In a 21st century household, smart home devices are a staple. Especially as we’re spending more time at home, connecting all our appliances to our smartphones makes things so much easier! Imagine controlling your lights or doorbell anytime, anywhere, just through a few taps on your phone. Wouldn’t that be convenient?
Whether you already have a few smart home products installed or you’re looking to start turning your house into a smart home, we’ve got you covered. Here are our picks for the 5 best smart home devices to support your lifestyle.
Note: This list is strictly not in order.
1. Amazon Echo Show 8
Image credit: Amazon Echo Show 8
Screen size: 8” | Resolution: 1,280 x 800 px | Camera: 1 MP, front-facing | Sound: 2 x 2” 10 W speakers | Dimensions: 7.9 x 3.9 x 5.4” | Weight: 1,037g
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.
Price: $199.90
Available on: Lazada & others
2. Philips Hue A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb
Image credit: Philips Hue
Dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 x 4.3” | Voltage: 110120 volts
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!
Price: $45.49
Available on: Lazada & others
3. Google Nest Hello
Image credit: Google Nest Hello
Camera sensor: 1/3 inch, 3 mega-pixel colour sensor | Zoom: 8x digital zoom | Video: 1600 x 1200 at 30 frames/sec | Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.0 x 4.6”
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.
Price: $275
Available on: TecoBuy & others
4. TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini
Image credit: TP-Link
Dimensions: 2.61 x 1.49 x 1.57” | Input Voltage: 100 – 120 VAC | Output Voltage: 100 – 120 VAC | Maximum Power: 1.80KW
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.
Price: $21
Available on: Lazada & others
5. August Smart Lock Pro
Image credit: August Smart Lock Pro
Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.7 x 2.2” | Wireless Requirements: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
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.
Price: $277.44
Available on: Amazon & others
Conclusion
When it comes to smart home devices, many can undoubtedly add convenience to your life. Regardless of whether you already have an array of devices at home or you haven’t started turning your house into a smart home yet, we hope our list helps you to find the best products for your needs!
