12 Top Home Automation Gadgets for Creating a Smart Home
Home automation is a beautiful thing. It makes your at-home experience that much more enjoyable. So much hardware and tech is out there, each advertising home automation features that sound attractive. Knowing where to start is half the battle. Then, it’s a case of figure out what matters most to you.
Here are twelve of the top home automation gadgets you need in your home:
Gadget #1: Thermostat
One of the top home automation gadgets is the thermostat. Did you know 70% of your electricity bill is related to what happens on your thermostat – it’s true! Smart thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature either by voice commands or remotely through your smartphone. Set a temperature for when you’re away and then, adjust it before arriving back home. It’s one of the best money-saving home automation gadgets you can buy.
Gadget #2: Smart LED Bulbs
Smart LED light bulbs are multi-color, dimmable, and connect to your home’s wireless network. Some brands respond to voice commands and are very affordable. Under lighting, you will find various popular home automation gadgets. For the simplest option though, starting with automated smart bulbs are a great choice.
Gadget #3: Smart Plugs
Smart plugs allow you to plug in things like coffee makers, kitchen appliances, lamps and lighting, flat-screen televisions, and more, and either turn them on or shut them off remotely without you having to get up. Smart plugs are controlled through a mobile app, though some can respond to voice commands. Perhaps more than anything else on this list, smart plugs are not only very affordable but they add a ton of functionality to your home.
Gadget #4: Home Security Cameras
Home security cameras record and stream in real-time 4K video. Some of the more advanced security cameras also have automatic zooming, motion tracking, night-vision, and additional features like one-click 911 connectivity, a spotlight, and a warning siren. Tap into your home automation camera whenever you want through your smartphone. It’s a top home security automation gadget.
Gadget #5: Smart Doorbell
Ring isn’t the only name in the smart doorbell space but they’re definitely the biggest. An automated doorbell does things like sends a notification to your smartphone when it’s pressed, captures HD video, records audio, and responds to voice commands. Any time there’s motion detection, recording is commenced. This can help guard against theft and break-and-enter criminals as well as help you know when someone’s at the door.
Gadget #6: Voice Assistants
A voice assistant like Alexa or Google Home facilitates screen-less Internet surfing. They can become a hub around which you can input other home automation gadgets and can turn a smartphone, Bluetooth speaker, and media center into something extravagant and automated. Use voice assistants to listen to music and podcasts, search the web, get news and weather information, and so much more.
Gadget #7: Vacuum and Mops
A diverse collection of home automation vacuums and mops exist today, from the Roomba onwards. Using a variety of sensors and camera-based navigation, robot vacuums employ powerful strategies to keep your home looking its best. Whether you have carpets and rugs or hardwood and tile, there’s something out there for everyone to keep their floor messes to a minimum.
Gadget #8: Sprinkler Controller
Set up sprinkler units around your yard or, alternatively, in your garden. A sprinkler controller is a hub around which you can control as many as sixteen different units. You can set it up to not water the lawn when it’s raining or can use it to turn the sprinkler on and off remotely.
Gadget #9: Small Kitchen Appliances
There are a wide variety of small kitchen appliances out there that have built-in home automation features. Countertop ovens with bake, broil, sear, and reheat functions as well as a camera to allow you to watch your food cook. A precision cooker that allow you to control the cooking process remotely via a smartphone app. A BBQ that automatically handles flare-ups and uneven cooking temperatures. There are so many possibilities out there when it comes to home automation in the kitchen!
Gadget #10: Robotic Lawnmower
A highly sought-after and unfortunately expensive home automation gadget is the cordless robotic lawnmower. Equipped with everything it needs to mow and trim your lawn, you won’t have to get out there mowing again. Most models also come with GSP and mobile app functionality, allowing you to adjust cutting schedule, start and stop the mower, monitor progress, and see alerts when/if there are any issues.
Gadget #11: Baby Monitors
Baby monitors in home automation can do things like capture audio and video through surveillance cameras, monitor baby breathing, and track their sleeping. Though a smart baby monitor can be on the expensive side, the features that come with it make it a must-have for many tech-minded parents.
Gadget #12: Ring Drones
The recently announced home security and surveillance drone from Ring is a ground-breaking jump into the future of home automation. With up to 5 minutes of flying time, this is a motion-activated drone that will fly around inside your home and capture and stream video via cloud technology. As drones and home automation become further entangled, there are so many interesting ways these two sets of technologies can grow integrated in new automation products.