3 Easy Ways to Turn Your Home Into a Smart Home
OK so I’m definitely a late adopter when it comes to home automation and smart home technology. Between fearing that my devices would be listening to everything I say and thinking about how much I really wanted to spend, i’ve been putting this off for a while. But after one too many nights of waking up to bright lights and the TV blaring with some infomercial about neck cream or life lock credit protection, I decided it was time to give in and get smart ! Besides, if I really don’t want Alexa, listening in, I can just unplug the device…
There’s so much smart home technology out there from smart thermostats to video doorbells, to smart washer machines that you can have start the laundry before you get home… Since I live in a studio, I figured I’d start with the basics that would make my every day life a little easier and Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale provided the perfect opportunity to get my feet wet!
Check out these three easy ways to turn your home into a smart home, without breaking the bank.
1. The Virtual Assistant
Amazon Echo Dot 3 $24.99
“Alexa…” Consider this little gem to be the glue that holds it all together! The Echo Dot allows you to control all of your smart home devices, listen to your favorite music, purchase Prime-eligible items on Amazon, have Alexa remind you do something, and even drop in on your family and friends, simply by calling on Alexa!
2. Smart Light Bulbs
TP-Link Kasa Smart KB100 Wi-Fi LED Bulb - $16.44
Think of this as the new-age Clapper, minus the clapping. Simply screw a smart light bulb into any light source and connect it your WiFi via the smart bulb app and you now have automated lights.. The beauty of using a smart bulb is that you can dim or brighten it, change the color, turn it on or off, and even schedule it all from your phone or Alexa.
*Some smart bulbs require a hub or connect via Bluetooth*
3. The Smart Plug
Turn any device into a voice controlled smart device, simply by plugging the smart plug into any household outlet. Now even my 7 year old tv, can be turned off and on, on command.
Now if only get Alexa to do all of my holiday baking!