Smart Tech for Tomorrow: The 3 Devices You Need in Your Smart Home

Generations past had dreams of flying cars, but the future is a strange, wonderful place.

Sure, we don’t have flying cars, but you can find the first 18 digits of pi or turn on disco lighting with just the sound of your voice. Sounds like magic, doesn’t it?

It’s not magic, it’s technology. And you can have it in your home with the three best smart home devices on the market. Keep reading to find out what technology you should shop for.

Amazon Alexa

Named for the ancient library of Alexandria, Alexa is Amazon’s voice control system--and a seminal player in the market.

It’s one of the most comprehensive smart home ecosystems available, with over 7,000 third-party integrations--the most of any smart home system. That means you can ask Alexa to do almost anything, from cooking conversions (Hey Alexa, how many tablespoons are in a cup?) to playing music (Hey Alexa, play Lemonade by Beyonce.) to random questions that demand quick answers (Hey Alexa, how many House seats does Delaware have?)

Alexa is also useful for controlling compatible smart home devices. Since Amazon’s ecosystem is one of the most prevalent on the market, most smart products integrate with Alexa. Which means you can use Alexa to change the thermostat, turn out the lights, close the garage, or almost any other task connected to a digital device.

Philips Hue

Philips makes a wide range of smart LED lights, but if you have to invest in just one, start with the Philips Hue range.

These lights allow you to control the color and intensity of your lights (brightening or dimming at the touch of a button), all connected to the Philips Hue app you can download on your phone.

Let’s say you want to create a soft, romantic mood. Why not a mix of muted white and pink lights synced with piano music? You can also create color-coordinated rooms or set color-coordinated alarms so that you can wake up each morning to a bedroom bathed in (artificial) sunrise.

Plus, they’re the most flexible smart bulbs on the market, as they work with most smart home systems.

Logitech Circle 2

You have a loving family that you want to take care of (on top of an expensive tech collection). You need something to keep it safe.

For that, turn to the Logitech Circle 2.

What sets this cam apart from the rest is the software it uses to monitor your home. Out of all the cameras on the market, this one is the easiest to set up, and it integrates with most smart home systems.

Plus, you can review a 24-hour timelapse of everything the camera saw through the mobile app or website, all without a monthly fee.

It also shoots in the dark and underwater. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can get a wireless model, but the $180 model has to be tethered to an outlet.

Want to Make Your Home a Bit Smarter?

For all the fancy tricks that smart technology can do, it’s not really about being able to play Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on command or finding out about Guy Fawkes without opening a computer.

At the end of the day, smart home devices are designed to make your life easier. And that means you can spend more time on what matters most: your loved ones.

If you’re thinking of making your home smarter so that you can stop worrying about the small details, these smart home devices are a great place to start.