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15 Home Automation Devices To Make Your Home Smarter Than You Are
We've scoured the web and found the 15 Smart Home Automation providers we think are worth your time. These are the companies who provided our readers with useful, compelling content.
Editors Rating : 4.1Broadlink RM4 pro Smart IR/RF Remote Control Hub with Sensor Cable-WiFi IR/RF Blaster for Smart Home Automation, TV, Curtain, Shades Remote, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT (RM4 pro S)
The RM4 pro Hub will connect wirelessly to your home Wi-Fi network and it supports multi-brand and multi-language. It works with RF, IR, Bluetooth & mobile app (Android & iOS) simultaneously. With strong IR learning capability, it can learn 50,000+ IR remotes and control various brands of smart home products (such as Sony TV remotes, Philips aircon remotes). Download it from Apple App Store/Google Play now to experience the voice control, IFTTT functions and more!
Product Benefits:
What I Like
I just got it today, but this is perfect so far! I have a ton of different remotes for my theater room, with the drop down screen being RF and most of the devices hidden which makes IR a challenge. I was going to make an arduino control everything with ir and rf blaster, custom code, cloud integration to work with Alexa, etc. Would have taken forever. Instead, I found this little.
Editors Rating : 4.2SONOFF Basic R2 10A Smart WiFi Wireless Light Switch, DIY Module for Smart Home Automation Solution, Works with Amazon Alexa & Google Home Assistant, Works with IFTTT, No Hub Required(4-Pack)
Hey there! I'm SONOFF Basic — your home's new super smart WiFi light switch. So you may ask, why should I use a super smart WiFi light switch in the first place? And the answer is simple: I can control any of my other smart devices anywhere. If I have set a timer to my smart bulb, you don't have to worry about missing it because we can connect through IFTTT or smart life app. Or maybe turn on your fan from your office so you can come home to a nice cool apartment. You get the point.
Product Benefits:
What I Like
I installed this device in a regular wall switch, and tucked it into a standard 4" x 4" x 1-1/2" electrical box. I put the Sonoff device on one side of the box, and tucked the wires on the other side. My wall switch had a 2 gang mud ring, so this may not tuck inside a single gang mud ring, but I think it would.
Editors Rating : 4.8Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch and Remote Kit for Wall & Ceiling Lights, P-PKG1W-WH, White
The Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch and Remote Kit from Lutron is the next generation in lighting control. Most dimmer switches work over load using a circuit with the standard dimming wire (aka the neutral wire). This means that you are forced to either install a new light switch if you don't have a neutral wire, or use an older-style light switch that doesn't provide feedback on the lights.
Product Benefits:
What I Like
I am not handy so I did not attempt to install the wall switch in our master bedroom on my own, but I hired an electrician who got it done in a matter of minutes. The dimmer switch is attractive looking and the on/off and dimmer features work well. I keep the remote, which has the same features, at my bedside and it too works well. The remote actually has an additional button.
Editors Rating : 4.7Amazon Smart Plug, for home automation, Works with Alexa - A Certified for Humans Device
Amazon's got a new product called the Smart Plug. This little power device is one of the easiest ways to make your home smart. It lets you control lights, fans, and small appliances from anywhere using your Amazon Echo or the free Alexa app on compatible iOS, Android, or Fire tablets. It's easy to set up, simply plug it into the wall and in to the device you want to control. The Passive Infrared sensor will then listen for the command 'Alexa...turn on' and perform accordingly.
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What I Like
Hey, I really like the TP Link Ones, and still do. Non-hub, they sit on your wi-fi every now and again have issues, but nothing major. I just hooked up my new Amazon one. No skills, add-on's, 3rd party apps, accounts to make. It JUST WORKS. Plug in, add device, give it a name. DONE.
Editors Rating : 4.3BroadLink RM4 Mini IR Universal Remote Control, Smart Home Automation Wi-Fi Infrared Blaster for TV Air Conditioner STB Audio, Works with Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT
Do you want to control your home devices using your phone, but have no idea how to start? Do you just have an instinct that voice commands or AI is the future? BroadLink RM4 Mini is a small device which connects to your home Wi-Fi and learns IR commands from your existing remotes (not included). Then it can be used with BroadLink App on your phone or voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
Product Benefits:
What I Like
I have been shocked by how well this works. I am using it in a home theater setup and have had zero issues. Setting up the devices is a breeze and the ability to create scenes is fantastic. I programmed it to work with Siri and can give a single command to my phone that will startup my entire theater room, cutting out 3 remotes.
Editors Rating : 4.6Kasa Smart Plug HS103P4, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Echo, Google Home & IFTTT, No Hub Required, Remote Control, 15 Amp, UL Certified, 4-Pack, White
KASA WI-FI Smart Plug HS103P4, are designed to make your life easy and enjoyable. A wifi smart plug connects to your home router, replaces your current device and allows you to turn on and off any home electronic appliances such as lamps, fan, burglar alarms, Christmas lights etc. from anywhere using the Kasa app on your smartphone. The smart plug comes out of the box with a 30 days money back guarantee. Grab one now or read more about the features below!
Product Benefits:
What I Like
I finally broke down and decided to allow “smart” control in the house. The problem then was affording $25/plug for the Alexa brand. I’ve combed through options for over a year now, never settling on anything because the “difficult app” or “doesn’t integrate” reviews. I don’t need more hassle in my life,
Editors Rating : 4.2Aqara Smart Hub E1 (2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Required), Powered by USB-A, Small Size, Zigbee 3.0, Acts as a Wi-Fi Repeater (Hotspot) for up to 2 Devices, Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
The Aqara Smart Hub E1 acts as a Wi-Fi repeater. With the Smart Hub E1, you can connect up to 128 Aqara devices via its 3.0 Zigbee interface, which makes the connection with Aqara smart devices faster and more stable (repeaters such as the Aqara Smart Plug or Aqara Smart Wall Switch are required). This hub is small in size and appearance, but it has a powerful function to support the fast and stable connection of multiple smart products that are compatible with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT; it also has extended compatibility with other platforms.
Product Benefits:
What I Like
This inexpensive smart home hub was easy to set up and connect to its companion product, a temperature sensor. I set this up in my Wisconsin second home with a low temperature alert in case my furnace failed. I also have a Google nest thermostat but have read online that they are not 100% reliable in sending low temp alerts. I installed this backup solution for a total cost of about $60. I was impressed.
Editors Rating : 4.6Smart Home Energy Monitor with 16 50A Circuit Level Sensors | Vue - Real Time Electricity Monitor/Meter | Solar/Net Metering
Your Mobile24 Plug-n-Play Smart Home Energy Monitor gives you the power to monitor your home's real electricity usage while away. Installs quickly and easily in circuit panels of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports single-phase up to 240VAC line-neutral; single or split-phase 120/240VAC; and three-phase up to 415Y/240VAC (no Delta). Panels with access only to busbars will need flexible sensors available from Emporia Energy. Includes DIY instructions, though a professional electrician is recommended.
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What I Like
I bought this so I can monitor the electricity used by my tenants. We rent out an in-law suite above our garage, and the electrical to the unit is connected to our home's main via a 100 amp service wire. Installing the power to the wireless transponder is incredibly easy if you know what you are doing, but I wouldn't recommend someone unfamiliar with circuit breakers or electrical panels try to do it.
Editors Rating : 4.7Kasa Smart Light Switch HS200P3, Single Pole, Needs Neutral Wire, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch Works with Alexa and Google Home, UL Certified, No Hub Required, 3-Pack , White
Installation is simple and requires only that a neutral wire is run to the new switch. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch can also be installed without running a separate control wire so you can have an additional switch on any wall in your home. The Kasa App walks you through the process with clear step-by-step instructions, before you begin and during installation. Installations may vary between switches, so make sure you visit Kasa’s FAQ guide for more details.
Product Benefits:
What I Like
I like these switches a lot. I had only one issue when it was time for Alexa to recognize the name I assigned to the switches and turn them on and off via voice command. The comment back to me was she couldn’t find any switch named xxxxxx. I found zero fixes on Kasa, online or anywhere else that solved my issue until I realized what the problem was.
Editors Rating : 4.2Broadlink RM4 pro IR RF WiFi Universal Remote Smart Home Automation Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
The Broadlink RM4 Pro is a powerful universal remote control smart home kit that can control nearly all the devices for your house. You can control it via RF433, IR and WiFi signals. It supports thousands of brand-specific IR codes and can learn new ones from your old remotes. With a super fast WiFi connection, this RM4 Pro can directly connect to IFTTT (If This Then That) platform, which is an online service used to create chains of simple conditional statements “If this happens, turn that on; if this happens again, turn that off”.
Product Benefits:
What I Like
I purchased this RF hub to allow my RF-controlled retractable awnings to integrate with my smart home devices. This hub did exactly what I bought it for and has been working great in the week that I have had it. My awnings and original remotes are Aleko brand.
Editors Rating : 4.5YoLink Hub - Central Controller Only for YoLink Devices, 1/4 Mile World's Longest Range Smart Hub LoRa Enabled Smart Home Automation Hub Smart Home Security Monitoring Gateway
Introducing YoLink Hub, the central controller for all your devices. The Hub is the only device that connects to the Internet and requires a wired or WiFi connection. It’s designed for all users, from novices to early adopters and tech experts. Your YoLink system will deliver years of low-maintenance fun! If you are looking for an engaging way to interact with your home, office and workshop, then you should look no further than this product.
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What I Like
I have tried three mailbox alarms in the past month. A self-contained motion sensor and a dedicated mailbox alarm (designed for a door that opens down). Neither worked at all. This Yo Link Hub along with the door sensor sold separately has done the charm. The door sensor was mounted in the mailbox and it doesn't care which way the door opens. The hub was set up without effort.
Editors Rating : 4.1Wemo Smart Plug with Thread, Apple HomeKit Enabled for Smart Home Automation, NFC Set up, Compatible with Wemo Stage Scene Controller, Siri, iPhones, and More
If you love the smart home technologies, why not to upgrade your tech toys with the smart plug? Yep, you guessed it right, I am talking about the Belkin WeMo Smart Plug. It has been designed in such a way that it won't require much space at all. This smart plug has been created in such a way that two plugs can be stacked within one electrical outlet.
Product Benefits:
What I Like
The Wemo Dimmer Switch is reliable and easy to install. And it is easy to pair once you figure out that iPhones have their NFC antennas in the top bezel. Touching the top bezel to the Wemo Dimmer Switch has it pair almost instantly and it would have been nice to know that. Placing the back of the phone against the unit will probably get you nowhere.
Editors Rating : 4.6Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat for Smart Home, DIY, Works With Alexa, Energy Star Certified, ST55
You have one remote for you TV and another remote for your sound system, yet it seems you are always asking your family to help you find the right buttons to push. With the Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat for Smart Home, DIY, Works With Alexa, Energy Star Certified, ST55 you can control the temperature of your home from anywhere that you have access to a smart phone or tablet. The Sensi is an easy solution to an age old problem which can lead to greater comfort and peace of mind throughout your home!
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What I Like
Alexa took over my house. It’s started on Black Friday 2019. Amazon offered a deal that couldn’t be beat. Once I had SkyNet I mean Alexa hooked up and running it began. I got lazy, really lazy and I loved it. I was hooked. I ordered six more echos. I ordered smart light bulbs and Smart light switches, smart thermostat and smart plugs and Ring.
Editors Rating : 4.4Aqara Motion Sensor, REQUIRES AQARA HUB, Zigbee Connection, for Alarm System and Smart Home Automation, Broad Detection Range, Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Works With IFTTT
The Aqara Motion Sensor can add a whole new layer of security to your Aqara Hub and smart home system. This is an unauthorized entry detection device which is set up by the hub to detect any unnecessary movements in your home. If it does so, this motion sensor will instantly send a notification to your phone through the cloud and also trigger an alarm for you immediate attention. And as like most other motion detectors this one comes with a view area of 170 degrees and a 22 feet range
Product Benefits:
What I Like
The Aqara motion sensor is much smaller than I was expecting, which makes it lightweight and easy to find a mounting location without needing much clearance. Sensitivity seems about right, and the response time from when the sensor sees movement and when a device gets triggered seems to be lag-free. I like how the adjustable "pedestal" can be removed if you want to just use the main sensor body by itself.
Editors Rating : 4.6ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control , Black
The ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is the first Wi-Fi enabled, voice-controlled smart thermostat. This one-of-a-kind smart home device not only makes it easy to control your comfort and energy using your voice, but it also works with other Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit enabled devices within your home. With its slim design, the ecobee SmartThermostat fits perfectly in a standard electrical box and can be mounted on the wall or attached to the back of your existing furnace or air conditioner.
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What I Like
I have an older home with a Goodman split AC unit. The old thermostat didn't have a C wire installed, but the provision was there in the wire harness. I ran the spare blue wire in the thermostat harness to the C terminal on the air handler, and the other end to the C terminal on the ecobee. Viola! It all works flawlessly. If you take your time.
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