Do you want to live in a smart home? Well, it’s not as expensive as you think. With the right devices, your home can be transformed into a sleek, high-tech space that takes care of itself while also improving your quality of life.
Here are 15 must-have smart home devices that will change your life.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Transforming a living room into a home theater can be done affordably. |
| – Personalizing your space with creative decor and lighting can enhance the overall viewing experience. |
| – The right equipment, such as a large screen or projector and sound system, is necessary for a home theater. |
| – Upgrading your home entertainment system can be done on a budget with some creativity and planning. |
| – Further reading on home theater design and ideas can provide additional inspiration and guidance when transforming your living room into a home theater. |
Smart Coffee Machine
A smart coffee machine is certainly a necessity for many. If you’re one of them and want to keep your brew on schedule, this product is for you. It has automatic brewing that can be programmed via smartphone app so that it can start brewing at the right time in the morning (or whenever else).
With its programmable settings, the smart coffee machine knows when it’s time to stop brewing based on how long it takes for your drink to finish brewing.
It also has auto shutoff so that after a certain amount of time has passed, it will automatically turn off so as not to waste energy or create too much heat and if there are any problems with temperature or pressure during the process, then an indicator light will alert you immediately.
The reusable filter means less waste as well as no need for paper filters ever again! You simply put fresh grounds into your cup or preferred vessel and pour hot water over them into what will become delicious iced coffee or tea with zero effort whatsoever!
Whether you want to add some movie theater decor or simply want to personalize your space, our article on 15 Creative Ideas for Personalizing Your Home Theater Space has got you covered. These creative ideas will help you take your home theater space to the next level.
Smart Doorbell
A smart doorbell is a device that allows you to see who is at your door and talk to them remotely, even when you’re not home.
You can also use it as an alarm system and get push notifications on your phone if someone rings it while you’re away from home. This can be very helpful if there are packages waiting for pickup or if someone needs help breaking into your house!
Smart doorbells come in three main forms: wired, battery-powered and Wi-Fi-connected ones like Ring’s Video Doorbell Pro ($249). They all have similar features but differ in terms of range and motion sensors (some have infrared night vision).
You should get one because having peace of mind knowing what’s happening outside of your house will improve both its safety and the comfortability of living there for yourself or anyone else who spends time at it.
Smart Security Camera
It’s called a smart security camera, and it’s one of the most popular smart home devices on the market. It comes in many shapes and sizes (and prices), but they all do basically the same thing: let you monitor what’s going on inside or outside your house.
Some models have night vision, so you can use them to monitor your home at any time.
Some people use it to keep tabs on their pets when they’re away from home. Others use it as a baby monitor, or even just as a way of being able to see what their kids are up to when they’re not around you know, in case they get into trouble or something like that.
It can also be used by businesses that need security cameras installed indoors or outdoors for monitoring purposes (think shops and restaurants).
Voice Assistant Speaker
If you have an Alexa-enabled device, the Amazon Echo speaker is the obvious choice. The Google Home Hub is a more affordable alternative to the pricey HomePod and Sonos One, but it’s not quite as sharp looking.
The Sonos One does everything its competitors do except for playing music in stereo mode and looks great in any room of your house.
If you’re looking for something more akin to an Apple product, consider switching your smart speaker over to Siri with Apple’s newest gadget: The HomePod.
Ready to create the ultimate home theater experience? Our Ultimate Home Theater Setup Guide for Movie Lovers has everything you need to know to set up the perfect home theater, from picking the right equipment to setting up your speakers and sound system.
Smart Speaker
A smart speaker is a device that can listen to your voice and respond in an intelligent way. You can use it to play music, answer questions, control other smart home devices and much more.
It will be able to understand natural language, so you don’t have to say “turn on the lights” but rather simply ask “what’s new?”.
Privacy Screen
If you’re worried about privacy, this is the device for you. A smart privacy screen can help by filtering out the light and blocking out noise.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants to keep their home life private or block specific sights or sounds from your home. The smart screen can be controlled by voice or remote control and comes in a variety of sizes, so it’ll work with whatever kind of window treatments you already have.
This is also great if you want to create an outdoor space in your house but don’t want people looking into your windows while they’re doing so.
Popular Privacy Screens/Protectors
| Device | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3M Privacy Filter | 3M | Privacy filter for computer monitors and laptops that blocks side views and reduces blue light. |
| Kensington Privacy Screen | Kensington | Computer privacy screen that limits viewing angle and provides screen protection. |
| Akamai Office Products Privacy Screen | Akamai Office Products | Computer privacy screen with blue light filter and anti-glare properties. |
| Zagg InvisibleShield Privacy Screen | Zagg | Smartphone screen protector that features a two-way privacy filter. |
| Targus 4Vu Privacy Screen | Targus | Anti-glare and privacy screen for computer monitors and laptops. |
Smart Plug
Smart plugs are small devices that you can plug into an outlet, and they allow you to turn on or off whatever you’ve plugged into them from anywhere.
This means you can save energy by turning off lights in unused rooms or your coffee maker when it’s not in use.
You can also use smart plugs to control music and entertainment in your home, such as turning on a fan or speaker when the room gets too warm for comfort.
Smart plugs also work with many other smart home devices, including security systems, surveillance cameras and more!
Want to take your home theater experience to the next level without breaking the bank? Check out our article on 17 Surprising Ways to Enhance Your Home Theater Experience. From optimizing your seating to creating the perfect lighting, these tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your home theater.
Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner
If you’re the type of person who likes to be the first on your block to have the latest tech, then a smart robot vacuum cleaner might be for you.
These robots automatically vacuum your floors and can even be controlled with your smartphone.
They work by using sensors and mapping algorithms to scan a room and adjust their cleaning paths accordingly. This means they’re able to clean areas that are often missed by traditional vacuums, such as underneath furniture or along baseboards.
Smart robot cleaners come in all shapes and sizes, depending on what kind of space you’d like them to clean: large rooms (upward of 1,000 square feet), intermediate spaces (500-1,000 square feet), or small homes (<500 square feet).
But whether it’s an upright model like iRobot’s Roomba 980 ($899) or something smaller like Neato Robotics’ Botvac Connected ($779), these robots will work wonders on your floors while you do something else—or just relax!
Popular Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaners
| Device | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Roomba i7+ | iRobot | Smart robot vacuum cleaner with automatic dirt disposal and mapping capabilities. |
| Roborock S6 MaxV | Roborock | Robot vacuum with obstacle avoidance and advanced mapping technology. |
| Neato Botvac D7 | Neato Robotics | Robot vacuum cleaner with advanced mapping capabilities and customizable cleaning options. |
| Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S | Eufy | Affordable robot vacuum cleaner with multiple cleaning modes and automatic recharging. |
| Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL | Shark | Robot vacuum with self-emptying capabilities and advanced mapping technology. |
Smart Lock
Smart locks are a great way to keep your home secure, and they’re even more convenient when you can use them from anywhere.
The August Smart Lock works with the August app on your phone, so you can remotely lock or unlock the door with just a few taps.
If you want to give someone else access to your home (say, a house sitter or dog walker), it’s easy to set up temporary codes from inside the app.
This smart lock uses Bluetooth technology as well as Wi-Fi connectivity to make sure that each time someone tries to open it, they have been identified by their phone first making it less likely that anyone could gain uninvited entry into your home.
This is particularly useful if you’ve got pets at home; there’s no need for them ever get locked out again!
Upgrading your home entertainment system doesn’t have to be expensive. Our article on 10 Surprising Ways to Upgrade Your Home Entertainment System on a Budget has plenty of budget-friendly ideas that will help you create an amazing viewing experience without breaking the bank.
Smart Thermostat
The Nest is a smart thermostat that works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. It can be controlled by your voice, smartphone, smartwatch or app.
Remote Control Lights And Led Bulbs
For example, you can have lights come on when you enter a room or turn off when you leave. If you have multiple smart bulbs in your house, they can also be programmed to work together as a group.
For instance, if you want to create an ambiance for movie night (romantic mood lighting) or for reading (bright white light), it’s easy to do so with these devices.
Replaceable lightbulbs are more expensive than traditional ones but last longer and use less energy—and since most don’t require special wiring or sockets, installation is simpler too.
Popular Remote Control Lights and LED Bulbs
| Device | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Philips Hue | Philips | Smart LED bulbs that can be controlled by a smartphone app or voice command. |
| LIFX | LIFX | Wi-Fi enabled LED bulbs that can be controlled with a smartphone app or voice command. |
| Sylvania Smart+ | Sylvania | LED light bulbs that can be controlled with a smart home system, voice command, or smartphone app. |
| GE Enbrighten | GE | Smart LED light bulbs that can be controlled by a voice assistant or smartphone app. |
| Wyze Bulb | Wyze | LED light bulbs that can be controlled with a smartphone app or virtual assistant. |
Voice Controlled Lights And Led Bulbs
If you have an Alexa-enabled device, you can use voice commands to control your smart lights. Simply say things like “Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights” or “Alexa, dim the living room lights to 50 percent.” You can also control color settings with Alexa.
If your lights are already set up with a name such as “Kitchen Lights,” then saying something like “turn off kitchen lights” will automatically turn off that set of bulbs.
Google Home Hub
Google Home Hub, a smart speaker with a screen, is one of the most versatile and affordable ways to get started in smart home automation.
You can ask it for information about your schedule or about the weather forecast for the day, and you can also use it to control other connected devices around your house—no matter what brand they are!
Transforming your living room into a home theater doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out our article on The Most Affordable Ways to Transform Your Living Room into a Home Theater for some great tips on how to enhance your viewing experience without spending too much money.
Alexa Enabled Devices
To use Alexa, you need to have an Alexa-enabled device. The most popular of these are the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. They can be controlled by voice and are programmed to respond to specific commands.
For example: “Alexa, turn on the lights.” And she will activate your smart light bulbs connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network or hub (see below)
These devices give you access to all kinds of smart home devices that connect with each other using the same protocol (see below).
The Hub is basically a central brain for all of your connected devices in one place—the hub allows you control over many different smart home products at once using just one app!
Popular Alexa Enabled Devices
| Device | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Echo Dot | Amazon | Compact smart speaker that allows for voice control of music, smart home devices, and more. |
| Echo Show | Amazon | Smart display with a touchscreen and camera for video calls, streaming video, and more. |
| Sonos One | Sonos | Smart speaker with Alexa built-in that can be used alone or paired with other Sonos speakers for a whole-home audio system. |
| Roav Viva | Anker | A car charger that adds Alexa to your vehicle and allows for hands-free control of navigation, phone calls, and more. |
| Fire TV Cube | Amazon | Media player that allows for voice control of home theater equipment and streaming services. |
Conclusion
We’re excited for you to try out these smart home devices, and we think they’ll bring you one step closer to a more automated and comfortable lifestyle.
Further Reading
How to Transform a Modern Living Room into a Home Theater – This article provides tips and design inspiration to help transform a modern living room into a home theater.
The Best Home Theater Ideas for Any Budget – Whether you have a big budget or a small one, this article has some great ideas to help you create an amazing home theater experience.
Transform Any Room into a Home Theater – Get inspired by this HGTV article that provides tips and tricks to transform any room in your house into a home theater.
FAQs
What is a home theater?
A home theater is a dedicated space in your home, usually a room, that is designed and equipped to create an immersive movie theater experience.
What equipment do I need for a home theater?
The equipment you need for a home theater will depend on your budget and the size of your space. At a minimum, you will need a large screen or projector, speakers, and a sound source like a Blu-ray player or streaming device.
How do I set up a home theater?
To set up a home theater, you’ll need to choose a room with good acoustics and lighting. You’ll also need to purchase or rent the necessary equipment and arrange it in the room to optimize sound and visual quality.
How much does a home theater cost?
The cost of a home theater can vary widely depending on the equipment you choose and the complexity of the installation. However, you can expect to spend several thousand dollars on the equipment and installation fees.
Can I make a home theater on a budget?
Yes, you can definitely create a home theater experience on a budget. Look for sales on refurbished or older equipment, and consider using alternative seating like bean bags or floor cushions instead of expensive theater-style seats.
Hi there! I’m Hellen James and I’m a writer and editor with a passion for home technology. I’ve been working in this field for over 10 years, so I know what it’s like to be a part of the growing field of smart home technology. I’ve written about everything from how to choose the right smart thermostat to what the best smart doorbell is for your needs.
