The 5 Best Smart Home Devices (From Someone Who Doesn’t Love Technology)
Ok, truth time: I don’t love smart technology.
I’m a little freaked out about a machine controlling my heat and ac and oven and water heater.
Like, what if the robots wanted to take over my life one day?! I’ve now made it easier for them!
Alas, as luck would have it, I married a man who LOVES all things smart home devices. Why set a timer on the oven when you can tell Alexa to?
So, I’ve had to learn to accept some smart home devices in my life (ok, a lot). And, with that I’ve learned to love a few.
Today’s post I’m going to focus on those few-the 5 bet smart home devices (in my opinion). My criteria for best smart home device includes:
- easy to set up
- easy to use
- makes my life significantly more easy
- not too pricey
Ready? Let’s dive in!
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1. Alexa
Do I love to hate Alexa? Yes.
Is she sometimes useful, even to me? Yes. So, that puts her on my list of best smart home devices (yes, I’ve personified the robot and I don’t like it).
We have Dots in our bedroom and our kitchen, and even I have to admit, the Dot in the kitchen can be very useful.
When your hands are busy cooking, it’s kinda nice to just use your voice to set a timer.
Or, when your daughter wants to hear Baby Shark for the 185th time, you can just ask Alexa to play it.
Home-wise, did you know Alexa connects to your Ring alarm system? Your Schlage locks? Your smart thermostat? Your smart plugs and lightbulbs? Your smart tv?
To me, these are the big wins for Alexa. We have a command set in ours that turns off our tv, locks the front door, and sets the alarm at night. That’s a huge convenience factor for me.
And, the price point can’t be beat for all the benefits you get from it. So, it makes the list.
2. Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are a sneaky favorite to me. They have a very specific purpose, so you may not even see the need for one, until you need one.
I learned these when we installed plug-in under cabinet lights in our first kitchen. I really wanted them to come on from 5-8pm every night, but I didn’t want to plug them into timers. Or, worry about a remote, that I’m sure we would have lost.
Enter the smart plug. We installed a smart plug with the under cabinet lights, and then I set a schedule on the plug’s app.
Voila. Lights on every single night from 5-8pm.
In our current home we use a smart plug for our porch lights. Same deal. I wanted them on every night, but I knew I would never remember to plug them in.
So, our smart plug remembers for me. And, now our porch looks so much more inviting and I use it way more than if those lights weren’t on every evening.
3. Smart Lightbulbs
Smart lightbulbs are also sneaky cool. You can set schedules with them too, so I really like them in places you want a light on certain hours of the day. We have one in our living room to come on every evening. And, another in our bedroom, so there’s a light on in our room when we come upstairs at night.
But, they’re also great because on some of them (including these from Kasa), you can adjust the color of the light from the app.
So, in my laundry room, the space need a cooler white than the lightbulbs I have in my home. I put a Kasa Smart Bulb in the fixture and I was able to adjust the color of the light until it best highlighted the space.
So much easier than buying different colored light bulbs until you find the right tone.
4. Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are a well-loved favorite by all, including me. They’re super easy to install. And, it’s so nice to set a schedule on an app for the temperatures your house should be throughout the week.
And, I love that I can control it from my phone. If I get hot in the middle of the night, I can just adjust the temp a few degrees from my phone.
Are we coming home from vacation and it’s 90 degrees outside? I can turn the ac on from Virginia to make sure it’s super comfortable when we arrive home.
Super convenient. I’ve used both the Nest and the Ecobee and love them both, so you’ve got options to fit your needs!
And, My Absolute Favorite Smart Devices Are. . . .
Smart Locks!
Smart locks are literally a game changer in your life. Here’s why you need one if you don’t have one:
The obvious: you can control it from your phone.
Is it pouring and you have a ton of stuff to carry inside? Unlock the door from your car to save that panicked scramble at the door for the right key.
Are you not sure if you locked the door when you left for vacation or have already gotten in bed? Just check your phone and lock it if you didn’t.
Here was the real life-changer for us: you can give people their own codes for entry (and set a time limit on how long they last). This is a huge help for people who come regularly like your cleaning service. Or, if you have an unexpected repair and can’t be home–just send them a code that’s good for today only.
We were in France on our honeymoon when our home flooded. And, we weren’t due home for another week. With our smart lock, we were able to make a code for a friend, so he could come over, dry up the floor, and place fans to help dry out the space and prevent mold while we were gone.
And, they still work with regular keys, so if the battery runs out or the lock malfunctions, you can always use your key to get in.
We’ve always used the Schlage brand smart locks, but I’m sure the other brands work just as well.
Recap: The 5 Best Smart Home Devices for Your Home
So, here’s the quick list:
What do you think? Did I leave your favorite smart home product off this list? Or, did I put one on here that you can’t stand? Tell me in the comments!
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