What is a smart home? 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 is it worth it? That is the real battle right now. While there are plenty of enthusiastic early adopters 5 Reasons Being an Early Adopter is a Bad Idea 5 Reasons Being an Early Adopter is a Bad Idea Are you the type to pre-order devices? newest technological as soon as they are? available? So you are an early adopter. Is there a drawback? Let's find out. Read More Maybe you I think the same.
I admit tricks smart home devices do exists. It's a new market and growers are experimenting to see what works. 5 Smart Home Gadgets You Probably Haven't Heard Of. 5 Smart Home Gadgets You Probably Haven't Heard Of. Read More fail hard On the other hand, some of those ideas end up being almost revolutionary..
So which 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.
Energy efficiency is one of the most desired features modern homeowners are looking for. On the one hand, it reduces its impact on the global environment. But if you don't mind going green, the other benefit is that it will save you dollars on your monthly energy bill. 5 Smart Hacks to save electricity in your smart home. 5 Smart Hacks to save electricity in your smart home. Electricity is in knowing where you consume most of your energy. Read more.
Which means everyone should be looking toward an energy-saving thermostat (assuming you live in a thermostat-friendly home, of course). You really can't go wrong here.
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Our top recommendation is the Nest Thermostat, which is available for $249. This popular device not only learns your preferred temperature ranges, but also when You prefer certain temperatures. It will also turn off when you are away from home and allow you to control it remotely via your smartphone.
And that is just the beginning. Here are several Nest features you didn't know about 13 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With a Nest Thermostat 13 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With a Nest Thermostat Read More
If for some reason you don't like the Nest, the $215 Honeywell Lyric is a worthy alternative with similar features. But don't stop there. There are many other smart devices that help save energy. Save energy and money with these smart home devices Save energy and money with these smart home devices One of the biggest benefits of a smart home is the available energy saving technology. In addition to saving money, you'll also be pushing toward a more sustainable and convenient living situation. Read More
Security is another big concern when owning a home. Everyone deserves to feel safe within their own walls, and while that can It can be done without any smart home automation, there are some devices that can make it much more convenient for you.
My personal favorite is the August Smart Lock, which is available for $249. This device replaces traditional front door locks and allows you to lock/unlock using the proximity of your smartphone. No more looking for the keys, don't accidentally close yourself..
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Digital keys can be created and assigned to individual smartphones, and those keys can be revoked after a certain amount of time. Great for granting temporary access to guests or service personnel without having to clone physical keys.
But don't take my word for it. Take a look at all these smart lock alternatives Forget Keys:5 Smart Locks You Can Unlock With Your Phone Forget Keys:5 Smart Locks You Can Unlock With Your Phone Here are 5 different locks you can unlock with your phone. Read More All of them are great and quite affordable.
Note:The most common rebuttal is “What if an intruder disconnects the device??” While it is possible, it is not easy to do. Also, anyone willing to do so could easily break a window or bang on the door, so I consider that a moot point.
While we're on the subject of security, what about surveillance?
If you don't already have some kind of surveillance system installed for your home, you should look into it as soon as possible. It can be as simple as using a webcam as a security camera. Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools. Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools. Having your own home surveillance system can be a powerful deterrent to would-be intruders. , or frustrating co-workers. Here are 6 great options for webcam-based surveillance products that you can use today! Learn more or set up a security network with old smartphones How to build a security camera network with old smartphones How to build a security camera network with old smartphones There is no better use of old smartphones than creating your own DIY network security camera. System - We show you everything you need to know! Read more . For something cheap and effective, those solutions may work.
But if you want to take it to the next level, consider investing in a smart surveillance system like Canary's all-in-one home security device for around $249. This thing packs a lot of punch for its modest price.
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It comes with a built-in always-on camera that streams 1080p HD video using a wide-angle lens (147 degrees). It automatically switches to night vision mode when it gets dark, plus the audio quality is excellent. It knows when you're home and when you're away.
But wait, there's more! Canary has motion-activated recording and an alarm siren that scares away thieves. At the same time, the alerts will be sent to your smartphone (in case you are away). In addition, Canary has incorporated temperature, humidity and air quality monitors.
If Canary is too much for you or just not your style, check out these smart home security alternatives Safe and Sound:4 Great Home Security Devices Smart Safe and Sound:4 Great Smart Home Security Devices Learn More which includes products like Homeboy and Cocoon. Dropcam is another one worth checking out.
Humidity and humidity sensors are amazing Important if you own your own home. Unexpected leaks can linger for months without your knowledge, eventually resulting in mold, rot, and huge repair bills. Wouldn't it be better to invest in preventive measures at a fraction of the cost?
The Canary device mentioned above has this feature built in, but if you don't get the Canary, there are other options to explore. In fact, these options might be better in the long run.
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We recommend purchasing the SmartThings SmartSense Moisture Sensor for $49 or the cheaper Insteon Water Leak Sensor for $35. Install them in the ground near pipes, washing machines, etc. and will activate on unexpected contact with water.
To make better use of them, for example to receive alerts on your smartphone, you'll need to bundle them with a smart hub, like the SmartThings Hub for $99 or the Insteon Hub for $115, respectively. On the plus side, getting a hub means you can start using other types of sensors as well (depending on which hub you get. Which Smart Hub Is Best For You? Which Smart Hub For Automation Is Best For You? In the meantime, People thought the idea was nothing more than a gimmick, but recent product launches have shown that smart home automation is starting to deliver on its promises (Read More).
You'll end up spending $150-$250 to avoid thousands of dollars in potential water damage. You would consider that a positive net investment, right?
“Automated house cleaner” is just my fancy term for Roomba. This lovable mini robot has come a long way since his debut (did you know he's turning 13 this year?) and he's more effective than ever. If you're tired of small cleaning jobs, Roomba is for you.
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The only downside is that it's relatively expensive compared to the other devices we've explored. The model I would go with, the iRobot Roomba 870, is around $510. So again, if you really I hate cleaning, that price might well be worth it..
The Roomba 870 has the newest extraction system that maximizes cleaning performance and minimizes maintenance requirements. It also uses a new generation of batteries that last twice as long as previous models. Roomba itself can be programmed to clean on a schedule and will automatically return to its dock when finished.
Relative to other home improvement projects you might undertake, smart home products are actually quite inexpensive. 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 . A basic renovation could cost as little as a few hundred dollars, while a luxury makeover could cost more than a few thousand.
For a frame of reference, a typical bathroom renovation in the United States costs between $9,000 and $14,000. So yes. Smart home automation provides a lot from bang-for-your-buck. It's not just a trick.
What kind of smart home improvements are you looking to pursue? Do you think it is worth the price or is it too expensive? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
