In the modern era, the digital world meets our daily lives to build smarter homes. The connected devices inside our houses work together to create a smart ecosystem. Here’s a list of last-minute gift ideas for smart homes this holiday season.
Smart Home Hubs
Apple HomePod Mini
The Apple HomePod mini is an affordable smart hub product. This connected device is great for those already using other Apple products in their smart home ecosystem. It has an intelligent voice assistant and works seamlessly with your iPhone. The HomePod mini is able to create personalized experiences for up to six different voices.
For those with multiple HomePod minis, the Intercom feature enables communication throughout the house and even works with other Apple devices. The only downside to the HomePod mini is its lack of music streaming options. Right now, it only supports Apple Music.
Amazon Echo Show
Amazon’s Echo Show 8 has the functionality of their other Echo products and includes a screen. You can stream shows, video chat with family, and even use it as a digital frame. For those concerned about privacy, the Echo Show 8 also comes with the ability to turn off the camera and microphone.
For only a few bucks more than the Apple HomePod mini, consumers can get a similar device with an 8-inch HD touchscreen. More importantly, it has over 13,000 ratings, averaging 4.7 stars.
Google Nest Hub
If you’re a Google lover, the Nest Hub is a great product that has all the features of the Google Home plus a screen. You can stream shows, listen to music, and control your smart home. One of the coolest features is the ability to pause a song or stop a timer with Quick Gestures. The device detects movement without a camera, giving you privacy in your home.
Unlike the HomePod mini, Google’s Nest Hub has partnered with common music and video streaming services. You can listen to Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and Sirius XM and watch Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Sling. Because it has more music options than the HomePodmini and costs less than Amazon’s Echo Show 8, this screened smart hub seems to be the best bang for your buck.
Sonos One
If you’re looking for a high-quality speaker, Sonos One is for you. Like other smart hubs, these speakers are voice-controlled with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Most importantly, though, the Sonos One has much better sound quality than typical smart home devices. For those with more than one Sonos product, the speakers are designed to work together to provide the best quality sound system.
Overall, the product has a 4-star average rating on their website.
Energy Saving Devices
Wyze Plug
With Wyze’s smart plugs, you can save money on your electric bill. The scheduling features allow you to automate turning devices off and on, put them on a timer, or set them to “Vacation Mode.” The Wyze Plug is also voice-activated with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integrations.
With over 700 reviews on their website, averaging 4.4 stars, this seems like an easy, affordable addition to your smart ecosystem.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Nest was the first ENERGYSTAR-certified thermostat. According to Google, independent studies show savings of up to 15% on heating and cooling bills. By using sensors and location data, the Nest Learning Thermostat can tell if you’ve left your home and will move your house into energy-saving mode. The device can also learn what temperature you like and build a schedule around you.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control
For the same price as Google’s smart thermostat, Ecobee’s product comes with a remote sensor that can control your home’s temperature from a room other than where the device is mounted. Like the Nest, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is ENERGYSTAR-certified and has reportedly saved users 26% on annual energy costs. With 4.7 stars from more than 700 reviews, the Ecobee system is a strong competitor to Google’s product.
Wyze Thermostat
If the Ecobee and Nest products are a little spendy for your taste, consider the Wyze Thermostat. Wyze allows you to control your home’s temperature from your phone or through voice integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It also comes with other scheduling and automation features. The app will even show your energy usage and offer tips on saving.
However, before buying, check to see if your home is compatible with the Wyze Thermostat. Unfortunately, Wyze’s product doesn’t work on high-voltage systems (110 volts or higher). If the Wyze Thermostat is compatible with your home, it’s a much more affordable smart thermostat. It has a four-star average rating from over 225 reviews.
Smart Security
Ring Video Doorbell
Ring’s Pro 2 is a great smart security product, especially for those already using other Amazon devices like the Echo Show 8. Like other Ring doorbells, the Pro 2 offers real-time notifications, live view, and a door history. With HD+ video and crisp audio, it is a top-of-the-line product. The Pro 2 is the first doorbell security system to have 3D Motion Detection and built-in Alexa Greetings, which answer the door for you.
Though it’s more expensive than other smart doorbell options, the Pro 2 has the most advanced features and has more than 1,600 reviews, with an average rating of 4.6 stars.
Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
The Arlo Video Doorbell offers a 180-degree view, a built-in siren, and motion alerts. It also integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice activation. With real-time notifications, HD video, and door history, this device is a solid competitor to Ring’s products. If you’re looking for an alternative option to Amazon, Arlo offers a quality product for a great price.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
With the August Smart Lock, consumers can retrofit this device over their current deadbolt while keeping their physical key as a backup. August allows you to customize your auto-lock settings and comes with an auto-unlock feature. You can control the lock from your phone, your Apple Watch, or through voice activation with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri.
The app sends alerts and knows if your door is closed and locked. Consumers can also schedule privileges for anyone and revoke them. These “virtual keys” are great for rental properties, family members, dog sitters, and more.
With over 500 reviews, this smart home security device is rated at 3.9 stars.
Wyze Lock
Like the August lock, Wyze doesn’t replace your lock. You can keep your key and install the device over your existing deadbolt. The Wyze Lock implements an auto-unlock function, which unlocks as you approach the door and when it detects that the door is closed. Through the Wyze app, you can remotely unlock your door from anywhere and receive notifications if your door is left open.
Even with the keypad added to your purchase, the Wyze Lock is more affordable than August’s product. It also has four times the reviews and a better rating of 4.3 stars. Overall, it seems to be a much better value for a smart lock.
Choose Hunter Communications to Support Your Smart Home with Fiber Internet
As our smart home ecosystems grow, our internet capacity must also grow. At Hunter Communications, we believe that fiber is the best technology to connect us to the IoT and to each other. Check to see if fiber is available at your home!