It’s fair to say that the world of smart tech and the Internet of Things is no longer a new concept. Once burgeoning, market-disrupting smart technologies like the home assistant and smart TV are now virtually everyday household items. By and large, the smart tech industry has become much more affordable and accessible for the masses in the past couple of years.
So, arriving at summer 2021, the question is less what smart devices might you like in your home than what smart devices should you have in your home. Below, you’ll find five pieces of useful smart household tech that are fast becoming domestic staples.
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Smart speakers
Such is the popularity and widespread adoption of smart speakers that you only need to say “Alexa” and the average person will know exactly what, rather than who, you’re talking about. Amazon’s handy assistant is the recognisable voice behind their ludicrously successful and outlandishly cheap range of Echo Bluetooth speakers. Now in its fourth generation, the Echo Dot will cost you a measly £50 and will pair with a large variety of your favourite smart devices around the home, as well as handling all your music requests.
Other smart speakers do exist, of course – such as the Google Nest Hub range – but it’s hard to look past the Alexa and Echo revolution here.
Smart plugs
If you’re looking to add some intelligence to your mains power or bring smart control to outdoor devices, smart plugs are a very reasonably priced way forward. Devices like the ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2 will link up your android or iOS system to a variety of home appliances like coffee makers, lamps and TVs, while outdoor plug options like the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi KP400 will help you get the mood right with your patio lights.
Home security cameras
Home security cameras have fast travelled from novelty security feature to borderline essential for those looking to manage who’s at the door from the comfort of their couch or the office. Smart security cameras come in all shapes and sizes these days, from dirt cheap, simple monitoring options like the £25 Wyze Cam V3 through to dog and baby cameras that will help your nanny your nearest and dearest from afar.
Smart locks
If the smart camera on the door isn’t enough for you, a smart lock might give you that extra bit of reassurance. From actual lock options like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock through to home security management systems like the Vivint Smart Home, you can do anything from manage your alarm response through to protecting your home from floods and fires.
Smart heating
For those looking ahead and thinking about how best to manage their long-term spending, smart heating solutions are a worthy investment now that are set to become a cornerstone of utilities in the future. The huge choice of smart thermostats available on the market is just the start of things when it comes to intelligent and sustainable heating options, and you can consider any investment into the likes of a smart air conditioner or green boiler option a very smart one for the future. If the list above looks unremarkable, that is only because smart devices are no longer a matter of novelty but rather a mainstay in the household appliance market. From cheap and versatile home assistants to futureproofing your heating system, smart household devices are fast becoming impossible to avoid.
