What Smart Home Do You Want?

whatsmarthome.com brings you news, reviews, and tutorials covering all areas of smart home technology to help you start or progress your smart home journey!

Get started

SMART HOME DEVICES

These are network-connected versions of regular home appliances and systems like refrigerators, TVs, thermostats, lights, locks, etc. that can be controlled and automated through apps or voice assistants.

Learn more

SMART HOME PLATFORMS

Connecting all the smart devices and allowing them to be monitored and controlled from one place, usually via an app.

Learn more

HOME AUTOMATION

Allows different smart devices and electronic systems to be programmed and automated based on user preferences, usage patterns, and convenience.

Learn more

View all ARTICLES

What are the benefits of a smart Home?

Smart homes offer a wide range of benefits that can enhance convenience, security, energy efficiency, and overall quality of life. Here are some of the key advantages of having a smart home.

Convenience

You can control and automate various home devices remotely using your smartphone or voice commands.

Energy savings

Smart thermostats and lighting can be programmed and controlled efficiently to reduce energy usage.

Security

Smart locks, cameras, motion sensors, and video doorbells allow you to monitor your home remotely and get alerts when needed.

Safety

Smart smoke/CO detectors, leak sensors, etc. can send alerts to your phone and notify emergency services if required.

Control with voice

Voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant provide hands-free control of your smart devices through voice commands.

Automation

Devices and appliances can be automated based on schedules, triggers, usage patterns, etc. to provide convenience and efficiency.

Remote access and monitoring

You can easily monitor and control smart appliances from anywhere using your smartphone.

Integration

Smart devices from different companies can be integrated to work together through platforms like SmartThings, HomeKit, IFTTT, etc.

Make your home smarter Today

Creating a smart home doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive, use this checklist to get started.

Get a smart speaker – Smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Nest are great hubs for a smart home. They let you control devices via voice commands.

Upgrade your lighting – Install smart bulbs like Philips Hue that can be remotely controlled and automated. Smart switches are also an option.

Add smart plugs – These can make ‘dumb’ appliances like fans, TVs, and coffee makers smart by letting you control them remotely. Popular options are TP-Link Kasa and Wyze.

Upgrade thermostats – Get an app-connected thermostat like Nest or Ecobee that can be programmed and controlled efficiently.

Install smart locks – Keyless, app-controlled smart locks like August allow keyless entry and remote access. Great for security.

Add voice assistants – In addition to smart speakers, add voice assistant capabilities to appliances, beds, cars, etc. to control them via voice.

Automate routines – Use IFTTT applets or your smart home platform’s app to automate devices based on schedules, activities, or triggers.

Monitor with cameras – Install smart security cameras that integrate with your smart home ecosystem for whole-home monitoring.

Use a hub – Hubs like Samsung SmartThings centralize control for different devices and standards.

Focus on compatibility – When buying devices, ensure they work with your smart home platforms like Alexa, Google HomeKit, SmartThings, etc.

featured articles

The best Home Assistant hardware choices

Best Home Assistant Hardware – What You Need in 2024

September 2, 2023

Home Assistant is a powerful open-source platform that allows users to create a smart home environment by integrating and automating various smart devices. As the popularity of home automation grows, the demand for Home Assistant and compatible hardware continues to rise. In this article, I will explore the essential hardware … Read more

Which Tablet for Home Assistant: Best Choices in 2024

August 4, 2023

In the era of smart homes and interconnected devices, the Home Assistant platform has become indispensable to modern living for DIY enthusiasts. These sophisticated systems allow homeowners to control various smart devices, such as lighting, thermostats, security cameras, and more, with the ease of their voice or a simple tap … Read more

Home Assistant Alternatives: A Guide to Smart Home Automation

March 12, 2023

When it comes to smart home automation, Home Assistant is a popular open-source platform that allows users to control their devices and automate tasks. However, it may not be the best fit for everyone. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the top Home Assistant alternatives to help you decide which platform is right for you.

Which NUC for Home Assistant?

July 28, 2023

Home Assistant has become an essential tool for smart homeowners looking to integrate and manage various smart devices efficiently. To run Home Assistant smoothly, you need a reliable and powerful hardware platform. This article will guide you through choosing the best NUC (Next Unit of Computing) for your Home Assistant … Read more

Home Assistant Alexa Guide for Beginners

Home Assistant Alexa Setup Guide for Beginners: Free Method

October 1, 2023

Introduction Home automation is becoming increasingly popular, with more and more devices able to be controlled and automated. Two of the most popular home automation platforms are Home Assistant and Alexa. But how do they work together? Integrating Alexa voice control with Home Assistant can provide some great benefits. In … Read more