The Only Gift Guide You Need to Make Your Home Smarter
Over the past few years, I’ve "educated" my home by upgrading it with smart gear. While my home may be smarter, I can’t tell you how ridiculous I sound throwing out voice commands when I’m a guest in others’ homes. (Yeah...kinda embarrassing.)
That’s why this year, I’m wrapping up the best smart home gifts for my friends and family.
I know these gadgets will make my friends and families’ lives so much easier. Allowing them to holler out loud for the weather forecast as they run out the door, lock the front door from their phones, yell out shopping lists. (Me: Alexa? Alexa! Order me one of everything!)
From smart speakers to security systems — here’s your go-to guide for smart home gifts.
Smart speakers
For Amazon® Alexa aficionados, you can’t go wrong with the third-gen Echo Dot — or step up to the Echo Plus. Since Google® Home products are now categorized under the Nest® umbrella, stuff Google-lovers’ stockings with Google Nest Minis.
Smart displays
If you’re gifting a handy smart display, give it to someone in your household so you can enjoy it too! Consider the Amazon Echo Show 5 and the larger Show 8 or the Google Nest Hub and Hub Max.
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Smart lighting
Brighten up someone’s holiday with a Philips Hue Smart Bulb Starter Kit — the best-in-class pick. Or put a bow on the LIFX Beam, a strip light that fits neatly under cabinets.
Smart thermostats
Instead of bickering over how hot or cold the room temperature is, one can quietly control it with a smart thermostat. (Talk about comfort and joy.) Meanwhile, these devices adapt to daily usage patterns to cut back on bills. Google® gurus will like the Nest Learning Thermostat; Alexa-lovers will enjoy the ecobee3 Lite or ecobee 4.
Smart door accessories
For the person whose door is always open, pick out the August Smart Lock Pro. They can lock and unlock their doors from anywhere without worrying. For the person who keeps an eye on front door visitors, gift the Google Nest Hello or the Ring Video Doorbell; both feature two-way communication and high-quality video.
Smart home security systems
For security on a budget, opt for the Wyze Cam Pan and Wyze Sense home security kit. Or, splurge on the Arlo Pro 3 and Smart Security System — these can sit outside and show off a 160-degree view.
Smart plugs
The small, but mighty, Wemo Mini Smart Plug lets you turn pretty much anything into a smart device. Yep, you can schedule and control your tree lights, space heater and coffee maker all from a mobile app. Tuck a few into the stockings this year!
Before you’ve wrapped up all the best smart home gifts for everyone in your life, think about gifting yourself a home warranty plan to help with the costs of covered appliance and home system repairs. Learn more about plans from TotalHome Warranty.
