What is a smart home, and do you need one?
A safer home
Connected home alarm systems, cameras, locks, and lights can be controlled remotely and monitored from a smartphone or tablet, so you can always know what's happening in your home no matter where you are. Smart lights can be set on schedules to make it appear as though someone is home. Smart locks allow you to grant access to your home to someone without having to leave a key under the flowerpot.
An energy-efficient home
Individual devices like a smart thermostat and smart sprinklers can help conserve resources and save money by reducing energy and water usage. Smart energy monitoring of appliances can identify usage patterns and offer suggestions for energy savings. Newer technologies, like Samsung's SmartThings Energy service, use artificial intelligence to proactively adjust energy usage based on the data it collects. For example, if it knows you never open the refrigerator between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM, it will increase the temperature by one degree during the night.
A more convenient home
The first smart device people often buy solves a specific problem. If you always forget your keys, you can get a smart lock that opens with your phone or fingerprint. If you never know when the mail arrives, a contact sensor on your mailbox can alert your phone or smart speaker. If you can't reach a window to close the blinds, a motorized shade paired with a smart speaker allows you to control it with your voice. If you don't want the doorbell to ring when the baby is sleeping, a smart doorbell allows you to mute the chime.
A more comfortable and enjoyable home
Having lights that turn on and off based on a schedule or your presence is a convenient feature. But smart LED lighting also adds comfort and fun. Color-changing LED lights can enhance movie watching time and take dance parties to the next level. Adjustable white LED lights can help keep your circadian rhythm on track by automatically adjusting the tone of white light to give you energy during the day and help you relax at night. Smart speakers have made multi-room audio much easier and more convenient than ever: pair some smart speakers under $50 in different rooms of your home, and you can stream your favorite tunes to every room simultaneously.