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. |
While security is important to me, nothing trumps energy savings for our environment. So I would love to get the Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit
We’ve had break-ins at our old apartment a couple of times and having additional safety features in the house would be essential in keeping our home a safe and secure place. However, the idea of having a responsive an intelligent home system sounds like a dream come true too! I’ve tried the demo sets at the store and it’s amazing how far the technology has come!
Security is the most important benefit for us. The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor is the product that would be a good choice for us.
Security! I’d like the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. I can leave my house with piece of mind knowing that the doors are locked. Also having the Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit would be a great burglar deterrent
I love the energy saving benefits.
Security. our house backs onto a green space so the Arlo Security light would be perfect to ward off intruders in the backyard.
Security is the most important as we have break-ins regularly in our neighbourhoood. The Logitech Circle 2 cameras would be ideal to help protect the house.
Security is important and Logitech IP cameras would be my first choice.
Security. So many vehicle break ins around my area. I have had 3 myself in the past 8 months.
Energy savings would be the greatest benefit for me.
August Smart Locks would be a great addition to my home, especially for my Kids coming home after school.
Security is our number 1 concern and this would be greatly reduced with the use of the Logitech Circle 2 cameras.
Security is important, and the Logitech Circle 2 cameras would definitely help.
Convenience. I’d like the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
Energy savings; Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit!
I would say convenience is most important to me and the Toucan Smart Sconce Lights being able to connect to my phone sounds like the perfect way to adjust lighting without having to get off my butt.
Security in our home is important and the Logitech Circle Cameras would help.
The Security of these smart devices is very important to me.
Security would be #1. I would love to improve our lighting, locks and add some cameras.
Convenience!
I’m pretty sure convenience aspect is the most important, saving money in electricity be managing the lights is a win-win deal . Also what August can do is amazing. Definitely these devices will help me to make my dream house a reality.
Security– Logitech Circle 2 for the win.
Security is the most important for me and for most people I would think. I believe that the Logitech Circle 2 would be a great help in making me feel more secure.
security is no.1 would love the smartlock
I would love the convenience of having a smarter house, but also as a young homeowner I could really benefit from energy-saving which equals money saving in the end. I would definitely appreciate Lights from the Philips Hue line. It would make holiday decorations easier and energy wise
Home security is important and adding August Smart Lock Pro + Connect lock would be and improvement as the teenagers in my home are always loosing their keys and it gets costly to rekey the locks. the august smart lock would be a good upgrade.
Security for us is the best smart home benefit! Definitely going to be looking into the Philips Hue Outdoor Lights to not only make the house and yard look great but add some extra security in our dark backyard around the garage.
It would definitely be security!!
Definitely convenience. The August smart lock Pro + Connect means no more fumbling for keys making my life easier!
I would love to have Nest’s smart learning thermostat. Setting up the home’s temperature is something so simple, but so important and I hate having to adjust it all the time when I leave the house or come back home. And I also love the tech of learning devices and that would be really interesting!
Home Security would definitely be my choice and the Logitech Circle 2 system would do the trick !
Convenience – Nest Temperature Sensor
Security is the most important to our home. The Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit would give us more peace of mind
For me, convenience is the best part of smart devices. You can ensure safety and energy saving in other ways, but they are usually not convenient as having smart technology to support them. The next step for me in terms of convenience would be to have a smart lock, so I wouldn’t need to spend so much time looking for my keys every time I come back home.
Home security is what’s most important to me and the Smart Lock would be great
Amazing new tech! I cannot believe what is available. Way to go Best Buy. I would love to take advantage of the Smart Home Compatibility. My wife and I are huge music fans and would love to have the access to our music through the Google Home mini. Smooth and effortless.
I think Security would be my choice and the Logitech Circle 2 system would help
Security is most important to me. The Logitech Circle 2, the Nest Cam, and the Arlo Pro 2 would all be a great addition to my house. I would also be curious to see if it’s racoons digging up my yard at night!
For me it would be security. The Logitech Circle 2, the Nest Cam, and the Arlo Pro 2 would all be great to have. I would love to see If it’s raccoons digging up my yard at night.
Security would be of the utmost importance for my young family and I. A security camera ecosystem like the Nest or Arlo suite of products would work as an effective deterrent to any would be burglars.
Security is number one (both in terms of securing our home and in terms of privacy of the users)! Also glad to see that the energy usage of so many of these items is pretty efficient these days (like with the Arlo Pro 2 + Security light)
Security is number one (both in terms of securing our home and in terms of privacy of the users)! Also glad to see that the energy usage of so many of these items is pretty efficient these days!
Definitely Security
Home security is what’s most important to me and with a combination of the August Smart Lock and the Logitech Circle. I would feel safe. Knowing my home is looked after and there are no random keys hiding outside!!
I would want to win an August Smart Lock so I don’t have to worry about forgetting my keys when I leave the house for Convenience.
I personally value the security aspect of smart home technology so the lights from Philip’s Hue line that are easily customizable and check all the boxes.
I need security and safety and when we are away from home I need to be sure that my dogs are OK and the dog sitter is doing a good job
We have started the smart home already and adding security is next thing we want incorporated.
I think Security would be our choice with possibly the Logitech Circle 2 system.
Thank you.
I enjoy the convenience of smart home technology. The August smart lock Pro + Connect would be a dream come true when approaching the door with my hands full of groceries.
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