Alexa service, which powers the Echo range of smart speakers and other smart devices, is free to use. When you purchase an Amazon Echo device, you won’t need to pay any additional fees to use Alexa. It comes along with the gadget, ready to assist you with various tasks like answering queries, controlling smart home …
Smart Home & Home Automation News & Reviews
Welcome to our Smart Home and Automation category page—the hub for all things smart and convenient that can revolutionise your daily living. Here, you’ll find comprehensive guides, reviews, and the latest news on devices and ecosystems that promise to make your home safer, more efficient, and undeniably more enjoyable.
What is Smart Home and Automation?
Smart Home and Automation refers to the network of intelligent devices and systems that connect to the internet and to each other, offering remote control, monitoring, and data collection. From voice-activated lighting to intelligent cooking appliances, this category spans a wide array of products designed to bring ease and automation into your home life.
Why This Category Matters
Whether you’re a tech-savvy early adopter or a homeowner seeking practical solutions for everyday tasks, smart home tech offers a wide range of applications that can genuinely improve your living standards.
Key Products and Systems Featured:
- Smart Lighting: Elevate your home’s ambience with products like Philips Hue bulbs, LIFX LED strips, or Nanoleaf panels. Control lighting from your phone, or use voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Smart Locks: Secure your home with high-tech locks from brands like August or Yale. These locks offer keyless entry, remote access, and even compatibility with smart systems like Apple’s HomeKit.
- Smart Plugs: Brands like TP-Link’s Kasa and Belkin’s WeMo offer smart plugs that allow you to control traditional appliances through your smartphone, or even schedule them to operate at specific times.
- Robot Vacuum Cleaners: Keep your floors pristine without lifting a finger. Look out for market leaders like iRobot’s Roomba or Roborock for smart, self-navigating vacuum cleaners.
- Smart Home Ecosystems: Streamline your smart home devices with comprehensive ecosystems like Samsung’s SmartThings, Google’s Nest, or Aqara. These systems serve as a central hub, making device management effortless.
- Surveillance Cameras: Secure your perimeter with tried-and-true brands like Arlo or Ring, offering HD video, motion detection, and real-time alerts.
- Smart Appliances: Beyond lighting and security, consider adding smart fans from Dyson, air fryers from Instant Pot, or smart air conditioning systems from LG to your home for ultimate comfort and convenience.
Whether you’re just starting your smart home journey or looking to expand your existing setup, our Smart Home and Automation category is rich with expert advice, detailed reviews, and the latest updates to help you make informed decisions. Dive in and discover how smart your home can truly be!
I have previously reviewed the Eufy Security Video Doorbell S330 and still use it today. It has been the best doorbell camera I have used. Recently, Eufy launched the new Eufy Video Doorbell E340, which is very similar in many ways but has a couple of important improvements. Eufy Video Doorbell E340 vs Video Doorbell …
I have written extensively about IoT and smart home technology over the years, but almost all of this content has been with a focus on consumers. Smart home tech may be useful in making our lives a little bit easier, but the commercial application of IoT can have significant benefits for businesses. Disruptive Technologies is …
Aqara has officially announced the launch of its latest product, the Dual Relay Module T2. This new addition to Aqara’s relay portfolio aims to offer a versatile solution for automating a wide array of electrical devices in your home. Available now in North America and Europe through Amazon and selected Aqara retailers, the Dual Relay …
Today, Twinkly announced its newest addition to its smart home lighting catalogue: Twinkly Candies. Twinkly has traditionally been the go-to brand for smart Christmas lights, and I have previously reviewed the excellent Twinkly Strings Gold Edition. More recently, they have faced competition with the Philips Hue Festavia, and Hue recently announced its second generation of …
Back in May, I reviewed the superb Hoover HF9 Anti-Twist Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, which I have continued to use as my main cordless vacuum due to its excellent cleaning performance in comparison to the multiple other cordless vacuums I have. More recently, Hoover launched the new HL4 Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner. This is a corded …
I recently gave a gushing review of the Philips Hue Surimu Rectangle Panel, which I felt is a superior solution to GU10 bulbs for a Philips Hue or any Zigbee-based smart lighting. The justification for my praise was that the Philips Hue Surimu is capable of 4,150 lm, making it the equivalent output of 12 …
Home surveillance cameras have become increasingly popular and accessible in recent years due to the wide range of options available and affordable products that some brands offer. One such product is the Ezviz CB2 Smart Home Battery Camera, a tiny battery-powered indoor camera that is available for just £60. Specification The Ezviz CB2 is a …
With the current surge in home automation and smart living, security cameras have evolved from being just another piece of tech to a crucial part of our daily lives. One player making significant strides in this space is TP-Link, with their Tapo C420 Outdoor Security Camera. TP-Link Tapo C420S2 Specification Table TP-Link Tapo C420 Features …
Smart video doorbells have been one of my favourite pieces of tech in the past few years (I am easily pleased). As someone who receives packages daily, if not multiple times per day, old-fashioned wireless doorbells were a nightmare. Often, I wasn’t in the room with the chime, or I just wasn’t home; then, the …
Most older UK homes use dated wiring for their lighting. This will typically consist of a live and live switched cable and works simply by the light switch completing the circuit when switched on. When I first started to invest in smart home technology, there were not many (or any that I can remember) smart …
I have previously reviewed the Reolink Duo PoE, Duo 4G and the Reolink Duo 2 WiFi and have been impressed with all of them. The original Reolink Duo was a fantastic concept but was let down slightly by using two separate camera feeds. The Reolink Duo 2 fixed this issue and stitched the two feeds …
I have previously reviewed the no-neutral Aqara Smart Wall Switch H1 EU, and I love it. So much so that I have bought several more and now have them for many of our home light switches. More recently, I had my loft converted and decided to get the upstairs lights required at the same time, …
The Aqara LED Strip T1 was launched in the middle of August and is the first light strip that Aqara has made. There may be hundreds of light strip options on the market, many of which are more affordable than this. Still, the Aqara LED Strip T1 is a feature-rich light strip with tuneable white …
Reolink has stormed into IFA 2023, Europe’s premier home appliances trade show, with a jaw-dropping line-up of next-generation home security solutions. Operating under the banner, “[4K Solar +] Security Solutions, We Go Beyond”, the brand is set to redefine the boundaries of home security technology. Ali Park, the Regional Sales Manager at Reolink, couldn’t contain …
At IFA 2023, SwitchBot revealed what appears to be a groundbreaking leap in home automation: the Floor Cleaning Robot S10. With features like auto water refill and drainage, high suction power, and advanced navigation, it seems this could be the cleaning robot we’ve all been waiting for. Let’s dive into the intricate details that set …
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