Smart home automation is the process of using internet-connected devices to control various aspects of your home, such as lighting, temperature, security, entertainment and more. Smart home devices can be controlled remotely from your smartphone, tablet or voice assistant, or programmed to perform certain actions automatically based on your preferences, schedules or triggers.
Advantages of Smart Home Automation
Some of the benefits of smart home automation are:
- Greater control over your home’s energy usage and costs: You can monitor and adjust your smart thermostat, smart lights, smart plugs and smart appliances from anywhere, or set them to turn on or off at specific times or conditions. This can help you save energy and money on your utility bills.
- Improved safety and security of your home: You can keep an eye on your home with smart cameras, doorbells, locks and security systems, and receive alerts on your phone if any motion or activity is detected. You can also remotely lock or unlock your doors, view live or recorded footage, or call for help if needed. Some smart devices can also unlock your doors and turn on your lights automatically in case of an emergency, such as a fire or a carbon monoxide leak.
- More convenient life by automating tasks: You can use voice commands or a single app to control multiple devices in your home, or create routines and scenes to make them work together. For example, you can say “Good morning” to your smart speaker and have it turn on the lights, adjust the thermostat, play the news and start the coffee maker. You can also use services like IFTTT or Matter to connect different devices and platforms and create custom automation.
- Increased comfort of your home with features like programmable thermostats: You can set your smart thermostat to maintain the optimal temperature for your comfort and health, or adjust it according to the weather, your schedule or your presence. Some smart thermostats can also learn from your habits and preferences and automatically adapt to them over time.
- Adaptation to the needs, habits and routines of its owners: Some smart devices can sense your presence, location, activity or mood and adjust accordingly. For example, some smart lights can change their color or brightness based on the time of day, the ambient light or the music you’re playing. Some smart scales can track your weight, body fat percentage and other health metrics and give you personalized feedback and tips.
- Customizability: You can choose from a wide range of smart devices that suit your needs, budget and style. You can also customize their settings, features and appearance to match your preferences and personality.
- Tracking of individual health, sleep and movement habits: Some smart devices can monitor your health and wellness by measuring your heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, sleep quality, stress level and more. They can also provide you with insights, recommendations and reminders to help you improve your well-being.
- Programming to follow anyone’s schedule: You can set up different profiles for different members of your household or guests and have your smart devices follow their schedules and preferences. For example, you can have different temperature settings for each person’s bedroom at night, or different music playlists for each person’s morning routine.
- Flexibility: You can easily add new devices to your smart home system as you need them or replace old ones with newer models. You can also move them around your home or take them with you when you travel without much hassle.
- Multiple ways of performing a certain task: You can control your smart devices in various ways depending on what’s most convenient for you at the moment. You can use voice commands, touch screens, physical buttons, gestures or even facial recognition to interact with them.
- Long-term cost savings when considering efficient energy use: While some smart devices may have a higher upfront cost than their traditional counterparts, they can pay for themselves over time by reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs. They can also increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future.
Best Smart Home Products
There are many smart home products available in the market today that cater to different needs and preferences. Here are some of the best ones for 2023 based on various sources:
| Product | Category | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Nest Thermostat | Smart Thermostat | A 7-inch touchscreen that shows you your photos, videos, calendar, weather, news and more. It also works with Google Assistant, Matter, IFTTT, Nest Cameras, Nest Thermostat, Nest Hello, Nest x Yale Lock, Nest Protect, Nest Secure, Philips Hue, Arlo, Wyze, Kasa Smart and more. It also has a built-in sleep sensor that tracks your sleep quality and gives you personalized insights and tips. | $129.99 |
| Sonos One | Smart Speaker | A 7-inch touchscreen that shows you your photos, videos, calendar, weather, news and more. It also works with Google Assistant, Matter, IFTTT, Nest Cameras, Nest Thermostat, Nest Hello, Nest x Yale Lock , Nest Protect, Nest Secure, Philips Hue, Arlo, Wyze, Kasa Smart and more. It also has a built-in sleep sensor that tracks your sleep quality and gives you personalized insights and tips. | $199 |
| Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) | Smart Display | A rotating 10-inch HD screen that follows your movement and lets you watch videos, make video calls, control your smart home devices and more. It also works with Alexa, Matter, IFTTT, Ring, Arlo, Blink, Wyz, Philips Hue, ecobee, Kasa Smart, Eufy and more. | $249.99 |
| Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) | Smart Display | A 7-inch touchscreen that shows you your photos, videos, calendar, weather, news and more. It also works with Google Assistant , Matter , IFTTT, Nest Cameras , Nest Thermostat, Nest Hello , Nest x Yale Lock , Nest Protect , Nest Secure , Philips Hue , Arlo , Wyze , Kasa Smart and more. It also has a built-in sleep sensor that tracks your sleep quality and gives you personalized insights and tips. | $99.99 |
| Philips Hue White and Color A19 Medium Lumen Smart Bulb | Smart Light Bulb | A dimmable LED bulb that can change its color and brightness according to your mood, schedule or voice commands. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, Matter, Wink, Logitech Harmony, Razer Chroma and more. | $49.99 |
| SimpliSafe Home Security System | Smart Security System | A DIY system that includes a base station, a keypad, a siren, sensors, cameras and more. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Watch, August Smart Locks and more. It also offers professional monitoring and cellular backup for a monthly fee. | Starting from $229 |
| Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini | Smart Plug | A compact device that turns any outlet into a smart one. You can control it from your phone or voice assistant and set schedules or timers for your appliances. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT. | $14.99 |
| Google Nest Doorbell | Smart Doorbell | A battery-powered device that lets you see who’s at your door from your phone or smart display. It also works with Google Assistant, Matter, IFTTT, Nest Cameras, Nest Thermostat, Nest Hello, Nest x Yale Lock, Nest Protect, Nest Secure and more. It also offers facial recognition and package detection for a monthly fee. | $179.99 |
Conclusion
Smart home automation can offer many advantages for your comfort, convenience, security and savings. There are many smart home products to choose from depending on your needs and preferences. You can start with one device or build a whole ecosystem of interconnected devices that work together to make your home smarter.
