Our picks for the best smart home devices to upgrade your abode with
Bring your home into the 21st Century. We’ve assembled the very best gadgets to make your home over with right here.
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I’ll be frank – I was quite resistant to the idea of a smart home.
I’m the most analog person you’ve ever met. Forget keeping track of work tasks on my laptop, I’m still all about a pen and notebook; for the longest time, I was resistant to even wireless earbuds, because then I’d have to work out how to actually pair to my phone via Bluetooth.
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My husband however? The man works in tech, so wasn’t having any of my protestations. In came the smart speakers, the streaming devices, the smart TVs … and now I can’t do without the convenience. Go figure.
BEST SMART HOME DEVICES GUIDE
Whether you’re dipping your toe into the realm of smart home devices for the first time, or are looking to expand your home’s smart capabilities, we have our picks for every category below.
BEST SMART SPEAKERS
Google Nest Mini Smart Speaker (2nd Gen), The Good Guys, $79
If you didn’t think it was possible to wax lyrical about a smart speaker, get ready: I’m about to write a verse or two about my beloved Google Nest Mini.
This little feat of home tech innovation sits on many a surface on my home, used by all five members of the family throughout the day. My husband and I go to sleep to sounds of the ocean from it; my kids to lullabies. I wake to an alarm set to my smart speaker every day – while my husband rolls over to sleep longer, the lucky thing – and dress after checking the weather from it. This wouldn’t be possible if the smart speaker were to cost a pretty penny (as many alternatives do) – but for less than $80, it’s certainly worth peppering my home with them.
It goes on and on. Tip for parents? When it comes to bedtime and your children think they can get away with extra screen time because they’ve hidden the remote, a simple “Hey Google, turn off Downstairs TV” has become my best ally.
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BEST SMART HUB
Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), Amazon Australia, $349 (RRP$399)
To start with, you’re going to want a hub from which you can control all other smart devices in your home. Something that will control home entertainment, keep appointments, connect you with your loved ones, and still act as a decent sound speaker when you need it to. The answer? This all-new Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen).
There’s no getting around it – this model is on the pricier side of the spectrum, but for a product that will take prominence in your home and everyday life, it’s worth splashing out for the best. The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) boasts a generous 10.1” screen that’s designed to follow your movements, meaning talking to family members is possible while still getting on with your day (as is looking around the room via camera when you’re away!). Connect to your compatible security cameras, smart lights and more, with controls and footage displayed on screen.
One rapt user commented, “The echo show fits into our smart home system well, it has enabled more interaction with my family when working away and the ring camera as well as Apple Music comparability is great!”
“Web browsing, adding items to my shopping list and some sneaky anime while cooking dinner are all reasons you should buy this!”
BEST SMART LOCK
Nuki Smart Door Lock & Sensor, Amazon Australia, $489
Boasting a minimalist design that is easily installed and coexists with your existing lock set up, the Nuki Smart Door Lock and Sensor turns your smartphone into a smart key. Simply pair with your phone – or smartwatch! – and tap for entry into your home as you would tap onto public transport i.e.. with ease. Hands full? Turn Auto Unlock on and gain entry just from being nearby.
This smart lock can be controlled via Amazon Alexa, Google Home and other smart assistants – offer access to guests remotely – and even keeps an activity log of when your door has been accessed, and by who.
A peek at reviews on Google reveal the extent of this lock’s popularity. Sitting just shy of a five-star rating with dozens of reviews, this innovation in home security has secured glowing reviews like, “ … it bridges the gap between convenience and security that most modern locks neglect.”
“With so many interesting features and an app that makes the transition so easy, this is a product that will stand the test of time.”
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BEST STREAMING DEVICE
Google Chromecast with Google TV, The Good Guys, $99
The newer and slightly pricier Chromecast has a slick new design complete with a remote. So what do you get for that extra $40 of spend over the classic model? For starters, you can stream in 4K HDR resolution, and use Google Assistant voice control via the remote. It also has access to Google TV, which is essentially a fancy new home screen or hub where you can find all your favourite content and streaming services – so you can do things like browse multiple apps at once for that one show you’re looking for, or continue playing your current fave without having to hunt down the app first. You can also use the device to control smart home devices, as a bonus.
This one is another personal recommendation from me. My family’s original streaming services set up was to connect to the television from my husband and my phone, but with three kids, several screens, and the necessity of keeping our phones on us, it quickly became a logistic nightmare. The Google Chromecast is an affordable and painless way to ensure easy access to each family member’s favourite shows (and never have to hear my name shouted from across the house to change the show again).
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BEST HOME SECURITY CAMERA
Eufy Floodlight Camera, Amazon Australia, $199 (RRP$299.95)
Featuring 1080p HD recording quality, two-way audio, a 140-degree viewing angle, and Google or Alexa compatibility, this affordable floodlight camera offers peace of mind. The weatherproof device provides real-time alerts and motion-triggered floodlights, for which you can adjust the brightness. It’s also available in black.
“Works well, extremely bright flood light, and very good night pictures with or without the floodlight. I run the floodlights at 25 per cent brightness. Detection zones are easy to set up and work well,” commented a five-star reviewer.
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BEST ROBOT VACUUM CLEANER
ECOVACS DEEBOT U2 Pro, Amazon Australia, $599
This model from the global leader in smart cleaning robots is targeted at time-challenged households, with the ability to both vacuum and mop – removing up to 99 per cent of bacteria – a revelation for those who would rather end their day relaxing on the couch, than tending to dirty floors.
An extra large 800ml dustbin, strong suction and tangle-free main brush makes this perfect for those with cats or dogs, picking up all stray hairs that even the most ferocious sweeping with a broom won’t pick up. Direct with your phone or smart speaker, and trust this model to not miss a single dust mite, thanks to advanced systematic navigation paths. Most brilliantly, a single charge lasts up to 150 minutes.
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BEST SMART SMOKE ALARM
Google Nest Protect Smoke Alarm (battery), The Good Guys, $179
Not all smoke alarms are created equal. The Google Nest Protect takes your safety to the next level, with advanced technology to speak when it detects smoke or carbon monoxide, send phone alerts when you’re not home, and change its ring colour to communicate.
If you’re sick of your current smoke alarm kicking up a fuss when you’ve just burned some toast – we’ve all been there – the option to silence the Nest Protect Alarm from your phone will come as a blessing. It has a split-spectrum sensor that can distinguish between smoke from fast-burning or smouldering fires, and performs self-checks on its own batteries, sensors and speakers regularly – so you don’t have to. Bonus? It doubles as a night light. You can also buy the wired version here.
BEST SMART LIGHTS
Nanoleaf Hexagon Smarter Kit, The Good Guys, $349
I used to stay at a friend’s home all the time – back when late nights out were a thing, I am old and boring now – and he had a couple of packs of the Nanoleaf Hexagon Starter Kit arranged in the corner of his living room. Guys – most soothing thing ever, I tell you.
More than just pretty lights, these smart light panels can be customised to support the atmosphere you wish to create in your home. Energising or relaxing – you can create it. If that level of attention to detail sounds like a turn off, no need to stress, as Nanoleaf has many preset programs to choose from (‘Jungle’, a collection of green hues is a dream, I tell you). Connect with music to make colours change with the rhythm; combine any number of shapes for a pattern unique to your home alone; and customise and control from your phone or smart home device.
Hot tip for Scandinavian-design loving readers: the brand’s new Elements Panels appear as wood-look geometric art during the day; then when turned on, emit a warm glow reminiscent of flames in a hearth. No surprise, those are the ones I’ve decorated my own home with.
WHICH IS THE BEST SMART SPEAKER?
The best smart speaker will largely depend on your reasons for using one. If you’re looking to emulate what was once the integrated intercom system – allowing for different rooms and floors to communicate with each other – multiple of an inexpensive yet effective model, like the Google Nest Mini is a good solution.
ARE HOME SECURITY CAMERAS WORTH IT?
While we all hope we’ll never be the target of a break-in, they are a risk we should be aware of. A home security system cannot only help you identify intruders, but also potentially ward them away by alerting you in real time so you can signal an alarm or call the police. Even if you’re never the victim of such an incident, home security cameras are still a valuable investment – as we’ve described above, they’re handy for letting you know when your visitors arrive, when family members get home, or when your online shopping order arrives.
ARE ROBOTIC VACUUMS WORTH IT?
For those who want to keep things tidy at home but never have the time for daily spot cleaning, a robotic vacuum is absolutely worth the investment. They allow you to stress less about using your precious leisure time for cleaning – instead, you can simply schedule your robot to run while you sleep or when you’re out and about during the day.
Continue upgrading your home with the best electric heaters to save you money, and the top stick vacuums to keep things spick and span.
Plus, make sure you get the best deal on every purchase you make by checking out news.com.au Coupons. There, you can score discounts on top brands from The Good Guys and Myer to Harvey Norman.
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