The smart home has gained even more popularity in recent years due to the proliferation of voice assistants like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Siri. Smart home devices such as thermostats, voice activating light bulbs are now affordable and easy to install. What's great is that you can now control these devices using your smartphone too! However, there's also a catch.
You need a centralized hub connecting all your devices to use the most intelligent home devices effectively. This means investing in a Wi-Fi router, accessible from all rooms (ideally), and smart plugs for those hard-to-reach sockets. It's encouraging to see so many low-priced choices available today. This article contains helpful information for anyone who plans to install a smart home system soon.
Why Have A Smart Home?
Many tech companies are trying to create a way to control all your home appliances with your smartphone. The idea behind a smart home is that you can control all your household devices from one app, making life easier and more efficient. Some of the most popular products can save you energy, money, and time – which is especially useful for homeowners who have a busy schedules.
Set your smart home devices to automatically turn on when you leave or return, eliminating the need to manually control their operation. Also, some devices can be helpful in an emergency. For example, a smart smoke detector can alert you if there is excess carbon monoxide in your home.
Wi-Fi Router For Your Smart Home
A Wi-Fi router is the basis of a smart home. It is the device that links all your other smart home devices together. A standard router will work with some smart home devices, but buying a router designed to be used with them is essential. This will be particularly important if you want to use voice control. It is an important investment you'll ever make. It is the backbone of your home network. This device connects all your computers, phones, tablets, and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
A high-quality router can ensure a robust and reliable connection. An intelligent Wi-Fi router will allow you to control all your smart devices from your smartphone. It will also have other valuable features, such as offering parental controls, tracking and managing network traffic, and a VPN service.
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are a must-have for any smart home beginner. They are straightforward plug-in devices that you can use to connect any standard household appliance to a Wi-Fi network. This means you can control them using an app on your smartphone or a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Some of the best examples include the Belkin Wemo Insight Switch, the iRobot Roomba 690 Wi-Fi Connected Vacuum Cleaner, and the iHome iSP5 Smartplug. Most of these smart plugs have an Energy Saving mode that can be activated via a smartphone app or voice assistant.
The Ecosystem
You should pick an ecosystem that suits your needs before going device shopping. The best options include Google Nest, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. The latter is the clear winner if your household is full of iOS devices, but Google's Nest platform may be a better fit for you if you use an Android phone. Although many third-party devices boast compatibility with multiple standards, system performance is typically improved by focusing on a single ecosystem. Below is a quick summary of the same:
Google Nest: With Google Nest, the voice assistant known as Google Assistant is the ecosystem's main differentiating factor. It quickly responds to voice commands, can understand complex commands or follow-up requests that would stump Alexa or Siri, and does so in a conversational manner. Google Home provides easy access to smart-home shortcuts. Google Assistant is preinstalled on all Android phones and tablets.
Alexa from Amazon: This smart home leader has the most accessories available, thanks to their early entry into the market. You can ask anything, but don't expect Google-level precision from its responses. The Alexa app must be downloaded and running on your mobile device before you can use voice commands to control Alexa.
Apple HomeKit: iPhone users should use Apple's HomeKit, despite its limitations. Apple's increased oversight of third-party certification ensures smooth device operation. Major smart-home manufacturers support HomeKit. Apple's platform is the safest and easiest to set up and manage smart home devices, and its Home app is beautiful and easy to use. Apple keeps data local and collects less by default. Remote device control requires a HomeKit hub like a HomePod Mini, Apple TV, or iPad.
Hub and Voice Assistant
You can choose a hub or voice assistant when planning your smart home setup. Hubs connect all your smart devices in a centralized location. It can be a plug-in device or a standalone hub, like the Amazon Echo. A hub is usually cheaper than a voice assistant. However, it will require you to use an app to control all your smart home devices.
On the other hand, a voice assistant is a device you can talk to. It will allow you to control your smart devices using voice commands. Hubs and voice assistants can be used together. You can choose a device that will integrate both. For example, the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Plus can act as a hub.
Which Brands Are Best?
Many brands make smart devices for your home. Some of them are better than others. When selecting a brand, you should make sure that the devices you choose are compatible with each other. Not all smart devices will be compatible with each other.
They will require you to have an internet plan that is fast enough to support devices that connect to your Wi-Fi. As for which brands are best, many exciting options won't break the bank. For example, Google and Ecobee have some of the best devices at reasonable prices.
Which Devices Should You Get First?
When planning your smart home setup, you should get the devices that make the most sense.
Here are some smart devices worth getting:
- Thermostat: A thermostat is a significant investment. If you want to save energy, it can be worth getting one that is Wi-Fi enabled.
- Lighting: There are many lighting options available. You can get bulbs that are controlled via an app or that can be voice-activated. You can also get light switches that can be controlled remotely. You can even install lighting that reacts to movement or sound.
- Security: You can get sensors or cameras that can detect movement. You can also get locks and alarms that are controlled via an app. You can also get a digital lock for your front door.
Conclusion
Once you've installed a smart home device, it can be hard to decide which one to get. Many options are available, and knowing which ones are worth the investment can be challenging. However, it is worth the effort. A smart house can streamline your daily routine and save you time. As a bonus, it may help you save time, money, and energy.
The purchase of a high-quality router and smart plugs will prove to be worthwhile. Investing in a hub or a voice assistant to manage your smart home is also recommended. Use the suggestions from this post, and set up your smart home now!
