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. |
Security is the concern and the Arlo Pro 2 Wireless Cameras would be part of the solution.
With a houseful of kids coming and going, security is #1!
Energy saving is important in protecting our environment as well as lowering the service costs
I like the convenience and the features of these devices
The security system!!!
Security is more important at this time.
Convenience is most important to me nowadays with a baby.
Energy saving is important in protecting our environment as well as lowering the service costs. Fabulous prize. THanks for the opportunity
I would love to have the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect because security and convenience is very important to me. Thank you for the chance to win this excellent prize package.
Security is the most important one to me. The Logitech Circle 2 cameras would be very helpful to me for peace of mind security.
Security the smart lock would be a great addition to our home due to my family thinking carrying a 1 ounce key is such a hassle.
Security is very important to my family
Security is very important to my family
Security is very important to my family.
Convenience is very important to me. I love the August Smart Lock Pro as I can conveniently let in service people without having to be at home. It is also great that it alerts you if door is left open or when someone enters.
Security system would benefit me and my family…it would make us feel a lot safer.
Security system would benefit me the most as i already have been victim to rural crime.
Security and the nest cam seems to be pretty good
I would love a Nest Cam.-Security is most important to me.
Security is most important to me . The logitech circle 2 cameras would make me feel a lot safer when my fiancé is on nights .
Security would be number one for me…so I guess Nest Cam is a perfect choice.
Security is what I am most interested in and I think the Logitech Circle 2 cameras would be great!
Security would be the most important for me. There are a lot of B&E in my community this past year. Having a secure home would mean peace of mind for me.
I would say security for the kids. When im not home .
Convenience
Convenience!
Home security we need it where we live, but all of the prizes are great, good luck everyone.
My nephew just bought a home and they just had a baby boy. I would love to be able to give this to them as a gift. I know they would love it as they live more in the country area.
Energy savings and Security are very important to my family!!
I would say Security as being very important. I would be able to do this with the Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras.
Would love the home security setup such as nest cam. We need better security.
Security with the Smart cameras
Energy saving- This is key in my life and would love to use these!
Convenience is most important to me because there never seems to be enough time in a day. Google home sounds like it would help.
I need security for my Harley Davidson custom built bike in storage—
Because I have a growing family and my husband and I work a lot, convenience is most important to me. And I would love to try Google Home.
Security with the smart camera’s for my 88 year old mom
I like the energy savings
Security is our first priority here and I believe the Nest Camp’s would be a great benefit for us.
Security with the Smart cameras
I would chose the Google mini.
Security is important for most off us and this Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras would be surely be the product that would make us and help us start for sure, thanks.
to me it is Smart Home Convenience,
Security such as that provided by smart cameras
Security is most important to me and the Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras would be the product that I would most help me start.
Smart home security is vastly most important to me for the world is filled with people who steal things from people who have worked hard. I always struggle with new purchases because theft is a reality that I must face. The better security such as camera’s could help me catch criminals and help bring justice for me and all other who face theft from those who get things by being a criminal rather than by earning things as a reward for hard work.
Smart Home Security is what is most important to me.
Security. Logitech cameras!
security is the most important. Like to have cameras, speakers and maybe some motion sensor lights
It’s definitely not total security. A good hacker can access the cameras and unlock the door if they wanted to. That’s why the password should be lengthy and elaborate.
Convenience is more like it. Having the ability to monitor the house, turn on or off lights, get music or ask about the weather in the morning is actually handy. The technology is still maturing and it’s going to take some time before it reaches a level where the average Joe could use it without a glitch. But it’s becoming more ubiquitous!
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