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 my biggest concern. I would love to have the Arlo security cameras.
Convenience, I am currently looking at making my home a smart home, love the idea of using Google home to control my lights and locks
Security comes first, and then convenience. (there’s a lot of scary movies about smart homes already).
Security is the first concern, a wifi camera such as the Nest Cam WiFi could help achieve that goal
Before I would have said energy savings but now with 2 little ones running around I would defer to security and a few Logitech or NetGear cameras would help with a little more peace of mind.
I’m all about the convenience of a smart home and all the little things I can set up, like my lights coming on after I come home after dark.
I believe security would be most important to me. Having a product such as the Logitech circle 2 camera watching over my home, I feel safe knowing who is coming and going and being able to track that while I am at work or away.
Security with the cameras!
Smart Home Convenience is important to me with my muscle disorder
Convenience is the most important part for me and I would love to use the August smart lock to control access to my house.
Security, would love a video doorbell after watching it deter burglars on the news. Now I’m widowed it’s even more important.
Security is my greatest concern and the Nest Cam WiFi Indoor IP Camera would be a good solution for this issue.
Security from the August Lock
Convenience from the Google Home. It would tie everything together.
Definitely convenience for me, being able to turn off the lights and lock the door from the bedroom sounds like a great idea.
Hard to choose between security & convenience. Just dipping my toes into home automation so any of the prizes would be most welcome
Convenience
Security & convenience
Security is the most important feature for me. I would benefit from outdoor cameras like the Logitech Circle 2 with night-vision.
Security by far! The Logitech Circle 2, the Nest Cam, and the Arlo Pro 2 are all excellent options!
the August Smart Lock would be wonderful, no more fumbling for my keys in the dark, or having to set everything down to open the door and when my husband locks himself out I can open the door for him (he doesn’t believe in smartphones!)
Security is number one for me, I think the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be fantastic, I could see who is at the door, who came while I’m away and watch the dog sleeping on my pillows when she knows not to!
I would say security is most important as I live in the country and have no street lights, so Philips Hue Outdoor Lights would be a great addition to our other old-fashioned lights.
Convenience and security are pretty neck and neck, but I’d have to say convenience would be the most important for me. i find I’m worried a lot about if I’d left this on, or locked this, or this or that. And the convenience of being able to check right away would alleviate any stress I have. I especially want the august smart lock, that is something I have not been able to justify needing, but very much want more than anything.
I would say that security is the most important to me but a very close second is energy savings so the Lutron Caseta dimmer kit would be perfect because it achieves both things for me.
I’d like to add the Nest Wi-Fi Smart Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen as my husband and I are always sparing over the temperature in our home. He likes it hot and I like it cold. This way we both can have the temperature we want.
the Smart lock and Nest Cam for security
While all aspects are important, security is most important. The Nest Cam should do the trick to monitor areas of the house inside and outside depending on where it is installed. I’m also expecting it will be compatible to use with my Nest thermostat.
Security would be most important and the August smart lock Pro + Connect would help me achieve this because we would always be able to check if we remembered to lock the front door.
Security is big for me I think the Logitech Circle 2 is the one for our family
for me its security the Smart lock and Nest Cam WiFi Indoor IP Camera to make sure the door is always locked but being able to check on it while we are away via the camera is a big plus for me
Security is the most important,and the smart lock would give me the greatest peace of mind everytime I leave my house.
Security and convenience with the Logitech camera at my apartment door. Thankyou!
I like the convenience and the Google Home Mini and the Logitech Wi-Fi Wire Free
Camera are the products would benefit me the most. Security is also important.
always looking for ways to conserve, so energy consumption is a priority id use the lutron wirless dimmer to only use the amount of energy and light needed , and have the lights timed to go off if someone forgets at night
Convenience! The August locks looks perfect for the job! 😀
Convenience! The Google home mini and the Lutron kit would be awesome!!
security is most important to me, I live alone and it would be comforting to be able keep eyes on my home even while away from it
Security which would be best achieved with the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera.
My vote goes to energy savings, the Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmer Kit with Smart Bridge looks promising in making sure you use energy wisely.
I like the convenience and security aspects of smart home technology and I would want the August smart lock Pro + Connect because i then don’t have to worry about bringing a key with me when i leave my cabin. Along with the google home it would provide me a secure and smart way to keep my cabin secure.
Security is ,Most important
To me, security is the most important Smart Home benefit, therefore I believe that the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera system would help me achieve this benefit.
Security. The most important product starts with the google home/home mini but the Smart lock and Nest Cam WiFi Indoor IP Camera are also great additions. To be able to make sure the door is always locked in our condo is huge but being able to check on it while we are away via the camera is most beneficial.
Security is the most important to me. The Logitech Circle 2 sounds perfect.
security of course !
For me its totally the Cameras. I like to be able to keep an eye on things when I’m out and about
Security for me. When I’m home alone I would love to have the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera to check on those bumps in the night.
Convenience is my number 1 reason for wanting smart features. I always question whether I have locked the door so the August Smart Lock Pro Connect would be extremely convenient in knowing whether the door is locked.
Security, The Logitech Circle camera would help me achieve this. I want to be able to watch the delivery men throw my packages on my porch.
Comments are closed.