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 saving is definitely a cause I am working towards. These efforts today will build a better tomorrow. I am currently in the process of switching out my lights to LED and installing smart switched. I think smart switches like Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmer Kit with Smart Bridge would help would help ensure lights are only on as needed. I hope contests such as this one will introduce these technologies to a wider audience. Thanks Best Buy
Love security aspect of smart home devices…smart locks and lights make your home much more secure when away
Environmental sustainability is the most important thing in my eyes. What seems like a large cost now to get started will cost our future much less! That’s for this initiative Best Buy!
For me convience is the most important so the dimmer switches would be really great for the lights we can’t get smart bulbs for.
I personally enjoy the convenience aspect of smart home technology and I 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.
Convenience is definitely huge – especially keyless entry and voice-controlled lights as I am disabled.
Hope I win!
Security is most important to me and I think the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Wire-Free 1080p IP Camera – White would be a great help!
Convenience is what I enjoy most about smart home products. The Phillips hue outdoor lights would be great for both convenience and security.
August door lock to make sure ive locked the door
August door lock to make sure i never leave door unlocked
Convenience, and security there is definitely a balance.
Convienience is why I have been working on home automation for the last few years. With that said I would pick the August locks as locks are pretty much the only thing I haven’t dabbled into this point.
The convenience would be nice to have. A google home mini would be great.
The security would be great to have at my house. The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Cameras would be great and easy to install.
With two little ones, convenience is definitely most important at this point. What ever lessens the intellectual load is a winner for me.
Security is the most important thing to me. I want the most important people in my life to feel safe.
I would like an August smart lock Pro + Connect, because i gave kids and they aee Bound to lose or forget There Keys…
Hi there
Convenience would be my knee-jerk response, however security is also important.
I say convenience as I am a full time student as well as full time health care professional who lives alone and has two dogs. By the time I get home at the end of the day, I usually have my hands full and coming into a dark house with two animals wandering around my feet doesn’t really facilitate a smooth transition from work to home. As for which item would help me achieve this, there are a number but I would say light kits (phillips hue smart outdoor lights) are the most beneficial.
With respect to security, again I live independently and likely will soon be moving to a new place where I have fewer close contacts. For that reason, the Logitech wifi indoor/outdoor cameras, as well as August smart lock pro would be super helpful!
Thanks. Hope to win!
I like the convenience of the Google home mini and having the Google Assistant available when when my phone isn’t in my hand.
Convenience is the most important. I am the kind of person who forgets to turn lights off so, Philips Hue lighting would save save time and energy.
Convenience. Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit would be nice for my patio where I can control lights with motion sensor as well as Google assistant
Convenience would be most important. If the products are cumbersome then they would not get used. These products look to be easy to set up to take advantage of better security and energy savings.
Smart Home Convenience is the most important to me because it gives people with disabilities, like myself, the gift of independence. The Lutron Caseta dimmer kit would definitely help me achieve that! Thanks for the awesome chance to win it!
Having ability to automatically turn lights off, unlock/lock doors, ability to let others into the house remotely, cameras to alert if there is activity. Combination of security and convenience is what I’m looking for.
Convenience. Having lights come on by themselves after having the door unlock itself. What a world we live in.
Security is very important before you enjoy the benefits of a smart device
security, and the Logitech circle could do that for me.
Convenience. The August Smart Lock would be great to control the door with voice commands.
Energy savings is the best feature for me.
Security. Any of the camera systems would help as our road has no streetlights and cameras would help identify car thieves and vandals, including those who stole my vehicle from our driveway.
Definitely the August smart lock for convenience. Making sure you locked the door when you go to bed 😉
Security is most important. The Logitech Circle 2 Wired Indoor/Outdoor Camera would help so that I can see of any suspicious people or activities at my doorstep.
Convenience is the most important consideration of the three. With the August smart lock I can remotely unlock the door when not home to let in family members if they are house sitting and let in my kids if I am working late and not home so they don’t have to worry about carrying a key or hiding one outside on the property, also to unlock the door before leaving my truck with two hands full of groceries and to ensure on those days when leaving the house distracted or in a rush, that I can check to see if I locked my door or not. Life gets busy and sometimes we forget the most basic things. We are human after all.
Security is most important to me. We could definitely use some outdoor lighting and the Phillips Hue Lights would be perfect.
Security, and the Arlo Pro 2
security This is the most important. These days it all the more important than ever.
security This is the most important. These days it all the more important than ever.
security This is the most important. These days it all the more important than ever.
security This is the most important. These days it all the more important than ever.
security This is the most important. These days it all the more important than ever.
Security is very important to me. We have been having a lot of break-ins and thefts in our neighbourhood. It is an awful feeling knowing that someone may be prowling around your yard in the night looking for things to steal. I think that the ogitech Circle 2 Wired IP Cameras would be helpful.
Security for sure. I would love the atlo pro 2 cameras and the Augusta lock.
Any of these packages would be a big help… We don’t have any security except for a few light and a Google mini…
My husband is disabled so all that art stuff would make his life easier.. Door lock.. Cameras. Door bell.. He could check thing right from his phone..
Thank you
love the idea of security, I would feel safer with a product like this
Convenience is most important to me. I want to be able to control everything with voice commands so I can feel like I’m in the future. With the Google home and other smart devices, I’m partway there.
Security would be top of list for me; knowing if my home is secure or being able to check in on it when I can’t be there would be an asset
Security for me. The nest cam wifi or Logitech circle cams would help monitor the exterior of my home and anyone attempting to steal my deliveries.
Convenience nothing is worse than getting comfy in bed being ready to fall asleep and realizing crap I left the living room or kitchen lights on. With this stuff I could either schedule it to shutdown automatically by a certain time (which also could be reminder to go to bed). Or being able to talk to a smart speaker to turn it off and not lose my comfortable place in bed.
It is so convenient to leave keys at home!
Thermostat, doorbell, 2 outdoor cameras, one indoor camera for dog monitoring, light switches, power bars, assistants check to all, but what I really want ne is to be able to open the garage door with my phone!
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