Gift Guide: The Smarter Home

Elevating Your Smart Home Experience

For those new to the world of home automation, Zack Whittaker’s comprehensive starter kit guide provides an excellent foundation for building a connected home. However, if you’ve already established the core components of a smart home, let's explore options to enhance it further, creating a truly advanced digital living space.

This guide is geared towards individuals who already possess essential smart home devices. We'll assume the recipient – even if that's you – already benefits from features like smart lighting and a connected thermostat.

Gift Ideas for the Established Smart Home User

The following suggestions will focus on products that integrate seamlessly with popular brands, particularly the Philips Hue smart lighting system, which remains a consistently reliable and top-performing choice.

It’s important to note that this article includes links to affiliate partners. Purchases made through these links may result in TechCrunch earning a commission.

• Need more gift inspiration? Explore our other curated gift guides for a wider range of ideas.

Taking your smart home beyond the basics involves considering how different devices can interact and automate tasks. This can significantly improve convenience and efficiency.

Focusing on compatibility with existing systems, like Philips Hue, ensures a smooth integration and maximizes the value of your current investment.

Lighting Solutions Often Overlooked

For many years, I’ve utilized smart lighting systems in various residences. However, a recent addition has significantly enhanced the experience, elevating smart lighting from a simple convenience to a truly indispensable feature.

This enhancement comes in the form of motion sensors. While seemingly straightforward, I initially hesitated to purchase them due to their relatively high cost and infrequent discounts. The Hue sensors, both indoor and outdoor models, consistently prove to be the most effective option.

Although I’ve experimented with HomeKit sensors, their performance doesn’t match the reliability achieved within the Hue ecosystem, utilizing both Hue smart lights and sensors. The Hue sensors are also capable of functioning as HomeKit sensors.

The impact is often noticed by visitors, who frequently remark on the seemingly “magical” activation of lights as they move throughout the house. Adjusting light intensity and behavior based on the time of day further contributes to the system’s effectiveness.

The ability to automate lighting based on presence is a game changer.

Cost Considerations

• Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor: $33 on Amazon
• Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor: $48 on Amazon

Investing in these sensors provides a substantial quality-of-life improvement. They offer a seamless and intuitive lighting experience.

The convenience and automation they provide are now considered essential to my home environment.

Hyperlocal Weather Prediction with a Smart Station

Daily dog walks have made me reliant on weather checks to ensure appropriate attire. While numerous apps deliver localized forecasts, often with impressive detail, none rival the convenience of monitoring conditions directly outside your home via a dedicated device.

Several connected weather stations are currently available. However, the Eve Weather stands out as the optimal choice considering its balance of cost, functionality, and data privacy. It is designed specifically for integration with Apple’s HomeKit, making it ideal for users already invested in the Apple smart home environment.

The device itself is constructed from aluminum and boasts an IPX4 water resistance rating. It operates on a single, user-replaceable CR2450 battery.

Setup is remarkably swift, and all data transmission occurs locally. Voice commands regarding weather conditions are supported through Siri integration.

The Eve Weather monitors not only temperature but also humidity and barometric pressure. This data allows it to forecast weather trends for a period of up to 12 hours.

Key Features and Specifications

• Water Resistance: IPX4 rated.
• Power Source: CR2450 battery (replaceable).
• Connectivity: Local, via HomeKit.
• Measurements: Temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
• Forecast Range: Up to 12 hours.

Cost: Currently available for $75 on Amazon.

This station provides a reliable and private method for obtaining precise, hyperlocal weather information. It’s a valuable addition for anyone seeking detailed insights into their immediate surroundings.

The Instant Pot Pro Plus: A Smart Addition to Your Kitchen

Connected kitchen appliances often fall short of expectations, but established appliance manufacturers are now successfully integrating smart features into familiar devices, creating reliable and consistent hardware.

The Instant Pot brand is consistently popular during Black Friday sales. However, the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker deserves particular attention within their expanding product line.

This 6-quart model delivers the expected pressure cooking capabilities, alongside functions like steaming, sous vide, and rice cooking. It also features integration with a recipe app developed by the smart cooking firm, Drop.

Key Features and Benefits

The integrated recipes are a valuable addition. However, the primary advantage of this Instant Pot model lies in its remote control functionality.

Users can conveniently adjust settings such as cooking time and pressure level directly from their devices using the Instant Brands app.

Furthermore, remote pressure release is also supported, enhancing safety and convenience.

• Remote control of cooking time.
• Adjustable pressure levels via app.
• Remote pressure release functionality.

Price: $170 on Amazon

Beyond Illumination: The Versatility of Smart Light Switches

The Brilliant Control has been featured in previous tech gift recommendations, and its value continues to be evident with extended use. This device functions as a touchscreen smart home controller, designed to replace conventional light switches while utilizing existing electrical wiring. Installation is straightforward, accessible to users of all technical abilities, provided power is disconnected at the breaker.

Integrated Features and Compatibility

Each Brilliant Control panel incorporates a built-in camera, enabling local network video intercom capabilities. The system’s software boasts broad compatibility with numerous smart home devices. This includes popular brands like Sonos, Philips Hue, and Ring, among others.

Users have the ability to designate specific lights and speakers to individual control panels. This allows for localized control of illumination and audio playback within each room.

A Simplified Smart Home Solution

Previously, creating a similar system required considerable effort from tech-savvy individuals, often involving repurposed iPod touches and custom mounting solutions. However, Brilliant streamlines the process, offering a smart home experience comparable to professionally installed, high-end systems.

The Brilliant Control is available in configurations ranging up to four-switch panels, accommodating various switch arrangements.

Cost Information

Price: The cost is dependent on the chosen configuration; the model shown is priced at $449 directly from Brilliant.

Image Credits: Brilliant

Keyless Entry Solutions

A recommendation for this product was provided by Greg Kumparak of TechCrunch.

Cost: The Nest x Yale smart lock is available for $249 directly from Google. Alternatively, the Yale Assure HomeKit smart lock can be purchased from Amazon for $289.

Smart Lock Benefits

These smart locks offer a convenient and secure alternative to traditional keys.

• Keyless access simplifies entry for homeowners.
• Remote control capabilities enhance security features.
• Integration with smart home ecosystems is a key advantage.

Product Details

The Nest x Yale lock provides seamless integration with the Nest ecosystem.

The Yale Assure HomeKit lock is designed for compatibility with Apple’s HomeKit platform.

Considerations

When selecting a smart lock, consider your existing smart home setup.

Ensure compatibility with your preferred voice assistant or platform.

Both options represent a significant upgrade in home security and convenience.