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Smart homes reflect a progressive lifestyle and people are all in for it. Today, 45 out of 100 households in the US have at least one smart device in their home, which says a lot.
Looking for smart devices to upgrade your home or apartment? You're on your way to experience class and convenience.
The smart home concept was previously considered too boujee or perhaps unattainable, but times have changed. A plethora of smart devices is readily available and affordable, and I'm going to reveal the cream of the crop.
What are Smart Devices?
Smart devices are part of the Internet of Things (IoT) as they enable remote management of appliances and systems through an online network. Smart home technology aims to provide energy efficiency, enhanced security, and convenience to homeowners.
Most smart devices for homes and apartments are powered by virtual assistants (VA) like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. Therefore, they incorporate machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), which develop self-learning skills.
Over time, smart devices can pick up your habits, schedules, and preferences to function in sync. They can also interact with each other and work together if compatible.
Best Smart Devices for Homes and Apartments
Smart home devices need a stable home network with sufficient bandwidth to deliver their purpose. If you are planning to transform your house into a smart home, you may first look into fast and reliable internet providers near you.
Now let's discuss the top contenders among smart devices for your home or apartment:
1. Smart Speaker
In case, you find yourself wondering "Why would I need a smart speaker?" - I can relate. It's not a must for your smart home, but highly recommended if you'd prefer to control and interact with your devices through voice command.
A smart speaker is much more than an audio outlet. It doubles as a VA that responds to your queries, communicates on your behalf (texts/calls/voice commands), acts as a personal organizer (setting up appointments/reminders), and provides unlimited entertainment (music playback, podcasts, audiobooks, etc.).
Top 3 Smart Speakers:
- Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
- Google Nest Audio
- Apple HomePod Mini
2. Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are a good place to start assembling your smart home, as they are relatively affordable and increasingly handy. All you have to do is plug it into a socket and connect it to your home Wi-Fi network via a phone app.
Any appliance you connect to the smart plug can be controlled with your smartphone; hence, it automatically becomes a smart device! You can remotely switch the connected device on and off, which helps save a great deal of energy in the long run.
For example, you suddenly remember that you forgot to unplug the curling iron while you're halfway to work, you can simply take care of it with a tap on the phone rather than rushing back home.
Top 3 Smart Plugs:
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim
- Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini
- Leviton Decora Smart Dimmer Plug
3. Smart Lights
A complete smart light system for your home won't cost much, especially if you stick to basic white light bulbs. For a grand experience, you can go for light-changing bulbs with dimmable smart switches - it's worth the extra expense.
Smart lights can be controlled from a phone app and through voice command, which is pretty nifty. If you choose color-changing and dimmable lights, there's plenty of room for changing the ambiance of your place.
Additionally, smart lights are energy-efficient, so you'll see a marked difference in your electricity bill.
Top 3 Smart Lights:
- Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance
- Wyze Bulb
- LIFX SuperColor Outdoor String Lights
4. Smart Lock
Do you often forget to lock the doors before going to bed or worry about leaving a door unlocked when you've already left? If that's the case, smart locks can give you the peace of mind you need. You want to let someone in the house while you're away? A smart lock can make it happen without delay.
Smart locks can be unlocked via an app, fingerprints, or a code/password. Some smart locks are designed to entirely replace your deadbolt or doorknob, and some can be installed as an add-on. The number of features you get with a smart lock naturally influences the price tag.
Top 3 Smart Locks:
- Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
- Aqara Smart Lock U100
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
5. Smart Doorbell Camera
Missed a few Amazon packages in the past and suspected a neighbor of foul play - a smart doorbell camera can finally lead you to the truth. You can see who lurks around your house while you're out and about.
You can access footage from the camera regardless of your location, so you know for sure who stopped by in your absence. When an unwanted guest comes by, you'll be informed by an alert on your phone so you can pretend that you're not home.
Top 3 Smart Doorbell Cameras:
- Google Nest Doorbell 2nd Gen (Wired)
- Arlo 2K Video Doorbell 2nd Gen
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
6. Smart Thermostat
Enjoying the perfect temperature all year round at home would be nice, right? What if I tell you can also manage to save power and cut down utility bills? That might sound too good to be true, but a smart thermostat can make it happen without any hassle.
A smart thermostat can adhere to your habits and detect climate change to adjust your home's temperature for maximum comfort at all times. It is fitted with advanced sensors to measure aspects like humidity, as well as perceive the number of people in a room.
Top 3 Smart Thermostats:
- Ecobee Smart Thermostat
- Google Nest Learning Thermostat
- Amazon Smart Thermostat
7. Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Cleaning the house may seem cumbersome when you're juggling a hectic work routine, time for your loved ones, and a gazillion other things in between. A smart robot vacuum cleaner is the independent and discreet home companion you need.
Robot vacuum cleaners use sensors and lasers to navigate around the house and keep it spotless. It is quite useful for households with pets, as hairballs and debris are effectively removed. You can schedule a cleaning session while you're out of the house, so interaction is limited.
Top 3 Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaners:
- DreameBot D10 Plus
- iRobot Roomba S9 Plus
- Roborock S8
Complete Your Smart Home with a Mesh Wi-Fi System
A reliable wireless internet network is the key to a smoothly functioning smart home. A Mesh Wi-Fi System improves signal coverage and strength throughout your living space. Therefore, a mesh Wi-Fi router will enhance the performance of your smart devices.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems are best suited for large households. When a wide range of devices are connected to the same home network, overall internet speed becomes slower due to distributed bandwidth. Mesh Wi-Fi increases your network’s capacity and eliminates most connectivity problems.
