Modern Houses are becoming much more automated these days. Present technologies roam around doing household chores, making life easier, working faster, and living more livable. Many smart home products offer a helping hand, and in this article, we will tackle the best smart home devices you genuinely need.
What is a Smart Home?
A smart home is a dwelling fitted with interconnected devices that can be programmed and remotely managed via a smartphone or computer interface. This technology allows for the remote control of various aspects such as lighting, temperature, multimedia, security systems, and even doors and windows.
In the past, smart homes relied on dedicated wiring, but today, wireless technology is prevalent, and most smart devices can connect directly via WiFi.
What are the Benefits of having Smart Home Devices?
- Smart devices facilitate remote monitoring, allowing real-time surveillance even when you’re not home, offering valuable insights and enhancing security measures.
- Interconnectivity involves linking devices to enhance functionality and enable collaboration, resulting in coordinated outcomes.
- Smart devices enhance safety by prompting alerts in response to specific events, thereby improving home security.
- Smart devices can monitor your home for leaks and flooding, issuing real-time alerts to prevent costly damage.
- Motion detection technology conserves time, battery life, memory, storage, and energy by activating only when motion is detected.
- Innovative technology enhances home security by integrating motion detection, cameras, alarms, and security services to provide heightened surveillance.
- Smart devices can inform users about their home’s energy consumption and renewable energy production, promoting efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and cutting costs.
- Smart devices facilitate customization, allowing homeowners to program preferences so that various settings can be activated with a single tap on their phones.
- Intelligent controls extend beyond voice activation. Certain devices can be triggered by specific conditions, eliminating the need for user input. For instance, sunlight can influence a plant or lawn watering schedule.
- Enhancing well-being involves integrating cameras, alert buttons, and communication technologies into homes, making them safer for elderly individuals and facilitating support for others.
These days, nearly every home device has an intelligent version available. Typically, these products connect to the internet, allowing you to control them from your phone using a companion app. Many also support various forms of voice control.
Many smart home companion apps offer scheduling features, enabling you to efficiently program your devices to perform specific actions at certain times. As an illustration, following a bike theft incident, PCMag’s Editor-in-Chief, Wendy Sheehan Donnell, set up her bright garage door to close automatically at a designated time every night.
You can create routines for your devices to coordinate and perform multiple actions simultaneously with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, such as adjusting the temperature and lighting upon your arrival home. With Apple HomeKit, you can manage your devices through Siri voice commands or directly from an Apple Watch. Additionally, you can create scenes to activate multiple devices simultaneously. Using I.F.T.T.T., a service supported by many top smart home brands, you can connect various internet-connected devices and easily program them to respond to real-world events, like turning on your lights automatically at sunset. Additionally, the rollout of Matter, a new smart home interoperability standard, simplifies the setup and integration of connected gadgets.
Below is a breakdown of the best smart devices we’ve tested for every area of the house. We’ve organized them by room for more straightforward navigation, but most gadgets can be used throughout your home.
The Best Smart Home Devices in 2024:
1. Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera (Outdoor Security Cam)
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera (Outdoor Security Cam) is an advanced security camera that boasts high resolution and weather resistance, effectively capturing motion-triggered video while illuminating any movement on your property with a bright light. It’s effortlessly installed wirelessly within minutes, providing detailed 2K video with color night vision, boasting accurate and intelligent motion detection, and presenting a wide array of integration options.
The Pro 4 series 2K HDR security camera offers exceptional video quality and the convenience of a direct WiFi connection without requiring a SmartHub.
2. Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi (Smart Lock)
The Ultraloq U-bolt Pro WiFi is a reliable and flexible smart lock solution. It allows you to unlock your door through voice commands, fingerprints, keypads, mobile apps, or traditional keys.
The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi comprises a comprehensive lock system that replaces interior and exterior lock components, including the deadbolt, latch, and strike. It resembles the earlier version, featuring a black-and-silver Zinc Alloy exterior escutcheon measuring 2.9 by 1.2 inches (H.W.D.). The design incorporates a circular, backlit 0-9 number pad with a 360-degree capacitive fingerprint scanner
in the center, with an Ultraloq button positioned at the base, facilitating door locking or keypad illumination. An L.E.D. ring encircling the scanner indicates locking or unlocking status by turning green, while it turns red upon entering an incorrect PIN or unauthorized fingerprint scanning attempts.
3. Eufy S220 Indoor Cam
Considering the multitude of smart devices in your living space, it’s prudent to consider a Wi-Fi-enabled indoor home security camera. Among our top picks is the Eufy S220 Indoor Cam, which provides precise, high-resolution video and boasts features commonly found in more expensive options. These include local and cloud storage, automatic motion tracking, and compatibility with significant voice assistance platforms.
4. Shark I.Q. Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE (Robot Vacuum)
The Shark I.Q. Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE stands out as one of our top choices. It operates swiftly and effectively while seldom encountering obstacles. Its base station boasts a sizable dustbin that requires emptying only once per month. The iRobot Roomba 694 offers impressive app integration and navigation capabilities for a more economical alternative.
5. Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Model (Robot Mop)
A reliable robot mop is essential for eliminating streaks. The Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry model has two rotating microfiber pads and accommodates various cleaning solutions, ensuring your floors remain pristine and streak-free.
6. Anova Precision Oven (Smart Cooking Oven)
After selecting a recipe, advanced intelligent kitchen appliances can assist you throughout the cooking journey. The Anova Precision Oven stands out as a versatile countertop oven, enabling baking, roasting, slow cooking, sous vide, and steaming with precision. It ranks among the most intelligent options available. With its companion app, you can effortlessly control and oversee the oven from your smartphone, quickly load cooking presets onto the device, and access step-by-step cooking guidance for professional-quality outcomes.
The Anova Precision Oven is an intelligent cooking appliance with precise temperature control and advanced cooking capabilities. Offering precision cooking ensures consistent results by allowing users to regulate temperatures accurately. Its intelligent features enable remote monitoring and control through a mobile app, granting convenience even when away from the kitchen. Versatile in function, the oven accommodates various cooking methods, including baking, roasting, steaming, and sous vide cooking, with a unique capability for cooking food in vacuum-sealed bags at precise temperatures.
It is designed for ease of use and features intuitive controls and a user-friendly mobile app interface. Available in different sizes and capacities, the oven caters to diverse cooking needs and kitchen spaces, with some models offering additional accessories such as racks, trays, and sous vide bags. It is widely known among cooking enthusiasts and professionals that the Anova Precision Oven is a top choice for precise and convenient cooking solutions.
7. Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni (Self-emptying Dustbin)
If you’re tired of constantly emptying the dustbin of traditional robot vacuums after each cleaning session, consider upgrading to a self-emptying robot vacuum like the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni. It’s the ultimate premium all-in-one cleaning solution for your floors, featuring a self-emptying dustbin, a self-cleaning and drying mop, and even a built-in voice assistant. For households with pets, we highly recommend the iRobot Roomba j7+. It includes the P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee, assuring that if the robot doesn’t successfully avoid solid pet waste within one year of your purchase, you’ll receive a replacement at no charge.
The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni redefines convenience and efficiency in cleaning with its self-emptying dustbin system. Designed to minimize manual intervention and maintenance, this robotic vacuum cleaner automatically empties its dustbin into a more significant receptacle, allowing users to enjoy extended cleaning sessions without interruption. Ideal for busy households or those seeking hands-free operation, the X1 Omni offers a seamless and hassle-free cleaning experience. It represents a notable advancement in robotic vacuum technology, enhancing user convenience and streamlining the cleaning process.
8. The 8 Sleep Pod Pro Cover (Smart Mattress Topper)
Your room’s temperature plays a crucial role in your sleep quality. An environment that’s too hot or cold can impede your ability to initiate and maintain sleep throughout the night. According to the C.D.C., the ideal sleeping temperature for most individuals falls between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover is an innovative mattress topper that lets you regulate your bed’s temperature from warm to cool using your smartphone and accurately monitors your sleep health.
The Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover revolutionizes the sleep experience with its intelligent design focused on temperature regulation, sleep tracking, and seamless integration with smart home devices. It employs water-based technology to actively maintain your bed’s temperature, ensuring comfort throughout the night, with customizable settings via the Eight Sleep app. Equipped with sensors, the cover monitors sleep metrics such as stages, heart rate, and respiratory rate, providing valuable insights into sleep patterns. Effortlessly merging with widely used smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant facilitates voice-controlled temperature adjustment and allows access to sleep data.
The Pod Pro Cover features dual-zone control for personalized settings, which is ideal for couples. It’s compatible with most mattresses and easily installed like a traditional mattress topper. The Eight Sleep app is a centralized cover management platform that allows temperature adjustments, sleep data review, and personalized insights. The “Sleep Fitness” subscription also offers advanced tracking features, coaching, and recommendations to optimize sleep routines. The Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover delivers a bespoke, luxurious sleep environment while leveraging state-of-the-art technology to improve sleep habits.
9. Peloton Bike+ (Best Smart Stationary Bike)
Advanced fitness equipment such as the Peloton Bike+ provides an interactive experience that surpasses conventional, non-connected alternatives. With features like extensive libraries of guided classes led by experienced instructors and tailored workouts and programs aligned with individual goals and fitness levels, it offers a personalized training experience within the confines of one’s home. Engaging in indoor cycling can facilitate calorie burning, enhance cardiovascular endurance, and uplift one’s mood.
The Peloton Bike+ is a premier choice among smart stationary bikes for numerous compelling reasons. Featuring a 23.8″ HD touchscreen display, it offers an immersive workout experience, allowing users to stream live and on-demand classes directly from the screen. Seamlessly integrated with the Peloton App, users gain access to a diverse array of live and on-demand courses spanning cycling, strength training, and yoga. Its auto-follow digital resistance system dynamically adjusts resistance levels during classes based on instructor cues or preset metrics, enhancing workout dynamics. With Apple GymKit integration, Apple Watch users can seamlessly synchronize workouts for precise fitness tracking.
Designed for versatility, the Peloton Bike+’s adjustable seat and handlebar heights, along with a rotating touchscreen, cater to users of varying preferences. Renowned for its premium build and design, the Peloton Bike+ ensures durability and longevity through rigorous workouts and daily use. Its vibrant community engagement feature fosters camaraderie and motivation through group challenges, competition, and virtual rides worldwide, offering an engaging and comprehensive fitness solution for enthusiasts.
10. Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi (Smart Mirror Device)
Enhance your vanity setup with the Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi. It offers customizable light settings for impeccable makeup application and a built-in speaker for enjoying your preferred music or podcasts during your preparation routine. With automatic lighting activation upon detecting your face and support for Alexa voice control, it proves incredibly convenient when your hands are occupied with makeup essentials.
The Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi redefines grooming with advanced features, boasting a high-quality mirror surface for superior clarity and reflection. Equipped with sensor technology, the mirror automatically activates its light as you approach, ensuring optimal illumination. Its integrated Hi-Fi audio system allows music or podcast streaming during grooming sessions, complemented by Bluetooth connectivity for wireless device pairing. Customize your experience with adjustable lighting settings, while the rechargeable battery offers cordless operation lasting several weeks. Boasting a sleek design that complements any interior, the Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi seamlessly blends practicality with sophistication, enhancing your grooming routine and overall experience.
Smart Homes, Smarter Living
Indeed, smart home devices can help us in many areas of our lives, either for safety purposes, cleaning, cooking, exercising, recording, etc. These smart home devices make life more accessible, safer, and less tiring. Time will be well-spent even if the user juggles the house, physical exercise, and children’s responsibilities inside their homes. Workloads will be done like magic. As they said, work smart, not hard; with these smart home devices, it became valuable.
