Smart Home in Practice: review of the best products and services

A smart home is a system of devices and appliances that can be controlled remotely or automatically, using voice commands, apps, or sensors. A smart home can make your life easier, more comfortable, and more secure.

You don’t need to buy a whole new set of gadgets to create a smart home. You can start with some simple and affordable devices, such as smart plugs, smart bulbs, smart speakers, or smart cameras. These devices can connect to your existing Wi-Fi network and work with popular platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit.

There are many options to choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the best ones we have tested and reviewed:

• Smart thermostat: Nest Learning Thermostat. This device learns your schedule and preferences, and adjusts the temperature accordingly. It also saves energy and money by turning itself down when you’re away.
• Smart doorbell: Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. This device lets you see, hear, and talk to visitors from anywhere, using your smartphone. It also has a pre-roll feature that captures four seconds of video before a motion alert, so you don’t miss anything important.
• Smart lock: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. This device lets you lock and unlock your door remotely, using your smartphone or voice. It also works with your existing deadbolt and keys, so you don’t need to replace them.
• Smart speaker: Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen). This device is a compact and powerful speaker that can play music, answer questions, control other smart devices, and more. It also has a sleek spherical design and a LED light ring that changes color depending on the mode.
• Smart display: Google Nest Hub Max. This device is a large and versatile display that can show you photos, videos, recipes, calendars, news, weather, and more. It also has a camera that can recognize your face and gestures, and a speaker that can fill the room with sound.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a smart home. You should consider your budget, your lifestyle, your compatibility, and your security when choosing the right products and services for you. You should also read reviews, compare features, and test them out before buying them.