Smart Home Automation Essentials | Move.org
Smart Home Automation Essentials
A smart home allows homeowners and renters to access smart appliances and systems through their mobile phone and other internet-connected devices. If you’ve been thinking about a smart home but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are the basic smart home products we recommend:
Why a smart home?
The Internet of Things (IoT) can increase safety, accessibility, and convenience to your home life through a smart home setup.
#1: Smart home hub
First things first! Get a smart home hub to connect all your other products. A smart home hub is the main control center through which your smart devices communicate to each other and you communicate to them.
There are two smart home hub categories: basic hubs and smart speakers. As mentioned, hubs connect products, but they don’t necessarily play music or have voice control.
In contrast, smart speakers play music and other audio. Many of them also offer voice control through some of the most popular smart assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri).
Our favorite smart home hubs
| Product | Recommendation | Smart hub type | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung SmartThings | Most reliable smart hub | Hub | Read Review |
| Wink 2 | Most versatile smart hub | Hub | Read Review |
| Amazon Echo Plus | Best smart speaker combo | Smart speaker | Read Review |
| Abode Iota | Best for a security system | Hub | Read Review |
| TP-Link Deco M9 Plus | Best mesh Wi-Fi network | Hub | Read Review |
Data as of 06/22/21.
We also like the Google Home and Apple HomePod as speaker-smart home hub combo options. They offer the most compatibility of any smart home hubs and also have top-of-the-line voice control.
Whatever type of hub you pick, choose wisely. Usually, you want a hub that’s compatible with lots of different devices. Limited hub compatibility = limited smart home. So if you already have smart products from a certain brand or are interested in specific devices, choose a hub that will be compatible with what you want.
Wi-Fi woes
Your internet setup is key to your smart home’s performance. You want a solid Wi-Fi connection with plenty of download and upload speed so that your smart home doesn’t struggle to connect with your smart cameras, thermostats, and other devices.
#2: Smart plugs
Plugs are also super easy to install. You plug them in, connect them to the Wi-Fi, and enjoy! Never worry whether you’ve left the straightener or iron on again. You can check on the plugs (and turn them off) from your app.
Smart plugs can also help you save energy and money when you have the ability to turn off connected appliances when you’re not home or on the go.
A plug is the perfect beginner’s smart device.
Why? You can pair a smart plug with almost any piece of technology. Plug in a lamp, and it becomes a smart lamp that you can turn on and off through your hub. Same thing goes for a TV, a laptop, or anything else with a power cord and prongs.
#3: Smart lights
Once you’ve mastered plugs, we suggest moving on to smart lights. Simply use your smartphone’s app that’s connected to your lights to change the brightness or color of your lights. There are lots of pluses to having smart lights in your home, like changing the ambience in a room without swapping out the decor. And turning your lights off while still in bed will change your life.
You can get smart bulbs at almost any price point. (But if you want color-changing lights for your living room dance party, you’re looking at more $ .)
Top smart light recommendations
| Product | Recommendation | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance Starter Kit | Best for smart homes | Read Review |
| Yeelight Smart LED Color Bulb | Best hub-free option | Read Review |
| Wyze Bulb | Best budget buy | Read Review |
| LIFX Mini White | Most energy efficient | Read Review |
| Sengled Smart Wi-Fi Bulb | Best dimmable white bulb | Read Review |
Data as of 06/22/21.
Alternatively, you can buy smart dimmers or switches instead of smart bulbs. They just require more work to install. (One word: wiring.)
#4: Smart locks
Smart locks are a major convenience. If you forget your key, you can unlock the door using your phone. If you remember you left the front door unsecured but you’re reading a book upstairs, you can ask your smart assistant to lock it.
Remote access
Lots of smart home devices have remote access. When you have a smart lock with remote access, you don’t have to be near the house to use it. It’s the perfect solution if you forget to lock up on your way out or need to let someone in while you’re held up in traffic.
Top smart locks
| Product | Recommendation | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| August Smart Lock Pro | Most versatile | Read Review |
| Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt | Best Wi-Fi smart lock | Read Review |
| Kwikset Halo Smart Lock | Best for rentals | Read Review |
| Yale Assure Lock SL | Best keyless entry | Read Review |
| Wyze Lock | Best budget buy | Read Review |
Data as of 06/22/21.
#5: Smart home security
Smart home security isn’t yesterday’s security. Like locks, most smart security comes with an app for remote access. That means you can typically arm your system from your phone or using your voice.
Modern security often connects with other smart devices in your home. For instance, some security systems can sync directly with your smart lock, allowing you to lock up from your security app. In some cases (like Abode), the security system hub can act as a smart home hub, too.
Top smart home security systems
| Product | Recommendation | Installation type | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vivint | Editor’s choice | Professional | Read Review |
| SimpliSafe | Best value | DIY | Read Review |
| ADT | Most popular | Professional | Read Review |
| Frontpoint | Best customer service | DIY | Read Review |
| Link Interactive | Most flexible | DIY | Read Review |
Data as of 06/22/21.
When it comes to security, you can choose a system you can install yourself or one that a professional will do for you. There are pros and cons to both approaches. For starters, it’s easier to customize a DIY system, but it’s less work overall to have someone install your security for you.
Not-so-basics
Now that we’ve covered the basics, everything else is just smart home gravy.
There are a ton of smart home options. For starters, you can get any of the following:
- Smart smoke alarms: Get notifications on your phone when the smoke alarm goes off.
- Smart CO detectors: Ditto but with carbon monoxide.
- Smart thermostats: Change the temperature without even standing up.
- Smart cameras: Features like facial recognition and package detection make it easier to keep an eye on your camera feeds.
- Smart fridges: Your fridge can tell you when you’re running low on eggs and milk (and, in some cases, order more).
- Smart coffee makers: Your morning beverage will start brewing when your alarm goes off.
- Smart clocks: Get more than the average clock (think weather reports and timers).
- Smart TVs: Access your television from your phone.
- Smart beds: The mattress will gather data about your sleeping patterns and adjust.
- Smart garage door openers: It tells you when the garage door is open or shut.
- Smart faucets: Use voice-activation to change the water temperature.
- Smart bidets: Get different settings for different preferences.
- Smart outlets: Make anything a smart device by plugging it into … a smart device.
Have fun with your new smart home! There are so many ways you can enjoy it.
Recommended resources
- How to Set Up a Smart Home
- Best Smart Home Hubs
- Best Smart Speakers
- Best Smart Light Bulbs
- Best Smart Door Locks
- Best Home Security
- Best DIY Home Security
- Best Smart Thermostats
Written by Brianne Sandorf