Smart home gadgets are no longer exclusive to tech lovers. Ordinary folks can now automate various aspects of their homes through smart lights, smart assistants, and more. What’s more, many gadgets with smart capabilities are budget-friendly. While smart gadgets are incredibly versatile, which ones should beginners get?
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For folks new to smart gadgets at home, deciding on the one to get can be quite tricky. However, users can narrow their search by deciding what they want from these gadgets. Do they want a smart assistant to control the lights or camera remotely? Or perhaps they’d like to improve their home security with a smart camera whose video feeds can be viewed from their phone? To help with the search, here are the best smart home gadgets worth considering if one is a beginner.
6
Amazon Echo Dot
For those who may find robot vacuums a bit advanced, it’s worth starting with a simple smart gadget like the Amazon Echo Dot. More than a regular speaker, the Echo Dot serves as a hub for remotely managing other smart devices. Need to turn down the thermostat to reduce the energy bill, or maybe it’s time to turn in, and you’re too tired to lock the doors? Simply ask Alexa to do so.
At $50 a pop, the Echo Dot is one of the most affordable smart speakers beginners can get, especially if they’re on a tight budget. The Echo Dot is also a smart speaker, so when prompted, it can play soothing music to help set a relaxing mood.
Feel like listening to the latest crime thriller? One voice command later and the smart speaker will begin reading aloud. Need the weather forecast or restaurant recommendations? The Echo Dot can provide the above and even more. An incredibly versatile smart home gadget, the Amazon Echo Dot is the ideal purchase for beginner users as it’s pretty easy to use.
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5
Kasa Smart Power Strip KP303
For beginners looking to automate their homes, it’s worth looking into smart power strips. Unlike regular power strips, the Kasa Strip comes with support for Alexa and Google Home. Instead of reaching for the strip to turn off or on, a voice command can perform the same task, freeing the user’s hands in the process. This comes in handy when you’re in a different room and want to cut off power to the smart TV in the living room. Simply tell Alexa or Google Assistant to cut off power to the individual outlet to which the device is connected.
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Many user reviews praise the Kasa strip for being extremely compact, a fact that makes it ideal for small spaces. Even when the user isn’t at home, they can still control the strip through the Kasa smart app which is available for Android and iOS devices. When going outdoors or going to bed, leaving the strip can run up the electric bill. Users can cut down on energy costs by scheduling the strip to automatically turn off at certain times. The Kasa smart strip is another excellent option for newbie users looking to automate their homes.
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4
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Beyond serving as a means to control indoor temperature, a smart thermostat can save users thousands of dollars in energy bills. Ideal for anyone looking to optimize their home’s temperature while saving money on energy bills, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat is a strong contender. Living up to the status of a smart gadget, the Google Nest studies a user’s preferred temperature levels and, over time, adjusts to match said level.
When leaving the house for work, the thermostat can either be manually or automatically adjusted to the Eco Temperature level, a setting that helps save energy and money. For those who’d like to monitor their energy usage, the Nest app allows them to see how much energy was used on a particular day. According to user reviews, installing the Nest thermostat is a straightforward process that can be completed in about 30 minutes. For anyone starting with smart gadgets at home, the Google Nest thermostat promises cost savings and energy efficiency for a long period.
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3
Govee 4-Pack Smart Light Bulbs
The right smart bulbs can add flair to one’s home, and the Govee 4-Pack smart light bulbs fit the description. At $35, the Govee smart lights are incredibly affordable and ideal for anyone new to home automation. With 16 million possible colors and 54 possible light settings, users are free to experiment with the color options until they settle on the one that fits them best. The Govee Home App comes in handy for adjusting various aspects of the light bulbs, including brightness, color options, and even powering/shutting down the lights.
While the app is super convenient to operate, homeowners can also control the light bulbs using voice commands. Simply pair an Alexa-enabled device like the Echo Show and unlock a new level of ease in controlling the lights. Another interesting feature is the ability to set the bulbs to become brighter during the day and dimmer at night, thereby setting the appropriate mood for activity and rest respectively. The Govee smart light bulbs should pose no difficulty to beginners, plus the budget-friendly price can’t be ignored.
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2
Blink Video Doorbell
Improving one’s home security should be a great concern for everyone, so it’s unsurprising that a smart doorbell makes the list. Even for beginners, a great way to see if embracing smart home gadgets is the right move is by automating their security. The newest model of the Blink Video Doorbell allows users to see who’s at the door before opening it. The doorbell introduces a unique way of answering the door. Using the gadget’s two-way audio functionality, a homeowner can call out to the visitor and confirm their identity before opening the door.
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Don’t feel like answering the door, or maybe you’re not home when a friend comes visiting? Simply program Alexa to answer the door when you’re not around and take a message from the visitor. What’s more, the doorbell’s ability to record footage in crisp 1080p quality allows one to get a clear view of the visitor.
Based on user reviews, the video quality is impressive at night and day. Beyond front-door visitors, users can also be alerted through phone notifications when motion from squirrels or package thieves is detected outdoors. The Blink Video Doorbell offers an additional layer of home security with a suite of user-friendly features that should make anyone new to home automation feel safer.
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1
Switchbot Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Another cool way of enhancing one’s home security as a beginner to smart gadgets is by getting a lock like the one made by Switchbot. The Switchbot Wi-Fi Smart Lock stands out as one of the best budget smart locks on the market. Interestingly, users wouldn’t need to discard their regular locks as the Switchbot smart lock can work even with an existing lock installed. The smart lock allows users to unlock their doors in a variety of ways. This can be done using the Switchbot Hub Mini app, a keypad touch that’s sold separately, an Apple Watch, voice control, and a few other ways.
On days when you aren’t sure whether you’ve locked your door before going out, the Switchbot smart lock eliminates such thoughts with the Auto-Lock feature. Once activated, the front door will immediately lock after one minute when the user enters or leaves the house. User reviews praise the lock’s sturdy design and simple set-up process. The Switchbot app can also help users stay up to date with the lock’s current status by sending push notifications. The Switchbot smart lock makes securing one’s front door easier than ever.
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