July 23rd, 2018 | Updated on May 25th, 2022
The spread of the Internet has led to the proliferation of Smart technology. Today. One of the most exciting gift ideas is a Smart gadget. But then, everyone is acquainted with Smartphones, Smartwatches, and the other everyday gadgets we know of. That said, you might be wondering what other Smart devices can you buy as a gift?
I have been a Smart home enthusiast who has been following closely the latest Smart advancements and all I can tell you, Smart homes are taking over. Every day, different innovators are coming up with some awesome Smart gadgets.
Today, I want to tell you about five unique Smart home gifts that will surely put a smile on the face of your loved ones.
1. Smart Door Locks
Gone are the days when you had to rely only on a mechanical key to open your door. Today, we have Smart locks that can connect with other Smart devices for easy control and monitoring. Smart locks are becoming increasingly popular because of the additional convenience they offer.
Otherwise, as far as security is concerned, they use the secure traditional deadbolts. But what’s the catch?A Smart lock, as the name suggests is intelligent and will connect with your Smartphone and other controllers for remote operation.
Some of the household names like Kwikset and Schlage offer Smart locks that can be opened using a mechanical key, PIN input (touchscreen), fingerprint, proximity sensors and so on. These are just among the many things a Smart lock will do.
While Smart locks are thought to be very expensive, you may get some cheap models with excellent performance and security. What’s most important is knowing your budget and the type of Smart lock you want.
2. Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Robot vacuum cleaners are the new talk of the town. These are vacuum cleaners but what makes them peculiar is their compact, often disc-shaped design and most notably, automatic operation. Robot vacuums can vacuum, and mop floors. They also come with an air filtration system to capture allergens while some select models can UV sterilize floor.
As mentioned above, robot vacuums, for example, ECOVACS Deebot or Roomba models work autonomously. They are intelligent enough to navigate around your house seamlessly. Most of them can be programmed making it possible for homeowners to schedule them for the entire week.
But wait, there’s more. Robot vacuums can connect to other Smart devices via Wi-Fi. You can hook it up on your Smartphone or hub like Wink and SmartThings as well as other integrations like IFTTT. This is to say you can clean your house with just the touch of a button, whether you are at home or in the office!
However, when shopping for a robot vacuum cleaner, bear in mind that there are hundreds of models and not all of them have Smart features. But most of the latest models come with Wi-Fi, voice control and other integrations now that Smart Homes are taking over.
3. Smart Thermostats
I agree that the traditional thermostat does its job quite well. But that is not to say that they operate optimally. Today, Smart thermostats have started becoming widespread. They may seem quite expensive now that you are not buying one because the existing one is defective. But is it a good purchase, and how does it fit in as a gift?
If you have a friend, colleague or relative who’s ever complaining about high energy bills, maybe they need a Smart Thermostat. So, what’s the value proposition of a Smart thermostat? There are two main advantages of Smart thermostats; convenience, and efficiency.
As an intelligent device, Smart thermostats open a whole new world of possibilities. Besides programmability, real-time notifications and the self-adaptive features, they can link with other Smart devices like SmartThings, Wink, Smartphones and so on.
But the icing on the cake is their efficiency and accuracy that could save your loved ones up to 20% of their monthly energy bills.Controlling the HVAC system is a problem with the regular thermostats. Get your loved one a Smart thermostat and give them total control of their heating and cooling.
The accuracy, efficiency, and convenience are just out of this world. If you are keen on some real energy savings, the first thing you need to optimize is your HVAC, and as you all understand, the thermostat is the heart!
4. Smart Bulbs
This is another interesting Smart appliance that you can get your loved one; whether a tech junkie or just a laid-back character. But what exactly are Smart bulbs? Just as the name suggests, these are intelligent bulbs that can be controlled remotely.
If you always feel lazy to get out of your bed to switch off the lights, this is an exciting gadget you don’t want to miss out on.Smart bulbs act just like the regular bulbs but offer more possibilities. They come in varieties each with different features. Some of the unique propositions that Smart bulbs provide include dimming function, RGB colors.
There are also others that have inbuilt speakers so you can listen to your music at your convenience. But the most significant feature of these bulbs is their connectivity. Most of them are Wi-Fi connected so you can connect it to your Smartphone or home automation. Smart bulbs are intelligent enough and will adapt to the environment.
The good thing about Smart bulbs is that they are cheaper so if you are looking for an inexpensive Smart gift, it is the perfect category to shop. Besides that, these bulbs are very efficient and will save you a few bucks at the end of every month.
5. Smart Hubs
Today, we have dozens of different Smart gadgets and appliances, each with its own Home App. Controlling all these Smart gadgets on different Apps can be quite a hassle. Imagine having an App for your robot vacuum, bulb, lock, cameras, alarms and all the other Smart gadgets in your possession. This is where Smart hubs come in.
But what exactly are these? A Smart hub is a home automation gadget that allows you to control all your Smart devices from one place.If you have a loved one who has several Smart gadgets, then a Smart hub like Wink 2 Hub or SmartThings could be an excellent gift.
It will help them automate their entire home by linking all the Smart devices; from door locks to the washing machine. The advantage of a hub is that it reduces the number of Apps you are required to have to operate an entirely Smart home. It is also faster and opens a whole new world of possibilities.
While a Smart hub may sound like the wrong idea, probably because you don’t have many Smart gadgets, it can turn out to be an invaluable gift for any Smart guy. You are going to buy more Smart devices as time goes by so having it this soon will not be a waste of money in the long run!
Wrapping Up
There you have it, unique Smart gift ideas. Everyone has a Smartphone and the usual Smart gadget gifts. Try any other above Smart ideas, and I am sure it will work for you. But still, you may want to carefully assess your options as well as the interests of whom you are buying the gift.
I suggest something simple that they use on a daily basis. Robot vacuum cleaners sound like a great idea now that everyone hates bending their backs to clean the floor!
Images Source: pixabay.com
