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Smart devices for home use that’ll make life easier
It’s easy to think of a smart home as a big, complicated thing that requires time and expertise to set up. The truth is, you can outfit your place with the best smart home devices in a matter of minutes. On top of that, they’re usually easy to use and add immeasurable convenience to your day-to-day life.
Smart home upgrades can be as easy as screwing in a light bulb — literally — but that’s only the beginning. Here are easy ways to add to your smart home ecosystem. We put many of the recommended products to the test, including the Apple HomePod Mini, Brava Touchscreen Countertop Smart Oven, iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum, Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL Robot Vacuum and Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen).
In this article: Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), Brava Touchscreen Countertop Smart Oven and iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum
Multitask and simplify life using a smart speaker
Smart speakers are great. If you like to cook, or you want a hands-free way to have video calls with friends and family, get one with a screen. Then you can ask for recipes and get step-by-step video cooking walkthroughs or chat with a loved one face-to-face. All you have to do is use a voice command to ask. Most use them in their kitchens or on their nightstands, but you could put one in every room.
Best smart speakers
For iPhone users and fans of Apple devices, the HomePod mini is the best smart speaker to buy. In our testing, we found it highly responsive to voice commands and effective at syncing with other products from the brand, including the Apple Watch and AirPods. It offers better sound quality and deeper bass compared to other smart speakers. You can listen to music, control other smart devices, receive weather notifications, live score updates and more.
This is the latest Amazon Echo Show device that’s the perfect kitchen companion. It features an 8-inch high-definition display with a touchscreen. Spatial audio fills the room with sound. Amazon Photos transforms the Echo Show into a digital picture frame. You can stream movies, TV shows and sports games, listen to music and manage cameras, lights and other smart devices in and around your home.
This new and improved Echo Dot for kids has enhanced audio and features compared to previous models. The adorable design comes in owl and dragon versions. Kids can ask Alexa to play music, read a bedtime story, get help with homework and more. A Hey Disney! voice assistant engages kids in fun ways, such as getting a weather report from Mickey Mouse or setting a reading timer with Dory. The parental controls are great too — Alexa gives kid-friendly responses and filters explicit songs automatically, and parents can set daily time limits and review their child’s activity.
Customize your lighting with color smart bulbs
Smart bulbs that can change color are fun for everyone. Use them to turn a room haunted house red for Halloween or bring a party to life with changing patterns. There’s no limit to the number of scenes you can create, and they’re also perfect for scheduled routines.
Best smart light bulbs
Kasa Smart Color-Changing Dimmable Smart Wi-Fi Bulbs Four-Pack
These smart light bulbs let you choose a whopping 16 million colors, as well as standard lighting ranging from warm to cool white. They’re compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Using a smartphone, you can operate the lights, set a timer or schedule and monitor real-time energy usage. The Kasa smart bulbs are available individually, or in sets of two or four.
Upgrade to smart plugs
If you’re interested in smart lighting but you’re not keen on smart light bulbs, use smart plugs. Then you can control your lighting from your phone or use voice commands with a digital assistant. Smart plugs make sure your lamps are part of your lighting scenes and make it easy to set up voice-activated routines.
Best smart plugs
Kasa Smart Plug Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Two-Pack
With these smart plugs, you can turn home electronics on and off from your phone, wherever you are. Voice control is enabled with Alexa or Google Assistant. There are timer and schedule features as well. They come in sets of two, available as standard or Matter-compatible. Matter, a new protocol facilitated by Amazon, Apple and Google, allows for better integration of smart home products across these brands.
Simplify cooking with a smart oven
A smart oven is a must. It combines the simplicity of an Instant Pot with a touchscreen and healthy recipes, plus it knows when everything is ready. The game-changer here, however, is the versatility that smart ovens bring. They can handle fish, meat, pizza, veggies, and bread and produce incredible results. Make frozen meals and processed food a thing of the past.
Best smart ovens
Brava Touchscreen Countertop Smart Oven
This Brava smart oven in particular is an excellent choice. While it’s pricey, it’s well worth the investment. Our tester tried many recipes, including ones that need different temperatures and times in a standard oven. All turned out delicious and finished faster than standard cooking methods, as advertised. You can control the oven via smartphone or by using the sleek touchscreen display. It offers over 7,000 customizable cooking programs and 10 different functions, including air fry, roast, bake, broil, toast, reheat, rice cook, dehydrate, slow cook and keep warm settings. This comprehensive set includes 10 cooking accessories, including various pans, trays and a thermometer.
Cosori Smart 11-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
This smart air fryer toaster oven is significantly more affordable than the Brava yet rivals it in terms of cooking functions. The oven includes air fry, bake, toast, roast, broil, pizza, dehydrate, slow cook, reheat, ferment and keep warm settings. It has two layers for cooking multiple foods at once and a 26-quart capacity that accommodates a 12-inch pizza. You can operate the oven using the digital display, your smartphone or through voice control by syncing it with Alexa or Google Assistant. The Cosori smart oven also comes with a fry basket, wire rack and a food tray.
Get a robot vacuum
Smart vacuums handle everything from mopping to animal hair on their own. There are dozens of different models available and many are for specific-use cases. Even if you’ve got an unusual layout or pets that shed, there’s a robot vacuum out there for you.
Best robot vacuums
iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum
We evaluated this top-of-the-line Roomba vacuum, confirming that it’s one of the best on the market. The Roomba s9+ effectively captured debris with its powerful motor. The smart mapping feature allows for selecting specific areas to be cleaned. It ran for over 1.5 hours on a single charge and transitioned easily between hardwood floor and carpet. We appreciated the self-emptying feature that cuts down on dirty work. Additionally, with its D-shaped design, the vacuum easily accesses tight spaces and corners, unlike others we tested. You can operate it using a smartphone or Alexa for voice control. While it’s got a steep price tag, the convenience it offers makes it well worth the buy.
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL Robot Vacuum
Another pick approved by our testers, this Shark robot vacuum is packed with advanced features and is significantly less costly than the Roomba s9+. Thanks to powerful suction, it had no problem picking up debris on hardwood or carpeted floors and was particularly adept at removing pet hair. It has smart mapping, a 190-minute battery life and a self-emptying design. The Shark IQ can be operated via smartphone, as well as voice control, with Alexa or Google Assistant.
Close your curtains or window shades from anywhere with a smart motor
You can buy motorized curtains but most are expensive, require their own remote controls, and must be paired with window coverings. Smart curtain motors are affordable, easy to set up from your smartphone and work with your existing curtains. With the right smart assistant, you can even create routines with them to close your curtains at sunset and open them at sunrise. This can save you money on heating and cooling bills.
Best smart curtain openers
SwitchBot Automatic Curtain Opener
This smart curtain opener is easy to set up; simply hang it on your curtain rod, install the positioning magnets and connect to the companion app. You can manage opening and closing, customize the open percentage and set schedules. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Siri for voice control. In Silent Mode, the curtains open slower and quieter, which is great for those who are sensitive to sound. This smart device is compatible with a variety of curtain types. If your curtains open in the middle, you’ll need to install two openers.
SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades
This cordless motorized blackout shade offers privacy and light blockage — it’s especially useful for people who sleep during the day or want to keep their home theater dark for optimal viewing. The battery is rechargeable and can be used with solar panels. It comes with a remote control and is compatible with Apple Homekit, Alexa and Google Home. The shade measures 22 inches by 16 inches and comes in 29 neutral colors.
Use a smart garage door opener
A smart garage door opener automatically opens the door when you get home. You can also set your garage to automatically close if you accidentally leave it open or open it with your smartphone to let someone in while you’re away. Installing or replacing a garage door opener isn’t trivial, so consider working with a contractor when upgrading.
Best smart garage door opener
Genie ALKT1-R Smart Garage Door Opener Controller
This Wi-Fi-enabled smart device lets you open and close your garage door with a phone. It’s also controllable using Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings. You can schedule the door to open or close at specific times. A sensor monitors the garage door’s position, letting you know when the door opens or closes, whether electronically or manually. With additional sensors, you can monitor up to three garage doors.
Switch to a smart thermostat
Smart thermostats offer a host of benefits to the modern home. They let you control the temperature remotely, whether you’re somewhere else in the house or on vacation. They optimize the temperature of your home, including scheduling adjustments based on your unique needs. They let you monitor your energy usage and help reduce your carbon footprint. What’s more, the most advanced thermostats learn your habits and usage patterns, adjusting the temperature automatically.
Best smart thermostats
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
This Google Nest thermostat scored high marks in the BestReviews Testing Lab. It effectively learned our tester’s preferences and made home temperatures more comfortable. It was easy to operate via the digital display, the Nest app and voice control using Alexa. It’s also compatible with Google Assistant. We confirmed that its Eco Mode does save energy. We also admired the sleek design that comes in five finishes. The installation process was straightforward, though time-consuming.
The ecobee3 thermostat can increase the energy efficiency of your home by up to 23%. When paired with smart sensors, the thermostat will adjust hot and cold spots in your home and automatically turn the air conditioning off if a window or door is left open. You can operate it using the digital display, the ecobee app or voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. The installation process is straightforward and takes 45 minutes or less.
Install smart locks
Smart locks have a host of advantages over traditional locks. Keyless entry and remote access offer convenience to your life and prevent lockouts. Encrypted technology makes them more secure and gives you peace of mind. They also send notifications to your phone to let you know when the door has been locked or unlocked.
Best smart locks
Schlage Encode Wi-Fi Deadbolt Smart Lock
This Wi-Fi smart device lets you lock or unlock the door from anywhere, offering both key and keyless entry. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. You can program up to 100 access codes for friends and family, including recurrent, temporary or permanent access. A built-in alarm senses potential security breaches and sends you notifications.
This eufy smart lock is a more affordable option for the home. It has Wi-Fi connectivity with remote access and voice control using Alexa or Google Assistant. The lock provides both key and keyless entry, including fingerprint recognition.
More ways to upgrade your smart home system
- This Google Nest smart doorbell has a built-in camera with live high-definition video, night vision and object-recognition technology.
- This Samsung smart TV has a 65-inch 4K QLED screen with built-in Alexa functionality and voice controls.
- This Furbo pet camera lets you monitor and interact with your furry friends and feed them treats while you’re away.
- This Samsung smart refrigerator with built-in Alexa lets you stream music, order groceries, access recipes, control other smart home devices and more.
- This Husqvarna robotic mower will keep your lawn looking great and simplify lawn care, with app control and voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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