It is the time to transform your house into something more innovative and technology-based. One option that you may consider to make it happen is by adding smart home systems you can control anywhere.
Investing in a smart home can be challenging because there are numerous brands on the market that charge exorbitant prices for their products. However, with a little effort, you can have a fully functional Smart Home at an affordable price. Smart Home technology has become more sophisticated at a much lower cost over the past years. Thus, you can purchase cheaper of these products that perform beyond excellence.
Generally, the best time to look is during a sale. For a fresh start, consider Amazon for Smart Home Goods because they have some low-cost off-brand products. They also tend to be of good quality and, more often than not, are reskins of other well-done products.
Security Cameras
First on the list are the security cameras. It is always a priority for most to ensure safety inside the smart home. The common security cameras in the market suited for your smart home are the following.
Blink Outdoor
Blink offers high-quality smart home security at a reasonable price. On a budget, this camera performs admirably outdoors and is highly weather-resistant (IP65 Weather resistant). The battery life of two AA lithium batteries typically lasts two years. However, it varies depending on the camera’s activity or motion detection.
It has two-way audio, which helps monitor intruders and views your camera on the Fire TV Stick or smartphone. It does come at an additional cost, which is the Blink Subscription Plan for storing videos in the cloud. Meanwhile, keeping the footage locally on the device is free.
As for the connectivity, Blink Outdoor supports WiFi connection. The price starts at $119.99, which includes two cameras.
Ring Indoor Cam Full HD 1080p
Ring is trendy for its Doorbell. No wonder it has expanded into other hardware with equally high quality. There are two versions: one that is plug-in and one that is battery-powered. It also comes in two colors: black and white. Both are the same price, so you only need to worry about the aesthetics of your home!
If you want to have recorded footage that you can share and review on a regular basis, you’ll need the Ring Protect subscription plan. It costs an additional fee, but everything is stored on the cloud, which is extremely easy to obtain.
As for connectivity, Ring supports a WiFi connection. It is affordable at $59.99.
Arlo Pro 2 Security Camera System
Your home will be safe with the Arlo Pro two-camera security system. The best security system includes two cameras, rechargeable batteries, a power adapter and cable, a wall mount, and a base station.
The Arlo Pro cameras are waterproof and can operate in temperatures as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit. It ensures durability for both indoor and outdoor use. The Arlo Pro is a wireless security camera that captures video in 1080p HD with powerful motion detection to ensure no moment is missed. Smart sirens can be activated remotely or when the security system detects motion or sound.
Smart Lights
It is time to shed light on smart lights for your smart home. Here are the affordable smart lights that vary according to your taste.
Xiaomi Mi LED Bulb
The Mi LED WiFi Smart Bulb is not as curvy as its competitors but provides better results than some of its rivals. It has an odd pear-shaped design and a majority-coated finish that seemingly does not let the light outgrow it. But it is not. This bulb is extraordinarily bright and long-lasting.
The Mi LED WiFi Bulb is extremely heavy. So, if you want one but need an adapter (for B22 to E27), don’t skimp out at the risk of the bulb becoming loose and falling. Surprisingly, this bulb does not require a separate hub or bridge. It is entirely WiFi and Bluetooth-based. It means you connect to it via your phone to set it up. Simply plug in the bulb, download the app, and connect to it with a new Mi Account.
As for the connectivity, Mi LED WiFi Smart Bulb supports Bluetooth and WiFi connection. It is affordable at $18.99.
Sengled WiFi LED Light Bulb
Sengled offers high-quality products at a reasonable price. Because most Sengled bulbs operate on a Zigbee network, a hub is required. Fortunately, you can use the Amazon Echo (4th Generation and up) and the Samsung SmartThings hub, which is also Alexa and Google Assistant compatible.
It’s worth noting that the Sengled bulbs do not relay one another. Thus, you will not be able to extend the signal beyond the reach of your bulbs. There are various Sengled Bulb options. This option allows you to connect to your router rather than a hub, which varies depending on the model you purchase.
While the color depth of the Sengled Bulbs is not as good as that of the Philips Hue bulbs, it is perfect for their price range. The Sengled App is exceptionally sleek, but it is not without flaws. You may encounter issues with interactivity delay, such as pressing a button and experiencing significant lag when loading another area of the app. However, the response time between the app and the bulb was extremely fast.
The Sengled bulbs start at £10 in the UK, and a pack of four costs $24 in the US.
Smart Hub/ Voice Assistants
You may consider these products if you seek assistance from technology inside your smart home.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation)
One of the best budget-friendly voice assistants is the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation). This fantastic smart home system offers full Zigbee compatibility and excellent sound quality. It also has features from previous Echo generations and a sleek design for less than $100/£100.
This is the first of its new designs and may appear odd or out of place. It’s very aesthetic and pleasant to the touch. The buttons are responsive, too.
You will need a 3.5mm audio cable to use your voice assistant with another speaker. Fortunately, the quality of the speakers makes the use of speakers unnecessary. Because this is an Amazon product, it will most likely be cheaper or come with better bundles during the Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday sales.
Aqara Hub M2
Aqara is a voice assistant that has excelled through its quality performance. It provides excellent Smart Switches, Motion Sensors, Cameras, and their M2 Hub. Aqara’s products are compatible with the Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Homekit ecosystems. Thus, it is effortless to plug and use.
As for connectivity, Aqara Hub supports WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Zigbee connections. It is affordable at $59.99.
Transform with Smart Home Systems
These are just a few of the latest smart home systems that you may incorporate into your smart home. They are undoubtedly affordable, easy to use, and high quality. It is the perfect moment to transform your living into something innovative through the smart home system!