We live in a “smart” society. Technology has completely revolutionized the way we do business, keep in touch with family and friends, and manage our lives. From smart phones and watches to Bluetooth enabled car stereos and more. Smart technology is everywhere and the trend to turn our homes into smart homes is here to stay. The newest home tech devices and apps can simplify tasks, make better use of resources, and transform the way we live.
Here are some of the top Smart Home Tech Solutions:
Undoubtedly you’ve heard of and probably seen a robot vacuum since they have been around for many years. They range in price from $150 to over $800. Most can be controlled through an app on your phone and programmed to run at various intervals through the day and week. If you have kids or pets, this is a great product to keep your home clean and tidy without having to dedicate time to vacuuming each week. Some even have the smart technology to detect and navigate obstacles and the capability to automatically empty its dust bin.
Some of the top-rated brands on the market are Neato, iRobot, Samsung, and b0bsweep. For reviews on these brands and more, check out this comprehensive overview by TopTen Reviews.
With a wireless LED lightbulb system, you can control your lights through an app on a smartphone or tablet. You can turn lights on or off remotely or schedule them to turn on or off with your phone or tablet. High-quality energy saving LED lights are great for home or office environments, and most can be integrated with other smart home technology like Amazon Alexa or Nest. Prices range from $100 to $200 for the bulbs and smart technology. Phillips and GE are two of the leading brands in this arena.
For a look at the best smart light bulbs on the market, check out this review by PCMag.
Simply put, a smart refrigerator allows you to monitor the contents of your fridge via the smart screen on the door or via an app on your smart phone. How often have you been at the store and wondered if there is milk at home? With a smart refrigerator, you may simply consult the app right from your phone. The smart screen on front of the fridge also shows the contents, so you don’t have to constantly open and shut it to see what’s inside. Samsung and LG are the two top brands now. Products range in price from $2,000 to $8,000 or more.
CNET provides a thorough overview of the top-rated brands and models.
Thermostat technology has come a long way in the past few years. First to hit the market were programmable thermostats, and now they have fully integrated smart technology, allowing you to not only program them, but monitor and make changes right from your smart phone, as well. In addition, you can optimize your energy usage to save money, pre-heat your house before you get home, control who has access, and get emailed alerts when your home's temperature falls or rises above a certain point. Products range from $100 to $250.
Brands leading the pack are Nest, Honeywell, Ecobee and Sensi. Thermostatic rates the top five brands on their website.
New technology has improved home security immensely. Wireless cameras allow you to see what’s happening in your home from anywhere in the world, providing you with peace of mind. Most systems can be set up and ready to go in less than a minute, providing you with high definition video footage of your home. An app on your smartphone can alert you if there is motion or sound. You can even check in on your pets while you are away. As a bonus, you can capture moments you want to relive again and again.
For more about home security systems, check out this review.
Technology is advancing at an unparalleled rate. New products are being developed every day. You likely have a smart phone in your pocket, so why not put it to good use to monitor your home to make it safer and more efficient?
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