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. |
Energy savings is the most important to me.
For me it would be security and specifically for my older parents! The Nest Cam or the Logitech Circle 2 would be perfect to install in their home. Thanks!
Security is the most important feature for me
Security is a very important
I like the convenience that Google mini brings. I can just ask things I need help with and get answers immediately
Smart outdoor spot lights would be great for home security .
Home security and energy savings are both important to me and my family. I travel a lot and I would feel better knowing my family were a little more secure in our home. Would love to have the whole home system.
Security is definitely something i am concerned with. Smart lock system is something i would like to check out.
Home security and energy savings are both important to me.
It would definitely be for convenience, I would love to win the smart lock! Just this afternoon me and my hubby were leaving only to forget the car keys, we turn around to go in only to have locked ourselves out too! In the rain too haha. Fingers are so crossed and good luck to everyone!
Security definitely my biggest concern and fear
The August Smart Lock would be amazing! I especially like that I would be alerted when the door is left ajar. It would protect our pets from escaping our home and getting lost or injured. It would also be great not to have to look for my key in my purse!!
Smart Home Convenience and the August Smart Lock would be amazing so that the door would unlock as I approach it
Definitely security for peace of mind.
Energy savings is the most important to me. The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit would be a welcome addition to my home.
Having some extra piece of mind for the security of our home
I like the benifits of all 3 but for me security as at the forefront
Home security is the most important! I worry about packages being left on my door or people around the property if no one is home.
Security is of upmost importance nowadays,A lot of times I m alone .
We live on a farm and have gate sales. We go through periods of people stealing our eggs and vegies, It would be nice to have a camera and security on our house Interesting, it is Sundays when most of the stealing takes place.
Security. I’m frequently away from home and my wife hates not having me here with her and the kids at night. There have been some strange characters around lately and I would love for her to have a way to see outside without looking out windows or doors.
Security definitely my greatest concern.
Smart home security ! I worry about the house , the dog and the family all the time when I’m not home! Id love this ! The cameras would give amazing peace of mind when i am home and especially when I’m out !
With all the break ins in the area I would like to have the Kuna Toucan Outdoor Security Camera. It is not there but I would also like a video doorbell.
I just need some tech in my life
Security and I think the Nest Cam Wi-Fi Indoor IP Camera would help with that the most. Thanks for the opportunity.
While all 3 are important, convenience resonates with me as I am incapable of remembering to turn lights off. Love the idea of the Lutron Caseta Wireless dimmer kit!!
security – nest cam
Security and energy saving for me.
Security is the most important benefit to me due to multiple break-ins in our neighbourhood. The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera & Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit would keep my front yard & garage safe & give me peace of mind!
Convenience with the Google Home Mini.
Convenience AND energy savings…. I would probably use the wireless camera to see what the cats are up to when we’re not home.
Definitely security – you couldn’t enjoy the convenience or energy savings without it 😉
Security is what I like. I think the Nest Cam is the smart one
Security! I’ve been in the market for a couple outdoor cameras for a while now. The Logitech Circle 2 sounds like exactly what I’m looking for!
security for me
convenience – the google home mini would help me achieve this.
I personally enjoy the convenience aspect of smart home technology and would want the Logitech Wireless cameras.
Security is my number one concern and the product that would help is the 2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera.
Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera – so I can stop my dog from giving my sweet ol grandma a mini heart attack everytime she attempts to ring our doorbell!
Smart Home Security! We live in a rural area with no street lights and it’s dark. Would love to see what’s lurking around our house in the dark
Convenience is the most appealing! With juggling kids and groceries when coming to the door, it would be so nice to have an August Smart Lock Pro + Connect installed and just be able to walk right on in! What a fantastic invention!
I love the idea of some added security
Security and the cameras help most with that
I would love a •Nest Cam Wi-Fi Indoor IP Camera to “spy” on my cats. What do they do all day anyway!?!
The security camera would be incredible. As I travel so often for work, having piece of mind that my house is secure and safe is imperative. It would give me piece of mind while away while protecting love ones inside.
Energy savings is very important. The Lutron Caseta wireless dimmer would be awesome.
The Logitech Wireless cameras would give us peace of mind for when we’ away.
After a series of break ins in my neighbourhood, security is by far the most important.
Energy savings, with the Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmer Kit with Smart Bridge.
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