Smart Homes 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 But the technology used to cost thousands of dollars, so it's completely out of reach for anyone on a budget. Unfortunately, that old perception prevents many people from adopting smart home products when, in reality, the smart home market has been almost unrecognizable for several years.
As the market has diversified and competition has increased, there are more options than ever when it comes to smart devices and gadgets. And, even better, while technology has advanced, prices have fallen far, far below their previous amounts.
Seriously, for a total of $400, beginners can put together a fully functional smart home that can completely revolutionize the way you live your day to day.
Here's how the seven essentials can show the true potential of smart home technology, without breaking the bank!
A great example of an affordable smart home device that offers tons of features is the Amazon Echo Dot. The smallest member of Amazon's impressive lineup of connected speakers, it can be used alone or in conjunction with a larger, better-sounding speaker.
Echo Dot (2nd generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Black Echo Dot (2nd generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Black Buy now on Amazon
While the number of competitors continues to grow, Echo echo A Amazon Comparison Guide to Echo Devices:Which is Best for You? A Comparison Guide to Amazon Echo Devices:Which is Best for You? Which Amazon Echo Device is Right for You? We compare the Plus, Dot, Tap, Show, Spot, Look and Fire TV Cube to help you decide. Read More With just a simple voice command, you can control a host of smart home devices in every category imaginable. Instead of fumbling with an app or another controller, voice control of the Echo Dot is quick and easy.
With seven microphones and special far-field technology, the device can understand and decipher your query from across the room or even while listening to loud music.
And the Echo Dot can do a lot more than just control a smart home. His growing list of skills now stands at over 12,000. Some of its most interesting skills 18 Amazing New Amazon Alexa Skills You Need to Try 18 Amazing New Amazon Alexa Skills You Need to Try The list of Amazon Echo skills is growing all the time. Let's take a look at the most useful and silliest abilities of the last few months. Read More
Echo Dot is affordable, easy to use, and offers a wealth of features. That combination is hard to miss and makes the device an essential component of any smart home on a budget.
Using a smart thermostat is just plain smart. Just about any model can help you save energy, lower your electric bill, and maybe even improve your health. 4 Health benefits of monitoring temperature and humidity in the home 4 Health benefits of monitoring temperature and humidity in the home Did you know that there are health benefits? using smart home products? It's okay. One or two smart purchases could drastically improve your quality of life at home. Read more . A great affordable option is the Sensi.
Fully compatible with any Echo device, including the Dot, the $99 thermostat is designed to work with HVAC systems in most homes. There is a bit of installation involved to remove your dumb old thermostat. But pretty much anyone handy with a screwdriver and wiring should be able to take care of that without a problem. As a nice bonus, the Sensi app (iOS and Android) includes a step-by-step installation guide and video tutorial to help you through that process.
Once the Wi-Fi thermostat is ready to go, the app offers several ways to help you feel comfortable at home without using more energy. Thanks to geofencing, the thermostat can use your smartphone's location to make sure you're not cooling or heating while you're away from home. Geofencing will also make sure your home is comfortable the moment you walk through the front door.
A flexible seven-day scheduling option also allows homeowners to customize the HVAC system to fit their daily routine. In addition to being able to control your system with a simple Alexa command at home, the app allows you to control your thermostat from anywhere in the world.
Another way to add an affordable dose of technology to any home is with a smart lock. Everything you need to know before installing a smart lock. Everything you need to know before installing a smart lock. Smart locks are increasing in popularity, but there are still plenty of valid concerns about their security. These are the facts you should know before making a purchase! Read more . Instead of having to rely on keys, you can lock and unlock the door with an iOS or Android device. The Lockitron deadbolt is a good way to start.
Retailing for $100, the Bolt uses Bluetooth to connect with a smartphone or tablet to activate. Using the app, you can easily share access with selected family and friends and receive notifications when the door is locked or unlocked.
The Lockitron Sense feature makes it a breeze when you return home. You can customize the bolt to unlock automatically when you have returned home and are within a certain distance from the lock. Alternatively, the tap to unlock feature will make your phone vibrate when you return home. Just touch the screen three times and the door will open.
If you want to take the Bolt to the next step, a $79 Bridge can offer Wi-Fi support for control anywhere with a wireless signal.
The field of smart lighting is full of different options, which is ideal for anyone on a strict budget. Each smart LED bulb in this three-pack from TP-Link averages up to $20 per bulb, which is a bit more than you'd spend on a regular LED option.
Each bulb lasts nearly 14 years with normal use and provides a soft white light at 600 lumens. You can interact with each bulb using Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant.
With the iOS or Android app, you can dim each bulb, even without a hardware dimmer. It's also easy to set a schedule for each bulb, including an “on at dusk and off at dawn” option that will adjust automatically throughout the year. You can even control how much power each bulb uses!
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb - Soft White, Dimmable, A19, No Hub Required, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant, 3-Pack (LB100 TKIT) Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb by TP-Link TP-Link - Soft White, Dimmable, A19, No Hub Hubed, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant, 3-Pack (LB100 TKIT) Buy Now on Amazon $44.99
Another Alexa-enabled device, the Etekcity plug turns any electrical outlet into a possible smart device. Even better, this two pack brings double the investment.
Using simply a voice command to Alexa or the VeSync app (iOS and Android), you can control the outlet (and therefore whatever is connected). This gadget is perfect for outlets and devices that are only out of range.
You can also create a custom schedule that will automatically turn the outlet on and off whenever you want. It's perfect for an extra sense of security while you're out and about. The app will even track how much power is being used and how often the plug is running, giving you a better idea of your electrical usage.
In the event of a power outage, each plug will retain the most recently used settings, saving you a lot of time and trouble.
Etekcity WiFi Smart Plug, Wireless Energy Monitoring Mini Outlet with Timer (2-Pack), No Hub Hubed, Works with Alexa, Google Home and IFTTT, ETL Listed, White, 2 Years Warranty and Lifetime Support Etekcity WiFi Smart Plug, Mini Outlet Wireless Energy Monitoring with Timer (2-Pack), No Hub, Works with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT, ETL Listed, White, 2-Year Warranty &Lifetime Support Buy Now On Amazon $19.89
Speaking of protection, a smart surveillance camera is a great way to see what's going on in your home from anywhere in the world. Wansview home camera can stream 720p video to your Android or iOS device and compatible web browsers.
With 24 IR LEDs, the camera can even see in the dark at a distance of up to 20 feet. Along with the 120-degree viewing angle, a microphone and speaker will allow users to talk to anyone in the house. You can also capture videos and images.
While the camera doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles like other (more expensive) options, it's definitely a great way to get started with home surveillance. It can always be reused as a baby monitor or for other tasks thanks to the included mounting hardware.
Wansview Wireless HD IP Camera, Home WiFi Security Surveillance Camera for Baby/Elderly/Pet/Nanny Monitor with Night Vision and Two Way Audio K2(White) Wansview Wireless HD IP Camera, Home WiFi Security Surveillance Camera for Baby/Elderly / pets / nanny Monitor with night vision and two-way audio K2 (white) Buy Now On Amazon $ 28.89
If you're like me, you probably have a plethora of remotes for every part of your home entertainment system. But the $29 Blumoo is a great way to turn an iPhone, iPad, or other device into the ultimate controller.
Simply place this little device in the same room as your home entertainment equipment, plug in the power and audio cable, and you're ready to go. Using the iOS or Android app, you'll first establish control of all equipment in the room. The database contains more than 250,000 different equipment makes and models, including:TVs, sound bars, and more.
Along with full control through the app, you can view an interactive TV guide. As a nice touch, Blumoo is also a Bluetooth music receiver. That means you can stream music from your device to most audio systems up to 150 feet away.
Blumoo Smart Remote Control Blumoo Smart Remote Control Buy Now on Amazon $14.17
Even a few years ago, getting a fully functional smart home for $400 would have been unthinkable. Now, it's totally possible..
And depending on your home needs, you can even outfit your home for much less! We hope that the next few years will continue to lower the price of innovative products so that they are available to everyone.
Are there products perfect for a smart home beginner on a budget that we didn't see? Let us know in the comments.
