I didn’t like the idea of smart homes at first. I believed that technology was already so much involved in our lives that smart homes would give it another peephole.
However, as my wife and I were expecting our first child, I didn’t want her to do house chores. While searching on the internet, I came across a multipurpose home robot. From dishwashing to mopping the floor, there wasn’t anything it couldn’t do. On top of that, it wasn’t as expensive as I always thought about such gadgets.
After that, there wasn’t any stopping, and neither did I want to stop because who doesn’t want to live a comfortable life? So, if you’re confused about turning your homes smart, I would say “DO IT.” Also, I’m about to review some smart home gadgets that I’ve been using for a long time now. So, read on:
I was looking for a quality smart speaker. Google and Apple’s speakers were available, but Amazon Echo took my heart. Here’s why:
Upon research, I found Amazon Echo was the quickest to respond among all the speakers. I read a lot of reviews about it, and they were true because Amazon Echo used a new AZ1 neural edge processor that comprehends everything easily.
Secondly, Amazon Echo did lack in terms of audio volume (and it’s true because I’ve been using it for over a year now). I would say that the sound quality is perfect, but for someone who wants to play rock or metal music on it, it’s a disappointment. Well, it wasn’t a parameter for me since I wanted it to order groceries or pizza and do everything that I was too lazy to do.
Lastly, its price was reasonably low when compared to Google Home Max or Apple Homepod. Also, its design wasn’t something I was a big fan of. In fact, it was the last thing that mattered to me. However, my wife found it to be a really cute ball that talked. So yes, if you want to go for a really practical and cute ball, Amazon Echo is for you.
Here, I want to add another thing. Not just Amazon Echo, every smart home device needs a sturdy internet connection. Without it, all these gadgets are nothing more than a toy. I didn’t realize it at first, but when, even with an AZ1 processor, Amazon Echo lagged, I knew it wasn’t Amazon Echo but my internet connection at fault. I quickly switched to Xtreme Internet, the best internet in my area.
The idea of lights turning themselves on and off without lifting a finger always fascinated me. It was kind of cool and practical that you don’t need to switch off or turn on the lights every time you enter or leave the room. While I was on a spree to make my home smarter, I thought it was a pretty good idea to go for Phillips Hue.
The best thing that I found about this product is how easy it was to install it. You can replace your existing light bulbs with smart Hue bulbs or go for light strips, bars, and as well. One thing you’ll need for installation is the Phillips Bridge.
After sorting out my house’s interior, it was time I fixed my eyes on the exterior. By this time, I knew about smart doorbells that let you talk to someone at the door. I had made up my mind to buy one, but with so many options available in the market, I wasn’t sure about which one to go for. However, I’ll tell you why I chose the Arlo video doorbell:
Firstly, it wasn’t overpriced for the features it offered. For example, Arlo provided a 180-degree view in a 1:1 aspect ratio. In layman’s terms, instead of seeing a person’s face, I could even observe what someone was carrying while they knocked on my door.
However, installing it was a problem. Well, it shouldn’t have been a problem if I had taken a professional’s help. Basically, the Arlo Video Doorbell is a mains-powered unit, and a layman like me who could only fix a TV remote had no idea how to install it. So, if you’re not a professional, don’t try to install it yourself.
The last thing on my list is the August Smart Lock Pro. Installing a smart lock made more sense because I had already equipped a video doorbell. I knew who was knocking at my door, but still, I had to get up and walk to open the door.
Upon researching on the internet, August Smart Lock Pro seemed like the best option.
Why?
Firstly, I didn’t have to change my locks as August Pro can easily be fitted to your existing door lock. Secondly, it’s quite smart because even though it can be operated via a mobile app, I prefer to use it via Amazon Echo. Not just Amazon Echo, it can easily be integrated into other smart speakers.
To sum up, my experience with smart home gadgets has been going pretty well till now, and I hope that it remains the same. However, I’m not stopping here, and neither should you because there are tons of other devices like smart cameras, wall outlets, smart thermostats, and more that are up for grabs.