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Buy now, pay later interest freeTop 5 Must-Have Smart Devices for Your Home in 2023
The adoption of smart home devices has created one of the fastest growing technology sectors globally. As of 2021, almost 25% of UK households own a smart home device – a figure that has been steadily growing for the past 5 years, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
Why? Well, more and more consumers have come to appreciate the convenience and efficiency of smart home technology, and have come to realise the many benefits they offer. Certain smart home devices can save money on bills, as well as enhance the comfort and security of your home.
Fortunately for us, the technology is cheaper and more accessible than ever before. Let’s take a look at our top 5 must-have smart home devices that can enhance your home, and won’t break the bank in the process…
Smart hubs are the beating heart of any smart home. They let you play music, watch videos, set reminders, timers, alerts, and control your other smart devices – all with your voice. If you can name it, a smart hub can probably do it.
Many smart hubs are currently available on the market, but our pick of the bunch is the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen.
Google’s assistant is built into the Nest Hub, and works much like a real, human assistant – it can set reminders, create events, and can answer anything you ask it.
The addition of a 7” touchscreen display can be used to watch recipe videos whilst you’re cooking, or view live footage from your smart security cameras or video doorbells. The powerful speaker means you can listen to the radio or your own music without having to compromise on audio quality.
Our second smart-tech choice won’t provide much in the way of entertainment, but can save you some serious money on your energy bills – and create a more comfortable, welcoming home.
The Google Nest Smart Thermostat E is an incredibly affordable way to get a smart thermostat in your home, and works seamlessly with other Google Nest products - such as the Nest Hub we just mentioned.
Smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature of your home by voice through your smart hub, or even through your smartphone – allowing you to monitor and control your home’s temperature, even if you’re thousands of miles away.
The Nest Smart Thermostat E features clever tech typically found in more expensive thermostats – such as home/away assist, and a smart display that only turns on when you’re close to the thermostat.
Keep in mind that any smart thermostat will take around an hour to install – and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it may be best to hire a professional for the job.
Key Benefits:
- One of the most affordable ways to get a smart thermostat
- Easy to control through the app or smart hub
- Saves energy from day one
Lights are switched on and off every day, in virtually every room. This means smart light bulbs are one of the most convenient (and cost-effective) smart products you can buy.
Being able to control the brightness, warmth, and colour of your lighting no matter where you are encourages more conscientious usage, and eliminates those horrible “did I leave the kitchen light on?” worries when you arrive at the hotel for your holidays.
What’s more, hive smart bulbs have a ‘mimic mode’ which can turn the lights on/off in a varied pattern to give the impression that someone’s home. A useful feature which can provide peace of mind when you’re away.
We’ve all seen the videos of someone tripping on a doorstep, or someone attempting to steal a package – only to get caught red-handed on camera.
These videos are made possible by smart video doorbells, which have exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to their convenience and safety features. Smart doorbells allow users to stream live video footage from their smartphone, see and talk to whoever is at the door from your phone, and receive an alert whenever someone arrives at your doorstep.
The Google Nest Hello is our pick of the bunch, thanks to affordable pricing and a slick, discreet design. It’s also packed with handy features, such as HD video and audio, and an ultra-wide 160-degree field of view camera.
Key Benefits:
- See and speak to people at your door – even when you’re out of the house
- Excellent HD-quality audio and video
- Comes with a handy 2-year guarantee
Once you’ve got a few smart devices set up in your home, it’s easy to wish every device was as convenient as a smart device. Wouldn’t it be great if you could check whether you’ve left the iron on from your phone, or activate the air fryer at work so it’s the perfect temperature when you arrive home?
With a smart plug, you can essentially make any device or appliance smart – by controlling the plug your regular device is plugged into. As with all other smart devices, smart plugs can be controlled from anywhere using your smartphone app or smart hub.
The Hive Active smart plug is not only a cost-effective pick, but it also comes with a few handy features – such as being able to set 6 time slots per day.
Key Benefits:
- Effectively turns any device into a smart device
- Fully compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa smart hubs
- Cost effective, and comes with a 1-year warranty
The smart home revolution is upon us, with smart tech allowing us to add convenience to our lives whilst saving energy in the process. From smart security cameras to smart alarms and sensors, there’s a whole range of smart products available beyond what’s on this list.
Why not take a look at our full range of smart home devices for further inspiration on how to enhance your home’s capabilities.
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