Ever since I got hooked with smart homes…
I had tons of ideas for improvements and upgrades.
But my friends say it’s already an unhealthy obsession.
So, to meet them halfway, I made a list of must-haves.
As a result, here are 9 amazing smart home ideas.
Read on to find out:
- Best high-quality smart home gadgets.
- 9 amazing smart home ideas (3 will surprise you).
- How smart TVs have become cheaper and better.
- And lots more…
9 amazing smart home ideas
#1: Portable speaker
Growing up, we always had music playing in the house.
But as soon I went outside, I listened to the birds singing and the blowing wind.
There was no really other option.
Back then, we didn’t have portable speakers that…
Could last very long and produce a good amount of sound.
Nowadays, things have changed, and you see portable speakers everywhere.
But which one is the best?
For me, it’s the JBL Charge 5.
It has all the options I need…
And I need my options.
For example, it comes with the following features:
- USB-C.
- Bluetooth connection.
- Total speaker power of 40W RMS.
- Weighs around 2.1 pounds (960 grams).
- Capability to pair with other JBL speakers.
- IP67 waterproof (It can stand a few water splashes and dust).
- A battery of 7500 mAh that can last you up to 20 hours of playtime.
So, you can take it everywhere, and it’s durable.
I have had mine for almost 2 years, and it still works perfectly.
The sounds are clear and detailed, and the bass is very powerful.
Meaning you can listen clearly to a podcast, which I often do.
Or you can take it to an outdoor party and fill the whole area with your favorite music.
Just don’t annoy the neighbors too much, because yes…
It’s that powerful.
Lastly, when it comes to price quality, it’s one of the best out there.
Some other fancy brands make similar speakers but raise the price to 300 USD or higher.
The JBL Charge 5 is sold for around 180 USD.
And if that’s a bit too pricey, you can take his little brother for under 100 USD: the JBL Flip 6.
Both are the best bang for your buck.
#2: Robot vacuum cleaner
Cleaning the house is an annoying chore.
Especially if you have pets.
But since the coming of robot vacuum cleaners, it has become much easier.
And if you don’t have one already, I can totally understand your skepticism.
In the beginning, around 2003, they were the new hype.
But they were far from worth it, in my opinion.
They were simply too clumsy, didn’t clean well, and were not efficient enough to replace the good old brush and broom.
But nowadays, they have improved so much that you simply can’t do without them.
My favorite, when it comes to cleaning quality and comes with many features, is the Roomba i3.
It does an excellent job on hard floors, like wood, tiles, laminate, etc.
But also on soft floors, like carpets.
Because the Roomba i3 has strong suction power, it effortlessly collects things like sand, cereal, pet hair, etc.
Here‘s a list of features of the Roomba I3:
- Smart mapping.
- Runtime of 75 minutes.
- Weighs 7.4 lbs (3.4 kg).
- Charging time of 90 minutes.
- 1 Patented dual multi-surface rubber brush (to collect more dirt and debris than regular).
Fun fact: The smart mapping feature was implemented on the Roomba i3 via a firmware update that you could download via Wi-Fi.
And it doesn’t cost that much. For under 190 USD, you can get 1 for yourself already.
Compared to the competition and with those features, it’s definitely a good deal.
Plus, if you really love it (chances are high, you will), you can add a self-emptying bin or upgrade to a more expensive model like the Roomba j7 or s9.
Here’s a video review of the Roomba i3:
#3: Smart tag
Confession time: I’m a messy person. I lose stuff all the time.
And it can take ages while searching around the house to get it back.
But recently, I found a nice life hack when I lose my things: smart tags.
They can be used for Android and Apple devices.
See, it uses a Bluetooth connection and shows an object’s location when you lose it nearby.
But you can use the Tile app if you lose it out of the Bluetooth range.
And it will show the most recent location on the map from where it was.
Simply attach them to your belongings such as keys or wallet…
And you’ll never waste time looking for misplaced stuff.
Tip: When traveling, put a smart tag in your suitcase. So you can keep track of the luggage and prevent losing it.
#4: Streaming device
When the first smart TVs came out, tech companies were constantly promoting that they were smart.
Meaning, they were able to connect to the internet.
But it was far from perfect.
See, to open apps and browse the web, you had to use your remote control.
The downside of this process was…
It took forever.
And most of the time, you’ll end up making many typos and mistakes.
Simply because the remote wasn’t that user-friendly.
But a solution came along because companies saw how this problem affected the TV market…
And created streaming devices that make your TV smart.
You simply plug it in your TV’s HDMI port, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and off you go.
Easy peasy!
But now you’re wondering: “Which streaming player is the best?”
Well, my favorite is the Roku Express 4K.
They sell them for under 30 USD, and you get:
- 4K quality.
- HDR color.
- Voice commands.
- Easy user interface.
- Roku remote control.
So, if you don’t have one already, the Roku Express 4K is an excellent option to consider.
You might also like: 3 Ways To Connect Roku To TV Without HDMI
#5: Smart plug
Ever since I got my Kasa Smart Plug, I’ve used it more than I thought I would.
Now, I can’t do without it.
For example, If I’m too lazy to get up and turn off the light…
I simply turn off my Kasa smart plug that’s connected to it.
But, I can also easily turn it on or off when I’m outside my house.
I Simply open the Kasa app on my phone, select the specific plug, and turn it on or off.
Done!
Plus, it also has some handy extras like:
- Voice control.
- Timer function.
- Scheduling function.
- Away Mode (makes it look like you’re at home when you’re actually away)
#6: Doorbell camera
If you’re like me, and you like spending your off days alone and with no unexpected visitors…
Then you should get yourself a smart doorbell camera.
That way, you can see who’s at the door and decide if it’s worth opening.
I know, it’s a bit rude and anti-social…
But sometimes, I simply want to chill and mind my own business.
And the Ring Video Doorbell does a very good job of spotting who’s in front of your door.
Plus, it’s not only showing you who’s there but can also:
- Record in HD to spot things crisp and clear.
- Let you see things in the dark with its night vision.
- Notify you when the built-in motion sensors detect someone.
- Let you hear and speak to the visitor via your phone, tablet, or even PC.
Moreover, it provides a more secure feeling about your home.
So, if you’re looking for a good video doorbell, then Ring is my favorite option.
#7: Smart TV
The cool thing about this day and age: Smart TVs become better and better.
Simply because technology evolved a lot over time.
But what’s more, smart TVs also got a lot cheaper.
For reasons like:
- Built-in streaming players.
- Economical production of smart TVs.
- Beneficial partnerships between TV brands and TV manufacturers.
- Consumer streaming data is collected and sold to streaming companies.
So, which one do I recommend?
While researching, I found a good quality and decently priced TV: TCL 5-Series.
It comes with the following features:
- HDMI 2.0.
- Voice control.
- 4K resolution.
- 55-inch screen.
- QLED technology.
- Built-in Google Chromecast.
- HDR Pro Pack with Dolby Vision.
- Input lag of 14.9 ms (which is good for gaming).
And it’s being sold for under 400 USD.
You might also like: 7 Surprising Reasons Why TCL TVs Are So Cheap
#8: Smart thermostat
Years ago, nobody really thought about buying thermostats.
Mostly you’ll only buy 1 when it was recommended or already installed by a technician.
’’How come?’’
Well, there was not that much choice since only a few big players controlled the market.
And here’s another thing: most of them were complicated to use.
Nobody cared to make them more user-friendly and cheaper.
But one of the first tech companies who saw this problem in the thermostat market was Google.
And they came up with the Google Nest Thermostat.
It has the following features:
- Voice control.
- Easy installation.
- Simple scheduling.
- Energy-efficient modes.
- Works with 85% of smart home systems.
- You can turn up or down the temperature from anywhere via your phone.
#9: Voice assistant speaker
Voice assistant speakers have come a long way and keep improving.
And with the further development of AI, they will become even better.
A good voice assistant speaker is the Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation).
It’s being sold for under 50 USD and has the following features:
- Timer function.
- Motion detection.
- Plays easily music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc.
- Can synchronize with other speakers throughout various rooms.
So, to make your life more convenient, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation) will be a good addition.