Smart Home Essentials: 8 Things You Need to Finally Make Your House ‘Smart’
Credit: JabilEven if you own an Amazon Echo or a HomePod, there's a good chance that you don't use your speaker to control smart home devices. A recently published study revealed that only around 6 percent of people with smart home speakers do. That's shocking considering all of the great ways smart home devices can bring convenience and peace of mind to your life.
A smart home might still seem like an unnecessary luxury to some, while others may just find starting a smart home really intimidating. But if you want to create a smart home but don't know where to start, we're here to help. We've curated a list of some of the best smart home products on the market in several categories. You can find everything you need on the following pages.
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8 Smart Speaker / Hub
When it comes to setting up a smart home, a smart speaker with a digital assistant is essential: It's the brain of your smart home. You have a couple options here, and for most people, it’s a decision between Amazon Echo and Google Home.
Based on compatibility and capabilities, we can give the edge to Alexa. Amazon's flagship Echo speaker ($99.99) is an excellent choice, though you can always make do with a cheaper Echo Dot ($49.99). Even better yet, you can order them together for a $20 discount.
If you’re an Apple aficionado, you might opt for HomePod ($349). It’s quite a bit more expensive and Siri isn’t as polished as Alexa, but it’s a solid choice and has excellent sound quality.
Continue reading on the next page to learn all about the second most important smart home item: the smart plug.
7 Smart Plugs
One of the best purchases you can make when setting up a home automation system is a smart plug.
A smart plug is a great way to make your existing electronics — nearly anything you can plug into a wall outlet — a bit smarter. You can automate standing fans, lights and other devices pretty easily and control them with voice commands.
TP-Link’s Smart Wi-Fi Plug ($19.99) is highly rated. Its corresponding Kasa app is wonderful, and its also incredibly affordable. And it’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
If you’re building a smart home around Siri and HomeKit, the iDevices Switch ($29.35) is a great choice.
6 Smart Lightbulbs
Smart light bulbs are one of those things that you never know you needed. But once you get some, other lightbulbs just seem pretty dumb by comparison.
In addition to voice command and remote control via smartphone app, most smart bulbs also feature color-changing capabilities with a wide range of options, perfect for dance parties or general mood lighting.
TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Wi-Fi bulbs ($33.97) are one of the best ways to dip your toe in the water of intelligent lighting. It’s compatible with Google and Amazon ecosystems.
Philips is another well-known vendor in smart lighting. Its Hue White and Color Ambiance ($48.47) bulb is excellent and works with all three smart home ecosystems.
5 Smart Locks
Security is important, and home automation products are one way to give you some extra peace of mind in that area.
Smart locks are great because you can control and monitor your door remotely via smartphone. Some smart locks can even track who comes and goes, and automatically unlock as you approach.
August is undoubtedly the top-dog in smart lock systems. The August Smart Lock Pro, 3rd Generation ($249) is highly rated and is a cinch to install.
Better yet, August’s devices work with Alexa, Google Home, Siri and HomeKit, and Nest. No compatibility issues here.
4 Smart Thermostats
For many home automation newcomers, a smart thermostat is a logical first step. Being able to schedule and set the temperature via voice or smartphone is incredibly convenient.
When it comes to this category, you can’t go wrong with a standard Nest thermostat ($214.99) is one of the better-known names in home automation, and for good reason.
Nest, however, isn’t currently compatible with Siri and HomeKit. But the ecobee 3 thermostat ($219.47) is a great alternative that does work with Apple's ecosystem.
3 Smart Cameras
Sometimes, the best way to know your home is safe is to see it with your own eyes.
That is where a good home security camera, that's compatible with your smart home system, comes in.
The Blink Home Security Camera ($99) is a good indoor option, while the Arlo Pro system ($187.99) is a great outdoor camera with night vision.
The Logitech Circle 2 ($179.98) is an indoor/outdoor HomeKit alternative.
You might also consider a smart doorbell with a built-in camera. The Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell ($99.99) is a highly rated option that will alert you when people are at your door and lets you see them on your smartphone.
2 Smart Safety Detectors
Securing your front door is one thing, but there are plenty of threats that can occur inside your home.
That’s why it’s a good idea to make these safety-related devices a part of your home automation system.
Nest Protect ($119) is a highly rated product that detects smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas leaks.
HomeKit/HomePod users will need to go for the First Alert Onelink ($119.99).
Flooding is also another home nightmare. The Fibaro Z-Wave Flood Sensor ($32.95) is an affordable choice and it works across various smart home ecosystems — HomeKit included.
1 More Options
While the aforementioned devices are a great way to kickoff your home automation journey, you can always add new gadgets with new capabilities to your smart home arsenal. Here are just a few of our picks for extra home automation gear.
- If you want to be able to control your standard TV and entertainment setup with voice commands, the Fire TV Cube ($119.99) is currently your best option. It's a set-top box with Amazon Alexa built in, but it also sports IR blasters to control your cable box, soundbars, and other non-smart TV peripherals.
- This Kenmore smart refrigerator is compatible with Amazon Alexa and will start cranking out ice for parties at your command, or alert you the fridge door was left open, and much more.
- When it comes to smart lighting, you can go a lot further than simply adding smart bulbs. For smart control of built-in lighting and overhead fans, you can't go wrong with the Lutron Caseta Smart Switch ($54.95).
- Smart shades may be a luxury, but if you want to build out a true smart home, they're definitely a convenient and impressive option. Lutron makes some of the best on the market, and you can pick up itsSerena Remote Controlled Shades (price varies)at Home Depot.
- A smart garage opener is also a great home automation choice. The Chamberlain MyQ ($79.99) allows you to control your garage door via smartphone. Although to make it HomeKit compatible for use with Siri, you'll need an additional MyQ Home Bridge.