Are you tired of using old gadgets in your house? Do you want to convert your place into a connected home? Then, purchasing the best gadgets would be perfect for you. It is essential to invest in tech gadgets as they make our lives convenient and enjoyable. Apart from that, they provide more security and enhance your lifestyle as well. If you are new in this market and don’t know which gadgets to buy, we have you covered.
In this article, we discuss some of the top gadgets for a connected home. Without wasting any time let’s discuss these gadgets and why you should use them.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item using an affiliate link I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Affiliates do not influence my recommendations. Read my disclosures for more information.
Table of Contents
Why are smart homes good to have?
Converting your place into a smart home could be the right decision, as it can make your life easier. Do you want to know more about the benefits of smart homes? Here are some benefits:
- Convenient and Security: One of the main benefits of smart homes is that they are convenient and manage the home environment with ease. For example, you can adjust the thermostat to turn off the light and even check the security camera as well. All this work can be done easily with the help of a smart phone. Moreover, home devices also offer security by sending alerts to homeowners during emergencies.
- Energy Efficiency: These gadgets can help save electricity as well by more intelligently controlling your HVAC system, lights, and appliances’ energy usage.
- Monitor and Control Remotely: With the help of smart home devices, you can easily monitor and control your home when you are on vacation. You can check the status of your home and adjust accordingly.
Editor’s Note: You should read our articles about the top 5 reasons HomeTechHacker has a smart home and smart home benefits for seniors to learn about more benefits of a connected home.
So, these are the main advantages of using smart home devices. Now, if you want to know about the gadgets for a connected home then continue reading. Below, we discuss some of the top gadgets.
The must-have gadgets for a connected home
Are you wondering which gadgets you should purchase for your home? We’ve got you covered. Below, we have discussed the top 5 gadgets that are perfect for a connected home. So, without wasting any time, let’s discuss these devices.
Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera — Best for Security
- See what’s happening inside any room from corner to corner with 360° coverage from your smartphone, tablet, or compatible Alexa device.
- Pan left and right and tilt up and down from the Blink app to see more of your home with HD day and infrared night view.
If you are concerned about your security, then this Mini Pan Tilt camera would make your life easier. This device works seamlessly with Alexa and helps keep an eye on your home. The best part of this device is that it’s affordable and comes with advanced features. It provides 360-degree coverage so you can quickly check every corner of your house. You can use it with the Blink application and adjust the settings accordingly. When it comes to features, it provides a 2-way audio function, which makes communication better. Additionally, the presence of a motion detection function serves as the icing on the cake, enhancing the overall security and functionality.
Other options to consider:
- Wyze Cam Pan v3 — a good budget indoor security camera with 360-degree coverage
- Cloarks 2K Pan/Tilt — Another good budget option with AI motion detection
- Check out the HomeTechHacker Wi-Fi Surveillance Camera Advisor for personalized recommendations.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat — Programmable Smart Thermostat
- No more programming: With Auto-Schedule, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat learns from you and programs itself..Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- Home/Away Assist: don’t heat or cool an empty home. Home/Away Assist adjusts the temperature after you leave.
When it comes to purchasing a thermostat, you should opt for a smart one so it can remotely control your home’s cooling and heating functions. There are many smart thermostats available in the market, but you should try the Nest Learning Thermostat as it comes with many amazing features. It is easy to install and doesn’t require any programming. You can easily adjust the settings with one button. Furthermore, it automatically adjusts your home temperature when you leave the house. It is one of the best devices for saving energy as well.
Other options to consider:
- Check out the Smart Thermostat Technology Advisor for a personalized smart thermostat based on your preferences.
Philips Hue Smart Play Light – Smart Lights
- WHAT’S IN THE BOX – Includes two White and Color Ambiance smart LED play light bar base kit with plug; Perfect for immersive gaming and TV watching experiences
- REQUIRES A HUE BRIDGE – Unlock the power of Hue and enjoy automations, control from anywhere in the world, and a secure, stable connection that won’t drain your Wi-Fi. Use Matter to connect your smart home devices to your Hue smart lighting system.
If you are planning to purchase gadgets for a connected home, then you should add a smart lighting system to your list. With smart lighting systems, such as Philips Hue Play Light, you can easily control your lights and set schedules as well. These lights also help change color according to your mood. You can integrate it with different smart home apps, like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Apart from that, you can use this gadget to create a wonderful blacklight for your TV.
Other options to consider:
- Meross MSL430 Ambient Light – HomeTechHacker owns and has reviewed the MSL430
- Check out the HomeTechHacker Smart Bulb and Smart LED Strip and String Advisors for personalized recommendations.
August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- UPGRADE YOUR EXISTING DEADBOLT: August smart locks fit on the inside of your door, making your regular deadbolt smarter, more secure and way more convenient. Keep your keys just in case (but you won’t need them).Connectivity Protocol:wi-fi.Note: Measure your door’s backset, cross bore and thickness to ensure you find the right fit.Control Method:Voice
- GRANT ACCESS WITH THE AUGUST APP: Forget key copying. Quickly and easily share permanent, scheduled or temporary access to your home with friends, family and other people you trust, and never put a key under the doormat again.
If you are concerned about your security, then purchasing a smart lock system will be a good idea. You can purchase the August Home Wi-Fi smart lock. With this device, you can quickly lock or unlock your doors, give access to your guests, and receive notifications as well. The installation process of this device is simple, as you need just 10 minutes to attach it to your door. This device is also compatible with your smart home, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and more.
Other options to consider:
- Yale Assure Wi-Fi lock — HomeTechHacker has an older Z-Wave version of this lock and it has been rock solid and reliable for many years
- Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt — Top rated for feature and security
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
- Design: Sleek, premium design complements your home decor; The Roomba 694 is a great way to begin cleaning your home smarter. Just schedule it to clean up daily dirt, dust, and debris with the iRobot Home app or your voice assistant. – for effortlessly clean floors
- Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head: Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head automatically adapts its height to effectively clean carpets and hard floors
Don’t want to clear your house yourself? Need help from a smart device that can make your cleaning process easier? I recommend using iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum. This robot vacuum cleaner is perfect for carpets, hard floors, and more. It can easily connect with Wi-Fi and works perfectly with Alexa as well. You can also set the cleaning schedules according to your requirements. Moreover, it has dirt-detecting sensors, self-charging options, and more. You can use Google Assistant and Alexa applications to add your voice commands.
Other options to consider
- iRobot Roomba i3 Evo — HomeTechHacker has this model and it works well for him
- SwitchBot K10+ — A midtier priced robot vacuum with a small profile and higher tier features. Read HomeTechHacker’s review of the K10+
- The Airrobo P20 — This is a great budget option. Here’s HomeTechHacker’s review of the P20
Final thoughts
That’s all, folks; you can purchase all these best gadgets for your house and convert it into a smart home. Do let us know in the comments if you have any favorite smart home gadgets or tips for creating a connected home. We’d love to hear about your experiences and recommendations!
