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. |
Convince
I would love to have the security option, makes me feel safer knowing i can log in to the cameras and see what is happening. Used to be in an abusive relationship and this would make me feel so much safer. Thanks for the chance and good luck everyone.
Security- vital for seniors
Forgot to add that I would love the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro
I would have to say that convenience is the most important of the three to me. Being able to have the convenience to unlock my doors without any keys or to turn off and on lights and appliances through my smartphone.
Security, getting older and feel vulnerable. Love to have extra eyes watching.
Energy savings is important to me. I would love the Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit
I personally prefer security and think that NETGEAR Arlo Pro indoor/outdoor security system would work very well for my needs as it will allow me to always be on the lookout using the cameras 😀
Energy savings – our electric bill is already so high.
Convenience, I like that the door will unlock as I approach with my arms laden with groceries. I know it won’t be too long till they create a device that will open the door for me, but for now I’ll take one that unlocks itself.
Energy savings is the biggest concern for me right now and this would be perfect
Security is most important for me and i love the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect as i have unfortunately been locked out of my house a few times too many.
I am going with Security and the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect would be a great start.
Security . Argo lights to light up our home in the country.
Convenience is most important to me.
Security
Arlo security light is the most important.
Security. Being a recent victim of a break-in to my vehicle I could use a camera
security is the most important for our house
Energy Savings
I like the Security features personally and in particular the movement alerts.
Security
Security.
I choose convenience and the Google Home mini would be a great addition! Thanks!
Security as we are not home all the time
My wife and I have been talking about beefing up our home security. Winning this equipment would be a great start
Security. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Security is the most important aspect to me. Items like the Nest Cam help make a home more secure.
security with cameras
Philips Hue Smartlights for security
I’d like some Smart Home Security. The Phillips Hue products would provide me with some well placed outdoor lighting.
Security is most important at my house, gotta’ keep the kiddies safe
Convenience if I’m wiring all my electronics and lights. Security if I’m putting anything outdoors for monitoring.
I think home security and energy savings are both important to my family.
I love the convenience aspect of smart home gadgets, and the most convenient device for me would be the Google Home Mini. It’s already compatible with the majority of my devices, allows easy hands-free interactions with my devices, and can be used for many different things instead of having one specific function.
Smart Home Convenience, I forget stuff so being able to use my phone to access from anywhere is great.
Energy savings is most important to me. We are very lucky to live in a safe neighbourhood outside of the city so safety is not a big concern, but my family of 5 could definitely use something to cut down on our energy use. The Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmer would be super helpful for us !
Energy saving is the one that is best for my house but the security is a close second. We are a household that trys to respect our enviroment
I would choose security, nothing is more important than keeping my family and I safe.
Home security is the priority.
I would love a Nest Cam.-Security is most important to me.
I would really like the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect because it would make security more convenient for me when leaving the house to walk the dog (no keys) but also to make separate entries for dog walkers so we can ensure they’re using their codes appropriately.
Security would be tops and definitely the Grand Prize would cover all my needs. Thanks
I would really like to have logitech circle 2. it would make me feel very safe at night and during winter months. thanks.
I love the security aspect especially the Toucan Smart Sconce Lights that offer smart home lighting which is also effective as you can use a lighting schedule to give your home a lived-in look when you’re away for extended periods of time.
security would rank # 1 for sure!
Security — we have kids
I like the sconce lights and the idea of using them while away, as well as lighting the yard and garden while we’re home. Security is our primary issue.
Energy savings for me. I live in a safe neighbourhood and find the convenience gadgets a bit gimmicky, but energy saving, letting me pay less and helping the environment? win-win right there.
security is important to me. the google home mini looks like it would help with the crazy days of busy households
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