As Prime Day nears, it’s an ideal opportunity to purchase smart technology, but it’s crucial to have a clear idea of what you need to buy, otherwise, you might overspend on unnecessary items.
Below are a few of my top picks from my own smart home setup. We’ll begin with some equipment from the previous year before diving into some reliable smart home devices that I have been utilizing for a long time.
I’ll highlight the three biggest benefits I’ve gotten out of each product and mention any big drawbacks.
My Favorite Outdoor Security Cameras
Tapo Smart Cameras
No Subscription Needed: Tapo cameras record to an SD card on board or to a NAS system if you have one, so there’s no need for a subscription. Plus, they do all the different detection types you could ever hope for, and it actually works.
Integrations: They work with Amazon, Google, Samsung SmartThings, and more. This lets me bring up the feed on smart displays and Fire TVs.
My favorite part is starting Amazon routines whenever a person is detected around my home. It brings up those camera feeds with minimal delay.
Physical Attributes: They are easy to install, use, and maintain. They survived the last winter here, and I only had to charge the battery once.
You could get a solar panel or plug them in, and if you don’t like the magnetic mount, you can use a basic tripod mount for a more secure setup.
Switchbot Curtain 3 Smart Curtain Controller
Solar Panel Accessory: I’ve never had to charge them because I got the solar panel accessory. Even with minimal sunlight, they stay fully charged, moving three or four times a day.
Quiet Drift Feature: They move your curtains almost completely silently. The only sound comes from the curtain rings moving along the rod, making them ideal for early morning use.
Compatibility: SwitchBot has ensured its products are compatible with many other smart home apps and systems. However, you will need a hub from them, which brings us to the next product.
SwitchBot Hub 2
Local Automations: With Hub 2, you can create automations in SwitchBot’s app with Google Home, Amazon, Samsung, Apple HomeKit, and more. It acts as a matter bridge, meaning automations can happen locally, without needing the internet.
Infrared Blaster: It has a huge library for controlling older electronics, including air conditioner units.
Display and Controls: It displays your home’s temperature and has two onboard digital buttons to control anything in SwitchBot’s app. If you pair the outdoor temperature sensor, you can get that displayed on the Hub as well.
DREO Tower Fan and Air Purifier
Dual Functions: It has separate motors for the fan and air purifier functions, allowing you to run them separately. The fan puts out an incredible amount of air, and the air purifier is silent.
Night Mode: The display turns off in the dark, making it perfect for bedroom use. The air purifier works silently, with a nice light breeze as evidence.
Automation: It has PM 2.5 and temperature sensors on board, with full controls via Amazon and Google for great automations. It pairs well with Amazon’s smart air quality monitor.
CHEFMAKER by DREO
Versatile Cooking Modes: It has about 10 different cooking modes, including roasting, toasting, air frying, and more. It lets me use it daily for various dishes.
Temperature Probe and Chef Mode: The temperature probe in Chef mode allows you to cook steak to your preferred doneness.
Efficient and Convenient: It’s not just an air fryer. It keeps the kitchen cool in the summer by avoiding the use of a larger oven.
Narwal Freo X Ultra and SwitchBot S10
Freo X Ultra: The best robot mop on the market. It cleans mops every 10 minutes to avoid spreading dirt. It handles complex messes and requires minimal maintenance.
SwitchBot S10: A remarkable wet-dry vacuum for quick cleaning and smaller messes. It uses electrolyzed water, senses dirt, and adjusts suction and mopping levels automatically.
It’s nearly maintenance-free, with a self-cleaning cycle.
An Indoor Camera I Found Huge Value In
Aqara E1
No Subscription Needed: It can do 12C recordings to the cloud for free and has onboard SD card space.
Processing Power: It identifies people, allowing for quick automations and notifications when someone enters a specific area.
High-Quality Footage: It performs well in any lighting situation, including at night.
My Favorite Smart Door Lock At The Moment
U50 Smart Lock
Cost-Effective: From a bang-for-the-buck perspective, it’s unmatched.
Customizable Lock Cylinder: You can change the lock cylinder with the help of a locksmith, addressing concerns about picking.
Multiple Entry Options: It offers numerous options for entry, ensuring you’ll never be locked out and can choose the method that suits you best.
Aqara M3
Wide Compatibility: It connects a wide range of Aqara products, ensuring future connectivity.
Matter-Ready: As a matter bridge, it allows you to connect Aqara products to any smart home platform.
Automation and Connectivity: It offers robust automation features and has an infrared blaster for controlling old electronics. It also supports power over Ethernet.
Smart Lighting Systems I Love
Govee and Philips
Govee is known for its vibrant, customizable outdoor lighting options, like the Triad flood light, Govee products are perfect for enhancing your outdoor space with style and flexibility.
Philips Hue, Renowned for their high-quality smart bulbs and fixtures, Philips Hue offers extensive color options and seamless integration with smart home systems for a truly connected lighting experience. They both offer significant discounts on Prime Day.
Customizable Ambiance: Smart lighting systems allow you to easily adjust the color and brightness of your lights to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.
With Govee, you can choose from a wide spectrum of colors and dynamic effects, ideal for parties or relaxing evenings.
Philips Hue offers extensive scene settings, enabling you to simulate natural light changes throughout the day, enhancing your mood and productivity.
Remote Control and Automation: Both Govee and Philips Hue can be controlled remotely via their respective apps. This means you can turn your lights on or off, adjust settings, or change colors from anywhere using your smartphone.
Additionally, you can set schedules or routines, so your lights automatically turn on at sunset or off when you leave home, improving convenience and energy efficiency.
These smart lighting products easily integrate with popular smart home systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
Smart Home Hubs to Watch for on Prime Day
Homey Pro 2023: This versatile hub can connect with a wide range of devices, making it a great central point for your smart home.
Home Assistant Green: Known for its open-source capabilities, this hub allows for extensive customization and integration of devices, it’s an ideal time to invest in a powerful hub that can adapt to your needs.
Amazon Echo Hub: This hub seamlessly integrates with Alexa, allowing for smooth control of compatible devices.
Amazon Echo Show 8: With its touchscreen display and smart assistant capabilities, the Echo Show 8 serves as both a control center and a media device. This Hub will definitely enhance your home’s connectivity.
Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen: This hub is perfect for managing your smart home with Google Assistant. It offers a sleek design and functionality, making it a great addition to any room.
Ring Doorbell
The Ring Doorbell is a must-have for anyone serious about home security.
With features like two-way audio, HD video streaming, and customizable motion detection, you can easily see and talk to visitors from your smartphone. Some of my favorite features are,
Improved Package Security: With motion-activated alerts and live video streaming, you can monitor package deliveries in real time and deter porch pirates, ensuring your deliveries are safe.
Easy Installation: The Ring Doorbell is designed for simple DIY installation with step-by-step instructions and all necessary tools included in the package, making it accessible for users without professional help.
Weather Resistance: Built to withstand various weather conditions, the Ring Doorbell operates reliably in rain, snow, heat, and cold, ensuring continuous functionality throughout the year without interruption.
It’s a smart investment in safety that can provide peace of mind while keeping your home connected.
Conclusion
- These smart home products offer a range of benefits that can significantly enhance your home’s functionality, security, and convenience.
- Whether you’re looking to bolster your home security with top-notch cameras, automate your curtains for a seamless morning routine, or maintain a clean and healthy living space with advanced air purifiers and cleaning robots, these devices have you covered.
- With the likely discounts on Prime Day, it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in these reliable and versatile products.
- Upgrading your home with these smart devices not only simplifies daily tasks but also integrates seamlessly into your existing smart home ecosystem, making your life more connected and efficient.
- Happy shopping, and may your smart home be smarter, more efficient, and more enjoyable than ever!
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