With more and more devices that are connected to the Internet being introduced every year, it is only natural that our homes will soon be filled with them. We spend most of our lives in our homes so it's a no brainer to make it as comfortable a living space as possible. That means introducing smart devices that will not only make our lives easier, but in some cases, safer. If you haven't already, check out some entry-level smart devices to start off with. But, if you are looking to take it to the next step, here are some intermediate level devices to make your home smarter:
1. Smart Plugs
Even though many devices are increasing getting smarter and smarter each year, plenty of our current appliances are still the traditional kind. There's no way we would have to throw out all our perfectly working traditional appliances just to swap them for something with a little computer inside right? So, what if we want to give our old devices a new life that they deserve?
Introducing smart plugs. Smart plugs are like a middle man between your traditional appliances and your wall socket. They require zero electrical wiring knowledge as all you have to do is stick the smart plugs into your normal wall socket and then connect any electrical appliances.
Besides having a manual on and off button, the smart plug will be connected to Wi-Fi so it can be remotely turned on and off via your smartphones. Some allow you to schedule on times or set timers to turn off, while others include voice command. There are even certain brands like tp-link's HS110 that has energy monitoring functions. With smart plugs, you'll never have to worry if you've forgotten to turn off the iron or the air conditioner while travelling away from home!
2. Smart Vacuum
Everyone wants their homes clean but no one wants to do the cleaning. Why not save yourself some time and effort by paying someone to clean for you. No, I'm not talking about hourly maids, I'm talking about a robot cleaner. Almost 20 years ago, iRobot launched the iconic Roomba robot vacuum and since then robot vacuum cleaners have gotten much better and much cheaper.
Take the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop for example, where the robot can not only help vacuum, but also mop your floors! With more sensors and better computers on board, the modern robot cleaners can map out your house much faster and plan out routes that are much more effective and complete.
There's more! Some robot cleaners come with smartphone apps so you can map view your robot's mapping and paths, ask it to recharge manually, and schedule when it should and should not clean. Some will even let you select which parts of the house are "no-go zones" and which part of the room you want it to clean or not clean specifically!
3. Smart Locks
Smart locks provide you the ease or leaving and entering your house without compromising one bit of security. No more fumbling for your keys with your hands full of groceries or getting locked out of your own house and shamefully calling the locksmith. The good thing about smart locks is that your usually do not need to replace your door. Instead, you just need to have the lock replaced by a certified installer. For those who prefer a more hands-on challenge, self installation is definitely possible too.
There are many different types of smart locks available in the market, with most of them having at least 3 types of entry methods, including password, keys or key card, and by using your phone. More advanced locks might also include biometrics such as fingerprint readers, which are arguably much faster and safer than traditional keyholes.
Some smart locks might also come with a smart doorbell which include a camera to show you who is at the door. There are even temporary password functions which allows you to grant entry once to people who are not part of your household. Think about the times when your relatives visit you as a surprise but are forced to stay outside until you get home?
These 3 smart devices might not be available at any electronics retail store, so purchasing them online would be your best bet. While some, like the smart plug and smart vacuum, are just plug-and-play others, like the smart lock, requires installation.
If you already have these things in your home and are more than interested to get more things remotely-activated with your phone, here's an article on more enthusiast-level devices that you can get for the next step in transforming your house into a smart home!
Turn Your House Into The SmartEST Home [Enthusiast Level]
If these seem a little too advanced and you're still not willing to commit that much, why not start with these entry-level smart devices first?
