The one downside to a smart home is the installation process. Because a smart home is made up of so many different devices, it can be hard to figure out which devices work with others and what you should start with. ..
The Smart Home Starter Kit is a compilation of products to help you get started with smart home technology. We have recommended our top picks for devices and provided links to other articles that cover these topics in more depth. ..
The front of the house is where people come to see the house. It’s where the owner lives and where they show their guests around.
Smart locks make it easier to enter and leave your home. They make it easier to get in and out, whether you’re a busy professional or a stay-at-home mom. Smart locks are an essential part of any home security system, and they can make your life easier.
The August Smart Lock is a popular option for smart locks available to consumers. It fits over a deadbolt and can be installed in just 10 to 15 minutes with nothing more than a screwdriver.
August automatically unlocks when your phone comes within range and automatically locks again after a certain amount of time.
The August app is a way for guests to get access to your home without having to use a bump key. The August logs every person who enters and exits so you always know what is happening around your home.
Our write-up on smart locks will give you a better understanding of how these devices work and what benefits they offer.
Your security camera should be tied to a home security system that includes third-party monitoring. This means that if something happens around your home, the monitoring company can reach out to the authorities in your stead.
Nest Cam Indoor: If you want a smart security camera that can monitor a specific area of your home, we recommend the Nest Cam Indoor. This camera has an 8-megapixel sensor and can record video for up to 30 days. Nest Security Camera for Outdoor Use: If you want a security camera that can be used outside, we recommend the Nest Security Camera for Outdoor Use. This camera has a 2-megapixel sensor and can record video for up to 12 hours.
The security camera system records motion and captures video in real-time. This makes it easy to keep an eye on your home while you’re away, and the night vision and motion detection make it easy to see what’s happening in your home.
You’ll receive a push notification alerting you to activity. From there, you can decide to ignore it (if your dog triggered the camera) or call the authorities.
Our full write-up on security cameras can be found here.
In our society of online shopping and delivery, you can keep an eye on your package even when you’re not home.
The Nest Hello and the Ring are both popular options for front-porch security, but the Skybell HD beats them out in a few significant areas. First, it has a higher resolution camera than either of the other two options. This means that it can see more clearly and capture better footage of what’s happening outside your door. Second, it has a longer battery life than either of the other two options. This means that you’ll be able to use it for longer periods of time without having to recharge it. Finally, it comes with a free cloud storage account so you can easily access your footage from anywhere in the world. ..
Skybell HD is a free cloud storage service that integrates with Nest, IFTTT, and Alexa. It offers better features than either of the other options and is less expensive.
The downside to using the web for checking in on your home is that there is no web app, but most people wouldn’t use the web for checking in anyway. Two-way audio makes it easy to let a delivery driver know to drop a package somewhere out-of-sight, or to warn someone that you’re watching. After all, few things deter a thief quite like knowing they aren’t as invisible as they think.
Our review of the best smart doorbells offers insights on which brand might be best for you, based on your needs and preferences.
Smart lighting is one of the original pieces of smart home technology. Turning your lights on or off with the tap of a button was nothing short of brilliant, but it’s safe to say that they are no longer cutting edge. Today’s smart lights are not only more efficient and customizable, but they also come with built-in security features and other features that make them more versatile and useful than ever before. ..
The Philips Hue and LIFX brands are dominant in the smart lighting market, but they are not the best options. There are dozens of other options that can be hard to sort through, and it is important to consider the features of each product before making a decision.
The Philips Hue and LIFX smart lights offer a wide range of colors that can be used to control your lights. Unless you’re a color aficionado, the 16 million different shades that Philips Hue and LIFX offer will be wasted. For control over lights that you want to be bright—such as in the kitchen or the bathroom—white lights are perfectly fine.
Indirect lighting is the best way to create ambience with color lights. Shaded lamps, desk lights, and other lighting systems work best with color-changing bulbs. ..
Philips Hue is a great choice for color-changing bulbs. The company has been in the lighting business for over a century, and their lamps have always had smart features. The starter kit for Hue bulbs costs around $200, but the functionality more than makes up for the price. ..
The Hue Bridge lets you control your lights from a computer. You can schedule them to come on at different times, choose from multiple color presets, and even set them to pulse in time to music.
If you’re looking for other types of smart lights, be sure to check out our write-up on the subject. ..
With a smart thermostat, you can save money on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Smart thermostats are easy to use and can be customized to fit your needs.
A thermostat that “smarts” will turn off the heating or cooling system when no one is home to save energy, but will turn it back on a few hours before the person returns home. This saves on energy costs and can be helpful in maintaining a consistent temperature in a home. ..
Nest is a popular name in the market, but we don’t recommend it. If we had to pick a single smart thermostat for the average person, we would recommend the ecobee4. This smart thermostat is said to save homeowners as much as 23% per year on heating and cooling costs, but its appeal lies in its room sensors. ..
The ecobee4 is a smart thermostat that uses sensors throughout your home to give the thermostat a better reading on the ambient temperature in the entire house. This will help you save energy and money by not having to turn on the heat when you only need it in one room.
The ecobee4 is a great thermostat that costs $238. It has Alexa built in, so you can control it with your voice. Over time, it will pay for itself. ..
If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat might be the perfect choice for you. Here are some of the best options on the market. ..
Apple HomeKit is a limited and less compatible home control solution than other options, such as the HomePod. However, the best option for home control with an Apple speaker is the HomePod.
Our deep-dive comparison of the various smart assistants on the market offers a comprehensive look at how each one works and what its benefits are.
There are a variety of devices you can add to your smart home, and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks. For example, a smart oven might be great for cooking meals at home, but it might not be as efficient as an oven that comes with a built-in thermostat. If you want to control all of your appliances in one place, a smart washer and dryer might be the way to go. However, if you only need to clean the clothes once or twice a week, these devices might not be worth the investment. The best way to figure out which devices are right for you is to ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations. You can also check out online reviews or talk to people who have already set up their homes with smart home technology.
A smart home hub is a device that enables compatibility between normally incompatible devices. For example, a Zigbee device and a Z-Wave device (the two primary types of smart home protocols) do not normally work with one another—but using something like the Samsung SmartThings Hub can streamline your smart home and grant control over all of your systems from a single app. ..
If you’re thinking of buying a home, be sure to take the time to research what’s available in your area. However, don’t forget that your desires for your home are unique and may not be the best option for you. We recommend looking into options that are more suited to your needs and interests.
Before you buy any new electrical appliances, be sure to read the reviews and compare prices to find the best deal. You may be surprised at what you can get for your money by shopping around. ..
