Tech Gadgets to Transform Your Home
FFrom smart locks to battery-powered yard tools, there’s a wide variety of gadgets that help make your home smarter and more efficient. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply looking for ways to improve your home life, the list below has something for everyone.
Battery-Powered Yard Tools
For gardening enthusiasts, battery-powered yard tools are lighter, easier to use and more environmentally friendly than their electric and gas-powered counterparts. Many use Li-ion batteries that have a longer life span and offer better performance compared to traditional batteries. They’re also quieter, emit less vibration and can power everything from lawn mowers and string trimmers to leaf blowers and chainsaws. Trusted power tool brands such as DeWalt, Milwaukee and Ryobi offer battery-powered lawn tools, along with new brands such as Greenworks.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming the home is one of the most tedious household chores, so why not automate with the help of a robotic vacuum? Consumer Reports recommends iRobot’s Roomba s9+, a top-of-the-line self-navigating vacuum with stronger suction and wider brushes than earlier models. Besides automatically cleaning floors and carpets, the vacuum unloads the contents of its bin into a disposable bag when it docks. It connects with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing voice-directed cleaning.
Home Weather Stations
Anyone who’s interested in the weather will appreciate a device that measures and displays temperature and other atmospheric conditions in real time. The Ambient Weather WS-2902 Wi-Fi Smart Weather station includes a solar-powered sensor you can mount on a roof or pole and a hand-held device with an LCD display that shows wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall, UV and solar radiation. Home weather stations take the guessing out of planning outdoor activities.
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers use artificial intelligence to comprehend and respond to spoken commands. Besides playing music, these voice-activated devices can tell you about the weather, set reminders, answer questions, and control other smart devices in the home. The “big three” smart speaker models are the Amazon Echo, Google Nest and Apple HomePod. Each speaker platform has a built-in virtual assistant (Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri) and can serve as a hub for your home’s digital environment. It’s important to research and choose the one that best suits your individual needs and preferences.
Smart Thermostats
When you install a smart thermostat, you can control your home’s heating and cooling remotely via an app. These devices learn your temperature preferences over time and adjust automatically, saving you money and energy. They also can integrate with other smart home devices. One recommended model is the Nest Learning Thermostat. It can detect when you’re away from home and turn off the HVAC system to save energy. Like many other smart devices for the home, it integrates with Google Assistant and other smart home systems.
Smart Door Locks
You can add another layer of security to your home with a smart door lock. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro allows hands-free access using your smartphone, smart speaker such as Alexa, and many other platforms and devices. It works with existing lock hardware, including keys, making installation simple and hassle-free.
Smart Smoke Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are critical home safety devices, but they work only when you’re at home. Smart detectors provide additional peace of mind by sending smoke and carbon monoxide alerts to your phone. They also self-test and alert you when the battery level is low. The Nest Protect is a top-rated option that connects with other smart devices to let you remotely turn on lights or shut down your HVAC when you get a smoke alert.
Smart Strip Lights
One fun gadget for the home is a smart LED strip light. These versatile devices have many practical and decorative uses throughout the home, from under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen to mood lighting in the bedroom. You can control them and customize their colors with your smartphone, setting them up to automatically change at a certain time of day. You can even sync the strip lights to music so the color changes with every beat. Some popular brands of smart strip lights include Philips Hue, LIFX and Govee.
Upgrading your home with the latest technology can not only increase convenience but also enhance your quality of life. Why wait? With the advancement of technology, now is the perfect time to invest in your home and create a more modern and efficient living space. Start exploring the latest home tech options today and see how you can transform your home into a smart, connected oasis.
Sources: chicagotribune.com, consumerreports.com, nytimes.org, pcmag.com and popsci.com.
