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. |
Home security is very important to us, we could always use more protection. Cameras and smart lights would help our safety.
Home security is very important to us, we could always use more protection.
Security is top of my list and would love to have a set of Arlo cameras
Security. the Nest Cam would help protect some of the Best Buy goodies.
Security is very important, there have been a number of break in’s around our neighborhood. The wire free logitech camera would be a great help with this!
Security cams are the top benefit for us and would help us monitor our property and farm animals, when we are away from home. The Kuna Toucan outdoor security cameras would be very useful to win!
The dimmer kit for energy savings for sure!
I think security would be my first choice when looking into smart home devices…but convenience wouldn’t be to far behind! This all just amazes me! Great write up and a fantastic contest! Thank you so much!
Security is important for me so the •Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would reassure me that my kids and surrounding area, including neighbour kids, are safe at all times.
The August Smart Lock Pro + Connect would help with Security.
The Logitech Security 2 cameras for security.
I would choose the Arlo 2 Camera for security.
Security
I’m looking for security solutions so I would go with the Nest Cam
2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras
Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera
Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit
For my energy savings is at the top of my list!
Security
security.
the Logitech wired and wireless cameras for sure would be handy
Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera I so need one for my room..I live in a Airbnb for months and Twice I have someone open my locked door and steal from me..So I so need this..
Convenience – Google Home Mini for instant verbal knowledge and music!
energy savings with the Google Home Mini!
Security is important for me so the •Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be my choice for flexibility in placement.
I would go with the Google mini because convenience is most important for me and a voice controller is very useful for controlling many devices.
Security is the most important issue to me. Starting with outside the Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit would give added security and peace of mind protecting the outside of my home.
security
The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be great!
Convenience is definitely the most important thing for me in a smart home and the Google Mini would be a great voice controller for the other smart home devices.
Security is always the most important for us
The most important to my home at the moment would be security, we have had a lot of break ins on our street recently and being home alone during the day with my toddler makes me feel un easy. I would love the Nest Cam Wi-Fi Indoor IP Camera. I love that I would be able to check on my home from almost everywhere! The night vision LED sensors are fantastic for a clear view when it’s dark and you are able to see what is happening outside your home! Having any of these products would make life easier and problem free. Security, energy savings, and convenience – what more could you want!!!
Security is important as we have small kids. We already use a smart lock and I would love to pair it with a wifi doorbell camera. We don’t have a peep hole so this would be great.
I feel the august smart lock would be an awesome security feature to the home. I would have to worry about leaving a spare key.
I could use some Smart Home Convenience and the August Smart Lock would be really helpful
2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera
Security for sure. Lots of break ins in the area
security for sure
this would help
Convenience for my family. The August Smart Lock because someone always looses their key
Security The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera
Security would be most beneficial for my family with the Arlo Pro 2 to keep a watchful eye on around the house
security for surr
2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Cameras would help a lot.
Security
either the Logitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras or the
2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Cameras would help a lot. There have been lots of break and enters in our area recently.
I would love to have the home security system. I would also use the Toucan Smart home sconce lights for when we are away for the day or over night it would look like we are home.
Everyone must take security very seriously today. If one pays attention to the news, their are many internet crimes committed which could be avoided with good computer security. A secure home requires good lighting and secure locks in every home. Security cameras help you to feel more secure.
security!
Security to bring my home into the 21st century.
A couple of Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Cameras and a couple of Philips Hue Smart lights would be a great start
Security is always the most important but ease of use and energy savings are a close second.
security with the Nest Cam is important for my family
Security. Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would do the trick.
convenience for us is the best. The August Smart Lock Pro + Connect Would be good for our coming and going and not needing keys.
Security! The Phillips Hue outdoor smart light would be great to keep the area between our garage and home safe. Not only to keep out intruders but for coming home when it’s dark out.
Energy Savings!
Security would be something I would be seeking most. The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be a great addition to our security at home, without having to worry about wires/installation.
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