Bosch Smart Home Devices Now Work with HomeKit: Suggestions and Alternatives
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Appliance maker and smart home brand Bosch recently announced that the company is bringing HomeKit compatibility to many of their smart devices. That means you’ll be able to control those devices on Apple’s Home app and set scenes and automation without needing to download a separate app.
Now that Bosch is on the list, you may be wondering just what kind of smart devices support HomeKit, and if any of them are worth getting. That’s why we took a look at Bosch’s options and chose several of our favorite devices.
Note: Bosch is focused on European regions, but the company also offers compatibility in the United States, so don’t let that stop you if you live in the U.S. The obvious exception is something like their smart plug, which isn’t made for U.S. electrical outlets, while most other devices are wired directly. Just make sure to ask an electrician if you’ll need a converter when arranging the installation.
Door and Window Contact Sensors
We always like to see compatibility with security sensors like these, which are designed to work behind the scenes at the access points around your home. They can send you alerts and sound sirens if they detect that a door or window is open, and this Bosch package includes two separate contacts that can be installed as a pair onto a variety of doors or windows as needed.
If you’re already a Bosch fan, you may be pleased to note that these sensors can also work with the smart radiator thermostat to turn the thermostat down or off if it detects a window or door is open, saving money on energy bills.
However, note that you will probably need a Bosch Smart Home Controller to help manage these centers, so it’s not entirely hub-free.
Alternative: For a complete DIY option that includes similar sensors, try SimpliSafe’s kit.
Smart Home Shutter Control
If you haven’t seen these clever little smart devices before, they are small machines that are installed on your drapes, shutters or blinds. You can then use your smartphone to remotely open or close them to various levels, or create a schedule that will automatically operate them to give your house shade or sun throughout the day as desired. With Bosch’s particular model, you can also create shutter groups that open or close throughout the house as the sun moves.
This is a great way to save on energy bills by creating a schedule that closes blinds to block the sun and keep more heat from entering your house (and vice-versa in the winter, of course). It’s also a handy way to make sure that annoying light from sunsets or other sources is blocked.
Alternative: Check out this stylish Xenon Curtain switch.
Smart Motion Detector
Bosch’s motion detector is a small cylinder designed to be installed on a wall, where it can detect and track motion for up to 40 feet, with a 90-degree viewing angle, ideal for a central location in an open house. It can track people via body heat as well!
The detector is also smart enough to detect pets, reflections, wind movement, and other types of motion and disregard these common occurrences. You can also connect it to your smart lights (including Philips Hue lights, which are compatible with Bosch smart systems) and have your motion detector turn on various lights when it detects movement.
Alternative: This motion detector is a more affordable option.
Twinguard
Twinguard is a nifty smoke detector that, as the name suggests, serves a dual purpose. It can detect smoke and sound an alarm, but it can also monitor air quality, humidity, and temperature in your home. That means even if you don’t have a smart thermostat, you can still get readings from Twinguard and use them to make decisions about heating, cooling, or filtering the air in your home.
The device can also connect to things like the motion detectors or door sensors mentioned above, and use that loud smoke alarm as a burglar alarm to scare away potential thieves. As you can see, buying a combination of Bosch devices yields increasing benefits!
Alternative: If you’re primarily interested in detectors, this First Alert model is great.
Future Products
Bosch has also announced that future products will bring more compatibility to HomeKit. While there aren’t many details here, Bosch did confirm compatibility with the new smart home light control that the company has been showing off, so there are other options to look forward to.
Alternative: This WeMo switch works great and is already available.
