How awesome would it be if you could control a coffee maker with your smartphone? Or what if your shower head could play music streamed from your tablet or laptop? Would you be impressed by an outlet that turned on every time you walked into the room?
Now think how much your friends and family would love you if you gave them one of these awesome gadgets! With the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to snag one of these amazing smart home devices.
New to the smart home trend? Get started with our introduction to smart home devices What is a smart home? What is a smart home? We recently launched a Smart Home category on MakeUseOf, but what is a smart home? Read more and our observations on why smart home devices are worth it. I lived in a smart home for 20 years. This is what you should know. I lived in a smart home for 20 years. This is what you should know. MakeUseOf spoke to one of our regular readers and commenters, Ben Stutt, from Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, about his experiences living in a smart home. Read more . It's not a trick!
Some people see the Echo of Amazon as nothing more than a glorified speaker, but it's much more than that:it has far-field voice recognition, which means it can tell you commands from a distance and it will react accordingly.
Amazon Echo - Black (1st Generation) Amazon Echo - Black (1st Generation) Buy now on Amazon
Commands can do more than just operate the device. For example, “Will it rain today?”, “Set an alarm for noon”, and “Play music by Parov Stelar” are all valid. Actually, the device itself has no buttons, so it's completely voice controlled. Sure to transform any home.
Read more about it in our Amazon Echo review. How the Amazon Echo can make your home a smart home. How the Amazon Echo can make your home a smart home. "can help bring it into the mainstream. Read More .
This coffee brewing machine is much better than you might expect. Using the free WeMo mobile app (which is compatible with other Belkin WeMo smart home products), you can control Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker for freshly brewed coffee at your convenience.
Mr. Coffee Smart Optimal Brew 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with WeMo Mr. Coffee Smart Optimal Brew 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with WeMo Shop Now on Amazon
Thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, the app makes it easy to set up your device and schedule brew times no matter where you are. And even with a 10-cup carafe size, the device can brew a full-capacity batch of coffee in just seven minutes.
Like the coffee maker above, the Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker It is a convenience device that can make anyone's life easier. It also uses the free WeMo mobile app for control, allowing you to adjust cook times, change temperatures, or turn the device on or off without even being home.
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Smart Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Crock-Pot 6-Quart Smart Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Buy Now On Amazon $249.99
It has a six-quart capacity, which is large enough for most households, and both the lid and cooking bowl are dishwasher safe. Programmable slow cookers have been around for quite some time, but this one is just on another level.
Ask anyone who lives in the suburbs with a large lawn and they will tell you how much pain proper lawn maintenance can take. With the Rachio IRO Smart Lawn Sprinkler , everything is taken care of automatically, and the grass will look and grow healthier for him.
Using its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, the sprinkler pulls in real-time weather and seasonal data to determine optimal watering patterns. This means you can save up to 30% on lawn water usage, lowering costs in the long run. And best of all, it integrates with all kinds of home automation systems:Nest, Wink, and even IFTTT.
This sprinkler is a great example of how smart home devices can save energy and money. Save energy and money with these devices. These smart home devices. One of the biggest benefits of a smart home is the energy saving technology available. In addition to saving money, you'll also be pushing toward a more sustainable and convenient living situation. Read more.
For the person who shoots their smartphone at the sink while showering, the Kohler Moxie Bluetooth Showerhead It may just be the ideal gift. It's a standard shower head that comes with a removable wireless speaker that can stream music from smartphones, MP3 players, laptops, and tablets.
KOHLER K-9245-CP 2.5 GPM Cordless Moxie Showerhead and Speaker, Polished Chrome KOHLER K-9245-CP 2.5 GPM Cordless Moxie Showerhead and Speaker, Polished Chrome Buy Now On Amazon $105.72
It uses Bluetooth, so it's capable of receiving signals from up to 32 feet away. And because the speaker is removable, you can play music anywhere, anytime, not just in the shower. The showerhead component is available in two water flow rates:2.0 or 2.5 gallons per minute.
To make your bathroom even better, consider buying a smart sink faucet 3 Reasons Your Next Faucet Should Be a Smart Faucet 3 Reasons Your Next Faucet Should Be a Smart Faucet People tend to think that Smart faucets are sophisticated and free. Is there really enough room for improvement to justify an upgrade? I'm here to convince you:yes! Read more too.
The Kolibree Smart Electric Toothbrush It is a great way to promote and maintain dental hygiene for the whole family, but especially for children. It has all the benefits of a soft electric toothbrush, but with one important addition:a free compatible mobile app.
Kolibree Smart toothbrush with sets. Sonic toothbrush educates children with Live Feedback and the Kolibree Smart Toothbrush with Games interactive app. Sonic toothbrush educates children with Live Feedback and an interactive app Buy now on Amazon
The Kolibree mobile app connects to the toothbrush and controls the brushing activity. The toothbrush itself has 3D motion sensors that allow the app to provide real-time feedback on whether or not you're brushing effectively. It also provides games and training to help children develop good brushing habits.
It's just one of many smart home devices you didn't know you wanted. 5 Cool Smart Gadgets You'll Probably Want In Your Home. 5 Cool Smart Gadgets You'll Probably Want In Your Home. Here are five smart products you probably had no idea about. they were out there Read More .
We have covered various smart outlet plugs. Which smart plug is the best for you? Which smart plug is the best for you? Even if you're not into the whole smart home automation trend, you should still get some smart plugs. They are one of the easiest smart home products to use. Read More it's the newest to hit the market, and probably the best of its competitors right now. It has a built-in power monitor and dimming function, but it also has one more feature that sets it apart.
Zuli Smartplug:Smart Home Control, Dimmer, Energy Monitor and Timer (Single) Zuli Smartplug:Smart Home Control, Dimmer, Energy Monitor and Timer (Single) Buy Now On Amazon $4.99
When you use at least three Zuli Smartplugs together, a feature called Zuli Presence is activated. Smartplugs form a zone, allowing devices to detect when someone enters or leaves said zone, and turn on or off accordingly. Smartplugs can also be controlled remotely with the Zuli iPhone app.
The Dropcam Pro security camera it's an amazing buy for anyone who has trouble sleeping at night due to safety concerns. On the surface, it may seem like little more than a consistently high-quality webcam, but there are many things I like about the Dropcam Pro, and anyone would be lucky to receive it as a gift.
Dropcam Pro Wi-Fi Wireless Video Monitoring Security Camera Dropcam Pro Wi-Fi Wireless Video Monitoring Security Camera Buy Now On Amazon $259.99
The camera itself has a 130-degree field of view, zoom functionality, night vision functionality, and 720p HD video. Images are uploaded to the Dropcam Cloud and stored for 30 days. Other smart features include two-way talk (between camera and smartphone), motion alerts, and more.
And best of all, setup takes less than a minute, as it quickly connects to Wi-Fi with no setup required. For added security, consider pairing it with a smart home door lock Forgotten Keys:5 Smart Locks You Can Unlock With Your Phone Forgotten Keys:5 Smart Locks You Can Unlock With Your Phone Here are 5 different locks you can unlock With his phone . Read more.
The Roomba was once a hot fad that bordered on the gimmick, but as newer versions such as the iRobot Roomba 770 prove - This little house cleaning robot has proven to be a device worth its price.
iRobot Roomba 770 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner iRobot Roomba 770 Robotic Vacuum Buy Now On Amazon $494.98
Using a full suite of proximity sensors, the Roomba can navigate an entire home. It has a three-phase cleaning process that includes shaking, brushing, and suction, and thanks to its HEPA-type filters, the Roomba cleans well enough to mitigate pet dander and other allergens. Schedule it to clean up to seven times a week.
It's definitely a luxury product, but when it comes to comfort and convenience, a Roomba is certainly one of many smart home products worth getting. What smart home features are worth it? Which ones can be safely discarded and ignored? Let's take a look at some that are really worth it. Read more.
It turns out that smart home devices don't have to be expensive. 6 Types of Home Automation You Can Really Afford 6 Types of Home Automation You Can Really Afford Are you ready to join the smart home revolution but worried it might be out of your budget? Smart homes aren't that expensive, and there are plenty of components the average homeowner can afford. Read more . In fact, when you really get up to speed, the real cost of a smart home How much does a smart home really cost? How much does a smart home really cost? A smart home could change your life, freeing up time in your day and regulating your routine so you don't have to remember what needs to be done. But how expensive is it, really? Read More These devices are worth every dollar, making them great gifts. No one will be disappointed.
As for security, remember to review these common smart home security concerns. 5 Security Concerns to Consider When Building Your Smart Home. 5 security issues to consider when creating your smart home. Many people try to connect as many aspects of their lives to the Web as possible, but many people have expressed genuine concerns about how secure these automated living spaces are. Read More There is nothing to be alarmed about..
So, which of these devices seems the most gift-worthy for you? If you could choose one, which one would you like? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us!
