Top 10 Electronic Gadgets for Home: Must-Have Tech for Every Household
Key Takeaways
- Smart thermostats help you save energy and maintain the perfect temperature in your home.
- Robot vacuum cleaners automate floor cleaning, saving you time and effort.
- Smart speakers provide hands-free control over various smart home devices and can even play your favorite tunes.
- Smart light bulbs allow you to customize lighting settings and save on electricity bills.
- Home security cameras offer peace of mind by allowing you to monitor your property remotely.
1. Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a must-have gadget for any modern home. It offers convenience and energy savings by allowing you to monitor and control your home's heating and cooling system via phone or voice commands. You can set temperature schedules and take advantage of energy-saving features to help lower your bill. One of the best smart thermostats in 2024 is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, which comes with a remote sensor to ensure a consistent temperature throughout your home.
2. Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum cleaner is a game-changer for maintaining clean floors with minimal effort. One of the best features of modern robot vacuums is their ability to self-empty, like the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni. This model not only vacuums but also mops and dries itself, making it a top premium all-in-one robot for cleaning your floors.
Benefits
- Convenience: With a robot vacuum, you can schedule cleanings and forget about them. Some models even come with built-in voice assistants.
- Efficiency: High-end models like the Roborock vacuum-plus-mop can vacuum and mop your floors, then return to their station for a hot air dry.
- Low Maintenance: Self-emptying models like the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE have large dustbins that only need to be emptied about once a month.
Considerations
- Price: Premium models can be quite pricey, but they offer a full-service cleaning experience.
- Features: Look for features like smart mapping, powerful suction, and the ability to clean around objects.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: iRobot Roomba Combo j7 Plus
- Best Budget: Eufy RoboVac 11S
- Best High-End: iRobot Roomba S9+ Self Emptying Robot Vacuum
Investing in a robot vacuum cleaner can save you time and effort, making it a valuable addition to any household.
3. Smart Speaker
A smart speaker is a must for the living room. Beyond playing music, our favorite models serve as a sort of central command center, letting you control pretty much any other connected home gadget by voice. The first step in choosing one is deciding which voice assistance platform is the right fit for your home: Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. All three support most major smart home device brands.
Best Smart Speakers for 2024
When it comes to the best smart speakers for 2024, we tested Alexa, Google, Apple, and Sonos. For those with tighter budgets, there are a handful of smart speakers around $100. We recommend picking up one of the three latest smart speakers from either Google, Amazon, or Apple. Out of the three, we think the Echo has the best audio quality. Its bass is impressive and the mid-range frequencies are pretty powerful. You can also pair two together to get even better stereo sound.
Entry-Level Smart Speaker
For an entry-level smart speaker, the Amazon Echo Studio is a great pick. It comes with Dolby Atmos and 3D audio, adapts to any room's acoustics, and offers a seamless Alexa experience. However, it does not have a clock display and is larger than Echo Dots.
Better Sounding Smart Speaker
If sound quality is your priority, consider the Sonos One Smart Speaker. It is priced at $219 and offers superior sound quality. The Sonos One is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa, providing flexibility in your choice of smart assistant.
A smart speaker can transform your home into a connected, efficient, and enjoyable living space. Choose the one that best fits your needs and budget, and enjoy the convenience and entertainment it brings.
4. Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs are one of the easiest ways to introduce smart home technology into your home. They allow you to control your lighting remotely, either via an app (using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) or with your voice. They add automation and scheduling to the mix, so you can have them turn on and off at certain times of the day. Some also let you adjust the smart bulb's brightness and color temperature, or even create a custom light scene.
5. Home Security Camera
Home security cameras are essential for keeping your property safe and giving you peace of mind. These devices allow you to monitor your home remotely, ensuring that you can keep an eye on things even when you're not there. Modern home security cameras come with a variety of features, including high-resolution video, motion detection, and night vision.
6. Smart Doorbell
A smart doorbell is an essential gadget for modern homes, offering enhanced security and convenience. With features like motion detection and night vision, you can monitor your front door from anywhere. Whether you choose a wired or battery-powered option, smart doorbells provide peace of mind by allowing you to see, hear, and speak to visitors remotely.
7. Smart Lock
A smart lock is an essential addition to any modern home, offering both security and convenience. These devices allow you to lock and unlock your door using various methods such as voice commands, fingerprint, keypad, mobile app, or even a traditional key. Forgetting the keys won't be a problem anymore with this handy technology.
Key Features
- Versatile Access Methods: Use your voice, fingerprint, keypad, mobile app, or traditional key.
- Auto-Lock and Unlock: Automatically locks and unlocks based on your proximity.
- Alerts and Notifications: Get notified if your door is left ajar.
- Guest Access: Grant temporary access to guests.
Popular Models
- August Smart Lock Pro: Converts the inner half of your existing deadbolt and supports a wide variety of platforms including HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, Z-Wave, Nest, and IFTTT.
- Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi: A dependable and versatile smart lock that offers multiple access methods and robust security features.
Installation Tips
- Ensure your existing deadbolt is compatible with the smart lock.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully for a smooth installation process.
- Test all access methods to ensure they work correctly.
A smart lock is arguably the most important part of a truly connected home, offering both security and convenience.
Maintenance
- Regularly update the lock's firmware to ensure optimal performance and security.
- Replace batteries as needed to avoid lockouts.
- Clean the keypad and fingerprint scanner to maintain functionality.
8. Smart Plug
Smart plugs are an essential addition to any modern home, offering convenience and energy efficiency. With a smart plug, you can turn anything that plugs into the wall—be it a lamp, space heater, humidifier, or even a Christmas tree—into a connected device that you can control from your phone. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim With Energy Monitoring, our current Editors' Choice in this category, monitors the power usage of any appliance you plug in, works with voice commands, and supports tons of third-party platforms, all without breaking the bank.
9. Smart Display
A smart display is an excellent addition to any home, offering the same hands-free voice assistant features as a smart speaker but with a useful touch screen. This allows you to view live feeds from your smart doorbell or security camera, make video calls, and control your connected gadgets with a few taps. When not in use, your living room smart display can serve as a digital photo frame to display your personal snaps or curated art.
Best Smart Displays of 2024
When it comes to the best smart display overall, the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) stands out. It is small enough for nightstands and features sensors that allow it to track your sleep, overnight respiration rate, coughing, and snoring, as well as any light and temperature changes.
Reasons to Buy
- Acts as an ideal wall-mounted or stand-based smart home dashboard.
- Each of your smart home devices gets its own widget for easy status and control.
- Supports plenty of video streaming services including Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix.
- Comes with built-in browsers for web surfing.
Reasons to Avoid
- Some models may take up too much space.
- Smaller models might be too limited in functionality.
A smart display offers all the benefits of a smart speaker and organizes your smart home controls on a single screen, conveniently located on your bedside table.
10. Smart Smoke Detector
A smart smoke detector is an essential device for any modern home. These devices not only detect smoke but also carbon monoxide, providing an extra layer of safety. The Nest Protect is a top choice among the best smart smoke detectors. It offers spoken alerts and links to other smart-home devices, making it a versatile addition to your home.
Key Features
- Detects smoke and carbon monoxide
- Provides spoken alerts
- Links to other smart-home devices
Benefits
Smart smoke detectors offer several advantages over traditional detectors:
- Enhanced Safety: They detect both smoke and carbon monoxide.
- Spoken Alerts: These alerts inform you of the specific room where the danger is detected.
- Integration: They can link to other smart-home devices for a more cohesive home automation system.
Considerations
While smart smoke detectors offer many benefits, there are some considerations to keep in mind:
- Cost: These devices can be more expensive than traditional smoke detectors.
- Compatibility: Ensure the device is compatible with your existing smart-home system.
Investing in a smart smoke detector is a wise decision for enhancing your home's safety and integrating with other smart devices. It's a must-have in the list of Top 10 electronic gadgets for home.
Conclusion
Smart smoke detectors like the Nest Protect provide advanced features and enhanced safety, making them a valuable addition to any household. They are an essential part of a modern, connected home.
Conclusion
These top 10 electronic items are not just useful; they are the backbone of modern households. From the convenience of a refrigerator to the efficiency of a washing machine, these appliances enhance our daily lives and make our homes more comfortable and functional. So, when it comes to outfitting your home, make sure to prioritize these essential electronic products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a smart thermostat and how does it work?
A smart thermostat is a device that allows you to control your home's heating and cooling system remotely. It works by connecting to your Wi-Fi network, enabling you to adjust the temperature using a smartphone app, voice commands, or even set schedules to optimize energy use.
Are robot vacuum cleaners worth the investment?
Yes, robot vacuum cleaners are worth the investment for many households. They save time and effort by automatically cleaning your floors. Advanced models come with features like mapping, scheduling, and even mopping capabilities, making them a versatile addition to your home.
What can a smart speaker do besides playing music?
A smart speaker can do much more than play music. It can control other smart home devices, answer questions, set reminders, provide weather updates, and even make phone calls. It's a multifunctional device that can enhance the convenience of your daily life.
How do smart light bulbs improve home lighting?
Smart light bulbs offer customizable lighting options, such as adjusting brightness and color, setting schedules, and even syncing with music or movies. They can be controlled via smartphone apps or voice commands, making it easy to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion.
Is a home security camera necessary for every household?
While not absolutely necessary, a home security camera provides an added layer of security. It allows you to monitor your property in real-time, receive alerts for unusual activity, and review footage if an incident occurs. This can give you peace of mind, especially when you're away from home.
What are the benefits of using a smart smoke detector?
A smart smoke detector offers several benefits over traditional models. It can send alerts to your smartphone if smoke or carbon monoxide is detected, even when you're not home. Some models can also self-test and integrate with other smart home systems for enhanced safety.
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Discover the top 10 must-have electronic gadgets for every modern home, from smart thermostats to robot vacuums