smart home | here's the thing

Snag your first Alexa-powered “smart” speaker for just $20

ben patterson — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:09:38 +0000

Not quite ready to shell out $100 for an Amazon Echo or $50 for an Echo Dot? Ease into the smart speaker revolution with a bargain-priced speaker that answers to “Alexa,” same as the Echo and the Echo Dot.

On sale for today for $20 (43% off), the Eufy Genie Smart Speaker is powered by Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, just like the Echo and other “smart” Amazon devices. Just plug in the Genie, connect it to your home Wi-Fi network, sign in to your Amazon account, then say “Hey Alexa” to get started. Among the things you can ask your Genie smart speaker to do: turn your lights on and off, check the weather, set alarms, order pizza, stream some tunes, or simply chat.

Check out the Eufy Genie Smart Speaker on Amazon!

If you buy something through our Deals posts, we may earn some money. Thanks for the support! Also, keep in mind that the best deals sell out quickly, discount codes eventually expire, and sale prices may change without notice.

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Turn your house into a smart home with these 8 wireless gadgets

ben patterson — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 17:20:21 +0000

Updated! Whether you want to turn lights on and off with your iPhone or program a robotic vacuum to sweep your floors, you can join the “smart home” club without spending an arm and a leg. Get the scoop on a Wi-Fi-enabled smart plug, a smoke alarm that sends alerts to your iPhone or Android phone, a smart thermostat that you can program using a touchscreen, a robot vacuum that steers clear of furniture and stairs, and more.

TP-Link Smart LED light bulb

Price: $20 on Amazon (43% off)

Here’s one of the easiest—and cheapest—ways to get smart with your home appliances. This “smart bulb” from TP-Link connects to your home Wi-Fi network and comes with its own smartphone app, perfect for programming an on/off schedule, a timer, or even dimming the light with your iPhone or Android phone. And like most of the products in this roundup, the TP-Link bulb is compatible with digital home assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, although neither are required to use the bulb.

Check out the TP-Link Smart LED light bulb on Amazon!

TP-Link Smart Plug Mini

Price: $35 on Amazon (30% off)

You can turn practically any home appliance—from a lamp to a fan—into a “smart” device with help from TP-Link’s Smart Plug Mini. Just plug the Smart Plug into any wall outlet, then connect it to your home Wi-Fi network. Once that’s done, you can control the plug using the included iPhone or Android app, perfect for turning your devices on and off remotely or putting them on a timer. You can even activate an “Away Mode” that switches your appliances on at random times to fool burglars.

Check out the TP-Link Smart Plug Mini on Amazon!

Amazon Echo Dot

Price: $50 on Amazon

Nope, you don’t have to spend north of $100 to control your home appliances with your voice. The compact Echo Dot connects to your Wi-Fi network and acts as a voice-activated digital assistant, letting you play music, get the news, set alarms, or control your “smart” lights, plugs and other devices, all without lifting a finger. Want more than one Echo Dot? If you act before April 27, you can get $20 off an order of three Dots; just use the code DOT3PACK at checkout.

Check out the Amazon Echo Dot on Amazon!

Blink Home Security Camera System

Price: $99 on Amazon

Ever wish you could make sure everything’s OK at home while you’re on a far-flung vacation? This Wi-Fi-connected smart camera lets you do just that. Connect the AA battery-powered camera to your home Wi-Fi network, place it on a bookshelf, a wall, or anywhere else in your home, then keep an eye on things using the included iOS or Android app.

Check out the Blink Home Security Camera System on Amazon!

Schlage Connect Smart Lock

Price: $153 on Amazon (15% off)

Note: The following pick was contributed by Alysa Kleinman, Editor at Smart Home Solver.

Smart locks add security to your home. They let you track who is coming and going as you send unique codes to different guests. You can set them to lock automatically at bedtime or if you leave home. There is also a convenience factor: it’s nice to walk up to the door and have it unlock effortlessly, without having to fiddle for the keys. Schlage Connect is my pick over its competitors because it works with Alexa, includes a keypad, provides ultra strong security, and works with popular hubs like SmartThings and Wink.

Check out the Schlage Connect Smart Lock on Amazon!

Nest Protect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Price: $119 on Amazon

Your trusty smoke alarm won’t do much good if there’s no one around to hear it. The Wi-Fi-enabled Nest Protect smoke detector will send an alert to your iPhone or Android phone if it senses a dangerous smoke condition, and it’ll ping your phone if its batteries are running out. My favorite feature: a “heads-up” mode that’ll warn you if smoke is building up while you’re cooking.

Check out the Nest Protect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm on Amazon!

Sensi Smart Thermostat

Price: $129 on Amazon

Sick of fumbling with your thermostat’s clumsy controls? Thankfully, you can control the Sensi Smart Thermostat with your iPhone or Android phone, meaning you can set a heating or cooling schedule on your touchscreen rather than pressing teeny-tiny buttons. Winner of a J.D. Power “customer satisfaction” award, the Sensi Smart Thermostat is compatible with Amazon Alexa, and the app even comes with an installation guide for do-it-yourselfers.

Check out the Sensi Smart Thermostat on Amazon!

EcoVacs Deebot N79 robotic vacuum

Price: $200 on Amazon

This top-rated robotic vacuum will work tirelessly to keep your floors clean. The EcoVacs Deebot N79 comes with a battery of sensors that lets it navigate obstacles, avoid drops, and find its way back to its charging station, while an anti-collision feature keeps the vacuum from banging into your furniture. The N79’s three-in-one brush helps the vacuum tackle dust, dirt and hair on your floors and rugs, and you can program the Wi-Fi-enabled N79 using an iOS or Android app.

Check out the EcoVacs Deebot N79 on Amazon!

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This budget robotic vacuum will clean your floors for just $135

ben patterson — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 15:48:34 +0000

Normally, you’re looking at $200 or more for a “smart” robotic vacuum that’ll sweep pet hair, dirt and debris off your dusty floors, but if you act fast, you can snap up this bargain model for a lot less.

The Ecovacs Deebot N78 robot vacuum normally sells on Amazon for $180, but if you use discount coupon code DEALHALO (which, by the way, could expire at any time) at checkout, you can pick it up for just $135.

The Deebot N78 navigates your house using “smart” infrared sensors, automatically avoiding stairs and steering clear of furniture. The included remote control lets you program a regular cleaning schedule for the N78, or you can just press “start” for some on-demand sweeping. Armed with up to 110 minutes of battery life, the N78 will find its way back to its charging station when it needs more juice.

Check out the Ecovacs Deebot N78 on Amazon!

If you buy something through our Deals posts, we may earn some money. Thanks for the support! Also, please keep in mind that the best deals sell out quickly, discount codes eventually expire, and sale prices may change without notice.

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Let this top-rated Wi-Fi robot vacuum sweep dirt and dust off your floors

ben patterson — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:04:49 +0000

Watch out, crumbs: there’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to top-notch robot vacuums, and for now, it’s a lot cheaper than you might think.

Selling on Amazon for $200 (or 33% off), the EcoVacs Deebot N79 is The Sweethome’s new top pick for robot vacuums. The “nimble” and “quiet” N79 comes with a battery of sensors that lets it navigate obstacles, avoid drops, and find its way back to its charging station, while an anti-collision feature (no joke) keeps the vacuum from banging into your furniture.

The N79’s three-in-one brush helps the vacuum tackle dust, dirt and hair on your floors and rugs, and you can program the Wi-Fi-enabled N79 using an iOS or Android app.

Want to see the EcoVacs Deebot N79 in action? Press “play” on the video below.

Check out the EcoVacs Deebot N79 robot vacuum on Amazon!

Link: The Sweethome

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Here’s a $17 Wi-Fi light bulb that takes orders from your iPhone

ben patterson — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 14:46:19 +0000

You don’t need a fancy base station to turn your house into a smart home. In fact, you can get started with a single Wi-Fi-enabled light bulb, and it’s a lot cheaper than you might think.

On sale for just $17 (53% off), the Eufy Lumos Smart Bulb looks just light a standard light bulb, and you can screw it into any of your existing lamps at home.

Once you’ve got the Lumos smart bulb installed, just use the EufyHome app (iOS and Android versions are available) to connect the smart bulb to your home Wi-Fi network.

With a little help from the app, you can put the smart bulb on a regular schedule, activate a varied “away” schedule to keep would-be burglars guessing, or control the bulb with voice commands (like “Turn on the lights!”) with an Amazon “Alexa”-powered device.

Check out the Eufy Lumos Smart Bulb on Amazon!

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Amazon Echo home assistant gets a big discount, for now at least

ben patterson — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 14:34:26 +0000

Still waiting for a good deal on Amazon Echo, the snazzy home assistant that can play tunes, turn your lights on and off, and even call you a cab? Today might be your lucky day.

You can snap up the chatty Amazon Echo today for $130, a full $50 off the regular list price. This is the cheapest price ever for the Echo, and there’s no telling how long it’ll last.

Available in black and white models, the voice-controlled Amazon Echo connects to your home Wi-Fi network and performs a slew of household duties, from checking the weather and making shopping lists to streaming music from Pandora and controlling your “smart home” gadgets. All you have to do is ask.

Check out the Amazon Echo on Amazon!

If you buy something through our Deals posts, we may earn some money. Thanks for the support!

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Keep an eye on your living room or nursery with this $30 security camera

ben patterson — Thu, 11 May 2017 14:14:28 +0000

Been shopping for your first home security camera, but balked at the $150-plus price tags for the higher-end models? This budget Wi-Fi cam might be just the ticket.

On sale for $30 (that’s 25% off), the wireless YI Home Camera boasts lots of features for the price. It has a wide-angle lens, a night-vision mode, motion detection, two-way audio (meaning you can remotely shush a fussy baby back to sleep), and local video storage via a microSD memory card slot (cards of up to 32GB are supported).

Also, you can stream live video from the YI Home Camera to your iPhone or Android phone. Lastly, you can even get real-time alerts whenever the cam detects activity in the room.

Check out the YI Home Camera on Amazon!

If you buy something through our Deals posts, we may earn some money. Thanks for the support!

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Keep your floors dirt-free with this tireless robotic vacuum

ben patterson — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 14:14:16 +0000

Having tested robotic vacuums in the past, I can tell you that they’re awesome—expensive, but awesome. And I thought that even before I had an adorable five-year-old crumb monster. Luckily, there’s a well-reviewed robovac that won’t break the bank.

Armed with wall- and furniture-detecting sensors and a charging station, the Eufy RoboVac 11 is on sale for $187, down from a whopping $599 list price. Dubbed the best robotic vacuum for “most people” by The Sweethome, the RoboVac 11 will clean your floors on a regular schedule and performs spot cleans at your command. It navigates its way around tables, chairs and sofas, scoots on and off rugs, and finds its way back to its charging station when it’s running out of juice. If you’ve ever dreamed of having R2-D2 take over your household chores, this could be the first step.

Check out the Eufy RoboVac 11 on Amazon!

Link: The Sweethome review

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For $30, you can turn any wall outlet into a Wi-Fi “smart” plug

ben patterson — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 18:19:30 +0000

Nope, you don’t have to do anything fancy—or expensive—to control your living room lights with your iPhone or Android phone. Just plug the Wemo Mini Smart Plug (on sale for $30) into any power socket, then (with the help of a free mobile app) connect the plug to your Wi-Fi network.

Once that’s done, you’ll be able to control whatever’s plugged into the smart plug—a lamp, a fan, or anything else—using your phone. You can also program the plug to turn on and off on a schedule, while an “away” mode toggles the power randomly to fool would-be burglars. Got an Amazon Echo? If so, you can even control the Wemo smart plug with your voice.

Check out the Wemo Mini Smart Plug on Amazon!

If you buy something through our Deals posts, we may earn some money. Thanks for the support!

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You can control this $20 “smart” light bulb with your iPhone

ben patterson — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 17:03:39 +0000

Toss out that old-school lamp timer and go wireless with your lights using this Wi-Fi-enabled light bulb.

Just screw the $20 TP-Link LB100 LED bulb (way down from its $35 list price) into a standard light-bulb socket, then connect it to your home Wi-Fi network using the included iOS or Android app.

Once that’s done, you can use the app (or Amazon’s voice-controlled Alexa base station, if you have one) to turn the dimmable “soft warm” bulb on and off, put it on a timer, or create a customized lighting “mood.”

Best of all, you can control the bulb (which should last you about 13 years, according to TP-Link) from anywhere in the world, so long as you’ve got a wireless connection.

Check out the TP-Link LB100 smart LED bulb on Amazon!

If you buy something through our Deals posts, we may earn some money. Thanks for the support!

Note: In the original version of this post, I wrote that the TP-Link LB100 light bulk was $19; it’s actually $19.99, which rounds to about $20. Apologies for the goof.

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