5 Best Smart Home Devices To Tech Up Your Household

Amazon’s Echo Show 8 combines smart displays with a rich stereo sound like its other speaker counterparts. Named after its 8-inch screen, this smart display device carries 1,280 x 800 resolution just like its bigger 10-inch sibling. Apart from setting alarms, playing videos and checking the traffic, the Echo Show 8 also has a camera so you can make hands-free video calls. In case you’re worried about your privacy, there’s also a shutter for the camera for when you’re not using it.

And if you already have an Alexa smart home system, this device acts as a great controlling point for your other smart home devices.

Philips Hue remains a favourite in the smart home device world, despite the emergence of other smart lights in the market. While Philips has now added Bluetooth support for its Hue bulbs, buying the Hue Bridge still offers the optimal experience. The Hue Bridge acts as a hub for your bulbs and is compatible with different smart home systems like Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings and Nest. If you have an Amazon Echo Show or Plus, it also can be used in place of the Bridge.

Explore features such as colour control, scheduling and integration with your other smart home devices. The best part? These features are available even before installing additional accessories!

The Nest Hello tops the list of video doorbells. It connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network so you can see who’s at your doorstep in real-time. It records footage 24/7 and tags any motions that it deems important for you to be aware of.

This smart doorbell also features facial recognition for owners to build a personal database based on familiar visitors. It also includes pre-recorded responses that can be read out to visitors at the door. Although you’ll need to wire it, this device is perfect for having your own fully-controlled doorbell system.

If you’re just entering into the world of smart home devices, start with a smart plug! These products are simple to install and grasp. Its primary function is to control power remotely. A plug that delivers the essentials is TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Plug Mini.

It connects to your Wi-Fi network and gives you the ability to create a schedule of when it turns on and off. This compact plug is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant so you can use all of your devices seamlessly.

Many may fear using smart locks as it increases the chances of technical failure and may potentially compromise your home security – especially so for keyless smart locks. This is where August Smart Lock Pro comes in. It fits over your existing deadbolt and still lets you use your physical key.

You can lock or unlock your door remotely on your phone, which is connected to the lock via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You can also grant access temporarily to guests to enter your home when you’re not in. The smart lock will also notify you when people open the door or to show whether your door is open or closed.