If there’s any indication that smart home gadgets are here to stay, it’s the slew of new products hitting the market every year. Where there was once only talk of Alexa and Nest, now the buzz is also about Google Home, Apple Home Kit, Ring, Ecobee, Wink, etc. With such a wide variety of very similar products, it can be overwhelming for beginners to get “into” smart home, and believe us, we were skeptics, too, at one point. But more than one-third of U.S. consumers are “into” smart home, so it may finally be time to jump on the wagon (everyone’s doing it!). That’s why we drafted this list of great (read: easy to comprehend) smart home gifts to put on your own wish list—or encourage friends and family to dive into as well.
Amazon Echo, 2nd Generation
Alexa is getting smarter, and this may be the device that pushes your smart-home-adverse parent or friend over the edge. You can now not only make calls through Alexa but also use it as an intercom throughout the home with other Echo accessories. Also take Alexa with you on your smartphone (à la Siri) so you’re not shouting “ALEXA!” across the room. Plus, the newest generation of Echo devices just look better. There, we said it. SHOP NOW: Echo 2nd Generation in Oak finish by Amazon, $119, amazon.com.Photo courtesy of Amazon
Simplehuman Sensor Can
We can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want a smart trash can. The lid of the Sensor Can opens by voice command, meaning you never have to touch the germ-infested top or walk up to it in order to step on the pedal (although it does also open via motion sensor when you wave your hand above). Just say “Open can” and toss your trash. It never hurts to improve your jump shot, anyways. SHOP NOW: 58-Liter Rectangular Sensor Trash Can with Voice & Motion Control by Simple Human, $200, bloomingdales.com.Photo: Courtesy of Bloomingdales
WeMo Mini Smart Plug
A smart plug is a perfect gift for someone already comfortable shouting commands around the house. By simply plugging in any appliance, light, or electronic, the WeMo Smart Plug makes it smart, meaning you can turn on the coffeemaker from the comfort of your bed, or turn off that lamp you missed after you leave the house. SHOP NOW: Mini Smart Plug by WeMo, $27.90, amazon.com.Photo courtesy of WeMo
Philips Hue LightStrip Plus
Just when we were beginning to sound like a broken record with our praise for Philips Hue’s dimmable smart bulbs, they came out with an LED strip version of the technology. The 80-inch strip can be cut or extended to fit under cabinets, behind furniture, or wherever your home needs a cool, ambient glow. And, of course, you get all of the same smart benefits of the dimmable bulbs, including a range of colors and control of the lighting scheme through Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, etc. A perfect gift for someone who understands the art of mood lighting. SHOP NOW: LightStrip Plus Dimmable LED Smart Light by Philips Hue, $79.99, amazon.com.Photo courtesy of Philips Hue
Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector
This should be on everyone’s wishlist, to be honest. Like its myriad of other products, Nest’s smoke alarm allows you to control every part of it on your phone. That means you can receive alerts while you’re not home, and it will specify where in the home it detects smoke, if you have a few set up throughout. Better yet, when a little excess smoke from your oven sets it off, there’s no need to be waving a dish towel to quiet the alarm—just swipe “hush” on the app to turn it off. SHOP NOW: Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector by Nest, $119, amazon.com.Photo courtesy of Nest
Tomorrow Sleeptracker
For that person on your list who’s been wearing a device or watch to bed, upgrade them to a sleep tracker they never have to feel. Tomorrow’s small tracker is placed under the mattress, so it’s completely undetectable. Plus it’s capable of tracking the sleep cycles, breathing rate, heart rate, and movement of up to two people (if you purchase the 2nd tracker for $10 more). SHOP NOW: Sleeptracker Monitor by Tomorrow, $89-99, tomorrowsleep.com.Photo courtesy of Tomorrow
Hay Sonos One Limited Edition
There has been much effort to make a truly good-looking speaker, but our vote goes to Sonos’s collection with Danish design darlings HAY. The saturated colorways range from forest green to cherry red to a pale yellow that cheers up any corner of the room. The One speakers also have built-in Amazon Alexa or can be synced with any Echo you may already have around. Finally, a speaker that’s part of the design scheme. SHOP NOW: Hay One Limited Edition by Pure, $229, sonos.com.Photo courtesy of Sonos
Meater Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer
For the cook who’s never quite sure if the meat is done, this handy thermometer not only tracks the temp of your roast chicken as it cooks through an app but also makes suggestions based on what’s in the oven or on the grill. It also has two sensors that simultaneously take the temperature of the meat as well as the ambient air around it to accurately predict when it’s juuuuust right. SHOP NOW: Smart meat thermometer by Meater, $69, amazon.com.Photo courtesy of Meater
Google Home Hub
While it may seem redundant to have yet another screen in the house, Google’s brand new device actually makes a great gift for those who don’t need a ton of bells and whistles. It is permanently mounted on a small speaker, so it’s primed to be used in the kitchen while cooking or having the morning coffee. It can be asked all the questions you would ask a Google Home (“What’s the weather today?” “Show me how to chop an onion,” etc.), and connects to other smart devices, like your smart thermostat or security camera. The one thing it lacks is a camera, which for those weary of Google’s all-seeing eye, is actually a selling point. SHOP NOW: Home Hub by Google, $149, target.com.Photo courtesy of Google
Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer
When gifting a smart home device, your best bet is something dead easy to understand and set-up, lest it gets tossed to the junk drawer or (gasp!) regifted. Lutron’s smart outlet is beyond simple and turns any plug-in table or floor lamp into a dimming lamp that can be controlled by your preferred smart assistant or a little remote. It’s is a nice way to share with someone the importance and satisfaction of dim light in the home. For a little refresher, check out our rant.SHOP NOW: Caseta smart lighting lamp dimmer by Lutron, $49.95, amazon.com.Photo courtesy of Lutron
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