Best Smart Home Devices to Create the Ultimate Smart Home

Smart home bundles are a great way to start with integrating helpful devices and smart home technology into you life. Entry-level set-ups like electronic deadbolts and thermostats can be a way to take that initial step for learning how to use this new technology. From there you can add smart hubs, multi-camera security system kits, smart appliances and more, building your smart home according to your needs. Using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and voice -control along with device apps, you can add security and convenience to many household tasks.

Adjusting the thermostat without getting up lets you stay snug and comfortable on the sofa or in bed. But it’s more than that. Smart thermostats are loaded with features that go beyond regulating your home’s cooling and heating. Some smart thermostats

• are equipped with sensors that can determine whether you’re home or away and can adjust the temperature accordingly with auto away mode.
• have an outdoor weather sensor to detect the temperature outdoors and adjust itself automatically.
• are Wi-Fi compatible, enabling you to change the temperature anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection.
• allow you to track your energy usage, providing energy reports and usage history.
• have displays that are easy to read.
• are controlled from a touch screen, a dial, a combination of both or a button.

You’ve invested time and money into your home, and you want to keep it and your loved ones safe. Smart security cameras give you peace of mind and act as a deterrent. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor camera or an indoor camera, smart security cameras provide many benefits. Depending on the type you choose, smart security cameras

• send sound and motion alerts to your phone.
• allow you to remotely view what the camera sees.
• provide audio monitoring and allow you to have conversations.
• provide day/night livestreaming.
• automatically zoom.
• record and capture activity in HD.

Connect a smart security camera to your home smart home hub for even more flexibility.

Smart electronic door locks give you a measure of control that you can’t get with a traditional door lock. They’re a keyless, convenient option for people who constantly misplace their keys and provide peace of mind, knowing that you’ll never be locked out again. Smart technology simplifies your home security and lets you lock and unlock the door from anywhere. Smart locks use different technologies, including a keypad, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Z-Wave.

Smart doorbells sync with your home’s Wi-Fi and let you see who’s at your door from your phone or other connected device. When visitors ring the bell, you’ll get a notification and, in some cases, you’ll be able to see, hear and speak in real-time video. Whether you’re at home or away, you can then respond to the visitor via two-way audio. For a more convenient option, bundle several products, like a smart doorbell, a smart deadbolt and a hub for centralized security.

When choosing a smart doorbell, one of the first things you need to decide is what type you want: wireless or wired.

Wireless smart doorbells run on batteries, are easy to install, offer more flexibility since they can be placed anywhere and don’t require any alterations (such as drill holes and nails) to the house. Hard-wired devices run on your existing doorbell wiring.

Depending on the model, some smart doorbells

• have two-way audio so you can respond to visitors.
• have a built-in rechargeable battery.
• work with virtual assistant AI technology devices.
• have motion detection sensors to alert you when someone is approaching or leaving.
• are equipped with night vision, allowing you to see who’s at your door when it’s dark.
• have cloud storage options to store the video camera’s footage.

Want to control your ceiling fan without the need for a pull chain or, in some instances, even without a remote control? Operate a Bluetooth- or Wi-Fi-enabled smart ceiling fan with ease from your remote, smart device or other wireless or smart home application. With so many styles to choose from, you’re sure to find one that complements your home décor, including

• standard blade ceiling fans, the most common type of fan found in many homes
• propeller blade ceiling fans with airplane propeller-inspired styling
• windmill blade ceiling fans, with numerous blades that mimic the classic windmill shape and slowly turn to create a constant breeze

A smart-compatible electric water heater or a Wi-Fi-compatible tankless gas water heater allows you to easily control your hot water and keeps you informed of your water heater’s status and potential problems. Capabilities vary by model, but here are some available features: 

• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity and a mobile app let you manage your water heater from a mobile device. Some units also offer smart home connectivity.
• You can get your unit’s status and information to diagnose problems.
• Leak detection and mitigation features sense a leak, alert you of the problem and turn off the water supply to the device. Some models include the shut-off valve, while others require you to purchase the shut-off valve separately.
• Where available and with an additional control module, you can connect a compatible water heater to your utility’s smart grid. This allows your water heater to operate more efficiently during peak usage times and for you to receive energy-consumption information.

When thinking about your total smart home automation system, don’t overlook the value of smart appliances for your kitchen and laundry. Smart appliances are great timesavers that can allow you to plan chores and tasks based on your schedule. With a smart refrigerator, you can see what is inside, compile a grocery list and get an alert if the door is left open for too long. A smart dishwasher will let you set the cycle to run late at night to save on hot water and energy. A smart washing machine and smart dryer can send an update directly to your phone or app letting you know when your clothes are done.. You can even diagnose appliance problems from your phone as well. For more on smart appliances, read our Smart Appliances Buying Guide.

Smart plugs extend the functionality of your household outlets, allowing you to plug in more devices. For smart automation, smart plugs can be controlled remotely from your phone or a smart hub. Some models offer hands-free voice control.

Smart plugs can be used indoors or outdoors, and some models work both indoors and outdoors.

As our devices get smarter, we continue to reap the benefits. A smart air conditioner cools your home and gives you the convenience of being able to control it from your phone or other smart device. Depending on the model, smart air conditioners are packed with features, including

• voice control for more flexibility
• automatic shut-off to save energy
• multidirectional air control to adjust air direction

First there were robotic vacuums. Then along came smart robotic vacuums that stepped it up a level. Smart robotic vacuums do the job on their own, freeing you up to do other things. Using your smartphone or other device, you can schedule when you want the vacuuming to occur, start and stop the vacuum or tell the vacuum to go back to its base.

Choose the best cleaning pattern for your needs:

• Intelligent Navigation: These robotic vacuums scan a room and map out the floor prior to cleaning while calculating the best path to take to ensure the entire room is clean.
• Back and Forth: These robotic vacuums follow a pattern that moves back and forth and may sometimes clean the same area once or twice.
• Random: These robotic vacuums don’t have a defined pattern of movement; they simply move about, relying on a sensor to detect obstacles and recalibrate their path.

In-home entertainment has changed dramatically over the years. Media streaming devices provide on-demand availability of media. Many people have cut the cord and turned to media streaming devices to watch their favorite shows, discover new ones to binge, play games and more. Media streaming devices can also be used to supplement your viewing options.

There are many advantages to smart media streaming devices:

• Ones that are Wi-Fi enabled, or work with other devices like smartphones and tablets, expand your entertainment options.
• Their wireless connection provides more freedom.
• Some are standalone, and others connect to your TV with an HDMI cable.
• Some remote controls have integration to work with virtual assistant AI technology devices.

A smart garage door opener works like any automatic garage door opener but has the added benefit of allowing you to open and close the door remotely and monitor its status with real-time alerts. It’s app connected, reducing the worry that you’ve left the garage door open all day.

Some smart garage door openers come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, so you can monitor your door from your smartphone.

Mowing the lawn can be a tedious task, but it yields a well-groomed landscape. Robotic mowers turn a weekend chore into a breeze by doing the work for you. On their own, robotic mowers are a convenient timesaver. When equipped with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, you can start and stop, adjust settings and track the mower remotely. Connect the mower to a smart home hub to control it with your voice.

A smart irrigation system elevates your lawn-watering game by taking some of the guesswork out of the process for you. With technology that automatically waters the lawn based on the soil type and conditions, or the amount of sun or shade, it’s easy to maintain a beautiful lawn. Control the timer, monitor water usage and control the entire sprinkler system from an app or via connection to your smart hub.

Any of the technology mentioned previously would work, providing an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind. But if you’re trying to outfit your home for easier accessibility, here are some of our top suggestions: 

• Electronic Locks: With the push of a button on your phone or even using your fingerprint, you can easily unlock your front door. 
• Light Bulbs: Whether you’re home or out and about, you can turn your lights on, off or dim them from your phone. 
• Smart Hubs: These are great tools for connecting several smart devices in your home — but they can go a step further. Products such as Amazon Echo or the Google Nest Hub allow you to ask questions, play music, check the weather and traffic, or even connect with your friends and family via audio and video calling. 
• Smart Doorbells: If you want to track deliveries while you’re out — or avoid solicitors when you’re home — these doorbells allow you to see and record who’s there and speak with them. 

Learn more about Lowe’s Livable Home™ products and installation services in select markets.