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5 Great Smart Home Devices to Upgrade Your House in 2020

Introduction

The world of IoT (Internet of Things) holds the unlimited potential to improve our lives. Who am I kidding? They already have! Since the popularity boom of smart devices in the early 2010s, they’ve become a staple in homes across the world.

That said, smart home devices are not without their fare share of problems, mainly regarding security. Accusations and conspiracies follow wherever smart devices go, and for good reason. It’s not like smart devices have been completely innocent.

When using any smart home device, including the ones on this list, make sure to use cybersecurity software in order to keep yourself safe. For example, a VPN works wonders to keep yourself secure. What is VPN, you may ask? Well, a VPN simply encrypts any data going to-and-from your smart devices, making sure it can’t be leaked.

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My Personal Smart Home Device Recommendations

Now that we’ve got that disclaimer out of the way, it’s time for us to discuss the 5 best smart home devices you can buy right now. These are devices I believe to be almost essential. Some may not tickle your fancy, and that’s fine, but I guarantee you that at least one of them will catch your attention.

  1. The Amazon Echo

The smart device responsible for introducing the IoT to households everywhere, the Amazon Echo remains my #1 recommendation for anyone hoping to get their feet wet with smart devices.

Containing one of the best virtual assistants, the Amazon Echo family can perform just about anything you need from a virtual assistant. Asking for the weather, ordering food, even playing games: Alexa can do all of this. With them being as cheap as $30 on sale, there’s no reason not to try one out.

However, be aware of the security issues Alexa has suffered throughout the years.

  1. Ring Video Doorbell

If you’re the type to stress over security, the Ring Video Doorbell is the doorbell for you. Video doorbells have become increasingly popular throughout the years, and Ring is perhaps the penultimate version of them, offering clear video and little latency.

If you’re like me and don’t like opening the door without knowing who’s behind it, I recommend looking into getting a Ring doorbell.

  1. Phillips Hue

The recent coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to stay indoors, especially people who now have to work from home. To avoid exhaustion and calm your nerves, why not use Phillips Hue?

Phillips Hue lights allow you to turn your room into a light show. Whether you want a personal red room for your photos or a calm, purple room to relax in, Phillips Hue gives you a lot of customization over your home.

  1. Nest Thermostat

We’re entering summer, the hottest season of the year. If you’re like me and detest the heat, why not get yourself a Nest thermostat? Manufactured with a self-learning program, the self-learning Nest thermostat can save you hundreds of dollars on cooling bills (or heating bills).

Plus, they look really nice. What’s not to like?

  1. The Logitech Harmony Elite

Last, but certainly not least, is the Logitech Harmony Elite, Logitech’s solution to a programmable universal remote. With the Harmony Elite, you’ll be able to control all of your smart home devices with one remote, making your experience 100 times easier.

Equipped with a touchscreen and backlit keys, it operates well and looks nice, if not a bit futuristic. It’s a win-win, really!

Conclusion

Getting into the habit of using smart home devices can be difficult and plain weird. But once you do, you’ll never want to go back. In fact, you’ll probably question how you got by without smart devices. They have the potential to improve your daily life tenfold, so why not try one or two out?

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