It has never been easier to automate household tasks with just a simple voice command. Thanks to the incredible success of the Amazon Echo and smart thermostats you can control with your phone, controlling a range of appliances around the house is easy and convenient.
If you’re interested in exploring home automation, here is a look at 2017’s best smart home devices.
Home hubs
Whether you opt for the Alexa-powered Echo or attach the smaller Dot to your own favourite speaker, you’ll be one of the 8 million consumers who use these voice-powered hubs to control household appliances and more.
The Wink Hub 2 is more reliable and widely supported and will grow with your smart home. You could also opt for a fully integrated system provided by a company like http://digitalinteriors.co.uk/project/home-automation-systems/.
Home security
The use of smart surveillance cameras was in the news recently when one family captured a burglar on their CCTV app. The Netgear Arlo Pro is weatherproof, completely wireless, has two-way audio with voice-triggered recording, a piercing alarm and USB connectivity for storing video. This easy-to-install camera can go just about anywhere.
For an easy-to-install DIY home security solution, the Abode Home Security Starter Kit supports Alexa voice commands and covers locks, lights and smart switches in addition to Nest devices.
Smart thermostats
Nest’s learning thermostat allows you to monitor the temperature in your home from your phone, tablet and PC, while the Ecobee3 Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat uses multiple sensors in several rooms for greater accuracy.
Lighting
The Philips Hue lighting ecosystem has been around for a while, and it integrates perfectly with IFTTT systems like Alexa and Siri to create the ideal ambient lighting scheme with exceptional granular control.
Cooking
If you want to bring home automation to the kitchen, start with the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker. This uses Wi-Fi and an app to give you absolute control over sous vide cookery. If you love BBQ, the Char-Broil Digital Electric Smoker with SmartChef Technology can be controlled from your phone and will tell you when your ribs are cooked to perfection.
Cleaning
For most people, the Roomba is synonymous with automated cleaning, and the pick of the bunch is the iRobot Roomba 690 with its own app and Alexa and Google Assistant voice control for fuss-free cleaning.
