Equipping any living space with smart home devices allows you to transform any living area into an intrepid tech space. From voice-activated assistants to automated lighting systems, here are our ten must-have gadgets to elevate your lifestyle.
Step one is to invest in a high-speed Internet connection and mesh WiFi system to enable all devices to communicate.
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit
Start your day with refreshing cool daylight or set a relaxing atmosphere with golden tones – the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance starter kit has all the lighting tools necessary for either scenario! It includes four WiFi-controllable LED bulbs and a bridge compatible with the Apple HomeKit smart-home platform.
With up to 800 lumens and a color temperature range of 2,000-6,500K, this starter kit provides enough light for any room in your home. They support the Apple Home app and Siri voice command capabilities, so you can manage them using voice.
One of the greatest features of this system is its ability to set lighting routines that automatically occur at certain times of day, such as flashing red when your favorite team scores a point.
LIFX Mini
Compact smart light with 1,000 lumens of power. Our favorite color-changing LED can integrate with all major voice assistants (excluding Alexa) without needing a hub or control center and offers endless integration opportunities.
LIFX bulbs are some of the most energy-efficient lighting options on the market, offering millions of colors to match any mood or event imaginable – from vibrant purple and green hues that create a party ambiance to soothing pink tones for relaxation.
The LIFX Mini comes in three varieties, from non-tunable white bulbs at $25 and full color-changing bulbs with multiple hues at $45 to non-tunable white bulbs that offer color tuning for $45. All three bulbs can connect directly to your WiFi network, eliminating the need for hubs like those found with Philips Hue and Sengled Element bulbs. They’re compatible with HomeKit, Nest, Xfinity, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, and Flic.
Amazon Echo Dot
If you want to use Alexa in every room in your home, the Echo Dot is an easy and affordable way. The fifth-generation model looks better and delivers more vibrant audio in any room. At the same time, its temperature sensor allows you to access temperatures in specific rooms without using your phone app to locate exact thermostat readings. Furthermore, this Dot can act as a satellite for an eero mesh router system, extending WiFWiFiverage in previously inaccessible areas.
The Dot with Clock ($60) offers better audio quality and faster Alexa responses, but if you prefer an eye-catching display instead, consider opting for its predecessor – it displays time, alarms, and weather forecast (although its scrolling feature may not work correctly). It has a multi-function button to mute always-listening microphones.
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers are hands-free assistants that allow you to ask questions, set reminders, control TV and home lighting settings, play music, and much more without leaving the couch. Some of the more popular choices for these are Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri – making your decision on one dependent upon which platform resonates best or which speaker offers superior audio quality.
Amazon Echo speakers deliver room-filling sound, while their fifth-generation version features a more contemporary design that fits effortlessly into your home environment. Apple HomePod speakers offer superior aesthetic and audio quality; you can pair identical ones for stereo listening or use your Apple TV for home cinema setup. Google Assistant now supports more third-party devices than Alexa thanks to Works With Google; Siri integration into smart home devices has increased due to HomeKit ecosystem development.
Smart Appliances
Making your home smart will take time and is a challenging feat. Start by adding smart technology into everyday appliances – fridges that track groceries or ovens that begin preheating before you arrive home can automate tasks for ultimate convenience.
Intelligent devices can communicate between themselves – for instance, window sensors can signal smart thermostats to switch off, while an air purifier could trigger a sprinkler system for watering your garden. Smart devices also monitor and optimize energy use for eco-conscious living.
Enhance your entertainment with a smart TV while adding enhanced security with doorbells and cameras that connect directly to your smartphone for alerts and live streaming no matter where you are. Smart plugs and outlets let you remotely control, schedule, or monitor energy consumption – providing added peace of mind.
Smart Lighting
Smart light bulbs and strips offer a quick and affordable way to transform your home. Multicolored WiFi bulbs can showcase WiFi to 16 colors on one strip and can be controlled via apps or voice commands from smart speakers. In contrast, tunable white light bulbs allow for greater productivity by automatically adapting their light temperature based on your natural circadian rhythm.
Install smart switches for lighting, small appliances to automate your home, and plugs that work with your chosen smart assistant and double as energy monitors. Consider Lutron’s Caseta system, which is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa; instead of traditional power lines, its radio waves allow devices to communicate more reliably while less likely to interfere with other electronics in your house.
Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are essential components to turning any home into an intelligent one. These advanced devices learn and adapt to your habits, saving money on energy bills while making life more comfortable for you and your family.
As an example, when running late to get out the door for work, a smart thermostat will maintain an ideal temperature in your home until you return home. Furthermore, some models even work with remote sensors for even greater efficiency!
Smart homes offer many conveniences that traditional houses cannot, such as manually switching channels without going up and down stairs or changing thermostat settings. You can accomplish all this with a single device like the ecobee 3 Lite with its color touchscreen interface and user-friendly user experience.
Smart Locks
Intelligent locks simplify life by enabling you to lock and unlock your door remotely, notify you when someone enters, and monitor who comes and goes from your home.
If you forget to turn off your laundry machine or coffee maker, your alarms can remind you, potentially saving money and preventing fires.
Smart homes enable you to establish routines that simplify life, such as ordering more groceries when your supply runs low, receiving notifications when someone approaches your front porch via video doorbell or video doorbell, and turning an ordinary appliance into one you can control with your smartphone or voice assistant. Upgrade your West Seattle apartment with devices that make life more efficient, convenient, and enjoyable.
Smart Smoke and CO Detector
If smoke or carbon monoxide is detected, your smart detector can alarm you and send alerts directly to your smartphone. In addition, it may automatically contact emergency response agents and connect with family and neighbors so they know what has taken place and where they are.
Smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home are hubs of a smart home system, connecting all your devices and allowing for voice control over them. Plus, these hubs come equipped with built-in virtual assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant so that you can customize features and create a personalized experience.
Your smart home offers limitless possibilities – from lighting automation and intelligent thermostats, door locks, and security cameras to automated lighting and mesh WiFi systems that maWiFierything work seamlessly together.
Decorative Throws
The smart home movement has quickly become a trend that offers increased convenience and efficiency to everyday life. Utilizing modern technology, residents can automate household functions – for instance, lighting can be controlled with voice command or set to turn on at dusk and off just before sunrise; security systems can detect motion and send notifications directly to authorities in case any suspicious activity occurs in their home.
Smart home systems come in hardwired and wireless forms; wireless systems are easier to install. Both types require strong internet access to function effectively. Home automation systems may be costly to install initially; however, their resale value increases dramatically and makes your house more marketable – consider investing in one of Constellation’s smart home packages to enhance existing homes or build your dream house with intelligent home technology solutions that give it that special something extra!