Smart Home Devices: Top Picks, What They Are, and How They Work
It's safe to say that smart home technology is slowly finding its way into almost every home. In the past five years, consumers have jumped at the opportunity to own a wide variety of smart home gadgets. From Alexa enabled devices that control speakers and lights to Google home compatible devices that connect with your in-home security system, smart home products have numerous functions that are all designed to enhance your lifestyle.
What Are Smart Home Devices?
Homeowners used to worry about leaving the oven on, the sink running, or an iron pressed into a search. Now, thanks to smart home gadgets, homeowners can rest easy knowing that their worries can be eased when they are away from their home. Smart home devices can be connected to your home's appliances and technologies so that they can communicate with each other, and send you vital notifications. These devices typically use the Internet to enable remote management, monitoring, and alerts. For example, smart home devices can tell you when your heating is off, use customized tiles to turn on the lights before you arrive home, and offer video surveillance right from your doorbell with Ring devices.
How Do Smart Home Devices Work?
Smart home technology uses electricity, Bluetooth, and the Internet to create an in-home network that is waiting for your commands. The beauty of smart home technology is that the commands can be given remotely, by voice, at the touch of a button, or from your tablet or smartphone. From temperature regulation to home security to home entertainment systems, smart home products are built to make your life easier in both small and large ways.
What Are The Best Smart Home Devices?
Whether you want to set up smart speakers for surround sound throughout your home, or you want to decrease your home's environmental footprint, smart home products are here to help. As you begin to shop around for the best technology solutions, you might want to ask, "what smart home devices work with Alexa," "what smart home devices work with Google home," and "what smart home devices work with Amazon Echo?" The latter three questions will help you find devices that are compatible with your preferred provider, i.e. Amazon or Google. After all, you don't want to discover what smart devices work with Google home, only to realize that your entire music collection is hosted on Amazon.
Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo is one of the best smart home devices on the market. It is a Bluetooth speaker that uses Alexa to listen to voice commands. The second generation Echo is also designed to connect to other Alexa enabled devices, which makes it a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to create an automated smart home. You can use the Echo to listen to music, play online games, set alarms, make calls, take notes, and even update your shopping list.
Amazon Cloud Cam
The Amazon Cloud Cam is a durable, versatile, and affordable security camera that can be set up inside or outside of your home. With this in mind, the camera should be set up outdoors under an awning, balcony, or another type of protection so that it is not damaged by harsh weather conditions. The camera delivers live video feeds, can be set up to send real-time motion notifications, and monitor specific motion areas. All footage is stored on your Amazon Cloud account so that you can access it remotely and when you are on the go. The Amazon Cloud Cam is discreet and can give homeowners the peace of mind that they need when traveling or leaving their home throughout the day.
Google Home
Did you know that the Google Home line offers a wide selection of smart home devices that you can use throughout your house? In many ways, the Google Home line of devices is a direct competitor to Amazon Echo products; however, there are a few key differences. Google's smart speaker is bigger than the Amazon Alexa, and it is connected to the Google Assistant rather than Alexa. The device also features a rectangular shape and a more powerful speaker with better sound projection. At the end of the day, choosing between Google Home devices or Amazon Echo will depend on whether you want to use the Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa.
Blink Devices
Blink is an affordable home security system that has interior and outdoor solutions. The indoor solution features a small camera that can be hidden or visibly displayed. The outdoor camera can also be hidden or visibly displayed; however, unlike the indoor model, the outdoor camera is waterproof and can be used in a wide variety of weather conditions. Blink devices can even be customized to match your personal style, blend into your home's decor, or stand out to make a dynamic impression.
Nest's Hello
Nest's Hello video doorbell has a wide variety of security benefits. It has facial recognition features, it can send real-time alerts, record footage, and even be integrated with Google Home devices and speakers. Nest's Hello can be interconnected with the Nest Cam IQ indoor to further enhance your home's security and comfort. It is also discreet, customizable
Roomba iRobot
The Roomba iRobot offers a smarter way to clean your home. It is uniquely designed to clean all types of floor surfaces, remove small dust particles, and capture large debris. It has Imprint™ Technology, which allows it to communicate with your other smart home devices. The robot can even empty its debris into a trash bag so that you don't have to worry about cleaning your home. All you have to do is tell the Roomba iRobot to make a visual map of your home, set a schedule, customize the exterior of the device, and let this powerhouse of a cleaning machine do its job.