The evolution of technology is nothing short of incredible. From social media and e-commerce platforms to artificial intelligence integrated programs, technology is simplifying our lives one step at a time.
Can Your Internet Handle Smart Home Gadgets?
This is an important question to answer before you go ahead and invest in all those gadgets. Every smart home device requires a stable and fast internet connection to operate smoothly. Patchy Wi-Fi areas can interrupt your smart home experience and it’s the last thing you want to deal with after investing a lot of money.
A good and reliable Wi-Fi router can solve your internet problems and keep your smart home connected round the clock. The kind of internet plan you sign up for also has a strong impact on the connectivity of your smart home.
There are several factors to look into when signing up for an internet plan. Many people look into expensive internet plans that deliver high-speed internet and reliability. However, only some of them deliver on their promise. There’s no harm in checking out Fiber optic internet that offers a good internet speed for your smart home needs. You will find many of them stick to their claims.
It’s also important for you to note which connection type your smart home gadgets run on. Wi-Fi routers are equipped with 2 types: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Most smart home devices depend on the 2.4 GHz connection while smartphones, tablets, and other commonly-used devices rely on the 5GHz connection. Inquire about the connection type of your Wi-Fi network and the devices you’re investing in to avoid connection problems later on.
We know smart home gadgets sound expensive and building a smart home as a beginner sounds super technical and expensive but the convenience factor of it all is enough to convince you. Mood-shifting lights and self-adjusting thermostats? Who wouldn’t truly enjoy it? It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the idea of setting up a smart home, but lucky for you, we’re here with important tips that will help you transform your home into a smart home smoothly.
From knowing which smart assistant to choose to understand which smart devices you should buy as a beginner, we’re going to help you set up a smart home in the easiest way possible.
Smart Speakers
Controlling your smart home is easier than ever thanks to smart speakers. Have optimum control over your smart home gadgets with smart speakers. Since the majority of the smart speakers are equipped with far-field microphones, it’s easier to control your gadgets even from a different room. Amazon and Google are two powerhouses pitted against each other when it comes to smart voice assistants on the market.
They’re both unique in their own way. Google Home and Amazon Echo are compatible with different devices, so you must match and compare the compatibility of the speaker and device before investing.
Amazon Echo (third generation) is a popular pick from Amazon’s Echo speakers due to its incredibly compact size and excellent sound quality. Google’s Nest Mini on the other hand offers a respectable sound quality within your budget! It’s the perfect option for beginners since it’s really easy to set up and it instantly responds to voice commands. It’s slightly bigger compared to Amazon’s Echo speaker but it comes with a built-in wall mount for your ease.
Smart Assistants
Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are the two most dominating smart assistants in the industry. Both of them work perfectly fine with a majority of smart home gadgets. Alexa is compatible with about 100,000 devices including smart plugs, switches, and more while Google Assistant is compatible with about 30,000 devices only. It’s always recommended to check the compatibility if you’re unsure before going all-in with a specific device.
Alexa Amazon is more responsive to third-party skills while Google is smarter with personalizing your experience by answering questions and learning your routine. It all comes down to your preference.
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs fit into your wall sockets to convert basic electronics and appliances into devices that can be smartly controlled via smart assistants or remotes. Some popular smart plugs like Eufy Smart Plug Mini deliver a reliable and strong connection minus real-time energy monitoring, while Currant Wi-Fi Smart Outlet on the other hand offers energy monitoring capabilities, along with on/off schedules and multiple outlets on a single plug.
It all comes down to how much you’re willing to invest in a smart plug and what size and shape you’re comfortable with. Smart plugs are also used at times to control lamps and traditional light fixtures, but for a complete smart home setup, it’s better to invest in smart switches and smart bulbs for light fixtures. This brings us to the next must-have smart home gadget.
Smart Lighting
Investing in smart bulbs is the best way to ease your way into smart lighting. You’ll find a variety of colors and the setup instructions are as easy as 1, 2, 3. All you have to do is fit the smart bulb in the light socket, screw it tight and connect it to the bulb’s app. You can look into Eufy Lumos Smart Bulbs as a beginner because it doesn’t need an extra hub.
Smart switches work just as well with smart bulbs like they do with regular ones. They’re easy to use and you don’t have to pay multiple bills, saving you a lot of money. It’s important to always put the regular switches for lights with smart bulbs in the ‘on’ position for it to be controlled smoothly.
However, if you have a smart switch, you don’t have to worry about that. If you’re planning to convert your regular lighting into smart lighting, it’s more cost-effective with smart switches.
Smart Doorbells
Smart doorbells have become immensely popular over the past few years. For maximum security and comfort, smart doorbells gather live video feeds and notify the user of any activity on their smartphones. They’re accurate, reliable, and easy to set up. Google Nest Hello is the most reliable smart doorbell in the market, and you don’t need a professional to install it for you. You can even sync your smart speaker with your doorbell to respond to visitors outside in real-time.
Transform your home and enjoy convenience at its finest. Start easing your way into the smart home lifestyle with these basic smart home gadgets now.