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 |
|
|
| 3rd Prize | 4th Prize |
|
|
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. |
Convenience
Security. There has been an increase in break and enters and I think having the home security would ease the mind a bit and I have always been curious to see what our puppy actually does when we’re not at home.
I would be interested in energy savings as well as the lights, looks like a great idea as well. We are on the outskirts of our community with a little amount of street lights.
I want security all the way. I love the nest cam.
I personally am a fan of the security benfits provided. The always on connection to any of my devices provides me with piece of mind and up to date monitoring no matter where I am!
I would love the convenience on the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect.
Security is the most important to me.
energy savings in this day in age is integral
I feel pretty secure in my apartment so that’s all good, however I sometimes feel like my ginger boy cat Henry is up to no good when I’m not home, and would love to get the Logitech Circle 2 cameras, so that I can see what mischief he gets himself into when I’m at work!! Plus I worry sometimes if I have to get home super late, therefore it would be a great peace of mind if I could see that he’s ok. 🙂
Security, Convenience, or Energy Saving. All are important. For a home where we raise our children, what’s slightly edges the other two is convenience. Living in the city, we are always go-go-go. Being connected to our home at all times, we can achieve convenience to ensure our home is secure, safe, and energy efficient. Being rushed to leave the house, we always leave electronics on, whether it be lights, air conditioning, or the door unlocked. We currently have a Nest Hello and already see the how technology is able to make life easier, smarter, and safer. We are also able to increase, not only our own security, but the community and neighbors as well by keeping an eye out for strange behavior and activity in the area. Making things around the house connected, definitely would improves the quality of life.
The added security features would be great.
The energy savings would be good.
Having a security cameras would make me feel much safer
Energy savings, because electricity prices just keep going up and up.
Security is the most important aspect of having a smart home. The Nest Cam would give me that security.
I moved into a new apartment building and after being here for a few months, I am noticing that security cameras on the balconies and for the apartment might be essential. Not saying it’s a bad place, just lots of people moving around. I am still planning on dropping some money on Nest cameras, but, lately I am starting to wonder if they are the better camera or if some other brand is. For me, security is becoming a rapid concern.
Security is the most important, the Logitech Circle 2 Camera would be a good helper.
We live in the country and unfortunately there is a lot of rural crime so home security is our priority so would definitely like the Smart Home Security system.
security which i would get with the Logitech Circle 2 camera
All three are important to me but mostly the security. We have a new baby and two little ones and some recent issues in our neighbourhood and it would be a wonderful peace of mind to have a security system like this
Security cameras would be a great, we’ve had break-ins and spray painting in our backlane and hopefully camera’s would help deter or catch the ones committing the acts.
Security is our number one issue and the Arlo Pro 2 Wireless Cameras would be a great addition to our home security.
I believe cameras would complement our current home security and the 2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be a great product
Security is great for peace of mind. The nest cam would be great and the app seems easy to use.
Smart home security is the most important to me. The Logitech Circle 2 cameras would most help me to achieve this benefit.
Security is important to me so the Logitech cameras can help with this.
Security cameras would be my very first choice!
Home security is important and the Logitech Circle 2 cameras can’t help identify the threats.
Security is important to me and the Logitech Circle 2 Cameras would help with that.
I would have to say the August Smart lock is the most important for my household. Protecting your home is the most important thing, bad things could happen everyday but knowing you have a safe home to go to is important.. Both my sister and my mother constantly watch murder mystery shows, so they have become extremely paranoid about having the door locked. Been sent home several times from work to check the door (about 5 texts and 2 phone calls before i actually respond), or at 3am (I stay up late) to check the door and if i do not respond in 5 min they will rush downstairs.
The August smart lock would help me achieve security and convenience! because I keep forgetting if I locked the door.
security for sure is what i need , logitech circle 2 cameras would be great to do this
Security is the most important to me and the Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would help me accomplish this.
I think security is the most important. Cameras allow you to watch your house and I think even the sight of them outside keeps would-be theives away.
Convenience would be a great benefit as I am lazy so the August smart lock pro would help me achieve the lazy life style that I desire.
Security for sure.
security is crucial in this day and age
Energy saving is the most important since it will reduce the electricity bill and it will make my home waste less energy.
security cameras would be my first choice for the safety of my family.
The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would take care of one of my main security exposures. I notice that more and more neighbours are installing cameras and it is about time for me to join the crowd.
Security is always an issue and we like the Arlo Pro 2 Wireless Cameras.
I would like the Nest Video Door Bell so that I can see who is coming to my door . It would eliminate the need for going up and down the stairs to find out who is at the door. I think it would add an extra layer of security and convenience.
Security is the most important for me. The Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera system could help with that
We have a ring doorbell (from Best Buy, of course) and one of the best benefits of it is convenience. I’ve been able to talk to delivery people when I was away to arrange for parcels to be left in specific spots. I’ve turned “water treatment” people away without having to go to the door. I can see if the cat wants in when I am on a different level of the house. In short, smart home devices can give you peace of mind and are incredibly convenient. I think the Philips Hue Lily Smart Outdoor Spot Light Base Kit would be the most helpful, as is would allow me to light up the driveway when I get home, before I get out of the car, or to remotely use it when I am away. Plus, it would be fun to change the colours!
it has to be security..that would give me peace of mind!
Security is the most important!
Security is the most important benefit to me.
Hydro is expensive and we are warming up the planet, energy saving is clearly the key and smart lights can help
Logitech stuff is great and it’s great that they make security cams now. I’ll definitely be considering those for my parents’ place in the suburbs of GTA since there has been a small spike in break-ins.
I believe cameras would complement our current home security and the 2 x Logitech Circle 2 Wi-Fi Wire-Free Camera would be a great product.
Security cameras would be a great addition to our home security
Comments are closed.