According to research by PwC, it’s predicted that the UK will spend an incredible £10.8bn on smart-home technology in 2019. It’s an eye-watering figure, but one that speaks to just how embedded this technology is in everyday life.
If you’ve bought a smart speaker, but you haven’t yet connected it to other smart-home gadgets, you’re only scratching the surface of what a connected home can do for you. But fret not; we’ve compiled a list of some of the most useful internet-of-things (IoT) devices that will make your home feel like tomorrow’s world. Here are 10 smart-home gadgets that are all game changers in their own right.
Simple, but effective:
TP-Link smart plug wifi outlet
The first step on your smart home journey should be a smart plug, which allows you to turn anything plugged into it on or off simply with your voice. You know how undignified it can be scrambling in the dark to find the switch for the bedside light during nocturnal trips to the bathroom, inevitably waking up your soundly sleeping partner as your blind fumbling brings a collection of loose change, books and mobile phone crashing to the floor? A thing of the past with a voice-activated plug.
Buy it on Amazon
Retro on the outside, clever on the inside:
Echo wall clock
In an age of phone clocks, a wall-mounted one feels almost Luddite. But this clock comes with a nifty, voice-activated timer system that makes it the perfect addition to an active kitchen. Plus, the time is synced to a paired Echo device that has the voice assistant Alexa, meaning no more panics when you forget to adjust the clock for British Summer Time.
Buy it on Amazon
Meet your new best friend:
iRobot Roomba 671 robot vacuum cleaner
Smart vacuums have been making cleaning easier for a little while already, but now many of them – including the Roomba 671 – are compatible with Alexa. It’s already a clever little thing; it can find its way around the room, avoid stairs and move around furniture. And with voice-control, the last vestiges of traditional vacuuming – turning the thing on and off with your hands – are consigned to the dustbin of history. It’s like having a teenager who actually does what they’re told.
Buy one on Amazon
Set the mood:
Philips Hue white smart bulb twin pack LED
Philips Hue lightbulbs are powerful. You can set the mood with brightness and colour settings, set them to turn off and on with just your voice, and even sync them with films, games and music so they pulse with the action. They can also serve a security purpose – while you’re away from home, set your smart bulbs to go on and off to give the impression someone is still in.
Buy on Amazon
A thermostat that can be turned up before you get home:
Hive active heating and hot water thermostat
It’s now considered a simple use of Alexa, but it’s still highly effective. This smart thermostat from Hive will keep your house as warm as you like it to be, and with the accompanying mobile app you can heat up your home before you get through the door. Should you need a boost in temperature, Alexa compatibility allows you to do so with a simple voice command: “Alexa, ask Hive to boost the heating.”
Buy it on Amazon
The dog whisperer:
Furbo dog camera
Show your four-legged friend a little extra love with this nifty device. Furbo will shoot out a treat on your voice command, which your dog will no doubt appreciate. It can also detect when your dog is barking and send a notification to your phone and allow you to speak directly to your dog, to calm it down with your voice. Plus, it has a camera attached so you can take pictures and videos of your dog while you’re not there.
Buy it on Amazon
Immersive entertainment:
Optoma 4K Ultra HD projector
Turn any empty wall into a home-cinema with the Optoma UHD51ALVe 4K Ultra HD Projecter (catchy name, right?) With a brightness of up to 3,200 lumens, viewers can watch 4K Ultra HD (high definition) and HDR (high dynamic range) media. Pairing your Echo with this device makes it even more powerful; you can adjust the volume, switch inputs, launch content, and tell it to play films from a USB stick, all with your voice.
Buy it on Amazon
Smarter, safer:
Yale IA-320 sync smart home alarm
What makes this voice-activated alarm system – including motion detectors, a siren and sensors that tell you if your windows or doors are open – especially clever is that it’s pet-friendly, meaning that your four-legged friend’s night-time wanderings won’t cause a panic. Pair this Yale system with Philips Hue smart bulbs, and your home will flash in menacing red lights if an intruder is detected.
Buy it on Amazon
Turn your home into an Oasis of comfort:
Wondrwall base kit
The Wondrwall is an intelligent home system that adapts to the way you live. Alexa enabled, you can control heating, lighting and security with your voice. This works particularly well with Wondrwall’s many sensors, including motion and heat. For instance, it can sound the alarm when a window is broken, turn on the lights when you enter a room, and keep different rooms heated to different extents. It’s practically omniscient.
Buy the Wondrwall Base Kit (including a light switch, alarm siren, thermostat and key fobs) direct from the Wondrwall website
How does your garden grow?
Orbit B-hyve 94990 smart hose tap timer
Smartly, that’s how. Or it will, if you invest in an Orbit B-hyve 94990. You can begin quenching your lawn’s thirst with your voice, and create watering schedules to keep your flowerbeds happy while you’re away. Or, terrorise your kids with cold water while they’re picking up after your dog. It’s really up to you.
Get it on Amazon
