We truly are living in an age that mirrors a science-fiction movie. With so much technology at our disposal, many daily tasks are easier and more efficient than ever. And in 2018, there are so many devices for your home that will leave you in awe because of their ease of use and capabilities.
So without further ado, below you will find six of the coolest smart home devices currently on the market that will make your life a whole lot easier and have you running through the house pretending you’re a part of your favorite sci-fi movie.
Amazon Echo voice-controlled speaker Amazon Echo
This wouldn’t be a smart home device list without mentioning the Amazon Echo. This voice-controlled speaker connects with the Amazon Alexa system, allowing you to play music, dim lights, create shopping lists, order delivery and ask questions to it without moving a finger.
Alexa can also set alarms, control your Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, and call and message contacts. Plus, the Echo can also be connected to your existing audio system or set of speakers, something that the prior generation of it couldn’t do.
The second generation of the Amazon Echo is available for sale starting at just $99.99
Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat
You might be wondering what the heck a smart thermostat does. This touchscreen one, made by Ecobee, allows homeowners to control the temperature of their home from their Android and iOS devices, including the Apple Watch. That’s just the beginning.
The Ecobee4 comes with room sensors to monitor hot and cold spots in your home, with an ability to detect the occupancy in each room and tweak the temperature as need. It also comes with the Amazon Alexa voice service build inside, giving you another way to connect to your favorite Amazon home system. Plus, whoever thought you could talk to your thermostat and have it order groceries or read the news?
The Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat is available on Amazon for $248.
Belkin Wemo Smart Plug Belkin Wemo Switch Smart Plug
The Belkin Wemo Switch is essentially a wi-fi connected electrical outlet that can be used to turn off appliances, chargers, lights or whatever else might be plugged into it right for your phone. It also allows you to manage energy costs through the Wemo app through real-time reports on energy consumption.
This is particularly useful for space heaters, curling irons, coffeemakers and wax melters that are often left on in homes, reducing the amount of panic that is caused by wondering whether or not you remembered to unplug them.
This plug 2-pack is able to be purchased on Amazon for just under $55.99.
August Smart Lock smart home technology August Smart Lock Pro
This home smart lock is easy to install and allows you to lock your door through voice-controlled commands. It also locks and unlocks automatically as you leave and approach your door.
You get to keep you existing keys and locks, as this smart lock attaches to the deadbolt on your door, allowing you to use keys as you normally would if you so choose. It also features a sensor that tells you if your door is securely closed and locked, or not.
It’s available for just under $199.99 on Amazon.
August Doorbell Cam smart home technology camera August Doorbell Cam Pro
What’s great about this smart doorbell is that it provides a few seconds of video from BEFORE it detects motion. The footage from this camera is clear, and it also features a spotlight to illuminate visitors at night.
This doorbell camera is also integrates with August’s smart lock mentioned above.
It’s available on Amazon for $299.
For more information on smart home technology that can improve efficiency in your home, stay tuned to our blog for upcoming posts.