"Hey Alexa, What Is A Smart Home?" The Perks Of 'Teching' Out Your House

From smartphones and TVs to smart cameras, doorbells and even light bulbs: the world is getting smarter than ever, and so are our household devices. The question, what makes these smart gadgets to special? Why have they become such a popular trend?

Discover the answers to these and more questions as we go through some of the benefits of smart home living:

Smart homes feature digital devices that are connected to the wi-fi and can be remotely controlled through a phone, laptop or tablet. The range of smart home devices available in the market has grown exponentially over the past few years and some of the most popular ones include:

“So, why should I invest in smart home gadgets?”, you may be thinking. Well, the benefits speak for themselves:

Your home should be where you feel safest and with the right smart home devices, you can easily improve security whether you’re staying in or going out.

A smart security system provides you with real-time alerts in case anything happens, from water leaks to smoke, doors or windows left unsecured and, of course, home intruders.

Travelling to the other side of the world? Not a problem – these smart devices can be turned on and off from anywhere, so you can let a home cleaner in or have a mate check in on your furry friends no matter where you are.

A smart doorbell is the perfect addition to your home security system, as it lets know whenever someone rings your doorbell, and even speak to whoever is at the door. 

For busy parents who are worried about their baby’s safety more than anything else, there are smart baby monitors that keep an eye on the little one while they’re catching some zZz’s. Most modern baby monitors feature a 1080p camera for high-definition recording, and many offer great additional features like temperature and humidity control, as well as alerts for movement (or lack thereof).

Whether it’s R&B, country, classical or metal, waking up to the voice of your favourite musicians is a great way to start the day, and it is certainly better than a loud ‘beep, beep, beep’ blasting out every-single-morning.

A smart speaker like the Google Nest Mini, Google Nest or the Amazon Echo Pop allows you to schedule music alarms to play a singer or band, your go-to playlist, a specific genre or even just the radio. Setting these up couldn’t be easier: a simple “Hey Google, set a jazz music alarm every day at 6 AM” or “Hey Alexa, wake me up to Beyoncé at 9 AM” will do it.

Would rather keep the tunes for later and get a morning weather update instead? Easy – ask your smart assistant about the weather forecast for today, tomorrow or next weekend and get all the details you need to plan your life.

Your smart speaker can also help you unwind at night, even when you’ve had one too many coffees or can’t turn off your brain after a long day at work. From guided meditations to nature sounds, relaxing podcasts or ASMR, with a smart speaker you can put on whatever helps you sleep at night.

We’ve all been there: you put on your pyjamas, hop into bed and get all cozied up… only to realise you’ve left the lights on. Good news is, with a smart home you’ll never have to get out of your warm bed just to click one little lightswitch.

There are a few different smart home products you can get to automate your home lighting, including smart light bulbs and switches. This type of device is typically quite affordable and the perfect first step to setting up a smart home.

A smart light bulb like the Philips Hue allows you to control up to 10 lights using their Hue Bluetooth app or connect it to your smart assistant and adjust the brightness and colour with your voice.

Alternatively, you can get a smart Wi-Fi socket and use it not only to turn lights on and off but also to preset schedules, create countdown times and instantly turn on and off any connected devices.

If the question “Where did I put my keys?” crosses your mind more often than you can remember, we have just the smart home gadget for you: a smart door lock.

With one of these convenient devices, your fingerprint becomes your key so you know you will never lose it again. You can unlock the door with just one touch or if, for some reason, you need to open it while you’re away, you can easily and securely do so with your smartphone.

Digital door locks are also great smart devices for safety, as many let you know whenever someone rings your doorbell, alert your on door lock status and provide you with real-time information about who’s coming into your house.

Whether you’re a natural planner or not, a Google Hub is a must-have smart home device for anyone who wants to make the most of their days, 365 days a year.

This smart home hub takes you from AM to PM with personal routines set by yourself, including the music alarms and sleep-inducing sounds – but there is a lot more to a Google Hub.

It also allows you to set reminders for any meetings or important tasks at work, to stretch or have a glass of water, and to wrap up for the day and enjoy a well-deserved relaxing evening. It helps you choose what to wear based on weather forecasts and plan when to leave based on traffic conditions.

The best smart home devices can make your life a lot easier, so you have time and energy to focus on what truly matters. From better safety to more comfort or day-to-day organisation, there is a smart gadget out there that can help you meet your goals. Check out our smart home collection to find it!