Fi everywhere in your home or yard!
Our Recommendation
Google Nest WIFI: This device allows you to control all of your connected devices from one app on your phone or tablet by connecting them all through your Google account. You can also use Google Nest Wifi as a security system if there is motion detected in your home, which makes it an excellent addition to any smart home setup!
For Non-Google Users
The Netgear Orbi: Mesh Router is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, so you can control it with voice commands or through an app on your phone or tablet. The Netgear Orbi: Mesh Router also has parental controls that allow you to set time limits for certain devices as well as filter content coming into your house through the internet connection.
Asus RT- AX86U: The Asus router is a mesh router that is designed to be the center of your smart home. It has six high-speed antennas, which means it can handle a lot of devices at once. It also has four gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port, so you can connect other devices like game consoles and smart TVs to it as well.
It comes with an app that lets you manage all of its settings from your phone, including setting up parental controls and guest networks. The app also lets you see how much bandwidth each device is using at any given time, so if one device is using too much bandwidth, you can limit its speed or shut it off entirely.
Video Doorbell
Video Doorbells are a great way to keep an eye on your property, whether you’re at home or away. They can help you spot suspicious activity and allow you to communicate with visitors before they ring the doorbell or knock.
You’ll want to consider what kind of device would work best for your needs. Some doorbells come with built-in cameras, while others rely on external ones. While some are weatherproof, others need to remain indoors, so make sure that the device you choose is right for where it will be installed.
Our Recommendation
Arlo Video Doorbell: Arlo Video Doorbell is a new product from Netgear that allows you to see who is at your front door without having to get up and look. It can also record video of the person who comes to the door, so that you can see who they were and what they were doing before they left. This makes it easier to identify people who might be suspicious or dangerous.
The Arlo Video Doorbell works with an iPhone or Android phone and uses wireless technology, so there are no cables running through your house. The camera has a battery life of 6 months, which means you don’t have to worry about charging it every day like some other devices.
The camera also features night vision, so it will work well in any lighting situation (including pitch black). You can adjust the settings on this camera so that it only records video when motion is detected, or all the time (if desired). This saves storage space on your phone and makes sure that people won’t have access to footage unless they’re actually at your door.
Smart Display For Alexa
The Smart Display for Alexa is an easy way to bring Alexa into your home. The device is a smart display with a touchscreen that allows you to ask questions and get answers from Amazon’s voice assistant. You can also use it to control compatible smart home devices, play music, or watch video clips on YouTube.
With the Amazon Smart Display, you can access information from multiple sources in one place. It offers hands-free voice control so you don’t have to touch the device every time you want to ask a question or play music.
The device has a built-in speaker and microphone so that you can talk directly to it without having to use an external speakerphone or other accessory. If you do have external speakers connected, however, they will automatically mute when there’s an incoming call on your phone but will resume playing once the call has ended (or if you choose not answer).
The screen measures seven inches diagonally and has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels which gives it a pixel density of 189 ppi (pixels per inch). This should be sufficient for most tasks but might not look as sharp as some higher-end tablets if used primarily for reading ebooks or watching movies . The screen is also not backlit, meaning that you cannot use it in the dark and will need to rely on an external light source for reading.
Our Recommendation
The 2021 Amazon Echo Show 8 smart display for Alexa: The 2021 Amazon Echo Show 8 smart display for Alexa is a great device for anyone who wants to make their home smarter.
It’s easy to set up and use, and it can do all kinds of things, such as play music, read your audiobooks, control your lights and thermostat, tell you the weather, answer questions (like “what’s on my calendar today?”), show you recipes while you cook in the kitchen and much more. Plus it comes with a built-in camera and screen so you can video call someone or use it as a security camera when you’re gone.
The 2021 Amazon Echo Show 8 smart display for Alexa is available now at Amazon.com
Google Nest Hub
Google Nest Hub is a smart home device that can be used to control all the smart devices in your home. It comes with a built-in camera, and it has its own display that allows you to interact with the device and its features.
You can use the Nest Hub to control your smart thermostat, lights, and more from a single location. You’ll be able to check on your home while you’re away from it by using Google Assistant’s video chat feature. You’ll also be able to see notifications or messages when they come in on your phone or tablet.
The Nest Hub comes with a built-in camera so you can use it as a security device for your home as well. If there’s an intruder in your house while you’re away, you can use the Nest Cam application on your phone or tablet to see what’s going on at home without having to leave where you are at the moment.
The Nest Hub has a 10″ touchscreen display with 16 million colors available for viewing images and videos on it as well as text messages from friends who may want to reach out through social media platforms such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp Messenger but don’t want to call up an old friend just because they want something; instead, they’ll message them through their social media app on their phone and then the Nest Hub will display the message for you to read. The Nest Hub max has a 4K camera that can be used to take pictures or record video clips in high definition, perfect for capturing special moments in your life like when you get married, have children, or get new pets.
Samsung SmartThings
Samsung SmartThings is a home automation system that allows you to monitor and control your home from your phone. It’s compatible with multiple devices, including lights, locks, sensors, and more.
You can use SmartThings to turn on the lights when you get close to home, set schedules for lights and appliances, and even receive alerts if something happens in your home. You can also use it to open and close doors remotely—or even unlock them for guests when you’re away from home. You can also set up “scenes” where different actions happen at once (for example, turning off all the lights).
SmartThings works best with other Samsung products like your TV or refrigerator—but it also works with other devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home if those are compatible with SmartThings.
The app is easy to use: just download it onto your phone and connect it to your wireless network (you don’t need an internet connection). From there, you can link all of your devices together into one system! It’s easy enough that anyone in the family can use it—even kids!
Robot Vacuum (Shark Ion R85)
The Shark Ion R85 is a cordless robot vacuum with a powerful battery. It can easily clean up to 1000 square feet of space, and it cleans in a way that makes sure you don’t miss anything.
This is because the Ion R85 has sensors that allow it to map out your room as it cleans, so it won’t miss any spots. The Ion R85 also has a dirt detector that lets it know when it has picked up something dirty or if there’s still something dirty left behind in the room. This means that the Ion R85 will work harder to make sure everything is perfectly clean!
The Ion R85 runs on a lithium-ion battery that’s powerful enough to last for 90 minutes before needing recharging—but even if it does run out of energy in the middle of cleaning, you can still pick up where you left off after charging for 30 minutes. Charging is easy: just plug the charger into any standard outlet, then connect it to your robot vacuum with a USB cord (you’ll get one when you buy this model).
Conclusion
We have shown you everything that we have learned along the way in this smart home journey. The process of automating your home can be overwhelming, but you too can apply the things that we’ve learned to your own homes, regardless of where you are in your home automation adventure.
