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. |
always wanted an assistant and the google home mini would be perfect
Loving home automation for ease of use and energy savings – a google mini to add to my set up would be great!
Security is most important to me and I would love a Nest Cam.
I would have to say convenience for me, because we live in a small town and our house is pretty energy efficient.
The August Smart Lock is my top pick for convenience!! I dont like to leave a key outside and I have locked myself out of the house many times.
Security is most important to me. The Philips Hue Ludere PAR38 Smart Outdoor Wall Light would be so useful to have.
security, I live is a bad side of town.
Nest Cam would help me to feel safe and secure
The smart home security would be a benefit to me as it would give me an my family more peace of mind
I already use much less energy than typical homes and I feel pretty secure so convenience is the big one for me!
love the energy saving devices
outdoor camera would be great since our car has been broken into twice now in the past couple of years
Nest Cam would help me to feel safe and secure
Smart Home Security
Would love the August Smart Lock which would mean I’d have the convenience of not needing a hidden spare key, and it would provide the security my family needs.
It is energy savings for me since energy costs are so high, I can save a lot of money if energy costs of my home decreased. The Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmer Kit with Smart Bridge would best help me achieve this.
The lights would benefit me most, as my driveway is in the back of my house and I have no lights back there. The only light we have when walking towards the house is the interior garage light, which doesn’t help guests.
Energy savings is at the top!!
Convenience is the most important to me, as well as security so I’d love the August Smart Lock which would mean I’d have the convenience of not needing a hidden spare key, and it would provide the security my family needs.
The convenience is the most important and the Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit helps me to achieve it.
Nest Cam sounds like a great choice for home security
It would make me feel more at ease knowing a had a security system watching my home
Security is always a concern. I would feel more secure with the Wireless Circle 2 cameras!
Security is the most important thing.
Nest Cam for security
I won’t lie…. I’m lazy and the convenience aspect is the most appealing thing for me. And I love tech!
I love the energy savings!
Wireless Arlo Pro 2 would be great for security! 🙂
Security is important to me and I’d really like the Nest Cam
I could use the security of the Logitech Circle 2, the Nest Cam, and the Arlo Pro 2 which can capture an up to 180-degree field of view and has night-vision to. Security of my family whether we are home or away is very important to me
Security is my main concern as there have been several break-ins in our area lately. I would feel safer with the Wireless Circle 2 cameras.
Security is important to me. Would love to try out some of these great products.
Security. Having Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Cameras at front and back would give me piece of mind, knowing that even if I’m not home family is safe. Seeing who is at the door before answering would be awesome.
Security is most important and the Philips Hue Smart Lights would allow me to better see outside while still having fun with it.
The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be an asset to our security. Bonus is that we would be able to use any of these products, no matter where we are.
Security is my main issue. We live in the country and a Wireless Arlo Pro 2 would be great. Night vision would be a bonus, since we have no street lights where we live.
i would love to know if the moose where at the hay bales before going down it would save being chased ..the lights and cameras would be great !
Security: The Arlo security camera and august smart locks would definitely get the job done.
Security is the most important to me
Security is important to me and I’d really like the Nest Cam.
Security is my main issue and I know having Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Cameras installed be take away a lot of my stress.
Security matters to my family, so I’d like the house to be4 well-protected and looked over. The cameras would definitely help with that, and the night vision is an added bonus.
Security is a big one but the lighting system sounds really convenient and would add to the security.
the Energy saving package I think would benefit me the most. I spend a lot of time away from home working 2 jobs and I sometimes forget to turn the heat down to save money. The security system would also be something id like or appreciate I had packages go missing from my door step and would be nice to see who has been at my doorstep.
Security is most important to me. I would love to have the Logitech Circle 2 cameras to keep an eye on our back yard.
The convenience of an August Smart Lock is appealing. Hands-fee entry in my car is great, then I have to dig out my keys when I get home…
Security is most important to me. I think the convenience of of the Logitech Circle Wi-Fi Cameras would be just perfect for those locations that are out of reach of conventional wired systems.
I live in the country so security is my priority. I’d love to get the cameras and keep an eye on the house and property.
The Wireless Circle 2 cameras would be great for those strangers walking up to the house. Feel much safer with them.
I would love the google home mini and i have seen all the commercials for it and it looks awesome! Would love to have one.
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