7 Smart Home Gift Ideas

Amid the magic of the holidays is the struggle of deciding what to get for that special person in your life. It can also be the other way around in that you have no idea what to ask for. If you’ve hit a wall in shopping for gifts, maybe it’s time to immerse yourself in all of the smart home technology that’s available. With the constant hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, your home should be your sanctuary. Check out some of these awesome smart home items to make your home life that much easier.

Amazon Echo

You’ve probably already heard of it, but the Amazon Echo has the power to make your home life a breeze. The Echo is a hands-free speaker you control with your voice.   The Echo can do just about everything from ordering you a Domino’s pizza to controlling light switches and thermostats. For more info on the Echo, head here.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the Echo, you may want to check out the newly introduced Google Home. While the Google Home can’t order you Domino’s or an Uber, it can do most of what the Echo can do.

Nest Protect

Technically, you’re supposed to test your smoke alarms monthly but only about 1 out of 10 people actually do that. With the Nest Protect, you won’t have to worry about maintenance at all! The Nest Protect smoke alarm checks its batteries and sensors over 400 times a day and it’s the first alarm that uses Sound Check to quietly test its speaker and horn once a month. Nest features a smartphone app which allows you to manage any alerts right from your phone. No more getting woken up at 2am by a low-battery chirp, the future is here.

Philips Hue White Ambience Wireless Lighting Kit

If you’re looking for a low-cost entryway into the realm of connected lighting, the Phillips Hue White Ambience Wireless Lighting Kit is the perfect match for you. The kit comes in at a retail price of $70, which includes two basic white bulbs and the bridge that creates the connectivity. These lights can be set via a smartphone app and the best part is that they’re compatible with the Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Nest products so you can control them from anywhere.

Nest Learning Thermostat

Essentially the gatekeeper of your energy bill, it’s crucial to monitor your thermostat and make sure you’re not wasting money. If this is something you simply don’t have time for you may want to check out the Nest Learning Thermostat. Over time, the Nest learns about your tendencies when it comes to controlling the heat/air and it also learns when you’re away from the house. According to independent studies, the Nest Learning Thermostat showed that it saved people an average of 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills. For more information on the Nest Learning Thermostat, head here.

Pro-tip: Purchase your Nest Learning Thermostat directly from ComEd for a 50% instant rebate up to $100! Purchase here.

August Smart Lock 

If you’re looking to bring your home security into the future, the August Smart Lock is for you. With the August Smart Lock, your smartphone is now your tool to lock and unlock your door. Another great feature is that you can control who has access and when as well as know who enters and exits with a 24/7-activity log.

The August Smart Lock is also compatible with the Amazon Echo as well as Apple’s HomeKit app.

PicoBrew Pico

Looking to get into the brewing game but scared of all that’s needed to get set up? Look no further than PicoBrew’s Pico. With Pico, you can brew 5 liters of fresh craft beer at home in about 2 hours. The whole Pico set up is rather small too so you won’t have to worry about all the space it takes up. Head here for more information on Pico.

Petzi Treat Cam

Last but not least on our list is the Petzi Treat Cam! With this wonderful treat dispenser, you can check out what your dog does while you’re away. You can also talk to your dog and of course, dispense some treats to keep them happy while you’re away. For more information on the Petzi Treat Cam, head here.