Smart Home Starter Kit Gift Guide - Ideas & Inspiration

The Accidental Smart Home Transformation

Approximately one year ago, I unintentionally began converting my residence into a smart home. What initially seemed like a simple, admittedly lazy, method for silencing the kitchen radio without leaving the sofa rapidly evolved into a dedicated pursuit of remotely controlling and automating numerous aspects of my home.

Defining a Smart Home

Within my home, the lighting, power outlets, and window coverings are all controllable via my smartphone, regardless of my location. However, the scope extends beyond these elements to encompass devices such as air conditioning units, sprinkler systems, and garage door openers.

Furthermore, thermostats, speakers, security cameras, and virtually any electrical appliance can be integrated. By incorporating smart home technology capable of detecting variables like temperature, humidity, or movement, your house can be programmed to adjust lighting at dusk, activate sprinklers during dry spells, initiate air conditioning when temperatures rise, or notify you of unexpected door activity while you are away.

Beyond the Novelty

The initial excitement of remotely operating your living room lights may diminish over time. Nevertheless, the reassurance of being able to monitor your home's status remotely, or automatically regulate its climate and illumination, can be quite valuable.

Addressing Security Concerns

You might be questioning the wisdom of connecting even more of your home to the internet. The Internet of Things (IoT) has historically faced security concerns, but contemporary smart home devices are often certified to meet the stringent standards established by major technology companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google.

While absolute security is unattainable, ongoing efforts to establish a unified secure standard are yielding positive results with Matter, a protocol supported by leading tech firms and device manufacturers.

Choosing a Smart Home Ecosystem

Selecting a smart home ecosystem that aligns with your preferences is crucial. As a Mac and iPhone user, Apple’s HomeKit proved to be the most logical choice for me. Apple’s approach to data collection is less extensive than some competitors, making it potentially more appealing to those prioritizing privacy.

This guide will primarily focus on HomeKit, though many principles apply broadly regardless of the ecosystem you choose. Android users might find Google Home more suitable, or Amazon Alexa if preferred. Many contemporary devices now support multiple platforms, including newer standards like Thread.

For optimal performance, it’s advisable to select an ecosystem and ensure compatibility with any additional devices you intend to purchase.

Convenience and Customization

Whether you seek enhanced convenience, automated routines, or simply enjoy experimentation – as I do – a wealth of possibilities exists with smart home technology, both utilizing existing resources and expanding without significant expense.

This article includes links to affiliate partners. Purchases made through these links may result in a commission for TechCrunch. For additional gift ideas, explore our other guides here.

The Necessity of a HomeKit Hub

For operation, HomeKit-enabled devices necessitate a central hub for communication. This hub facilitates connectivity between your smart devices and the internet. Consequently, remote access to your devices via your smartphone becomes possible.

If you possess an Apple TV or a HomePod (including the HomePod mini), they can function as your HomeKit hub without additional setup. Multiple devices can even act as backup hubs, ensuring continued operation should one become unavailable.

Certain technologies, such as Philips Hue or Samsung SmartThings, require a dedicated hub – often referred to as a bridge – for integration into your smart home ecosystem.

These hubs typically connect directly to your router, so it’s important to consider available ports and the strength of your wireless signal.

• Apple TV HD | Price: $150 from Apple, Amazon, Target
• Apple TV 4K | Price: $180 from Apple, Amazon, Best Buy
• HomePod Mini | Price: $100 from Apple, Best Buy, Target

Utilizing Smart Plugs to Enhance Device Control

Integrating conventional electronics and appliances into a smart home ecosystem is easily achieved through the use of smart plugs. These devices are inserted between a standard appliance’s plug and the electrical outlet. They allow for remote control of power, enabling on/off functionality as needed.

It is important to understand the limitations of smart plugs. They function optimally with devices that possess a mechanical power switch that remains in a set position. Devices featuring automatic shut-off mechanisms, such as electric kettles, are generally incompatible.

Furthermore, reliance on smart plugs for critical applications, including life-support systems or major appliances, is strongly discouraged. Their use should be reserved for less sensitive applications.

Recommended Smart Plug Options

Belkin’s WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plugs are recognized for their compact design, distinguishing them from larger alternatives. Their performance is consistently reliable. A manual override button is also included for direct control.

Eve Energy plugs represent a slightly higher investment but offer integrated power monitoring capabilities within the Eve application. This allows users to track energy consumption.

• WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plugs | Cost: $25 available at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Belkin Store
• Eve Energy | Cost: $40 from Amazon, Best Buy, and the Eve Store

Enhancing Your Home with Intelligent Lighting: Smart Bulbs

Smart bulbs function similarly to traditional light bulbs, providing illumination for your home.

They are available in a wide variety of forms, dimensions, and hues, meaning selecting a brand compatible with your existing lighting and fixtures is crucial.

As your smart home ecosystem grows, you might find yourself utilizing bulbs from multiple manufacturers.

Features and Compatibility

The majority of smart bulbs offer dimming capabilities, allowing you to adjust the brightness to your preference.

Furthermore, certain models provide precise temperature control, enabling you to achieve the desired ambiance and warmth within a room.

Nanoleaf provides bulbs that seamlessly integrate with Apple's HomeKit via a Wi-Fi connection.

Philips Hue remains a widely recognized and favored option, though it necessitates a dedicated hub for communication with your home automation system.

LIFX presents an extensive selection of bulbs, complemented by a dedicated application that unlocks additional functionalities.

IKEA, the renowned furniture retailer, also offers a diverse array of smart lighting solutions.

Brightness Considerations

A frequent point of discussion regarding smart bulbs is their luminosity.

Often, they may not match the brightness levels of conventional filament or LED bulbs, so this is an important factor to consider, especially in spaces that are naturally dimly lit.

Recommended Options

• LIFX Mini White | Price: $10 from Amazon, Best Buy
• Nanoleaf Essentials A19 | Price: $15 from Apple, Best Buy, Nanoleaf

Enhance Ambiance with Intelligent LED Strip Lights

Integrating smart light strips into your home automation setup is an effective way to transform the atmosphere of any room. These intelligent strips function similarly to traditional under-cabinet or shelf lighting, but offer remote control via a smartphone application.

Featuring adhesive backing, these strips are equipped with numerous LEDs, allowing for personalized color and brightness adjustments. Many also support dynamic patterns and animations, creating responsive lighting effects throughout your living spaces.

It's important to consider power requirements when selecting a light strip. Most models necessitate a power source, typically a standard wall outlet or a USB connection – many contemporary televisions provide a convenient USB port.

Recommended Smart Light Strips

• Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip Starter Kit | Price: $50 from Apple, Best Buy, Nanoleaf
• LIFX Color Zones Lightstrip | Price: $100 from Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot

The Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip Starter Kit is an excellent entry point into smart lighting. Alternatively, the LIFX Lightstrip delivers impressive performance; a unit is currently installed in my own living room.

Enhancing Existing Technology with Smart Home Solutions

A significant advantage of smart home technology lies in its ability to integrate with pre-existing infrastructure. Many window coverings, including blinds and shades from manufacturers such as IKEA (requiring a separate hub) and Lutron’s Serena, offer native compatibility with HomeKit.

Alternatively, for those with existing blinds, solutions are available to add HomeKit functionality through retrofit controllers. These devices allow you to modernize your current window treatments without complete replacement.

In my own home, vertical blinds with a manual tilt handle are controlled using Soma, a smart home device company originating from Estonia. Soma offers a range of blind controllers designed to integrate with existing chain or tilt mechanisms.

Installation is remarkably straightforward. The controllers are attached to the blinds, the adhesive backing is applied, and the device is secured to the wall – requiring no specialized expertise.

These controllers can operate on battery power, or be continuously powered via an optional stick-on solar panel or a standard electrical outlet. Communication with HomeKit is facilitated through the Soma Connect, a dedicated hub similar in function to a Raspberry Pi.

While my personal experience with Soma has been entirely positive, reports from TechCrunch indicate varying levels of user satisfaction – reviews are best described as “mixed.”

The possibilities for retrofitting extend beyond window coverings. Technology exists to integrate garage doors, ceiling fans, and even radiators into a comprehensive smart home ecosystem.

Expanding Smart Home Capabilities Through Retrofitting

Retrofitting allows for a phased approach to smart home adoption, minimizing upfront costs and maximizing the use of existing assets. This is particularly beneficial for homeowners who wish to avoid a complete overhaul of their current systems.

Consider the benefits of automating existing appliances and fixtures. This not only adds convenience but can also contribute to energy savings and increased home security.

• Window Coverings: Soma and Lutron Serena offer solutions for automating blinds and shades.
• Garage Doors: Kits are available to connect existing garage door openers to HomeKit.
• Ceiling Fans: Smart fan controllers can add remote control and scheduling features.
• Radiators: Smart radiator valves allow for individual room temperature control.

By leveraging retrofit technology, you can transform your home into a smarter, more connected living space without the expense and disruption of a full-scale renovation.

Enhancing Your Smart Home with Sensor Integration

Having successfully connected your lighting and window coverings to your home automation system, the next logical step is incorporating sensors. These devices enable a higher degree of automation by responding to environmental changes and events.

Sensors can detect factors such as ambient light levels, movement, temperature fluctuations, and the status of doors and windows. This allows for actions like activating fans during warmer periods or illuminating spaces only when occupancy is detected, particularly as daylight fades.

Beyond convenience, sensors can also contribute to home security and energy conservation. They can automatically switch off lights in unoccupied rooms and adjust thermostat settings based on prevailing weather conditions.

Recommended Sensors for HomeKit

For an affordable and versatile entry point, the Onvis Motion sensor is an excellent choice. It not only detects motion but also includes a built-in thermostat and hygrometer, providing immediate temperature and humidity readings for the room.

While weather stations represent a greater investment, they offer a more comprehensive suite of features. The Eve Door & Window sensors are compact, battery-powered devices that adhere to surfaces and can initiate alerts or control other HomeKit-compatible devices upon door or window activation.

Privacy is a key consideration for many users. The Logitech Circle View camera addresses this concern by operating exclusively with HomeKit’s end-to-end encrypted video, eliminating reliance on external cloud services.

• Onvis Motion | Price: $30 from Amazon
• Eve Door & Window | Price: $40 from Amazon, Apple, Best Buy
• Logitech Circle View | Price: $160 from Amazon, Apple, Logitech

Integrating these sensors will significantly expand the capabilities of your smart home, creating a more responsive and efficient living environment.

The Home App: Central Control for Your Smart Home

Choosing a single smart home ecosystem offers significant advantages. A primary benefit is the consolidation of device functionalities within a single application.

For users of HomeKit, this central hub is the Home app. It serves as the primary interface for managing and controlling all compatible devices.

The Home app effectively integrates your HomeKit-enabled smart devices, providing a unified platform. This allows for the connection of various sensors to trigger automated actions throughout your home.

For example, window sensors can be configured to activate all lights upon door opening. Similarly, motion sensors can be used to illuminate hallways with strip lighting during specific hours, such as between sunset and sunrise.

Beyond basic control, the Home app includes robust automation capabilities. You can schedule devices like fans to turn on or blinds to open based on time of day or ambient light conditions.

These automations can also be tailored to enhance privacy, such as automatically closing blinds at predetermined times. Individual devices typically have their own dedicated apps as well.

These companion apps often provide access to more granular settings, advanced features, and firmware update options. This allows for detailed customization and ensures devices remain current.

With these features integrated, you have a fully functional HomeKit smart home setup!

Optimizing Your Smart Home Network

The operational radius of your Wi-Fi network is a fundamental aspect of a smoothly functioning smart home. Apple’s HomeKit system primarily utilizes the 2.4 GHz wireless frequency due to its superior range compared to 5 GHz.

Wi-Fi Range and Network Expansion

While many routers support both frequencies, ensuring your HomeKit devices connect to the appropriate network during setup is crucial. Adequate network coverage is typically sufficient within a smaller living space, such as a one-bedroom apartment.

However, larger residences often necessitate the implementation of Wi-Fi range extenders or a mesh network to guarantee consistent connectivity throughout the property.

Router Settings and IoT Device Compatibility

Routers equipped with self-organizing networking capabilities, which facilitate seamless transitions between Wi-Fi bands, may inadvertently cause interference with your smart home ecosystem. Consider disabling this feature for optimal performance.

Some routers even incorporate a dedicated Wi-Fi network specifically designed for IoT devices, offering a streamlined and secure connection.

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

Occasional disruptions in functionality are inevitable. These can range from temporary connectivity lapses to more persistent problems requiring device resets.

Each device is supplied with a unique, scannable QR code to simplify the setup process. Retain these codes securely, as they are invaluable for restoring a device to its original settings, particularly when physical access is limited.

Personalizing Your HomeKit Experience

The Home screen and room backgrounds can be customized to reflect your personal preferences. Applications like HomePaper offer a straightforward method for achieving this.

This app is designed to subtly fade the background imagery, preventing it from obscuring device panels or hindering readability. Note that Home wallpapers are not synchronized across your Apple devices and must be applied individually to each Home app instance.

Further Information

Read more:

• Anybody can now make HomeKit accessories
• Apple debuts $4.99 monthly Apple Music Voice plan
• Apple TV to support using HomePod Mini as speakers, among other updates
• Apple announces iCloud+ with privacy-focused features