From the invention of the wheel, to the creation of the light bulb, to the advent of the cellphone—each leap in technology makes our lives easier. Smart home technology is the newest innovation to come along and improve our lives. Now you can check who’s at your door while you’re at work, schedule your lights to match your daily routine, and let friends into your home without having to make extra keys. Best Buy wants your home to be a well-oiled machine that offers convenience, security, and can even help you reduce the energy your home uses. That’s why we’re running this contest: We want to give Canadians a chance to win amazing smart home technology. Read on to find out how (and what!) you might win.
Smart home security
Making your home safer is easier than ever. Consider security cameras. There was a time when installing security cameras required professional help and a hefty fee. Now, however, most people can easily install their own smart home cameras. Options range from battery-powered, light-fixture powered, and AC-powered, so you can match your cameras to their location and desired use.
Smart cameras stream footage over your home’s existing Wi-Fi to the compatible app on your smart phone. Some models even offer the ability to engage in two-way conversation, and most offer real-time movement alerts. This means that no matter where you are, you can keep an eye on your home and be assured that all is well.
Also gone are the days of the unsightly, conspicuous, wired security camera; today’s smart home security cameras are sleek and unobtrusive. But don’t let their diminutive size fool you. Many models, like the Logitech Circle 2, the Nest Cam, and the Arlo Pro 2 can capture an up to 180-degree field of view in 1080p HD resolution and boast night-vision to boot.
And because the cameras are so small, they’re easily portable. You can place them wherever you need. For example, use one to keep a watchful eye on your children as they play outside, or on your new puppy while you are at work. You’ll be able to see when he starts to chew your leather shoes and tell him to stop.
Lighting is another way to improve home security and personal safety. Outdoor smart lighting has the advantage of adding ambiance to a garden, deck, or patio while simultaneously making it safer for you to walk around your home on dark winter nights. Of course, outside lights are a great crime deterrent too! Lights from the Philips Hue line offer you the chance to personalize your lighting indoors and out.
With these easily customizable lights, you can use the app on your phone to select from 16 million colours (yes, you read that right) to create just the vibe you want. Choose orange for an eerie Halloween glow, or go for red and green to add Christmas cheer. The rest of the year, they’re ideal for keeping walkways and paths brightly lit. Blog Editor Shelley recently discussed how big of a difference the Philips Hue outdoor product range can make to your home security and appearance, so head on over to read her article to find out more.
Smart Home Convenience
Have you ever locked yourself out of your house? Or received a sheepish call from your spouse as they shiver outside in the cold? With smart locks, like these ones from August, you can stop leaving a key in a flower pot or under the doormat. The August Smart Lock offers keyless entry through your Bluetooth enabled smart phone. The lock senses when you’re approaching the door, so you don’t need to worry about juggling bags of groceries as you search for your keys. You read that right, the door will unlock as you approach it, automatically! Plus, you can buzz people in from your phone and receive alerts when someone enters or when the door is left ajar. Blog reviewer Erin Lawrence tried out the August Smart Lock for herself, and she found it incredibly easy to install and even better to use. You can see for yourself by reading her review.
If you shop online, say from BestBuy.ca, you will love the security and convenience you get with smart cameras and locks at the entrance to your home. With smart cameras like the Logitech Circle, Arlo Pro 2, and Kuna Toucan, you’ll be alerted to movement and can keep an eye on your packages. The August Smart Lock lets you create a temporary key, so your ever-helpful neighbour can place the packages inside for you.
Smart home convenience isn’t just limited to outdoors either. The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit allows you to schedule, adjust, and turn-off your lights remotely from your smart phone. This means that you’re only using power when you really need it, which will reduce energy consumption and cut down on your electricity bill. So not only does smart lighting help you to save money, but it also helps you to do your part for the planet.
Kuna makes the Toucan Smart Sconce Lights that offer all the benefits of smart tech with the style of traditional decor. Smart home lighting is also effective as a security tool, as you can use a lighting schedule to give your home a lived-in look when you’re away for extended periods of time. And since smart lights can be controlled via your smart phone, you can dim the lights for movie night without even having to move the popcorn bowl off your lap.
Smart home compatibility
Most smart home brands, including Lutron, August, Philips Hue, and Nest, work with the Google Home Assistant, giving you hands-free control of your lights, locks, cameras, and more. The Google Home and Google Home Mini are handy helpers in their own right, that can play music, tell you the weather, and more. This article by Shelly gives you great ways for the whole family to enjoy using a Google Home or Alexa unit. Excited yet? The grand prize winner will receive a Google Home Mini of their own. But fear not; If you don’t have one already, you can get your own from Best Buy, or shop our selection of other voice assistants and accessories.
HOW TO ENTER
In a comment below, please tell us which of these three smart home benefits is the most important to you: convenience; security; or energy savings. Also tell us which product would most help you to achieve this benefit.
I personally enjoy the convenience aspect of smart home technology and would want the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect as I come from a long line of folks who forget their house keys, and it’s apparently an inheritable trait.
WHAT YOU CAN WIN
We will randomly draw four winners. One person will win the grand prize, one person will win the second prize, one person will win the third prize, and one person will win the fourth prize. The prizes are shown here (and also in the Rules and Regulations posted below).
| Grand Prize | 2nd Prize |
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| 3rd Prize | 4th Prize |
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This contest runs from October 19th until November 2nd.
Remember, you can only enter once. However, you probably know someone who would love to add some incredible smart products to their home, so please share this contest so that they too can have a chance to win one of these prizes.
Enter for a chance to win a Smart Home Prize Package Rules and Regulations
Good Luck.
| We frequently have many contests running at Best Buy, so check out the “contests in progress” page for more great contests to enter. |
As a senior home security is important the Logitech circle 2 cameras would help provide peace of mind.
Convenience for me. The big thing is seamless integration into the central control hub.
Logitech Circle 2, the Nest Cam, and the Arlo Pro 2 can capture an i would like to enter the contest tks
Energy savings #1 importance for me ! We have two DOGS that provide loyal & loving security !
Security. The August smart lock Pro + Connect is it.
Security is the most important thing ever. I take numerous precautions (motion lights, big dog) but I am super ready to take the next step and install security cameras. 2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Cameras would sure help give us peace of mind.
Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera sounds like the ideal device for my home.
In this day and age, security is very important. The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be ideal.
Security is the most important . Outdoor smart lights from the Philips Hue line sound good.
I would say energy savings is the most important to me and my family. Thank you for the opportunity!
Energy savings would be the most important feature to me.
Security is the most important to me and the Nest Cam would help me achieve this
Logitech security would be my number one most important thing for me and my family! My husband has a lot of customers who come and go for work, some of them have been not so good!! We have had our vehicles broken into multiple times, our neighbours installed security in the summer time after some major insistence happened in our surrounding neighbourhood! Security system would make me feel much safer being home alone with my kids or when we leave for the weekend!
I would like the smart home security feature, I don’t own enough tech for the smart home.
I would love the Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit to help with my electrical bills
I guess energy savings with the Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit? Smile
energy savings
Smart home security – We leave in a rural area and there are times I wish I had more eyes and ears to make sure my family was safe. This system would sure help ease my mind or at least help prepare me in a serious circumstance.
Security is most important to me. The Arlo Pro 2 would let me see who’s at the door, even at night. That would give me peace of mind, for sure!
Security is the most important to me
Most definitely Security. Had a previous building manager that entered my apartment without permission and use my visa statements to commit fraud. Been distrustful and cautious since then.
Security is the most important to me too 🙂 These prize packs are awesome!! Would love to win :).
Security is super important. The Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras Bundle with 2 1080P HD Cameras & Mount would benefit me a lot to secure my home as we have had some local thievery in the neighborhood lately
would love to win this
Security is my main concern (although energy savings & convenience are also important). The Nest Cam is a superb product for providing security – especially the phone alert when motion is detected. It’d also be great to see who’s at the door before opening it up 🙂
Security would definitely be most beneficial. Having Arlo2 cameras to protect my family would be amazing!
Security is most important to me & the Arlo Pro 2 helps me achieve this because it can capture an up to 180-degree field of view in 1080p HD resolution and boast night-vision to boot
Security is very important to me…
Security is the most important to me!
The Logitech Circle 2 camera would be an added peace of mind and would help the local autorities with arrests with intruders and thieves. Thanks!
Security is a priority. My home is not smart and I would like it to be smarter!
Security. It is not wise to disregard your safety. I sleep better at night if I think I have an extra measure of safety.
I would be great for security as I do not always feel safe where I live.
i’m into convenience so I would choose the NEST CAM as it works best for our needs
Energy savings is important to me
Security! Nice to have it as a deterrent and also for peace of mind !
I love the Logitech circle 2 cameras for security
Security for sure… it gives you peace of mind!
Convenience, so the Google Home Assistant would be my choice
Security! I live in an isolated community in Nunavut: security is very important to me! The camera and lights would make me and my family feel much safer.
Security and energy savings are important for me and my family
I have electric baseboard heat, and live in Northern Ontario. So energy savings are at the top of my list.
Energy savings is the most important to me and my family.
Definitely the convenience factor for me – I already can adjust my thermostat from my phone, in bed, and that is awesome, but so much more to set up!
For me, energy savings is the most important.
Security is the most important.
Energy savings is most important to me.
AT MY AGE, AND LIVING IN A CITY – SECURITY IS IMPORTANT. I WOULD LOVE THE SECURITY OF CAMERAS.
I am concerned about the crime in the neighbourhood. Security is paramount these days. I think the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would work nicely so we don’t have to do any wiring.
Right now energy savings is the most important to me – I have a really big dog = security. 🙂
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