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. |
I would prefer wireless and I believe the Arlo Pro 2 Wireless Cameras can ease my security concerns.
I would love a Nest Cam.-Security is most important to me.
Installing a Logitech Circle 2 cameras would give us piece of mind when we travel because of it’s Smart Technology to access images. Our alarm system is over 25 years and we do use it faithfully so it would be nice to bring our system up to date. Thanks
most important to me is the energy savings as i am always trying to find ways to help our planet! 😉
Security !
Security is most important for our family.
Security is my main concern and the Philips Hue Ludere PAR38 Smart Outdoor Wall Light would be very helpful to keep our property secure
Security is the main option for me. Logitech Circle 2 Cameras could help with this.
Security that’s the whole point
Convenience! I would like to try the Google Home Mini.
Security is my main concern when it comes to my home especially when I’m away visiting one of my kids. Having peace of mind when I’m away would be such a great benefit.
Security is the most important issue for my family. I think the cams would be great. We’ve had people break into our vehicles and there are always people walking around in the middle of the night.
Security is important to me. The Logitech Circle 2 Cameras would be a great choice!
Security is the most important home benefit for me and with the help of A smart lock that would be fantastic! Someone in my family is constantly leaving their key either at home or losing it so t\having the ability to open the door with a push of a button is something that would really come in handy.
Smart Home security is most important to me and I would love the Philips Hue Smart Lights
Outdoor spot light base kit is what sounds awesome to me. I like having the extra lights outside for when my kids come home late at night. And also the light affects I can use for holidays is great.
Smart Home Convenience and a Smart Lock would mean that I would never have to worry about leaving a key hidden for one of my kids.
August Smart Lock will help me achieve convenience as a mom of three we are always coming in with bags or I’ll have baby on my arms and bags having to put everything down to locate the door keys. Grrr honestly whatever gadget helps simplifying our lives I’m all for it! Keyless entry through my Bluetooth enabled smart phone sounds like heavan.
I think security, convenience and energy savings are all equally important to me but the Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light looks like it would be amazingly useful. Winter nights are going to be too long and dark! I just purchased a dollar store flashlight to use the stairs outside without falling haha.
The Smart locks would be great!
convenience! I’d love to try the google home mini!
the Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras would help with my security.
Security is paramount in my books.
Security is most important to me and the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera is one of the items that would greatly help! Thanks for the chance to win!
The Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit would enable me to light up the yard for better security.
Energy saving is most important and the smart lamps would help with that!
Energy savings for sure.
In these days the most important smart home is convenient for me and my 4 kids.
Google home would help free.
Thank you.
What is absolutely important for me is
The energy saving.
Thank you.
Knock knock who is there , security screening procedures at my door.
Thank you.
cameras with lighting in the backyard would make me feel more safe
Convenience is most important to me and the August Smart Lock will help me achieve this because of it offers keyless entry through my Bluetooth enabled smart phone so I won’t need to rummage through my big tote to look for my keys.
outdoor camera in my backyard would be useful for us
Camera would be great as l am gonna get my first house and l stay outside Canada for almost 3 mouths every year • Would help a lot in terms safety
Definitely energy savings is more important to me.
outdoor camera would be great so I can see who is at my front there from miles away
Security would be the most important to me!
Logitech Circle 2 cameras would be very helpful to me for security.
Amazon Alexa – lights, security and Thermostat
Energy saving is the most important to me. I would love the Toucan Smart Sconce Lights.
Security! Would be able to always see what my kids are doing in the back yard, even when I’m not there!!
Security takes precedence over other especially where we do everyday shopping online and the packages are dropped at door front. The Arlo Pro 2 Wireless Cameras would be a perfect for any home and easy to install as it is wireless.
Energy saving, and I’ll go with the Kuna Toucan Smart Sconce light
I love the idea of seeing who is at my door. So much more secure!
The most important to me is Energy Savings. We waste so much in our world today, every little bit of savings helps. We need to keep finding ways to conserve.
outdoor camera would be great so I can see who is at my front there from miles away
Logitech Circle 2 cameras for security. It’s always good to know who is on the other side of the door.
All the devices work together in perfect harmony. The smart lock can put my mind at ease that I can check if the doors are locked and the cameras could provide the added comfort that my family is safe or when the kids get home and/or I can checking in on the pets or the house and around for the added comfort of knowing all is well. The smart lighting and dimmer can reflect the mood or enhance the ambiance. The smart bridge can help turn the sprinklers on when away from home.
Logitech Circle 2 cameras would be very helpful to me for security.
For me I am concerned about security, I am home alone a lot, I can’t see who is at my door unless I answer it. The Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Camera and the ability to turn on the lights when I’m not home are perfect for me.
A smart lock would be fantastic! I always leave the house, and wonder “did I lock the door?”. It’s also convenient to allow remote access, too! This would help my peace of mind!
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