It’s no secret that the world is fascinated by smart home gadgets at the moment, and indeed, the global smart home technology market is expected to reach a whopping $103 billion of annual revenue by the end of the year.
Apart from the undeniable cool factor, many of these home automation gadgets also offer highly practical functions and benefits – like helping you reduce your energy consumption and providing better home security.
Here we’ll dive into the latest versions and newest contenders among the usual smart home staples, as well as a few quirky gadgets you didn’t realize you needed in your life! Starting with…
Verdmo’s Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor
That’s right folks, it’s time for the ‘smart garden’! Aside from cool features like ground level temperature sensors, three moisture sensors, and an Android and iOS app, Verdmo’s Wi-Fi enabled device will last up to three years before you need to change the batteries.
It’s suitable for indoor potted plants as well as your lawn, and will help you save water by making sure you only water when you actually need to. And for extra feel-good factor, a portion of the proceeds from each sale are donated to the Safe Water Network.
Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display
There are a lot of features packed into this funky device, and like all of Amazon’s Echo devices, personal assistant Alexa is part of the package. Thanks to its compact size, it’s a great bedside table addition, allowing you to make video calls, get the day’s weather and news headlines, listen to music (complete with song lyrics and album art) and set alarms all with your voice.
If you’re looking for something a little larger though, then the Google Nest Hub Max is probably it. In addition to its big, bright display which makes it ideal as a kind of really fancy digital picture frame, it also functions as a home security camera.
August Smart Lock Pro
A lock that unlocks itself as you approach, and locks itself again should you forget to, the August Smart Lock Pro is a fantastic addition to any home with forgetful residents or less safety-savvy occupants! And while many smart locks can be a little tricky to install, August’s universal adapter plate makes the process a whole lot simpler.
Its optional DoorSense module can even send a notification to your phone via the user friendly app that a door has been left ajar after a preset length of time. The Connect module means you can lock and unlock the door remotely from wherever you are.
SmartyPans smart frying pan!
If you’ve always wanted to dazzle friends and family with your culinary skills, yet found yourself a little lacking when it comes to said skills, then help is finally at hand! Aside from its amazingly cute name, the Smartypans smart frying pan uses built-in temperature and weight sensors which work together with a custom cooking app to guide you through recipes step by step, alerting you when you’ve got the temperature too high or low. It evens lets you record your own creations, and track calories as you cook!
Nanoleaf Sound Reactive Light Panels
While smart lights are undoubtedly cool, these triangular color-changing LED panels take things to a whole new level. Able to display millions of different colors and sync with the mood and beat of whatever music you’re playing, they will instantly become the focal point of any room you place them in. Thanks to the wall-friendly adhesive mounting tape, you can place, remove and rearrange the panels them into any pattern you like – and they’re compatible with Homekit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and IFTTT. Through the Nanoleaf App, you can save your favorite settings so you can instantly create the ambience you’re looking for.
Nest Learning Thermostat
There’s a reason Nest thermostats are best-sellers in their category, and the Learning Thermostat was the first of them all to be officially ENERGY STAR certified – meaning they’re a good investment for you and the planet.
You can adjust your temperature settings remotely via the app, and as the name suggests, the thermostat learns your preferences and adjusts accordingly. It will also turn the heat off automatically after 48 hours if you’ve gone away and forgotten about it.
From the kitchen to the living room, and the bedroom to the garden, you’re sure to find the smart home tech you need to streamline your space.
