Nowadays there are endless ways to make your home smart. Curious how to do that? You can read that in this smart home guide!
Smart home guide
When buying new lamps, vacuum cleaners, doorbells and speakers, you have probably noticed that almost all devices are currently ‘smart’. They are connected to the WiFi network and can often be controlled from a distance. There are now countless options to make your home even smarter, for example with smart cameras or even electric curtains. You can go as far as you want, but what options are there?
In this smart home guide we give you an overview of which smart devices are available. Where you used to pay top price for smart home products, they are now often much cheaper. Wondering where you can get smart lamps at a low price? Or which hub is suitable for you? We list all the options for you in this ultimate smart home guide.
Ultimate smart home guide
1. Smart lights
The easiest way to make your home smarter is to purchase smart light bulbs. You can control smart lighting from your phone, where you can enable useful automations. This way, your lights automatically turn on and off when you want them to. This way you no longer have to worry about your lights and you don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving lights on.
Many smart lamps have even more functions, they are often available in a huge number of colors. Not only are they dimmable, but they can change into countless colors. Very handy, because it allows you to create the perfect atmosphere for every situation. It is not expensive to start a smart home with smart lamps, so you can get these lamps for just 9.99 euros. See what other smart lighting is available here:
- Smart lighting from Calex: from 9.99 euros
- Smart Christmas lights from WiZ: from 89 euros
- More smart lighting at Bol.
2. Speakers
The smart speaker is often the central point of your smart home. There are various speakers available, such as Google’s Google Nest Hub. Apple does not currently have a similar hub, so you have to make do with the HomePod. You can already use this to control your smart home via Siri, but it does not yet have a small screen to manage devices.
It is expected that Apple will introduce a similar hub in the future, and the next generation of the HomePod will probably have a screen to control your smart home. With the current HomePod you are limited to voice control. You pay €327.95 for the HomePod. Do you think that’s too expensive? Then you can also choose the HomePod mini, which costs € 327.95.
- Google Nest Hub: from 104 euros for 89.88 euros
- HomePod: for €327.95
- HomePod mini: front €327.95
3. Doorbells
A smart doorbell is indispensable if you want to set up a smart home. There are different doorbells, and it is wise to check in advance whether the doorbell works with a subscription or not. For example, Ring works with paid subscriptions, which means you pay a monthly fee to save or view images. This is not the case with other brands, for example with Eufy.
With a smart doorbell you immediately know who is at the door. Are you not at home? Or do you just not have time to open the door? Then you can respond via the doorbell or set an automatic response. The latest doorbells even have package detection, so you’ll never miss a package again. Are you planning to expand your smart home with a smart doorbell? Then take a look at these options:
- Ring doorbell wireless: for 99 euros
- Eufy doorbell 2K + Homebase 2: from 149 euros for 146.99 euros
- Google Nest Video Doorbell: from 142 euros for 139 euros
4. Security cameras
Do you want to keep an eye on not only your front door, but your entire garden? Or do you want better security indoors? Then there are plenty of smart security cameras to choose from. With these cameras, your smart home is well secured both inside and outside. You connect the security cameras to your WiFi network, so that you can watch the images live or later.
The prices of security cameras vary widely. For example, you only pay 22.99 euros for the TP-Link Tapo C200 security camera at Bol. With this indoor camera you can view images up to 9 meters away. For a higher price you have more advanced cameras that also work outdoors and automatically detect movement. This way you can be sure that your smart home is safe. View which smart security cameras are available here:
- TP-Link Tapo C200 (indoor): for 22.99 euros
- Ring indoor camera: from 55 euros for 45 euros
- Eufy S340 solodam wireless solar security camera (outdoor): for 179 euros
5. Thermostats
Temperatures are dropping, so it’s time to turn the heating back on. Do you want to gain better insights into your energy consumption? Then it is advisable to go for a smart thermostat. With devices such as smart thermostats and smart radiator valves, you can manage the temperature of your home from your phone. You determine the temperature for each room separately, so that you do not unnecessarily use heat in rooms where you do not want it.
Also useful: with a smart thermostat and plug you can see how much energy you use. This way you know on which days your consumption is higher and how you can save. That’s not all, because smart thermostats also learn from your energy consumption. These thermostats also have useful functions such as open window detection, smart schedules and remote control. Does your smart home not yet have a smart thermostat? Discover what options are available here:
- Tado smart thermostat + starter kit: from 175 euros for 159 euros
- Google Nest learning thermostat: from 219 euros for 199 euros
- Bosch EasyControl smart thermostat: 269 euros
- Calex smart plug with energy meter: for 12.23 euros
- TP-Link Tapo P115 mini smart plug: from 19.99 euros for 17.95 euros
- Philips Hue smart plug: from 34.99 euros for 29.99 euros
6. Robot vacuum cleaners
Do you really want to complete your smart home? With a robot vacuum cleaner you no longer have to worry about cleaning your floor. The device cleans your house when you are at work or when you are away from home for an evening. When you return home, the housework is done without you having to do anything. Most robot vacuum cleaners have a map, so you can have specific areas cleaned even better.
- Eufy Robovac 11S: from 158.99 euros for 148.99 euros
- Roomba iRobot i7156: from 349 euros for 299 euros
- Roborock Q8 Max with double cleaning power: from 379 euros for 329 euros
Is mopping your least favorite household chore? Then there are also robot vacuum cleaners with a mopping function. Your floor is completely cleaned, so that no stain remains. The dirty water from robot vacuum cleaners is emptied into a special reservoir, so that clean water is then refilled. All you have to do is empty the water tank once in a while. Does that sound good? View the robot vacuum cleaners here:
- Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner with mopping function: for 99.95 euros
- Philips HomeRun Aqua 3000 Series with mopping function: from 260 euros for 243 euros
- Roborock Q7 Max with mopping function: for 418 euros
More about smart home
With this ultimate smart home guide, you are well on your way to transforming your home into a smart home. Having a smart home has many advantages, such as you have better insight into your energy consumption, you can control appliances from a distance and it is possible to adjust the lighting to your own liking. Would you like to know more about smart home? Then view all our articles here:
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Ultimate smart home guide: this is how you set up your smart home
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The best smart thermostats from tado, smart plugs from Tapo and more have been significantly reduced in price (ADV)
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These are the best smart home deals with Matter support right now
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A cheap smart home: these are the risks for you