What if all devices around you connect to the internet? What if you could control, send information, or even can take your order? These are possible through the Internet of Things (IoT), and this makes the smart home.
From the name itself, home automation is controlling everything with convenience and automation. Everything is possibly controlled by pushing a button or doing a voice command. Some home automation devices are inexpensive. But some cost a lot, like those advanced surveillance cameras.
Many smart home products are widely available– from lighting to security. We listed here some of the best products we tried for each room of the house.
Smart Outdoor Gadgets
1.Polaris 9650iQ
It offers an excellent cleaning performance and easy-to-clean debris canister. Plus, it has lots of multiple programming selections. With the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile apps for controlling the cleaner from your smartphone, $1,499 cost won’t come into waste.
2. Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
This latest model offers you control in more than eight or 16 zones depending on the unit you get with a master valve terminal. It won’t water the yard despite the rain and you can turn it on/off remotely through your smartphone.
3. Husqvarna Automower 315X
This is a high-quality and feature-packed model with a $1999.95 cost. Through a well-developed mobile app, your phone can start and stop the mower, observe its progress, and make schedules. And you will know where it is located in your property.
4. Worx Landroid M 20V Cordless Robotic Lawn Mower (WR140)
With a cost of $999.99, it does a great job of mowing and trimming your yard. You can control it through a slick mobile app with GPS and Wi-Fi radios. You can also observe the mower’s progress. In addition, it will send you status alerts about its work and issues like someone will try to get it from your property.
Smart Home Hubs and Controllers
1. Amazon Echo Family
The Echo is a Bluetooth speaker that can function through Alexa. Alexa is Amazon’s handy voice assistant. It also works with If This Then That (IFTTT) with the recipes that you can produce on your own. A combination of your preferred speaker, Echo Dot, and the function of Alexa will be great.
2. Wink Hub 2
Wink Hub 2 is compatible with Z-Wave, Zigbee, Lutron Clear Connect, Kidde, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The smart home spectrum like Philips Hue lighting, Netgear Arlo camera, and Google Home are also covered.
3. Brilliant Control
With the use of Wi-Fi, Brilliant Control can connect lots of smart devices in your home. It is a unique wall switch. It contains a 5-inch colored touch screen. It has easy to manage button controls wherein you can play kinds of music, control lighting, and set thermostat temperatures. Moreover, you will know who’s outside your home. It works with Ecobee, Nest, Philips Hue, Ring, and Sonos.
4. Logitech Harmony Elite
It is an old fashioned way of controlling things by pushing buttons rather than using your voice. This remote has many uses as it can control other appliances more than a TV and stereo. It works with the Harmony Home Hub, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, or infrared devices in your home.
5. ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2
ConnectSense Outlet 2 is a perfect selection if you want to add coffee makers, lamps, and TVs to your home appliances. It is controllable using a mobile app. What’s more is that it also functions using Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands. It works through HomeKit Scenes and Automations. Moreover, it also monitors the energy consumed.
6. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300
This device can work with a mobile phone. using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana voice commands. Like the other Kasa devices, it utilizes the same app and supports IFTTT applets to connect with third-party devices. Energy consumed can easily be monitored too.
Smart Home Surveillance Cameras
1. Arlo Ultra
Arlo Ultra is a top product for outdoor security cameras. It is also the first model that streams and tapes video in a form of 4K or Ultra High Definition (UHD). This is one of the most highly-priced cameras as it costs $400. It has motion tracking, an integrated spotlight, and siren, automatic zooming. Plus, it has a 180-degree field of view, one-click 911 connectivity, etc. It is conveniently wireless too.
2. Wyze Cam Pan
Wyze Labs existed for about less than two years already with two product offerings: The Wyze Cam and Wyze Cam V2. It received two Editor’s Choice awards. With an affordable price of $29.99, it offers excellent features. It has time-lapse recording, free cloud storage, motion, and sound detection. Plus with the addition of a mechanical pan and tilt and support for IFTTT applets.
3. Ring Video Doorbell Pro
This versatile video doorbell is easy to install. It displays a slender design with identical faceplates and provides a sharp 1080p video within 24 hours. It uses a pre-buffering technology to let you see what occurs earlier to a motion trigger. Through Alexa voice commands, you can also watch a live video on the Amazon Echo Show device.
Smart Locks and Home Security Systems
1. August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect uses August’s DoorSense technology. It can connect to Wi-Fi and is compatible with Z-Wave too. This is so simple to install. Plus it is remote- controlled. You can also opt for Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri’s voice commands.
2. ADT Pulse
In terms of a mature provider for smart home security, ADT is a great option. Despite being highly-priced than a DIY system, it has a lot of functions that the DIY system doesn’t have. For example, its continuous monitoring and customer support.
3. SimpliSafe Home Security System
This is an essential self-monitored DIY security system, skillfully installed, and monitored solution. This system is easy to install and your home is totally secured against trespassing and environmental danger. You can track all through a remote regardless of the type of plan.
Smart Heating And Cooling
1. Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control
This is the company’s latest model in a fifth-generation that provides more features than Ecobee4. It provides an improved Alexa, multimedia support, dual-band Wi-Fi, and more powerful audio. This model is convenient to use and contains much third-party support. Plus the installation is so simple.
2. Nest Learning Thermostat
Nest Learning Thermostat contains Wi-Fi that lets you control the temperature from phone, tablet, or PC. It has a bigger display and more sensors than the former system.
3. GE Energy Star 115-Volt Electronic Room Air Conditioner (AHC08LY)
It is an 8,000-BTU Wi-Fi-enabled window unit that is controllable using phone or voice commands. It is supported by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands. Apple HomeKit and IFTTT applets are compatible with this model. Your phone’s location services are necessary to cool down rooms in your home.
Smart Lighting
1.Philips Hue Family
Aside from the intensity of the lights, you can also control the color of this bulb. If you want an amazing granular control over an all-white bulb, Philips contains the Hue White with a budget-friendly price for smart bulbs. They also have bulbs that are usable outside your home.
2. Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED Multicolor
It costs $24.99 that can be set up in any standard E26 socket and can be connected to your home without the help from a hub. It offers 16 million colors. This mobile app is manageable. You can produce lighting schedules and scenes, and you will know how much power is consumed.
3. Ecobee Switch+
The Amazon Alexa in a light switch with $99 Ecobee Switch+ is produced by Ecobee. Trivia, they are the first company that made it. It can tell the latest news, weather, all about sports and play music. Also, it can control some smart home devices like the Amazon Echo’s ability.
Smart Kitchen Appliances
1. Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Wi-Fi
This is a great selection if you want the food that is closed in plastic to be dipped in a hot bath for excellent cooking. Connect it to Wi-Fi then you can already control your home even if you’re not around. You can set the temperature to your preference. The set and current water temperatures are visible. Plus, it notifies the cooking process.
2. Traeger Ironwood 650
With a cost of $1200, Traeger Ironwood 650 is great for barbecuing, roasting, and smoking. This is easy to use, inexpensive and brings you excellent foods.
3. Perfect Bake Pro
This baking scale is connected to an app to help bakers meet an appropriate measurement. And follow the app about the ingredients that need to be added.
4. The Hidden Microwave / Grill Combo
It costs $59.99 like the other small 700-watt microwave. You can use Alexa’s voice commands in cooking rather than direct app control. A separate Echo device is needed to use the voice functionality. Inside the device you will see a fully functioning grill, which is insane.
Smart Vacuums
1. Ecovacs Deebot N79S
Ecovacs Deebot N79S has long battery life and manual steering. It also supports app control and Amazon Alexa. It has an affordable price of $229.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
This is currently the most advanced model. It’s the only vacuum that can clear its own dustbin. Your $949.99 is worth it because you don’t have to struggle in cleaning with your bare hands.
3. iRobot Braava Jet 240
This is small and doesn’t have a noisy quality. It is excellent for those who live in a small spacious area like apartments and busy enough to clean it on their own. Like a Swiffer, it can do damp sweeping and discharge some water to clean deep.
4. Dyson V11 Torque Drive
It identifies the surface that needs to be clean. It also changes the motor speed between carpets and hard floors for a correct blend of power and battery life. The remaining battery life, current power mode, a reminder in cleaning the filter, and how your empty blockages are shown on the LCD. It also traps the air as you clean.
Smart Health And Fitness Devices
1. Nanit Plus
It carries new and valuable features. It has breathing monitoring aside from the sleep tracking that is presented originally with a price of $299.
2. QardioBase 2
QardioBase 2 can track fat, pregnancy, muscle mass, water, BMI, and bone composition. The info it gets can be shared with a smartphone app for you to access it without difficulty.
3. Modern Smart Massaging Beds
It incorporates biometric sensors for you to have a comfortable, effective, and better sleep. With the help of your smartphone, you can see your sleep trends, health metrics, and you will get an insight into better sleeping.