From light bulbs to doorbells, it’s easier than ever to create a connected home thanks to the many Wi-Fi enabled devices like Google Nest Hub or smart bulbs that aid everyday tasks. A smart home can help lower your utility bills, add security, play your favorite music, and even allow you to indulge in hands-free shopping. Here are our three must-have products that can save you time, energy, and money.
Google Nest Hub
With hands-free help from Google Assistant, which connects with over 3,500 home brands, there’s not much that Google Nest Hub can’t do (except make dinner, though it CAN order a delish pizza). From controlling lights and security cameras to playing YouTube videos and making phone calls, the simple to manage, voice-activated dashboard also doubles as a gorgeous digital picture frame when not in use.
Fave Feature: You can set a Good Morning routine that automates your alarm clock, home lighting, and coffeemaker. No more walking around the house half-awake, trying to find light switches or oversleeping due to a forgotten alarm.
Nest Hello Video Doorbell
Easy to install, Nest Hello Video Doorbell goes beyond just showing you who’s at the door. Via its app or Google Nest Hub, it allows you to speak with or leave pre-recorded messages for visitors, and even schedule quiet time for a “do not disturb” type of morning. With 160-degree HD video, you can see crisp images of visitors from head to toe (or deliveries on the ground) day or night. Nest Hello is a snap to install wherever there’s an existing wired doorbell—but don’t fret if yours isn’t, as an Indoor Power Adaptor may do the trick.
Fave Feature: Sign up for the Nest Aware subscription service for 24/7 video recordings up to 30 days. It even works with Nest Cam IQ to help differentiate between familiar faces and strangers.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Is it possible for a thermostat to pay for itself? It can if you use the high-tech Google Nest Thermostat, which is controlled by an app on your phone. Proven to reduce your spending by turning itself down when you’re not at home and adapting to your average temperature, the thermostat reports on your power usage and provides alerts sent to your phone on everything from your furnace to your pipe temperature. Easy to set up with step-by-step instructions and tutorials, and Google offers a 24/7 hotline and can send an installation professional right to your door.
Fave Feature: The Nest App allows you and your family to control the temperature in your home, even when you’re away. Need to raise or lower the temp before you get home? Open the app and consider it done.
More Smart Options
Security Cameras and Monitors
Whether you want to be notified of movement in your driveway or keep an eye on the kids and pets, Wi-Fi enabled security cameras and monitors can provide discreet, HD-quality visibility of your home and property. Most options record and store footage, provide motion notifications, and can be mounted in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations. Though typically simple to install, you can also use a local service to help you mount cameras in hard-to-reach areas or for installs that require hardwiring.
The Wemo Smart Plug
Connect any appliance to the Internet by using a smart plug. Then, you can control the connected light fixture or appliance from anywhere by using the app or Google Nest Hub. One of our favorite energy and cost-saving ideas is plugging your air conditioner into a smart plug (like this Wemo Smart Plug) so you can turn it on or off remotely.
Smart Light Bulbs
Smart bulbs allow you to alter the bulb’s light via an app, meaning even if you don’t have a dimmer, you can create mood lighting via your smartphone by reducing its brightness or changing its color. Some brands also work with Google Nest Hub so you can set routines (lights out at 10 p.m.) and more.