With so many new smart home advancements on the market, it can be overwhelming for the average homeowner and consumer to decide which products will actually benefit their life. Below are some options that solve real-world problems and provide tangible benefits to your home, all while making your life more streamlined. With over 40% of the households in the U.S. owning a smart device and 62% owning a smart TV, there’s no need to feel intimidated! Continue reading to learn about the benefits of these upgrades to decide if they’re right for you and your lifestyle.

Monitor Your Entryway with Smart Video Doorbells

You’ve likely visited a friend’s or neighbor’s home and seen their Ring doorbell! These video doorbells are all the rage and allow homeowners to see a real-time video of visitors as they approach the door. This can improve the security of your home by allowing you to interact with the person at your door using clear, two-way audio communication. Whether you’re away from home or don’t want to open the door unless you know who it is — this is a great way to stay safe while providing you with the convenience of chatting with visitors directly. In some cases, these doorbells can help to deter porch pirates as well.

Smart doorbells and cameras typically record a short video clip whenever they detect motion near your door, which is then saved to the cloud. Users can access these videos anytime for a predetermined period. Aside from Ring, there are a variety of brands that have similar tech on the market — such as Arlo, which uses a budget-friendly monthly subscription plan that gives users 30 days of video storage capacity.

Use Your Voice to Command Your Home

You’ve likely encountered some variety of “smart assistants,” whether at a friend’s home or within the workplace. These assistants are controlled via a smart speaker and provide users the ability to control all of their smart devices, using basic voice commands. An example of this would be turning off your lights without getting out of your comfortable bed by saying “Alexa, turn off all lights.” Once your smart devices have been connected to your smart speaker, you can even go as far as to create daily routines such as turning lights on, starting your smart coffee maker, and changing the temperature on your smart thermostat. Simply tell Alexa to “start my day” and you’ll be ahead of the game before even stepping foot out of bed!

These smart speakers can also be convenient when listening to music and requesting traffic reports before you hit the road for your commute. Before investing in a smart speaker, you’ll want to ensure that it’s compatible with the other smart devices you currently own so you can make your smart home experience as seamless as possible. Popular voice assistants aside from Amazon’s Alexa include Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri. The Amazon-powered model is the most user-friendly, so it’s been widely distributed amongst households looking to upgrade their connectivity. 

Save Energy with Smart Thermostats, Smart Lights & More

Smart thermostats are one of the most popular smart home technologies these days, with many people opting for a Nest or similar brand of thermostat in their home. While these products can be pricey upfront, they can ultimately help you save on energy costs by scheduling your system to heat and cool your home throughout the day. If you’ve been looking to achieve optimal climate conditions throughout the year, these devices can be controlled by voice or via an app for the utmost convenience. Too warm while you’re watching a movie? You don’t even have to get up to kick the AC on! Some smart thermostats are equipped with room sensors, so you can monitor the temperature in specific areas of your home, such as the nursery or your home office.

These smart devices can turn your system off when you’re away or sleeping in order to save energy costs. The average household can save an average of 8% on heating and cooling costs just from a smart thermostat, which means the device will pay for itself in just 2-3 years of use! Smart light bulbs use 90% less energy than their traditional counterparts, and smart plugs use less power when your devices are off. Typically referred to as “vampire energy,” this invisible usage can cost households up to $100 per year per the Department of Energy.

Never Forget Your Laundry Again with a Smart Washing Machine

Unfortunately, a smart washing machine won’t do your laundry for you but it’s about as close as you’re going to get for now. Instead, these smart appliances can remember your favorite wash cycles and settings, and some even come programmed with features that detect the soil levels of your clothing in real time. Once the cycle is complete, users will receive notifications to their phones, so you’ll never forget that damp load of towels again! These machines often have Wi-Fi connectivity and boast the advantage of saving energy and water by detecting the size of the load and adjusting water levels and wash times accordingly.

The downside to smart washing machines is that they can still be pretty pricey and that they generally require a professional installation. However, if you find yourself constantly doing loads of laundry throughout the day for the kiddos, this might just be a way to reduce some of the stress from your life and ensure that clothes come out spotless every time!

Protect Your Home and Family With Smart Home Security & Smart Locks

Many people look to technology to boost their confidence when it comes to the safety and security of their homes. Whether you’re getting ready for bed or you’re going to be away on vacation, home security systems allow you to sleep easy and know that your property is protected. Homeowners can benefit from conveniences such as monitoring and controlling their door locks, cameras, thermostats, and lights remotely. Once you lock up for the night, doors and windows are automatically set to alarm should they be disturbed which provides many families with peace of mind. This technology is practical for a wide array of homes and can be used for indoor and outdoor surveillance. Keep in mind that you may need to opt into a subscription model in order to reap all the benefits such as video storage.

Smart locks can provide you with auto lock and unlock features, as well as voice control assistance. At the core of smart home tech, homeowners should benefit from simplification of the things they use daily. Smart locks are a prime example of this, allowing you to toss your house key in your bag and forget about it. Installation is straightforward, as the devices are designed to attach to your existing deadbolt. Generally, these locks can be used via an app — so you won’t need to install a separate hub. You can also share smart lock access with other designated users by giving them their own unique code, or you can unlock your door remotely when your housekeeper or dog walker needs access to your home. From a safety standpoint, you can program the device to unlock as you approach your home, which means you won’t be standing in the dark, fussing with keys.

Make Entertainment Seamless with Smart TVs and Smart Streaming

For many households, sitting down in the evening to enjoy your favorite streaming service or to watch some live television is one of the best parts of the day. Make your evening routine just a bit easier using smart streaming devices, such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick. This device, combined with a smart TV, can give you access to thousands of movies and TV shows from the most popular streaming services with the click of a button. You’ll even be able to utilize voice commands to turn on the TV, search for something to watch, and fast forward past the opening credits on your favorite show. Tell Alexa you’re about to watch a movie and she can dim your smart lights to set the ambiance!

If you’re still using cable, switching over to a completely smart experience using streaming services can save you hundreds of dollars, if not more. You’ll have access to endless content, so you’ll never be left scratching your head, wondering why there’s nothing on TV that you want to watch. Go the extra mile to elevate your home theater by mounting your TV to the wall and using in-wall cable concealment so you’re not distracted by unsightly wires.

Make Dinnertime Smarter with Kitchen Upgrades

Have you ever wanted a coffee maker that knows exactly how you enjoy your morning brew and gets it spot on each and every morning? There’s a smart appliance for that! Or create the smart kitchen of your dreams with a hands-free microwave experience that allows you to give your appliance verbal commands, like starting and stopping, or activating programmed cooking cycles such as defrosting. Smart faucets are also becoming more popular, as avid chefs enjoy the convenience of the touch motion sensor that turns the sink on for you. Dirty hands? No problem!

When upgrading your kitchen with smart additions, it’s important to have an idea of the features that you’re looking for. Whether you’re shopping for a fully outfitted fridge or a few tools that have a handful of basic sensors that make life a little easier — there’s a wide range of options on the market today. Brands such as Samsung, LG, and Toshiba are known for producing high-quality kitchen appliances and have been trusted by consumers for decades.

Reap the Benefits of Upgrading Your Home with Smart Technology

Many homeowners enjoy the interconnectivity of their smart devices. Whether you’re starting with just one device or you want to get a whole network going, you can easily take advantage of these modern-day features and capabilities. Enjoy safety features and added conveniences, such as automating your thermostat levels and lighting, or checking in on your pets while you’re at work. Whatever solution you’re in search of, there’s likely a smart home tech device that helps you reach your goals!