Smart home appliances offer you a lot of convenience. If you have a busy life, here are some smart home devices you may want to consider investing in.
Smart Home Hubs and Controllers
Amazon Echo Family
The Echo is a Bluetooth speaker powered by Alexa which is Amazon’s voice assistant. Alexa is compatible with several smart home devices directly, as well as with ‘If This Then That’ (IFTTT) to control quite a few others via “recipes” you can create yourself. It’ll take some effort, but you can use Alexa to control most of the devices in your house by the sound of your voice.
If you already have a speaker, the easy on the pocket Echo Dot can connect to it and add Alexa functionality. And if you require a touch screen to see search results and make video calls, look at the Echo Show, Echo Show 5, or Echo Spot.
Wink Hub 2
The Wink Hub 2 is compatible with devices that use Z-Wave, Zigbee, Lutron Clear Connect, Kidde, Bluetooth, and WiFi. It is designed for the future and includes everything in the smart home range, from Philips Hue lighting and the Netgear Arlo camera to Google Home. It’s the most reliable and extensively supported hub.
Smart Locks and Home Security Systems
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
The Smart Lock Pro + Connect is the latest product from August Home, and as with the previous August Smart Lock and HomeKit Enabled models, it’s a winner. This third-generation smart lock provides all the bells and whistles you usually get with the HomeKit model. And, it adds some new features, including August’s DoorSense technology, Z-Wave compatibility, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s very easy to install and can be controlled remotely or with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri voice commands. Also, it retains the sleek aesthetics of its siblings. It’s expensive, but it’s the best smart lock.
SimpliSafe Home Security System
If you favor a DIY approach to smartening up your home security, consider the SimpliSafe Home Security System. SimpliSafe finds the soft spot between a basic self-monitored DIY security system and a professionally installed and monitored solution. This security system is extremely easy to set up and use. It keeps your home safe from intruders and environmental threats such as fires and floods. It’s a flawless solution that succeeds pretty well at what it sets out to do.
