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However, you'll need to already own the Hue bridge to get these lights to work. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. An automation would be to set this morning routine scene to run every weekday at 7am, for example.
The HomePod mini itself is actually a pretty great speaker compared to other devices and other speakers out there, so if you're looking for a great compact speaker for your living room, this might be it. We're fans of the value Apple puts on its users' privacy, so we took a chance and decided to create an Apple smart home ecosystem. SmartThings offers a wide range of scenes and automations and the app walks you through each one of them without complicating the process.
"Alexa, start my day."
Many of the latest home automation hubs support multiple protocols, which means you don't have to settle on just one. In addition to Zigbee, Z-Wave, and dual-band Wi-Fi, it supports Bluetooth Low Energy, Lutron Clear Connect , and Kidde wireless protocols. It also supports Alexa voice commands and IFTTT applets, and will control smart devices from numerous manufacturers including Chamberlain, Ecobee, GE, Honeywell, Nest, Philips Hue, Ring, and Yale. Just keep in mind that Wink switched to a subscription pricing model and now charges a $4.99 monthly fee for the same services it previously offered for free. The Wink platform has also recently experienced prolongedconnectivity issues.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Another great thing about Philips Hue lights is that you can sync them with your computer using the Hue Sync app for PC and Mac. However, you can also sync them with your TV though you will need a Philips Hue Sync Box to do so. Before becoming an analyst in 2020, I spent eight years as a reporter covering consumer tech news. Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Lifx Mini
If you prefer Google Assistant to Alexa, Google's Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers double as voice hubs for thousands of smart home devices, just like its Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max smart displays. Thread, an IoT platform developed by several companies including Nest, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Silicon Labs, is a newer option. It's a low-power technology based on the Internet Protocol that allows secure connectivity between hundreds of devices.
From smart speakers and displays to home security cameras, these gadgets will make the perfect gift for anyone on your list. The Sengled Smart LED with Motion Sensor works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings. You can get push notifications and trigger other smart home actions when motion is detected using routines, too. However, you'll need to purchase the Sengled Smart Hub, or another compatible smart home hub, to control this bulb. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services.
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Similarly, theVivint Smart Home Systemlets you control things like door locks, lights, and thermostats, using your phone. Looking at the cost in general, smart lights are more expensive than traditional LED lights because of the technology they contain. However, they have come down in price lately, so they’re more affordable — a good quality smart light bulb can range from $10 to over $40. If you’re getting one with a fixture, such as a wall panel or outdoor floodlight, the price can be in the $100’s. If you often replace lots of lights in one room, then a smart light switch might be a good investment. Starting at $12, Sengled makes one of the best smart light bulbs for those who are looking for an inexpensive and easy-to-install option.
You can also create triggers based on Wyze’s home security cameras and motion sensors, too. At $8 per bulb, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option at this price. We test the best smart light bulbs on a number of criteria, including ease-of-setup, brightness, value and library of features.
In some cases, just a phone will do the trick, but if you use multiple different products or services, you might want a home automation hub to control everything and have the devices interact with each other. The problem is, there is no single hub available that can control all of the different smart home devices out there. Read on to find out what kind of hubs are available and if you need one to smarten up your home. The biggest problem with smart light bulbs is that they're expensive, even compared to other LED bulbs. It’s one of the best smart light bulbs if all you’re looking for is a light bulb you can control and connect to other smart home devices. You can change both the brightness and color temperature (2,700k - 6,500k), and not just from Wyze’s app; you can also make these adjustments with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT too.
TP-Link’s Kasa smart plug is a particularly good one because it is both affordable and incredibly compact (and if you’re really short on space, there’s a mini version that’s even smaller). Together with its companion app, they can schedule a timer to turn on and off anything from Christmas lights to a coffee maker. It’s also compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, which lets them add voice control to any outlet. They're not bulbs per se, but if you want your home to make a statement, the Nanoleaf Shapes is one of the best smart light bulbs out there.
For that, we recommend getting them one of our favorite robot vacuum cleaners, the iRobot Roomba 694. It can suck up dirt and debris from both hardwood and carpeted floors, with an edge-sweeping brush taking care of dusty corners. The companion app lets them control it remotely, or they can set up a cleaning schedule so the little robot can do its thing at a set time. Google’s Nest Hub smart display is a great device to have around the home — especially if your gift recipient already uses the Google Assistant. It works as a digital photo frame and they can use it to watch YouTube and Netflix. It can also make calls via Google Duo and offers recipe videos along with step-by-step cooking instructions.
Matter’s goal is to make it seamless for customers to know a smart home device will work with their setup (cross-platform including HomeKit) and also make them faster, more reliable, secure, and easy to use. Blink’s indoor camera offers the gift of peace of mind in a compact and affordable package. Your loved one will appreciate the fact that Blink is wireless and battery-powered; since they don’t have to place it near an electrical outlet, it can sit almost anywhere. They also won’t have to worry about recharging the camera since it can last up to two years on its two included AA batteries.
They can set it so that it automatically locks once the door is closed, or after a set period of time. If someone’s at the door but they’re at the office or in the backyard, they can easily let them in with a single finger tap. They can also grant access for specific friends or family members, which means they might never need to put the key under the doormat ever again. We also like that this bulb costs $15—pricier than a non-smart bulb, but reasonable for this market. All work with Alexa, and Google Assistant, and you can take advantage of several advanced automation features if you have TP-Link’s smart router.
TheEcho Dotis the compact version of the Echo, and it works separately or jointly. You can purchase an Echo Dot instead of the larger Echo if it fits your smart home needs. And if you have several Echos at home, you can tell Alexa to make announcements or connect them to play synchronized music.
The Home app is very responsive, snappy, and has many useful automations that are easy to set up. It's very user-friendly, reminiscent of the SmartThings app, and has the option of adding Home buttons to your iPhone's control center, accessible from the home screen or any app. We haven't encountered many issues aside from Siri not being as responsive or as helpful as other assistants, but that's a separate thing. This isn't the best overall because it's not what is best for most people, but it is for us in our home.
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