Best Smart Home Devices

There are several benefits of smart home devices, including added security, convenience, and peace of mind when you are away. These devices allow you to check on an elderly parent or a sleeping baby, send an entry code to a housekeeper or dog walker, and even lock your doors automatically. If you have a smart thermostat, you can turn it on and off remotely by voice command.

Most smart home devices connect to your Wi-Fi network to allow you to control them remotely. You can also speak to them via voice commands, which can save you time. Some of them are also able to check the status of your door locks or adjust the temperature of a room. You can even set up a schedule to get automatic alerts.

The Google Home has a lot of features, including a screen interface that lets you speak to it, making it an easy way to control your home’s technology. The Nest Hub supports Google-supported smart home cameras and video doorbells. The device also supports Google Soli and Quick Gestures.

The Amazon Echo Plus is a voice-activated smart speaker that has a huge ecosystem of compatible devices. It’s great for home entertainment and can help control your lights, coffee maker, and more. Another great smart home device is the Amazon Fire Stick. It turns your smart TV on instantly, and offers apps from Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. It’s also only $30 right now, so a great value.

The Nest Hub is a hub for connected smart home devices, and can stream music or videos. Its user interface is much better than the Amazon Echo Show’s. It can even act as a digital photo frame. The screen adapts to ambient light, which cuts down on the amount of backlighting. It also allows you to set a sunrise alarm.

Smart light bulbs are another great option for smart home devices. These devices connect to your Wi-Fi router and can be controlled remotely with a smartphone app. They allow you to adjust brightness, color temperature, and even create custom light scenes for different rooms. Another great option is Philips Hue light bulbs. They are compatible with Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. And because they are so affordable, they can be a great way to start a smart home technology journey.

Alexa and Google Assistant are two of the most popular voice assistants. Although both have similar features, Amazon has a wider variety of third-party products that support their assistant. The two systems are also pretty close in terms of skill support. The latter is better at mimicking the natural flow of conversation than the former. Most people ask their smart speakers for the weather, a timer, and music, while Alexa is better at answering specific questions.

For those who want a touch screen display, the Amazon Echo Show 10 is a great choice. Its 10.1-inch screen lets you search for recipes and check the weather with Alexa, and it can connect to Wi-Fi, allowing you to watch shows or movies right on your screen.