At Shiny Key Properties, we’ve always felt that a home is more than just a building. In the right house, your home is almost a living thing – it helps you live the lifestyle you love, keeps your family warm and safe, and brings calm and happiness into your every day. Thanks to smart technology, however, homes can be more alive than ever before, making our lives easier, more interactive and more fun! Here are some of the trendiest pieces of tech for your home – the perfect Christmas gift your whole family can enjoy.
What is smart home technology?
Before we dive in, here’s a brief guide to what smart home tech really is. Essentially, it’s about connecting the appliances and devices we use every day in our homes through the internet to create a hassle-free automated home.
This doesn’t just apply to computers and smartphones, but to everything – and we do mean everything – you use through your day. Your doorbell, lights, hot water heaters, air conditioning, security cameras, windows and blinds, appliances and more, all connected, talking to each other and, most importantly, waiting on your slightest command.
The world of smart home technology – the tech that is behind home automation – is advancing quickly and becoming more and more exciting. The best part is that it’s up to you how much you want to automate your home, whether you want your lights to switch on before you come home from work in certain rooms and your HVAC to adjust your space to the perfect temperature without having to touch a button, or whether you want a full automation solution where every appliance and electronic device operates together in a symphony of fuss-free smart technology.
The most desirable pieces of smart home technology for your 2018 Christmas list
- Smart hubs – the brains of your operation: Amazon’s Alexa, the Wink Hub 2 and Google Home are some of the most popular starting points for home automation. They are highly compatible with other smart technologies and allow you to control other smart devices in your home through voice control alone. You can also access the Internet freely, so get ready to ask for your favorite Christmas songs streamed directly to your speaker system!
- Smart lightbulbs: Here, the favorite is Phillips Hue lightbulbs. They’re widely supported (can communicate with your smart hub), easy to install, come in a huge range and have a great app. All you have to do is get the Phillips Bridge (to connect to your router), switch out your lightbulbs and switches and you’re ready to go. They are very customizable and communicate with your smart hub to follow your specific settings. This can mean setting the perfect light level for working in your home office, waking up to a softly glowing sunrise, winding down with a sunset or partying the holidays away with colorful themes and spots.
- Smart thermostats: A big favorite for reviewers is the Nest Thermostat E, with its elegant design and ease of use, but there are plenty of options out there! The Ecobee4 is another favorite, synching with Alexa and offering great capabilities in reducing hot and cold spots in different rooms. A smart thermostat isn’t just a fun piece of tech, it’s key to saving money on your energy bill, having a greener home and living a more comfortable life. Once the device gets used to your routine, it actually anticipates your home heating and cooling needs, adjusting automatically.
- Smart fridge: For busy people and families who struggle to keep track of just what’s in the fridge, what’s about to expire and even what to cook tonight for dinner, a smart fridge can help you get rid of that stress in your life! There are plenty of options from different leading brands like Kenmore, Samsung, GE and LG, all with their own unique features designed to help you use food more efficiently, reduce wastage and lower your grocery bill.
- Smart home security cameras: There are lots of these on the market, including the NetGear Arlo Q and ICamera Keep Pro, so shop around for something that suits your needs. They can start recording at high resolution automatically when motion is detected, offer two-way voice communication, and plenty of other features through apps. Smart doorbells like the SkyBell HD are another great security device, offering both day and night vision, motion sensor recorded video, synching with your smart home hub, and other useful features.
- Smart BBQ: Although it’s not quite BBQ season outdoors, there’s no reason why you can’t start planning early for the summer! A smart BBQ like the Timberline 1300 from Traeger offers so many fun and practical options for BBQ kings and queens, including the ability to precisely control cooking temperatures, setting times, accessing recipes and ensuring the precise delivery of smoke at the right time – all through your WiFi.
- Smart gardening systems: If your yard is your pride and joy, then this type of smart tech could be the perfect fit for you. Systems like the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller allow you to set customized watering plans for up to 16 zones in your garden – a great way to reduce water wastage while keeping your yard looking great! You can turn it on and off remotely too, either on your smartphone or via your smart home hub, and it offers features that not only monitor the weather in your area, but what’s happening right on your very own doorstep.
We hope you found this article useful and that you enjoy living in a smarter, more interactive home this festive season!