The Future of the Smart Home

Everyone wants ways to make their homes more convenient, safe, comfortable and clean. How can we make our homes work better for us in the age of the internet? For some people, the answer is to fill their homes with smart home products.

What Makes a Smart Home?

Smart devices are common household objects that are connected to the internet or another smart device through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or some other type of connection. Sometimes this is referred to as the “Internet of Things.” The most common smart device that you deal with on a day-to-day basis is probably your smart phone, though you might have other smart devices in your home already, like a smart TV or a robotic vacuum.

Millennials are the most receptive generation to smart devices, and the generation that uses the most technology (even beating out generation Z!), according to consumer trends expert Veronica Chen. But smart devices can help everybody from busy parents to people who are dealing with aging or chronic illness. The right smart home devices can eliminate certain chores, automate daily routines and give you some peace of mind. Our homes should work for us, not the other way around.

Smart Home Products

You can turn any house into a smart home with these devices!

SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher

This little robot has one job: to push a button for you. The SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher is a device that can be attached on or near any button or switch. Using the SwitchBot smartphone app, you can turn your lights on and off from up to 1000 miles away. With the included SwitchBot Hub Mini, you can enable voice control through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or other smart home systems. Buy it here.

Don’t want to figure out a new app? You can also purchase the SwitchBot with an included remote. Buy it here.

Philips Hue LED Smart Bulb

With the Philips Hue LED Smart Bulb, you can control any light in your house. These smart bulbs are compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, and they will respond to the sound of your voice. Create timers, change the hue to fit your mood, turn the lights on and off all with the sound of your voice (or a click of a button if you choose to use the mobile app). Buy it here.

Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote

Turn any TV into a smart TV with Fire TV Stick. The Fire Stick is a streaming device that allows you to access all of your favorite streaming services, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max and so much more. It also has a voice control option with the use of the Alexa voice remote. Buy it here.

Sifely Keyless Entry Door Lock

The Sifely Keyless Entry Door Lock provides multiple options, including fingerprint recognition, a keypad, smartphone entry and key fobs. You can also program it to auto-lock at certain times, so you don’t have to worry if you remembered to lock the door on the way out. It’s perfect for people who have a lot of guests, who have a habit of forgetting their keys or who just want to upgrade to the ultimate smart home. Buy it here.

Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Any good smart home needs a hub for all its smart activity. Amazon’s latest generation Echo Dot offers the best sound quality model to date, plus a temperature sensor that can work in collaboration with a smart thermostat. You can use the Echo Dot to control compatible smart home devices with your voice or even motion. Want to turn the microphone off for a second? There’s a button to toggle the microphone right on top. Buy it here.

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

It’s easy to maintain your home’s ideal temperature with the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium. This sleek thermostat can save you up to 26% a year on heating and cooling costs by carefully adjusting the temperature in the rooms that matter most. It even has a sensor that detects your presence and automatically adjusts the temperature. It will also send you alerts about the air quality of your home and suggestions on how to improve it. Buy it here.

iRobot Roomba 694

The Roomba is a classic smart home device, and the iRobot Roomba 694 makes it even smarter. This robot vacuum works with Alexa, detects dirtier areas of your home for extra cleaning, navigates seamlessly around furniture and “cliffs” like stairs, auto-adjusts its height for cleaning on different surfaces, recharges itself and even offers personalized cleaning suggestions. Buy it here.

Amazon Smart Plug

Want to make your home really smart? The Amazon Smart Plug works with Alexa to add voice control to any outlet in your home. With this plug, you can use your voice to instantly control lamps, coffee makers, fans, appliances and more. You can even use the Alexa app to set automatic timers for the plugs. Buy it here.

The Future of the Smart Home

What will the connected home look like in the future? People are looking into how smart home products can improve our lives, and new homes are already being designed with connectivity in mind. One day, smart home technology could be as commonplace as air conditioning or even plumbing. Smart home products and technology are becoming more and more accessible to average consumers as time goes on.

The future of the smart home might blend smart home products with wearable technology like the FitBit or the Apple Watch. Your wearable could monitor your health, unlock your front door and turn your lights on or off when you enter or leave a room. It could even keep track of your mood and calibrate the lights to calm you down or wake you up. Your bed could detect your body’s pressure points and adjust so that you get a better night’s sleep. What about a smart wardrobe that could give you options based on the weather outside, the information you’ve entered into your agenda and your personal sense of style? Smart home technology could even help with energy conservation, keeping you informed and letting you control how much electricity or heating you’re using in your day-to-day activities.

With smart home products, the sky’s the limit. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves.

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Do you have any smart home products? What do you think the smart home of the future will look like? Let us know in the comments below!