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Best Smart Home Accessories to Start Your Home Automation System
Best Smart Home Accessories to Start Your Home Automation System
The convenience of home is going to get better and better with setting up home automation systems. Companies come up with newer and smarter products to include as part of the home automation very rapidly and it is hard to catch up. Do not worry, we have done the catching-up for you and brought you only the best of each category to set your own home automation system.
Smart Speaker
The second gen Amazon Echo or the Echo dot is our pick for the smart speakers, which probably is your first smart home gadget. Reading books and being able to shop with voice control is the additional benefit that it offers over Google’s smart speaker line-up.
Smart Bulb
Philips Hue is the hands down the best in terms of modularity and versatility. The system is well built and compatible with most common hubs including Google and Alexa. There are various kits to choose from based on your needs.
Smart Security Camera
Amazon’s cloud cam is great in terms of basic functionality. However, if you want bundled 7 days storage based on motion detection check out Arlo Q’s 1080p camera.
Video Doorbell
Nest has been doing great in smart home video accessories. Nest Hello is the best for video doorbell with automatic facial recognition and notification features.
Smart Lock
August smart lock is best for existing locks and for new setups. It just sits over the deadbolt and adds the smart functionality to your security lock.
Smart Smoke Detector
Nest Protect is the smart home detector of choice due to its easy connectivity without wires and compatibility with most services.
Smart Home Hub
While most smart devices connect directly via Wi-Fi and exchange commands over the internet some require a local hub for functioning. Samsung SmartThings hub is the best in our opinion in signal strength and ease of use.
Smart Garage Opener
This will not be one of the first smart home accessories, but will add many conveniences if you wish to spend. Chamberlin’s Garage door opener works great and you can control from a Smartphone. The company also announced auto detection based on geofencing in its next–gen products.
Thermostat
EcoBee fifth generation is something more than a smart thermostat. With loudspeakers and built–in Alexa and Spotify, it can even replace your smart home speaker in the living room.
Smart Plug
If you are looking for options to control your non–smart devices when away, then TP-Link HS107 is ideal. It has an app of its own through which both the outlets can be controlled and scheduled. If you are looking for working along with smart hubs, Belkin Wemo might work for you.
While these are best in class in our testing, sometimes the compatibility becomes an issue. So look into the supported devices before buying to avoid difficulties or simply call a smart home automation company to do everything for you.
