Gift-giving is how we can show friends and family our appreciation. Smart home products make great gifts because they are handy and useful. They provide a sense of security, add convenience, and save energy. If you want to give someone the gift of a smart home, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s begin with important considerations to select the right gift.
Smart home gifting: What to consider
For most people, smart home products are easy to install. However, if someone is not tech-savvy, you might want to help them with the installation. With a smartphone app, smart home gadgets connect to home Wi-Fi networks. From there, you can connect it to smart speakers and other devices. It’s a good idea to know beforehand if someone can do the installation on their own. If not, offer to help with the installation as part of the gift.
Another consideration is if someone is a homeowner or renter. Someone smart home gadgets like smart doorbells and smart switches require installation into a home. If they are renting, check to see if they are allowed to install certain devices. Otherwise, choose something like smart speakers and displays that don’t require any installation.
For homeowners, consider smart garage products. While these do require semi-permanent installation, they can add a lot of value to homeowners with a garage. This could range from garage door openers to electric vehicle accessories. If these products require wiring, determine if it requires a professional or DIY installation. If it’s a DIY project, add your help and assistance as part of the gift.
Smart home security – Gifting peace of mind
We all want peace of mind, especially at home. That’s why security and access is a popular smart home category. With these products installed around the home, people feel more at ease. There are many smart home security products to choose from.
Smart security cameras
Security cameras monitor both the inside and outside of the home. There are wireless cameras and wired cameras available. Choose a wired camera solution if a power source is available. If they already have an existing security system, find out the brand. A great gift is getting an add-on security camera. Some of the popular smart home security brands are Blink, Google, Arlo, eufy, Ring, and Swann. Many of them offer additional cameras that can be added later.
Smart locks
As a gift, smart locks offer people keyless entry into their homes. Plus, it’s great for people who forget if they locked the door. With a smartphone and a smart lock, doors can open and lock remotely. Many smart locks use a pin code, fingerprint, or Bluetooth to permit entry. It makes it incredibly easy to permit entry into a home. Plus, it offers added security benefits to keep people safe. Lock scheduling, lock/unlock alerts, and low battery notifications provide home security management from a smartphone.
Smart locks are a great gift idea for people who share keys with others. This could be the cleaners, guests, or babysitters. It’s also perfect for Airbnb and other short-term rental hosts. Share unique pin codes for short-term guests and receive alerts when they have checked in and out. In short, smart locks eliminate the worry of knowing if a door is locked or not. They work great with smart cameras and smart doorbells. It’s the best way to monitor who’s coming in and out of any home.
Giving convenience
To get someone started with a smart home, give the gift of convenience with smart speakers and displays. With either Google Assistant or Alexa, these devices become the backbone of any smart home. It’s like having a virtual assistant for your entire home. smart speakers are a great addition to any bathroom. Use it to get traffic updates while you get ready in the morning.
Smart displays are the perfect kitchen accessory. Play YouTube cooking videos to learn new recipes from scratch while you follow directions. Or have a video call cooking lessons with Grandma as you attempt to make her famous dish. The convenience smart speakers and displays add to the home are endless. Just say the magic wake word whenever you need help or a question answered. It’s always there, ready to help.
Giving energy savings
Smart plugs
Many smart home products provide energy savings that reduce home energy bills. For example, smart plugs work great with portable electric heaters. They allow the ability to power on a heater from virtually anywhere. Instead of heating up a room, users can start a heater on their commute back home. With smart plugs, schedules can be set for devices like fans, coffee makers, and lights. Use it with smart speakers to turn devices on and off with voice commands. The energy-saving possibilities of smart speakers are endless.
Smart thermostats
Many homes struggle with high heating bills during the fall and winter months. Smart thermostats save money by keeping heating bills down. Users can customize the heating schedule to keep their home energy efficient.
It’s a good idea to know the heating system beforehand. Some smart thermostats work with forced air, heat pumps, and HVAC systems with a single smart thermostat. There are also smart thermostats for electrical baseboards and radiant heating. You may also want to shop for a smart thermostat by brand. Google, Honeywell, Sinope, and Mysa are some of the top brands. A good idea is to stick to a home’s ecosystem. For example, if they have Google smart speakers, choose a Google Nest smart thermostat.
Giving the gift of a smart home
The best gifts are the ones used every day. Smart home products are designed to be used daily. They provide security, convenience, and energy savings to any home. Getting people started with a smart home is a gift that keeps on giving. From keyless entry to efficient home heating, there is a wide variety of smart home products to choose from. Be sure to read this smart home buying guide to help you with your gift-buying decision.
