Technology is transforming the way we live with the innovation of smart home devices. These gadgets are making our lives more convenient by enhancing comfort, safety, and efficiency of our living spaces.
In this article, we’ll explore five key categories of smart home devices: Smart Lights, Smart Climate Control, Smart Security, Smart Entertainment, and Smart Plugs. We’ll look at the benefits and features of each, helping you decide which devices are the best fit for your home and lifestyle.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting refers to light fixtures, bulbs, and control systems. You can control the lighting system remotely, even when in vacation. They offer customizable features, and integrate with other smart home systems.
These technologies make it easier to set moods, schedule lighting routines, improve energy efficiency, and reduce living cost.
Smart Bulbs
Philips Hue: Philips Hue comes with a wide range of bulbs with customizable color and brightness options. You can control the lights via the Hue app or with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
You can set lighting schedules, create scenes for different moods, and even sync the lights with music or movies for an immersive experience. You can add and customize dimmer switches, motion sensors, the unique Tap dial switch, and smart buttons.
LIFX: LIFX bulbs offer excellent brightness, and easy setup. These bulbs don’t require a hub and can be controlled directly through the LIFX app, making them a simpler option for many users.
LIFX bulbs can change color, sync with other smart devices, and allow for advanced features like dimming and scheduling. They offer sophisticated downlighting or energetic, animated displays that adapt seamlessly to any mood or occasion. Equipped with polychrome technology, you can expect a more colorful light with nearly double the brightness.
These Lights integrate seamlessly with modern smart home systems, including Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings with compatibility through Matter, the latest universal standard of smart home connectivity.
Smart Light Switches
Lutron Caseta: Lutron Caseta smart switches replace your existing wall switches, enabling you to control the lights without needing to swap out the bulbs themselves. Caseta is known for its ease of installation and reliability.
With a wide range of smart dimmers, switches, and plugs for indoors and out, Caséta offers a complete smart lighting control system.
They come along voice assistants and automation features via the Lutron app. You can set up “scenes” like “movie time” or “bedtime” to adjust multiple lights with one tap.
Leviton Decora Smart: These switches allow you to control multiple lights from a single location and include advanced features like dimming and scheduling. The Leviton Decora Smart switch works well with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, allowing for seamless voice and app control.
For use in homes without neutral wiring in the electrical wallbox, They require MLWSB Decora Smart Wi-Fi Bridge.
Smart Climate Control
Smart climate control technologies help regulate the temperature, humidity, and overall air quality of your home. They save energy while enhancing comfort. They can be programmed or controlled remotely to adjust conditions based on your preferences and daily routines.
Smart Thermostats
Nest Learning Thermostat: The Nest Thermostat adapts to your preferences over time. It learns your daily routines and adjusts the temperature accordingly, ensuring your home is always comfortable. The device can be controlled remotely through the Google Home app.
Nest Thermostat has a big and borderless display with Dynamic Farsight. It shows you useful info that you can see from across the room. This device let you choose the design – clock, the temp, weather, and more.
Ecobee SmartThermostat: The Ecobee SmartThermostat features built-in Amazon Alexa. It includes SmartSensors to detect occupancy and temperature, ensuring each room is maintained at the desired temperature.
It automatically turns down temperature when nobody is home, and learns your routine and recommends changes to your thermostat schedule for optimal energy savings. This device automatically heats or cools your home when electricity is more affordable and cleaner.
Smart Fans and Air Conditioners
Dyson Pure Cool: Dyson’s Pure Cool fan is not just a fan but also an air purifier. It’s equipped with HEPA filtration that can remove 99.97% of particles from the air. The device can be controlled through the Dyson Link app, and it integrates with Alexa for voice control. It’s perfect for people with allergies or those in areas with poor air quality.
Tado Smart Air Conditioning Control: Tado’s Smart AC Control connects to the internet via your home’s Wi-Fi. It communicates with your air conditioner via infrared signals. It helps monitor your home’s temperature and adjust settings based on real-time weather conditions.
Add additional Smart AC units to every room you want to control. All rooms equipped with a Smart AC Control can be controlled individually via one app.
Smart Security Devices
Smart security systems provide real-time surveillance, monitoring, and alerts. These devices are designed to protect your home and loved ones. This smart home technology includes cameras, motion sensors, smart locks, and doorbell systems.
Smart Cameras
Ring Video Doorbell: The Ring Video Doorbell is a smart doorbell that lets you see and speak to visitors through your smartphone, even when you’re not at home. It alerts you when someone arrive at your door, and provides a live video feed with a wide-angle lens and has motion detection capabilities. It integrates with Amazon Alexa and can be used with Ring’s cloud storage for recorded footage.
Arlo Pro 4: The Arlo Pro 4 is a wireless security camera with high-definition video quality, built-in night vision, and two-way audio. It’s ideal for outdoor and indoor monitoring and accessed remotely via the Arlo app.
Smart Locks
August Smart Lock: The August Smart Lock attaches to your existing deadbolt and allows you to lock or unlock your door remotely. You can share temporary access codes with friends, family, or service personnel through the August app. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit for voice-controlled locking.
Schlage Encode: The Schlage Encode is a Wi-Fi-enabled smart lock. You can remotely lock and unlock your door from anywhere using the Schlage app, and the lock supports Amazon Alexa for voice control. It also features a built-in alarm for added security.
Smart Sensors
SimpliSafe Entry Sensor: The SimpliSafe Entry Sensor can be placed on doors and windows to monitor for unauthorized entry. It connects to the SimpliSafe security system, which sends you alerts in case of a break-in. The system is customizable and easy to install.
Nest Protect: The Nest Protect is a smoke and carbon monoxide detector that provides real-time alerts via the Nest app. It has a built-in speaker that speaks the issue (e.g., “Smoke detected in the living room”) and is integrated with other Nest products for seamless home automation.
Smart Entertainment System
Smart entertainment systems enable you to seamlessly control your TV, music, and media experiences, often through voice commands, apps, or automation.
Smart TVs
Samsung QLED TV: Samsung’s QLED TV provides vivid picture quality, excellent contrast, and smart features, including voice control through Bixby, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
You can use your TV and smartphone to connect wirelessly with a wide range of smart devices and make them work together. With SmartThings dashboard, you can see what’s happening on the baby cam upstairs or check who’s at the door with just a few clicks.
LG TV with ThinQ AI: LG’s ThinkQ AI TV offers the best in picture quality with deep blacks and vibrant colors. It supports both Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa, allowing you to use voice commands for entertainment and smart home control. It also integrates well with other smart home devices, providing a fully connected entertainment experience.
ThinQ AI helps you to use your TV to control your connected home, and enjoy personalized entertainment. You can just say to your TV, “Hi LG, lower temperature 20 air conditioner” to control your air conditioner.
Use the Home app or Siri on your Apple devices to easily and securely control your ThinQ AI TV. You can turn your TV on and off, switch inputs, and even change the volume.
Smart Speakers
Amazon Echo: The Amazon Echo is one of the most popular smart speakers with Alexa. It can play music, set timers, control smart home devices, answer questions, and more. Echo speakers work seamlessly with other Amazon devices and integrate with a wide range of smart home products for comprehensive home automation.
Google Nest Audio: The Nest Audio speaker is powered by Google Assistant and is designed to deliver high-quality sound. It can play music, control your smart home, provide news updates, and much more. It integrates with other Google Nest products and works well for both home automation and entertainment.
Ambient IQ lets Nest Audio also adjust the volume of Assistant, news, podcasts and audiobooks based on the background noise in your home. Media EQ feature enables it to automatically tune to whatever you’re listening to: music, podcasts, audiobooks.
Streaming Devices
Amazon Fire TV Stick: The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a popular streaming device that turns any TV into a smart TV with access to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. It integrates with Alexa for voice control and has access to a range of third-party apps.
Fire TV Stick service offer live feeds of any integrated smart camera around the house. This stick is transforming televisions into smart security hub for monitoring suspicious activity around your home to protect you from dangers. This device can control lighting, smart plugs, and virtually every other cloud-based device at the touch of a button.
Google Chromecast: The Chromecast allows you to stream content from your smartphone, tablet, or computer directly to your TV. It works with Google Assistant for voice control, and you can cast your favorite shows or movies from any compatible app directly to the TV.
Smart Sound Systems
Sonos Two: The Sonos Two is a smart speaker with built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control music and smart home devices with voice commands. It delivers excellent sound quality and can be integrated into a multi-room system.
Bose Home Speaker 500: The Bose Home Speaker 500 delivers high-quality sound with deep bass and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can be controlled through voice commands, the Bose Music app, or manually.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances are designed to enhance convenience in daily tasks, making them more efficient, and often more eco-friendly. These appliances can be controlled remotely and offer various helpful features, such as energy tracking and predictive maintenance.
Smart Refrigerators
Samsung Family Hub: The Family Hub refrigerator has a large touchscreen that acts as a digital command center for your kitchen. You can display family photos, create shopping lists, and even order groceries online. It also includes built-in cameras so you can check what’s inside via the Samsung SmartThings app.
Connect your Samsung TV to Family Hub and stream your favorite shows and movies in the kitchen. Smart View lets you screen mirror from your Samsung Smart TV, phone, or tablet to the Family Hub panel.
LG InstaView Door-in-Door: The InstaView fridge features a transparent touch panel on the door that allows you to see inside without opening it. It helps conserve energy while offering all the connectivity features, like temperature, ice production, diagnostic services, and remote control through the LG ThinQ app.
InstaView drastically reduces loss of cold air by eliminating the need to open the door. Door-in-Door provides quick & easy access to your favorite drinks and snacks.
Smart Washing Machines and Dryers
LG Smart Front Load Washer: This smart washing machine works with the LG ThinQ app to monitor wash cycles, receive notifications, and suggest cleaning schedules based on your usage patterns. It integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control.
Samsung Smart Front Load Washer: Samsung’s smart washer is equipped with SmartThings integration, allowing you to remotely start, stop, and monitor your wash cycles. It also provides maintenance alerts when a part needs replacing or if there’s an issue with the machine.
Smart Ovens
June Oven: The June Oven is a versatile kitchen appliance that functions as an oven, air fryer, dehydrator, and more. It uses a built-in camera to automatically detect the food being cooked and adjust temperature and cooking time. You can monitor and control it via the June app.
Tovala Smart Oven: Tovala works with meal delivery services and can cook pre-prepared meals automatically by scanning a barcode. The Tovala app lets you monitor cooking progress and set preferences for specific meal types.
Smart Plugs and Outlets
Smart plugs and outlets are powerful devices that can turn any traditional appliance or lamp into a “smart” one, enabling remote control, scheduling, and energy monitoring. They work by plugging into a regular wall socket and allowing users to control the device connected to the plug through a smartphone app, voice assistant, or automation system.
These plugs are particularly useful for controlling appliances that do not have built-in smart functionality. For instance, you can control a table lamp, fan, or coffee maker remotely, schedule it to turn on or off at certain times, and monitor its energy consumption.
They are often an entry point for users looking to begin automating their homes without needing to replace all of their existing appliances with expensive smart versions.
Here are some of the most popular and versatile smart plugs and outlets currently on the market:
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug
Key Features:
- The TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug is an affordable yet versatile smart plug that allows you to control any plugged-in device via the Kasa app or with voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Scheduling: You can create custom schedules to automate when the device turns on or off. For example, you can schedule your coffee maker to start brewing in the morning or your lamp to turn off at bedtime.
- Away Mode: This feature makes it seem like someone is home by automatically turning lights or devices on and off at random times, adding an extra layer of security while you’re away.
- Energy Monitoring: Some TP-Link Kasa models include the ability to track energy usage, which helps you identify high-energy devices and manage electricity costs.
- Multiple Plugs in One App: You can control several plugs from the same app, making it ideal for managing multiple devices or appliances.
Use Case: Perfect for turning regular lamps, fans, or even small appliances like toasters into smart devices. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to begin adding smart devices to their home without committing to more expensive or specialized products.
Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug
Key Features:
- The Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug is another great option that provides remote control over any device plugged into it, like fans, lights, or even space heaters.
- Energy Monitoring: One of the standout features of the WeMo Insight Plug is its ability to monitor energy consumption. The WeMo app provides detailed insights into how much energy a device is using and helps you optimize usage to save on electricity bills.
- Scheduling: Similar to other smart plugs, you can schedule devices to turn on or off at specific times, like setting your lamp to turn on at sunset or your electric blanket to start warming up before bedtime.
- Works with Voice Assistants: It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, allowing you to control the plug and any connected devices using voice commands. You can say, “Alexa, turn off the fan,” or “Hey Google, turn on the lamp.”
- Away Mode: This mode gives the illusion of someone being home by turning devices on and off at varying times.
Use Case: Ideal for homeowners who want to monitor their energy consumption. If you’re interested in tracking how much energy specific appliances are using, this plug’s energy monitoring feature makes it a great addition to your smart home setup.
Amazon Smart Plug
Key Features:
- The Amazon Smart Plug is designed for ease of use and integrates seamlessly with Alexa. Simply plug it into any regular outlet, connect it to your Alexa app, and start controlling your devices using voice commands.
- No Hub Required: Unlike many other smart plugs that require a separate hub to function, the Amazon Smart Plug connects directly to your home Wi-Fi network.
- Scheduling: You can create routines or set schedules to automatically turn your devices on or off. For example, you could set your lights to turn on when you get home or your heater to switch off after a certain amount of time.
- Simple and Reliable: Amazon’s plug is known for its reliability and ease of use. Setup is simple, and once connected to the Alexa ecosystem, it works flawlessly for everyday smart home automation tasks.
Use Case: Perfect for those already using Alexa as their primary voice assistant. It’s a great entry-level option for smart plug users who need basic features like voice control and scheduling.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip
Key Features:
- The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip takes the functionality of a smart plug and extends it to a power strip format. It offers six individual outlets, all of which can be controlled individually, plus three USB ports to charge devices like phones and tablets.
- Energy Monitoring: Like other Kasa products, this power strip provides insights into how much energy each device plugged into it is using, making it great for managing high-energy devices.
- Remote Control and Voice Control: The power strip can be controlled remotely via the Kasa app, and it supports voice control through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana.
- Scheduling and Automation: You can set schedules for each outlet and create custom automation for devices plugged into different outlets. For example, you could set your printer to turn off after a certain time or your desk lamp to automatically turn on when you enter the room.
Use Case: This power strip is ideal for homes with multiple devices that need to be controlled at once. It’s perfect for workstations, home theaters, or any space where you need to control multiple devices but don’t want to plug in each device individually.
Etekcity Smart Wi-Fi Outlet
Key Features:
- The Etekcity Smart Wi-Fi Outlet is an affordable, easy-to-use smart plug that connects directly to your Wi-Fi network, allowing for remote control of devices using the Etekcity app or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Scheduling and Timers: You can set your devices to turn on or off at specific times or after a set amount of time. This feature is useful for devices that you want to automate, like lamps, humidifiers, or heaters.
- Compact Design: The Etekcity smart plug is compact and fits easily into outlets without blocking adjacent plugs, making it a good choice for tight spaces.
- Energy Saving: It also helps save energy by allowing you to control devices that tend to draw power when not in use, such as coffee makers or fans.
Use Case: Ideal for anyone looking for a simple and budget-friendly way to control small appliances and devices without taking up much space. It’s a great option for those on a budget or anyone who needs basic functionality for a couple of devices.
Why Use Smart Plugs?
- Convenience: Smart plugs let you control devices from anywhere using your smartphone or voice commands, which is especially convenient for devices that are hard to reach (like behind furniture or in high-up outlets).
- Automation: Set schedules or routines to automate everyday tasks. This is especially useful for things like lamps, fans, and coffee machines.
- Energy Efficiency: Many smart plugs have energy monitoring features that allow you to track the electricity usage of individual devices, helping you identify energy-hungry appliances and reduce waste.
- Affordability: Smart plugs are a cost-effective way to make your home smarter without needing to buy entirely new appliances. They offer a budget-friendly entry point into home automation.
- Voice Control: Integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit allows for hands-free control, which is incredibly convenient and makes the devices more accessible.
Use Cases for Smart Plugs
- Home Automation: Automate regular tasks like turning lights on and off, starting a coffee maker in the morning, or controlling fans and space heaters.
- Security: Use smart plugs to simulate occupancy while you’re away, making it look like someone is home by randomly turning lights and TVs on and off. This adds an extra layer of security against burglars.
- Energy Savings: Track the energy consumption of devices to identify which ones are using the most power, and make adjustments to save on your electricity bill.
- Convenience for Mobility Impaired: Smart plugs make it easier for elderly or mobility-impaired individuals to control devices without having to physically reach switches.
