Written in collaboration with Rosana Beechum
If you or your friends and family are interested in developing your smart home systems this Christmas, it can be tough to know where to start. Nowadays, there are so many smart home products available that it can be tough to make a decision, and things can get expensive quickly if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. There are smart home substitutes for everything nowadays: such as smart doorbells, electric blinds, security cameras, light bulbs, and much more, which is why we’ve compiled a list of smart home device suggestions to get you inspired this holiday season.
Not sure where to start? Keep reading for some smart home gift recommendations that are perfect for Christmas.
Smart speakers
Are you planning on hosting a party this Christmas? With Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2 built-in, smart speakers allow you to control your music as well as any other smart home gadgets you may have with your voice alone. Furthermore, most smart speakers on the market nowadays boasts a multi-room feature so that you can connect it up to other speakers in your home for a truly connected home. If you’re still unsure, have a look at this comparative guide which weighs up the best smart speakers on the market right now.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Another popular smart home product is the Nest Learning Thermostat, often coined as the heating system to go for because of all its handy features. Some features include; learning your routine so eventually you don’t even have to control it, location-based features that turn the heating on or off, and many more. Its lack of zone control can make this system a little confusing for non-technical people, which means you may need to tweak radiators in individual rooms. However, putting this aside, investing in a Google-backed smart thermostat is an excellent way to go if you’re building a broader smart home system.
Amazon Alexa
By now, we all know that Alexa is Amazon’s infamous interactive voice assistant. Built to assist you with daily tasks, Alexa can control various smart home devices such as speakers, smart thermostats, soundbars, and lamps and lights. Alexa can also launch your favourite playlists, check news and weather, and even open your electric blinds for you, depending on the brand and compatibility. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can brighten up your bedroom using Alexa, without getting out of bed, you can shop a range of electric blinds which caters to a range of different needs and is compatible with various voice assistants.
Phillips Hue
The Philips Hue line-up for LED bulbs comes in various shapes and sizes for your household lighting needs; it is also available in different colours for fans of mood lighting. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that if you opt for Philips Hue bulbs, you will need to get the Philips Bridge, which acts as a hub for your lights. The system is reliable, and advantageously it is also compatible with a range of different standards and home control systems, including Apple HomeKit, Nest, and Samsung SmartThings.
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