With the recent technological changes to home IT Solutions, there’s never been a better time to set yours up. Selecting a home IT Solution is a serious decision with lots to consider though, and Dataworld is here to help you find the best setup for your home’s needs.
More competition in the home technology space makes for more internet-connected gadgets like video doorbells, smart locks and cameras with motion detection. But it also brings new vulnerabilities, including an increased risk of hacking.
It’s definitely a lot to take in, and today’s home security providers don’t always make it easy to comparison shop.
That’s where we come in. We’ve put our Solutions to the test — from top-of-the-line monitored systems with professional installation to wallet-friendly alternatives that include a home security camera (or cameras) and smart home devices monitored via smartphone app .
Smart Home
At the ultimate smart home, you’re met with technology before you even step through the front door. Some of the most useful connected home gadgets reside in the front yard.
To illuminate your abode, you’ll want some outdoor-friendly smart lights. The Ring Smart Lighting System is an excellent option; it lets you create a network of motion-based security lights for the outside of your home. You can add components as needed, including floodlights, pathway lights, spotlights, and step lights.
Most of Ring’s smart lighting components are powered by battery, so they’re simple to install. Each works independently as a motion-activated light, but to make them smart you have to connect them to a Ring Bridge. Once connected, you can control the lights from your phone via the app, create groups so all the lights turn on when one detects motion, and link them with Ring security cameras. Once linked, you can have the camera record video when a light detects motion.
Speaking of outdoor security cameras, our top pick overall for keeping tabs on your home from your phone is 2Wireless Smart Camera. This high-resolution, weather-resistant security camera not only captures motion-triggered video, but casts a bright light on whatever is moving around on your property. It’s wireless and installs in minutes, delivers detailed video with night vision, provides accurate and intelligent motion detection, and offers plenty of integration options.
For those times you want to check whether it’s a delivery person or an unwanted solicitor knocking on your door, a video doorbell will let you see who’s there without getting up from the couch. Beyond this convenience, video doorbells can serve as a first line of defense against property theft, home invasion, and porch pirates. They not only let you see and speak with the person outside, but they also record footage of visitors that approach your door while you’re away or unable to answer. Our favorite budget-friendly model, the Ezviz, Hikvision and Dahua delivers sharp HD video with a wide viewing angle.
Another piece of technology you’ll want on your front door is a smart lock. Arguably the most important part of a truly connected home, these devices offer both security and flexibility, letting you come and go as you please, and monitor who is entering and leaving your home while you’re away. Our current favorite is Zkteco, Hikvision and Dahua Wi-Fi Smart Lock, which is easy to install and stands out for its automatic locking and unlocking abilities, robust third-party integrations, and stylish design.
For the highest level of protection, consider a professionally monitored smart home security system. One of our top picks, Secolink and Lightsys, is a hefty investment, but it offers virtually everything you need for maximum protection.
When it comes to living room technology, televisions and soundbars are the obvious stars of the show. But in the ultimate smart home, myriad other gadgets work together to elevate the ambience, convenience, and security of your main living space.
For starters, a smart speaker is a must for the living room. Beyond playing music, our favorite models serve as a sort of central command center, letting you control pretty much any other connected home gadget by voice.
As an alternative or in addition to a smart speaker, you might want a smart display. They offer the same hands-free voice assistant features as a smart speaker, but with a useful touch screen on which you can view live feeds from your smart doorbell or security camera, make video calls (virtual game night, anyone?), and control your connected gadgets with a few taps. When not in use, your living room smart display can serve as a digital photo frame to display your personal snaps or curated art.
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to upgrade your living room is to swap out your standard incandescents for smart light bulbs that support app and voice control. After upgrading, you’ll never have to get up off the couch to flip the light switch again. Beyond offering greater convenience than traditional bulbs, smart lights use less energy and last longer, so they can save you money in the long run.
Another smart living room gadget that can add serious convenience to your life, and potentially save you money on energy, is a connected thermostat. Our favorite models let you monitor and control your home’s heating and cooling system by phone or voice, set temperature schedules, and offer energy-saving features that can help lower your bill.
With a smart plug, you can turn anything that plugs into the wall—be it a lamp, space heater, humidifier, or even a Christmas tree—into a connected device that you can control from your phone.
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300 is a smart surge protector with six outlets you can independently control via your phone or voice. It also supports IFTTT, so you can program it to automatically turn certain outlets on or off when another event, such as a camera motion trigger, takes place. If you have fewer devices you want to make smart, the Wyze Plug is our favorite affordable option.
With so many smart gadgets in your living room, it’s a good idea to invest in a Wi-Fi-connected indoor home security camera.
Whether you’re a master chef or an Uber Eats power user, the best smart kitchen gadgets can bring serious convenience to the heart of your home.
If your bed is too uncomfortable, your room is too hot, or you’re experiencing breathing difficulties due to allergies and asthma, the best bedroom tech can offer some relief.
The temperature of your room can also affect your sleep quality. A too-hot or too-cold room can make it difficult to drift off and to stay asleep throughout the night. According to the CDC(Opens in a new window), around 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal sleeping temperature for most people. If you don’t have central air, you might want to consider a smart air conditioner. They typically allow for app and voice control, and support scheduling, which can help cut down on your energy costs. The 8,000BTU Air Conditioner is easy to install and did a great job of cooling in our tests. It’s also one of the quietest window units we’ve encountered.
A smart air purifier can help you keep a close eye on your indoor air quality and breathe a little easier, especially if you suffer from allergies and asthma.
Water and tech don’t usually mix, but that hasn’t stopped a swell of connected bathroom gadgets, from high-tech toilets that can clean themselves to smart scales that can measure a lot more than just how much you weigh.
If you’re building a new house, or renovating one, consider a smart toilet for your bathroom. They offers a hands-free opening and closing system that should eliminate squabbles over whether the toilet seat should be left up or down. It also features a night-light, a heated seat, a warm-air drying system, an automatic deodorizer, a self-cleaning function that uses UV light to sanitize the bowl, and an emergency mode that lets you flush up to 100 times during a power outage.
To set the mood for your next barbecue or pool party, you’ll need a good outdoor-friendly smart speaker that can withstand splashes and rain. Should be IP56 rating means it can handle limited dust exposure, as well as water projected from any direction, though it shouldn’t be submerged. It’s also should be built to withstand intense sun and even drops.
Thanks to outdoor-friendly smart lights, the party doesn’t need to stop when the sun goes down. Specifically designed for gardens and patios, these outdoor lights let you bathe your yard in 16 million colors and create lighting scenes for every occasion. They’re easy to install, built to withstand the elements, and work with multiple voice command platforms.