Guide On Which Low Budget Appliances Or Gadgets You Should Buy To Make Your Home Smarter
You don't have to be super rich to have a connected smart home that you can control with the sound of your voice or a single swipe of your finger.
Smart home devices are getting more and more integrated and powerful every day. All you need to get started are some digital products and a smartphone to have a home of the future. A budget-worthy smart device should satisfy a buyers' following needs: security, connectivity, and convenience. Most of the devices are simple to operate, with only a few steps involved in the installation process.
Let’s take a look at how to build a smart home on a budget:
Philips Hue White Starter Kit
Philips Hue lights are the most popular for smart homes as they have a robust app, are easy to use and work with the greatest number of smart home systems. The bulbs in the Philips Hue White Starter Kit don't change colours, but they can be dimmed and are a relatively affordable way to enter into the smart home gadgets world.
Atomberg Gorilla Fan
Modern ceiling fans like the gorilla fans have taken a considerable step ahead from the conventional fans. A gorilla fan has a better motor and is more energy efficient. Gorilla fans come with smart remote controls with features such as sleep and timer mode. It can automatically adjust fan speed to suit changes in the room temperature and turn the fan on or off when you are away from the room.
Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)
Amazon's second-generation Echo is smaller and more attractive than the original, but sounds just as good, and gives you full access to Alexa. Plus, you can swap the cover of the Echo to one that matches your decor.
Google Home Mini
Google's answer to the Amazon Echo, the Home Mini is a smart speaker that is small in size but delivers the great sound of the Google Assistant to your house. Many users didn't appreciate the previous touch-sensitive controls on top; hence that resulted in Google deactivating this feature. It's still a very cost-effective device that not only sounds better but looks better than Amazon's device.
Blink Security Camera
This no-frills security camera records in 720p and uses infrared to detect motion up to 20 feet away. While it doesn’t have the highest fidelity, it can store up to 20 hours of recordings for free. And it works with If This Then That (IFTTT), which means you can connect it to other smart-home devices, such as Philips Hue smart lights, Alexa, Google Home and the Nest Learning Thermostat.
Ecobee Switch+
Ecobee's Switch+ takes the concept of an Internet-connected wall switch to the next level. Built into the Switch+ is Alexa, so you can interact with Amazon's assistant without needing an Echo or some other device. This switch also has a motion detector, so it can automatically switch lights off or on when you leave or enter a room. And, it has a temperature sensor, which can be linked to Ecobee's smart thermostat.
Google Chromecast
Perhaps the least expensive way to stream content to your TV, the Chromecast (and the 4K-capable Chromecast Ultra) simply plugs into an HDMI port and lets you stream TV shows and movies from your phone, tablet or PC. It’s also compatible with Google Home, so you can even control it via voice.
Samsung SmartThings Hub
Samsung’s SmartThings Hub lets you connect smart-home devices that otherwise wouldn’t work with each other. Samsung’s app also allows you to group items together into rooms and create scenes that will let you automate functions, such as adjusting the shades, lights and thermostat at a certain time of day, or when you come home from work.
Belkin WeMo Mini Smart Plug
This small plug can turn any conventional device into a smart one by giving you the control via a smartphone app. It is best used with devices like lamps, but you could even utilise it to have your blinds turn on at a specific time. It is compatible with Google Home, Amazon, and other home automation hubs.
Logitech Pop Home Switch
Instead of manually turning on your lights, thermostat, TV and more, Logitech Pop Home Switch lets you automate those tasks with a single push of this smart button. Each button can be programmed for multiple actions (via a single, double, or triple press), which makes it a convenient way to adjust a lot of smart-home devices at once. It comes in a variety of colours, and a new version, the Logitech POP Smart Button, will work with Apple HomeKit.
Home automation doesn't require you to break your bank account, but simple online research will help you get the best deal and comparisons of the products available. With technological advancement, expect to see more smart home devices at a budget price point.
About the Author:
Arindam Paul is a founding member of Atomberg Technologies, a startup working towards manufacturing unique energy efficient fans and tech savvy products. He is currently heading the Marketing and Long term strategy division at Atomberg and is aiming to disrupt the world of household appliances.