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. |
Definitely “Smart Home Security”.
Having read the article, I think the Arlo Pro 2 would be best to help secure my home!
The most important feature for me at this time would be the security of the August Smart Lock Pro along with the cameras and spotlights to ensure that my house is safe and secure.
Security is important and the Nest Cams would give me peace of mind.
For me I’d like the security side. The cameras and the ability to turn on the lights when I’m not home. I have some lights already but theLogitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras would be awesome.
I would love a Nest Cam.-Security is most important to me.
For me security is most important and 2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras would help achieve this.
Smart home security
Security is paramount for me. A Wi-Fi set-up complete with motion detectors, would be best for my neighbourhood.
Security would be the most important factor for me. The Nest system is probably the most ideal for this, not only is it a good deterrent, any HD video captured of break-in attempts could be used to ID the perpetrators, for the good of the whole neighbourhood.
Security is the most important concern for me. Would love to win this and have the extra peace of mind.
Saving Saving would be the most important to me. With the economy struggling to level out, every penny saved helps a future day. I would love the security, as it would protect my family and our home. Convenience saves time and gives us the ability to spend more time together as a family
The safety and security of my family is the most important thing to me hence I want to set safety’s priority over convenience and energy saving
The circle 2 wi-fi wire free camera would be a real safety asset to the home
Convenience is the most important thing for me as I am very lazy. After a hard day at work I definitely need to have some home automation which would reduce my effort.
Security is most important to me, so both the Logitech security cameras wired and wireless would be most beneficial.
The 2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would enhance our security and that is what would be most important benefit to my family.
Security is so important to me with my little ones. I’d love the Nest Cam!
Home Security is most important for me – Nest Cam will help me achieve this so I can keep an eye on suspicious tresspassers or intruders.
Tough choice, they are all great reasons…security first!!
Convenience – having a Google Home around would be a great assistant.
Security is the most important to me, but I would say the convenience factor is what I enjoy and use the most. The security functions make you feel better, but the convenience of the august smart locks and google home are where I find the most unexpected value.
Id go with the Arlo Pro 2. I have a very big backyard I would like to keep an eye on as well as my side door. All of them are great products though.
Security is definitely the most important feature as we are looking to purchase our first home. Being able to keep an eye on our home no matter where we are would definitely make me more comfortable. Customizable lights are also something that we have discussed and think are necessary from a home security perspective. I would love to win this to make our first home feel as secure as possible!
Security is #1 for me. The Logitech wire-free camera would be easy to put anywhere.
Between the three, security followed closely by energy savings.
Energy savings would have the most value to me, so the Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit would be my preferred item. Good luck everyone! 🙂
Energy savings is a priority for sure
Security is the most important feature for me. I want to feel safe in my own home.
Energy saving for sure !! The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit would definitely help
Definitly the smart home security benefit, with the help of cameras.
Security, for sure… There have been a lot of break ins in my area over the past few years.
Tough one to choose but I will choose security and the Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras would help provide security for my home. Always nice to be able to keep watch around your home when you are home or when you are away.
Security is important to me any of the camera choices mentioned would be appreciated. I love the outdoor lighting too, for ambiance and lighting dark area.
Security is the most important for us as there has been alot of beak ins in our neighbourhood. I have heard amazing things about people in the neighbourhood who have the Nest cam so that is what I think would help us most.
Security! Knowing everyone including pets and my home is secure
Security! Knowing everyone and my home is secure
Security is the most important to me due to my criminology background.
Energy savings are very important to me and I know the Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit would help with that.
The smart home benefit that is most important to me and my family is security.
Smart Home Security! Like the fact
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Knowing my family is secure and safe.
We live in the country and security is important to us. I like the “wire free” security with the 2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera
Energy savings is the most important to me – save money and save the environment!
That smart locks will come in handy because the son lose his keys.
Energy saving would be a priority for me. Always looking for ways to make my home more energy efficient, reduce the bills and help the planet!
Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmer Kit with Smart Bridge. Energy savings is my biggest concern.
I believe my home security would be greatly enhanced by a Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera.
Security a concern and the Arlo Pro 2 Wireless Cameras provide a nice solution.
Smart Home Security for me.. I’d love to make my home more secure.
Convenience is the most important aspect, to me. For energy savings, most items in our houses are low energy anyway. For security, there is no substitute for having a monitored alarm system (with signage), and a dog (cameras are not always a deterrent).
I would benefit the most from having a smart lock. The worst feeling in the world is being at work or lying in bed and wondering if you forgot to lock the door. If you pull up your phone, you can conveniently check the lock status, and lock it if necessary. My family often stops by the house with something to drop off, but I’m not always home. With a smart lock, we would be able to unlock the door for them, then re-lock it saving them a trip.
After my house and car were broken into and my computer and DSLR were stolen, nothing is more important to me than security and safety. Your home should be a place of refuge and comfort, and I believe a combination of the August Smart Lock, outdoor spotlights and the Nest Cam would positively contribute to feeling secure in my home.
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