Best Smart Home Devices

If you want a full smart home experience, get a smart hub. The hub is the brain of an automated home system. It connects all your wired devices, letting them communicate among themselves. The hub also lets you control the devices from a single app or access point.

Popular hubs include options from Amazon, Google and Hubspace, each supporting multiple smart home brands. Always check your hub type's website for the most up-to-date information. Choosing the right hub ensures your devices work together seamlessly.

These days, affordable smart devices are for everyone. Even if you don’t feel tech-savvy, you can begin using these devices right out of the box. If you’re new to smart home technology, start small. Try adding smart bulbs, smart locks or smart thermostats to your home. You likely use these items daily, so the extra functionality should make sense.

When it comes to smart home devices, one of their biggest benefits is that for security and safety. These appliances and fixtures can help you and your loved ones quickly detect and identify potential threats. These may include natural risks, like a gas leak, or strangers at the door.

Smart Lighting Solutions for Every Room:

• Smart Light Bulbs - These bulbs are programmable, allowing you to control and adjust brightness and color by voice or app.
• Smart Switches - Automate existing lights without replacing fixtures.
• Smart Sensors - Link to motion or door sensors to save energy automatically.

Smart Thermostats:

• With these smart thermostats, you can conserve money and energy at home.
• Adjust them traditionally or while you’re out, using your smartphone.
• Change the heat or air conditioning from the comfort of your bed or couch.
• Some thermostats even learn your preferences over time, tweaking the temperature accordingly.

Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• In the presence of any smoke or carbon monoxide, these gadgets can provide a spoken warning or text before going off.
• Smart leak detectors call out moisture before major water damage occurs.

Smart Doorbells

• These smart doorbells come with a camera, so you can see who’s at the door.
• You’ll know who’s on your doorstep, no matter where you are.
• Ring and Nest are the most popular smart doorbells.

Smart Security Cameras

• Smart security cameras allow you to keep an eye on your property from anywhere.
• As part of your smart home security systems, smart cameras can also issue warnings.
• Set up your cameras to send phone alerts or emails. They can tell you if they see or hear something that needs your attention.

Smart home devices can greatly improve your convenience and control of your home. Imagine, you can adjust the temperature or lighting in any room, right from one switch, or even your smartphone. You could also take care of chores, like washing clothes or vacuuming, while you relax.

You could install only one or two smart home gadgets. If so, a smart home automation starter kit can simplify your efforts. Or you may prefer to remove the guesswork with an all-in-one bundle. They group several compatible smart home gadgets that seamlessly connect and work together. Be sure to check for bundles that include a hub plus one or two smart home devices. To increase convenience and control, consider these:

Smart Plugs:

• Smart plugs help to ensure that routine chores are completed, on schedule. Learn to automate everyday appliances, including vacuums, refrigerators, washers and dryers.
• Control lamps, space heaters and other ordinary items with your smartphone.
• Holiday lighting adjustments are a breeze from the comfort of your home.

Smart Garage Door Opener with App Control:

• Smart garage door openers allow access from anywhere. Open or close the door from any spot in the house or from far away.
• Voice-control through an app makes it convenient to operate hands-free.
• Share codes among family members or delivery services, making it easy to track who comes and goes.

Smart Lighting and Temperature:

These smart home devices allow you to program and adjust your home's lights, at any time, wherever you're located. And you can install smart home thermostats, ensuring a comfortable temperature year-round.

One of the biggest advantages of smart home devices is how they can make your downtime more enjoyable. Besides their improved lighting control, they help you see your screens and devices more clearly. And that means a much more enjoyable experience watching movies, listening to music or playing games. Plus, the connectivity and convenience make working from home much more productive.

Smart Electronics and Entertainment:

• These gadgets allow you to link your speakers and smart TV together.
• Smart home platforms, like Google Home and Alexa, allow you to link to smart speakers and other devices. Select smart devices compatible with Google Home or smart devices compatible with Alexa for the best integration. With a simple command, like, “Hey, Alexa,” you can do everything from play music to order pizza.

Streaming Devices:

Having the best smart home devices lets you stream data between connected devices. You can instantly download information and entertainment right to your Bluetooth speakers, headphones and wearables.

Smart Speakers and Displays:

Use your voice to get answers and control smart devices. Control the volume right from your smartphone or from a smart remote.

You should read the product info to determine smart device compatibility. And be sure to check for those that work together. Most smart devices use one of two major wireless “languages” to communicate: Z-Wave and Zigbee. Both use mesh networking technology, which delivers a speedier response time between devices.

Z-Wave:

• Offers an easy setup.
• Has a broad range of device compatibility.
• Runs on a 908.42 MHz frequency, which is less prone to interference from other devices.
• Requires a smart hub to send signals and control devices.

Zigbee:

• Excellent range.
• Low power consumption, as battery-operated devices can run for years on a single set.
• Runs on a 908.42 MHz frequency.

Insteon:

• Communicates via radio frequencies or through power lines.
• Optimized exclusively for home automation and control.
• Compatible with older X10 devices, which use existing electrical wiring.
• Operates on 902 to 924 MHz frequency bands.

Bluetooth:

• Short-range communications technology, limited to about 32 feet (10 meters).
• Can automatically detect and connect up to eight different devices at once.
• Ideal for connecting and streaming data between nearby devices.

Wi-Fi:

• Requires no hub to control devices connected on a Wi-Fi network.
• Wi-Fi operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.
• Consumes lots of power, so it's not ideal for battery-powered devices.

Here are some tips for better smart home network performance:

• In areas with weak Wi-Fi connectivity, smart routers for connected homes, Wi-Fi extenders and mesh networking kits can create additional access points.
• Position your smart hub for a clear line-of-sight path to devices. If you can’t, keep only one floor or wall between them. Or try moving your hub a few feet away from large metal objects.
• Point the hub’s antenna towards the center of the house. This allows the electromagnetic signal to travel in all directions.
• Space smart devices as far apart as possible to reduce interference.
• The more devices on a mesh hub, the stronger the network.
• Smart plugs, outlets and motion sensors can act as repeaters. These are electronic devices that can extend signals' range or overcome issues.
• Have multiple devices that aren’t working well together? Apps, like IFTTT (If This Then That), may help.