Smart home technologies are becoming very popular. These are devices that let you control your lighting, security system, thermostat and other functions from your phone or tablet. Smart home gadgets are now more advanced and affordable than ever before. Below are some of the best examples of smart home devices that anyone can install.
Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot
The Amazon Echo is a device that lets you play your favorite music from services such as Pandora, Spotify and Prime Music using voice activation. It also makes it easy to control audiobooks, news, weather and traffic reports, sports scores and just about anything else that’s broadcast online. Echo can also be used to control lights and thermostats. It sells on Amazon for $179.99.
Echo Dot is a smaller version of Echo and has many of the same features. This product sells for half the price of the Echo, at $80. The main drawback is that the speaker is much smaller. However, this can be offset by linking it to your stereo or Bluetooth speakers. Both Echo and Echo Dot have extremely sophisticated voice recognition which makes it possible to use them even when music is playing.
Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat is a leading smart thermostat that actually programs itself and adapts to your habits and preferences. It also senses changes in the seasons. You can install the Nest thermostat yourself in about 30 minutes.
You program the thermostat for a week and after that it automatically sets itself according to your needs. For example, it will learn to turn the heat up when you get up in the morning, turn it down when you leave the house and turn it up again when you get home from work. This thermostat soon pays for itself by making your power use more efficient. The Nest Learning Thermostat sells for $249.
Philips Hue LED Lighting System
Phillips Hue is a wireless lighting system that lets you control your lighting from a distance or program your lights to turn on and off whenever you want. This is convenient for letting you turn on lights while you’re in another room. It also keeps your house more secure, letting you control lights when you’re not home. This system gives you the ability to control your lighting from your smartphone or tablet. The system is compatible with Apple HomeKit, so you can use voice activation and have Siri turn your lights on and off. The Philips Hue starter kit sells for $79.95
Z-Wave Wireless Door/Window Sensor
Z-Wave is one of the most popular smart home technologies. It lets you control lighting, entertainment and security systems from your computer, phone or tablet. When you have a Z-Wave network installed, you can use various door and window sensors that will alert you via text message or email when motion is detected. One of the most reasonable of these is the Ecolink Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor, which sells for $26.75.
Belkin WeMo Switch
The Belkin WeMo Switch is a Wi-Fi enabled device that lets you control your appliances remotely. You can use it with any smartphone that operates on an iOS or Android OS. It also works with Alexa voice control. You can use it to turn on a lamp, space heater, coffee maker or any other appliance that works with WiFi. The device plugs into any normal wall outlet. It sells for about $35 on Amazon.
These are some of the leading smart home technologies that can make life more convenient for you. Such devices are easy to install and quite economical considering all of the tasks they perform. There are many advantages to being able to control functions such as lighting, entertainment and home security using your smartphone or tablet.
