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 a big concern
Security is a plus
Most important is security and the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be a good option to have
Security and self monitoring is good. Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would work but hardwired cameras would be the best.
Love the new security options available in the market place now .
Security and any of the Logitech cameras.
Fantastic , new toys and self monitoring. Security and Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera are important
I like this a lot. Self Monitoring. Security and the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would work great.
It’s about time we had control and could monitor our own property.
Security and the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera
Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera and security are needed
SECURITY AND ANY OF THE LOGITECH CAMERAS
security and the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera
Security is the biggest concern as crime rates increase so I would love the Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit.
Security , I need all the help I can get.
Security is foremost.
Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera also
Security as who else will protect your stuff other than yourself. Take control.
SECURITY IS NUMERO UNO AS THE POLICE WORK ON VIDEO, PHOTOS OF CULPRITS THESE DAYS
Security and having a peace of mind would be my top reasons to have this.
Smart home convenience: With my two teenager who like to forget things and specially their keys so the Smart Lock Pro + Connect will be a great prize!
Security is by far our most pressing concern
Security – any electronic devices that offer greater home security would be awesome!
The outdoor lighting and smart lock would be great for us, we have a new baby and would love the peace of mind and help keeping my new family safe.
Security is most important.
I believe the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would do the most to accomplish this.
Convenience – but can’t be done without security!
Also think the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera achieves both convenience and security!
Security is most important.
I believe the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would do the most to accomplish this.
I would love a The August Smart Lock … my kids are always forgetting their keys or worse loosing them . This would be great !
Energy Savings is most important! “Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit” will, in my opinion, be the most energy efficient lights I will ever use!
Security is the most important to us, we’re rural and have a lot of visitors so we would love to be able to let friends in when we’re not home, but keep strangers out. The August Smart Locks would be a game changer for us!
My kids need August Smart Lock Pro + Connect because they don’t have keys. Great prize.
The August Smart Lock Pro + Connect Would be good for teenagers coming and going but not needing keys. All products would be great to win.
This would be amazing! We’re first time home buyers who purchased a serious fix up and renovating and trying to save for a wedding! We’d love this and the energy savings and comfort from the security cameras it would bring!
Security is our top priority and the Arlo Pro 2 Wireless Cameras would be a great addition to our home security plan.
i WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MY FAMILY WITH SECURITY THAT TWO OLD DON’T PROVIDE.
Security would be the top of the three for me.
Live on a main street and my car has been broken into so many time not to mention a lawn mower and bbq that were also stolen.
I would love to win the Smart Home Security. There have been break-ins in the neighbourhood and I don’t want that to happen to me.
Security would be my top concern so one of the cameras would be my choice.
Thanks for the chance.
I would be in most need of the security cameras Logitech circle, nest cam etc. We have lost a few items to theft.
Energy saving
Security is most important to me and the wi-fi cameras and August Smart Lock Pro + Connect would help alot!!
I pick security with the Nest Cam.
The smart home security is the most important to me. Living out in the country with plenty of wildlife and very little foot traffic it is nice to have that sense of safety.
A Smart Lock for convenience.
Seeing how we are home alone at odd times definitely security is pivotal for me so proper and such top of the line security cameras are so important for peace of mind.
Security is most important and I would use the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera!
security!
Security – because we live in a rural area with very few neighbors. Favorite product would be Toucan Smart Sconce lights.
Security first and foremost.
Security is the main usage for me
Security would be the most desirable for me as we live in a rural area without close neighbors. I believe the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would benefit us the most.
Security is my top reason to have this.
Comments are closed.