So, you’re planning to invest in some new smart tech for your home? Maybe you’re just looking to see what’s available or you need a great gift idea. Whatever the case, you’ve come to the right place.
If you are a gizmo freak like me, you would probably be sitting in bed right now trying to convince Alexa to cook you some breakfast. Then Googling what device you need to make that happen… (sorry, no luck so far).
That said, we are about to unpack some of the best tech options on the market and show you why these trends are likely here to stay. Whether you’re watching a movie, listening to music, setting the temperature of your home or playing host to visitors, these are some extremely elegant options you should likely consider.
Amazon Echo Show 10
- Alexa can show you even more – With a 10.1 HD screen that’s designed to move with you, video calls, recipes, and shows are always in view. The speakers deliver premium, directional sound.
- Stay in frame – Video call friends and family or take a picture while the 13MP camera with auto-framing and motion keeps you front and center.
- Smart home made simple – Set up compatible Zigbee devices or smart products without a separate hub. Ask Alexa to show you security cameras, control lights, and adjust thermostats.
- Take a look around when you’re away – Securely access the built-in camera to remotely monitor your home anytime with the Alexa app or other Echo Show devices.
- The ultimate kitchen companion – Cook along with recipes on Food Network Kitchen, get unit conversions, set timers, add to your grocery list, and multitask with ease.
An innovative new design, the Amazon Echo Show 10 features an intuitive, pivoting smart display and powerful audio quality.
Display & Camera
To kick things off, let’s take a second to acknowledge the stylish contemporary new look Alexa has now adopted. At first sight, you already know things are different. Almost as if attaching a tilted display to a traditional Echo smart speaker.
Moving on, the Amazon Echo Show 10 comes with a 10.1 inch HD screen and a 13-megapixel camera. The display has the ability to automatically rotate 45 degrees on its base in order to stay facing you as you move through the room.
In addition to its panning feature, it also effortlessly zooms in and out to ensure that you are at the center of the screen at all times. The device can also be used as a security camera by live streaming through the Alexa app.
Audio
The display sits atop a relatively powerful array of 3 speakers that orient to the direction of the screen. This allows the sound to follow you around the room as well.
The cylindrical base encases a 3″ top-facing woofer and 2 directional 1″ tweeters, delivering plenty of sound for just about any room. And with 4 built-in microphones, Alexa will hear you loud and clear.
Compatible with Alexa, the Amazon Echo Show 10 allows a wide variety of services like streaming music, providing weather, sports and general trivia, and even controlling compatible smart home devices.
Through Alexa Guard, you can set the Echo Show 10’s microphone to identify sounds like the smoke alarm or the sound of glass breaking thereby alerting you when you’re away.
Other Thoughts
The Echo Show 10 includes a built-in Zigbee hub that helps manage all your smart home devices at the same time.
I find this device great in the kitchen, where we use it to play movies, cooking shows, and recipes. You can also ask her to show your Ring Cameras and Ring Doorbell which is convenient.
Finishes include white and charcoal.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Rotating Display helps track and keep you in focus | More costly than other models |
| Crisp Sound | Heavy bass in audio may occasionally disturb the balance |
| Zigbee hub controls smart home devices | Bulky |
| Good home security features |
Read More:
What can Alexa Do?
What’s The Bes Alexa For Music?
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
- An upgrade from the original Ring Video Doorbell 2, enjoy improved motion detection, privacy zones and audio privacy, and dual-band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz) wifi connectivity.
- Exclusive to Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, get 4 extra seconds of black and white video to show you what happened before motion was triggered with Pre-Roll.
- Receive mobile notifications when anyone presses your doorbell or triggers your built-in motion sensors.
- Pair with select Alexa-enabled devices to enable announcements and two-way talk for convenient in-home monitori
Amazon’s pre-roll feature helps capture 4 extra seconds of footage before detecting any motion but is not a great improvement from the Ring Doorbell 3 in terms of resolution or field of view.
Design
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus comes in a sleek body that doesn’t attract too much unwarranted attention, measuring about an average doorbell. The doorbell can be hard-wired or powered by a rechargeable battery.
The installation is pretty simple and can be completed by following instructions through the Ring app that is available for both Android and iOS. This is the first version of Ring to support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands.
The Ring Doorbell 3 Plus is part of the versatile camera options that Ring provides depending on your need. Indoor/Outdoor cameras equipped with lights help keep your home protected and you informed at all times. (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ring+camera&ref=nb_sb_noss_1)
Performance
The quality of video and audio streaming is clear and a pre-roll feature in this version lets you record 4 more seconds of video before activating the motion detection. The Doorbell records and notifies you of any motion detected.
It pairs well with Alexa and setting it up with the Echo speaker notifies you when there’s someone at your door and Echo can show you live feed from the doorbell on the screen.
The Ring doorbell promises a battery life of 6 months to a year and takes about 8 hours to recharge.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Easy to install | Isn’t much of an upgrade from its predecessor |
| Pre-roll feature helps better motion detection | Subscription is needed for many features |
| Records sharp and clear video and audio | Could have a wider field of view |
| Dual-band Wi-Fi | Not great for Google Home/Nest hub users |
| Pairs well with other smart home devices | No free video storage |
Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control
- Place SmartSensor in the most important room, like your bedroom, child’s room, or office to keep it the perfect temperature
- Smart Home & Away detects your presence and automatically adjusts the temperature for comfort when you’re home and reduced energy use when you’re away
- Named “Best Overall Smart Thermostat” by Tom’s Guide
- Take control of your temperature from anywhere with the ecobee app
- Integrates seamlessly with your preferred smart home system~
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is an upgrade from its predecessors on many levels and is loaded with features like advanced Alexa support, sensitive touch display, remote room sensor, and usability with other smart home devices.
Design
Ecobee Smart Thermostat comes in a 4.29 by 4.29 inches square design rounded at the corners and enclosed in a 1-inch thick black casing. The screen lights up automatically sensing your presence and adjusts the temperature accordingly. This automatically conserves energy to maintain temperatures when you’re away without compromising on comfort.
Two microphone holes are designed on either side of the screen that support a powerful speaker and echo-canceling microphones. These support numerous third-party hubs and smart devices.
The thermostat is fitted with a microphone at the bottom and this pairs well with Alexa.
Features
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat with voice control features a room Smart sensor controlled by a single remote that helps maintain a uniform temperature throughout your house.
An option to schedule helps you create daily, weekly and monthly cooling and heating schedules, and you can set the temperature when you’re at home or away, beforehand.
You would be accessing your thermostat and control the temperature of your home from anywhere using the Ecobee app that is available in both Android and iOS devices.
The Ecobee integrates smoothly other smart home systems like the Ecobee Smart Camera.
This device supports Alexa voice technology which means you can use your Alexa Echo device to stream music, and call and messaging options.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Energy saving | Doesn’t support Google Home |
| Better Alexa functionality | Heavily priced |
| Responsive touch interface | |
| Remote Room sensor maintains target temperature | |
| Good speaker quality | |
| Integrates with other smart home devices |
4K Fire TV Stick
- Watch favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and more. Stream for free with Pluto TV, IMDb TV, and more.
- Launch and control content with the Alexa Voice Remote.
- Brilliant picture with access to 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
- Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV episodes.
- Live Q&A with culinary expert and more with a 1-year complimentary Food Network Kitchen subscripti
The best streaming device for its price, the Amazon 4K Fire TV Stick uses a speedy user interface, streams a wide variety of content, and supports Alexa’s voice assistance. Its performance varies between different apps.
Design
The 4K Fire TV Stick shares the same design as its predecessors, and in general, is compact and unobtrusively styled. An HDMI extender cable helps if you can’t get the device to fit in the port, it also is known to improve Wi-Fi connectivity and remote control performance.
The remote is controlled by Alexa’s voice assistant which means you can simply press the microphone button in the mic and speak into the mic at the top giving your command. The TV will then display the relevant visual information onto the screen – hopefully, it’s not you eating the last slice of pie after you telling people that you did not eat the last slice of pie!
Performance
The Fire TV Stick 4k’s biggest feature is that it streams media in ultra-high definition including HDR10 media or Dolby Vision. The 4K HDR allows for a crisper picture, vivid colors, and instant loading which sounds almost as good as relocating from a high tax state to a low tax state.
Media playback is crisp and snappy with quick menu navigation. On top of this, it gives you access to a large library of Amazon’s own selection of streaming media as well as other third-party platforms.
The interface in its recommendations comes across as random and could be more intuitive of viewing habits. This definitely could be developed better keeping in mind the amount of information collected in terms of viewing history and choices.
As far as you have a fast, reliable internet connection, the Fire TV Stick does a decent job with sharp pictures and an overall enjoyable viewing experience. Sorry though, the show Mad About You and Desperate Housewives are still going to be unwatchable.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Reasonably priced | Performance varied between apps |
| Supports 4K with HDR and Dolby Vision | Interface is chaotic |
| Quick Wi-Fi streaming | Doesn’t support other TV Live streaming devices |
| Easy menu navigation | |
| Useful Alexa voice controls | |
| Wide variety of content |
Google Nest Hub Max
A bigger, better version of the Google Home Hub that has smart motion sensing, and a few camera tricks up its sleeve, Google Nest Hub Max is all in all a great smart display.
Design
The Nest Hub Max comes in a 10 inch LCD display screen that is mounted on a base where the speakers are designed to a snug fit. Resolution is 1280 by 800 pixels giving you a clear picture even from up close.
This smart screen is also equipped with a camera that helps it double up as a security device. The camera helps receive video calls. A couple of other tricks this camera does include face recognition and motion tracking but no, it does not care if you scratch its belly because it’s not a dog!
Performance
The Hub Max has similar features to the Hub with regard to controls and layout. The screen has an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the light of the screen to the colors and light around it.
This smart screen comes with clear and sharp audio. Gesture control helps you play or pause content by just raising your hand. This, however, needs you to keep the camera unblocked to read your signals.
The Hub Max helps you access your photos, view your schedule, see a calendar and a load of other tasks, just at your fingertips.
Furthermore, the privacy option helps you block cameras and microphones, giving you better control and privacy.
The Match face option helps you to set a profile by letting your Hub Max capture your features which it recognizes later. This feature can recognize up to 6 people and is optional.
It works with Google Assistant voice commands to make video calls. The camera has a 127-degree field view that helps pan and zoom onto an object and can adjust the surroundings such that the object is the center of focus.
Hub Max streams music from a variety of sources through your Google Home account.
The camera can work as a security camera but isn’t really meant for that. For instance, there’s no night vision, but it works well for your basic camera needs.
The Hub Max can be integrated to a host of smart home devices like smart lights, thermostats, and any other Google Home compatible devices that you may own. So, you can control the temperature of the room, dim or brighten lights through you Hub max device.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Elegantly designed larger screen | No physical shutter for camera |
| Camera that is used both for video calling and security services | No night vision for security camera |
| Supports smart home controls | Doesn’t work with Apple apps |
| Match face helps display personalized information | |
| Crisp audio for music | |
| Gesture-controlled smart display | |
| Clever motion tracking feature |
Read More: Learn how to use Google Home as an intercom
Nest Hello Video Doorbell
(Found here in the Google Store)
(Found here in the Google Store)
Nest Hello Video Doorbell is a neat, easy-to-use, smart doorbell that has power-packed features like facial recognition and brilliant video quality. It also doubles up as a security camera and may need you to get assistance for installation.
Design
This smart doorbell is of a minimalistic design with a sleek body that is easy to fit into tight spaces. You would need a professional to install the Nest Hello as it has to be hardwired to your homes’ electric system.
You will need to invest in an additional chime for the Nest Hello to work.
Once installed, setting up this smart doorbell isn’t too difficult. It can be paired with the Nest app (available in both Android and iOS), and can be paired with any other Nest devices you may own, like the Nest Camera.
Performance
Using the Nest Hello Video Doorbell requires you to be subscribed to Nest Aware services.
With superior video resolution (1600 by 1200) and 160-degree viewing angle, the Nest Hello works with infrared night vision ensuring crisp pictures of people, vehicles, and animals even at night.
The facial recognition features helps capture your visitor’s face, and also gives you an option to feed in familiar faces in the app. With this, it makes your notifications more specific. The artificial intelligence used in this smart doorbell is such that it can differentiate between people and moving vehicles or animals; this cuts down on unnecessary notifications.
The Nest Hello integrates with both Google and Alexa and can be paired with other Nest products.
Nest Hello saves recordings of video clips up to 5 days, but footage older than that gets deleted unless you subscribe to the Nest Aware subscription package. Nest Aware offers 24/7 recorded footage stored up to 30 days, and provides access to the Familiar Face recognition feature.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Excellent video quality | Needs wiring at extra cost |
| Use of artificial intelligence | The quality of video depends on the WiFi connection |
| Works well with both Google and Alexa | Subscription required to use full features |
| Good face recognition | |
| Easy to use |
Nest Thermostat
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A reasonably priced product, Nest Thermostat helps you control your home temperature both by phone and by voice while conserving energy all the time.
Design
The Nest Thermostat measures around 1.07 inches in thickness and 3.3 inches in diameter and comes in a variety of colors. It holds a one-year warranty.
It is easy to install and comes complete with all the items you will need for installation.
This smart thermostat works with both Google and Alexa voice commands and can be configured in the Google Home app through which instructions to set up the device are given.
Performance
The Eco mode helps conserve energy as it meets your heating or cooling needs. It also turns off automatically when you leave. But it does not give you your freedom back if you live in a lockdown state – sorry – you are going to have to relocate like everyone else.
The Nest Thermostat can be programmed to set a schedule, giving you the power to heat or cool your home before a scheduled time.
It not only gives you greater climate control, but the Savings Finder feature also suggests tweaks depending on your usage and needs, thereby helping you cut down on wastage and high electricity bills.
This smart thermostat uses the HVAC monitoring system to keep an eye out for your heating and cooling systems. It notifies you if your AC is taking unusually long to cool, and also reminds you of routine maintenance of your cooling systems.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Reasonable price | No touch screen |
| Easy installation and setup | Doesn’t automatically set schedules |
| Supports most HVAC systems | |
| Elegantly designed | |
| Pairs with both Google and Alexa voice commands | |
| Can be remotely controlled by phone | |
| Savings finder helps monitor and save energy | |
| Conserves energy | |
| Helps schedule and map routines |
Chromecast With Google TV
(Found here in the Google Store)
The Chromecast with Google TV is one of the best video streamers available, that works with both remote and voice search. It comes in a convenient, easy-to-use setup that meets all your video streaming needs in style.
Design
The Chromecast works on almost any TV with an HDMI port. It comes in a flattened disc-shaped case, more oval in shape than its predecessors. A USB 2.0 fits into an adaptor port that is fixed to your television.
The new voice remote is quite compact, fitting neatly into your palm. You can search for your favorite shows through Google Assistant. Google TV makes its debut on Chromecast which means more 24, Bosch, The Walking Dead, Yellowstone, and so on.
Performance
Chromecast streams a variety of shows, movies, or apps and the commands to these can be in any combination of terms.
Apart from search, Assistant also controls playback and helps follow commands like displaying feed from a compatible smart camera, showing the weather report, switching on the lights etc.
The Chromecast streams movies in superb video quality and the dongle supports all the latest audio and video formats. It supports 4K HDR streaming letting you enjoy a clear picture with Dolby Vision. In fact, it quite closely rivals Amazon’s 4K Fire TV Stick having little to almost no difference in video quality. (https://amzn.to/3b98LDR )
It provides a wide variety of content from different sources. While it works great to have all your options on your fingertips (or rather, the tip of your tongue), performance varies with platforms.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Large app selection | Can lag when switching apps or using voice |
| High quality HDR picture | Can’t be powered by all TVs |
| Supported by Dolby Vision | Doesn’t support Apple TV app |
| Voice controlled remote | Occasional performance slowdowns |
| Makes good use of Google Assistant |
Philips Hue Bulbs
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Philips Hue Lights come in a large array of smart LED lights with a mix of colours and lighting effects. Slightly pricey, these smart lights can be controlled wirelessly and gives you the freedom to create any ambience of your choice
Design
Philips Hue bulbs offer the largest range of bulbs and fixtures from soft lighting and multicolor light strips to white ambient light. The products under the Philips Hue lighting and fixtures are topic for another day.
It works through the Philips Hue app which is compatible with both iOS and Android. These bulbs help you control the intensity, set custom colors, use color combinations and even set schedules.
Since these bulbs work on Wi-Fi, they are known to use 80 percent less power than a traditional incandescent bulb. The bulbs last up to around 15,000 hours.
The Philips Hue Starter Kit includes both bulbs and the bridge that is needed to connect these bulbs to your Wi-Fi network.
While using the Hue hub, you can connect to Amazon Alexa, or Google assistant for a wonderful lighting experience. It also works with Apple Homekit.
Performance
Setting up a Philips Hue bulb is quite straight forward. After screwing the bulb into place (it lights up like any other bulb), you will need to pair it with the Hue app. To wirelessly connect to your Hue bulb, you will need to leave the power switch on.
These bulbs can also be operated using your regular light switch, but you won’t be able to adjust color or light intensity.
Philips offers a variety of “scenes” or modes that create color profiles for the desired mood. Any change that you make in colors or intensity are all seen in real time, so you can see the changes happening before your eyes as you mix and match.
Another interesting feature of these bulbs are that you can set alarms and schedules so hat the lights turn on, turn off or change depending on the schedule you set for it.
Through the app, you can group bulbs according to rooms or portions of your house, this makes managing them easier.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Easy to set up | Very expensive |
| Integrates well with other services | No use for switches |
| Smooth app experience | Massively depends on your phone |
| Good automation | |
| Lets you customize light colour and intensity | |
| Controls your bulbs wirelessly | |
| Longer lasting bulbs | |
| Can set schedules and timers for individual bulbs |
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- Connected right out of the box. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock requires no additional bridge to connect to Wi-Fi, so you get full voice and remote access functionality without the fuss.
- Easily attaches to your existing deadbolt on the inside of your door – so you can continue to use your existing keys.
- Auto-unlock detects when you arrive and unlocks the door. Enable auto-lock to lock when the door closes.
- Control your door with your voice: Works with all three voice assistants – Siri, Alexa, and the Google Assistant – use your voice to control your door – such as lock/unlock or check the status of your do
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th generation) is an improvement to an otherwise sound piece of technology. Its sleek frame is easy to install, works on an in-built Wi-Fi and works just as smoothly with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Homekit.
Design
August smart lock comes in a compact design and works with your existing lock hardware. The Wi-Fi connection helps it work with a horde of other smart devices.
It comes in a cylindrical shape with a ridged exterior that rotates to lock and unlock your door. The 4th generation August is less bulkier than it’s predecessors.
This smart lock needs you to only change the part of the deadbolt that’s inside your house. This means that you may still use your keys for the original deadbolt.
It is powered by 4 AA batteries that last somewhere between 6 to 8 months which is more than enough time to realize that the NBA is no longer what it used to be – sorry Marc Cuban – you are not helping.
Performance
The August smart lock comes with a DoorSense sensor that is attached to the frame, that tells your lock if the door is closed. This also helps in auto-locking your door as soon as it closes, or after a few minutes.
The August app allows you to receive notifications if anyone locks or unlocks the door, or even leaves it ajar.
The Auto-unlock feature by August locks or unlocks you depending on whether you are leaving your home or just coming back. The lock operates on an Away mode when you’re not home, and a Home mode when you arrive.
You may be able to create a Guest access code for frequently visiting friends or family members, through the August app. These are in the form of temporary “keys” that can be scheduled to work at only particular times of the day.
Installing the August Smart Lock and pairing it to your Wi-Fi is pretty simple.
The smart locks are compatible with a range of smart home systems. Other than Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri, it also works with Nest, Simplisafe, Logitech, and SmartThings among others.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| Easy to install | Pricey |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Short battery life |
| Automatic Lock/Unlock features | |
| Temporary guest access for frequently visiting members | |
| Sleeker design | |
| Compatible with other smart home devices |
The Bottomline
Smart home devices are the most revolutionary creations we’ve seen in a while. These gadgets blend mechanics and artificial intelligence smoothly, allowing us to have the most seamless experiences of all time. They not only make our lives easier, they do so tastefully and add a certain appeal to our surroundings.
If you’re one to explore tech, all these options are something to watch out for. We are eagerly waiting to witness an upgrade of these devices to see what they’ve got to offer.
Vi kan hjelpe deg med ditt el-behov i Agder!
Elektriker Kristiansand leverer elektrotjenester i Kristiansand, Sogndalen, Søgne, Mandal, Lillesand, Grimstad, og Arendal. Alle typer oppdrag kan håndteres av oss. I tillegg til å installere smarthussystemer som sparer strøm, kan vi bytte ut sikringsskap, fikse elektriske systemer og mye mer. Du kan få god elektrisk hjelp hos oss.
