How does home automation work?
The first function, sense, is arguably the most important, which is why you'll see so many smart home gadgets with built-in sensors for things like motion and temperature, as well as gadgets dedicated exclusively to monitoring them. These devices are the nervous system of the smart home -- they're able to sense the environment around them in some way, providing vital context for the decisions your automated home is going to make.
The devices that respond to those decisions -- that is, the ones that actually do things -- are the muscles of the smart home. A motion detector might sense you stepping out of bed in the morning, but it's the automated coffee maker that reacts to that information, starting a brew that'll be ready right as you're getting out of the shower.
Larger, more elaborate setups with lots of different "nerves" and "muscles" might need a separate device or accessory to manage and process all of that information, especially if the different devices aren't able to work directly with one another. Smart homes like these need more than just muscles and nerves -- they need a brain.
This battery-powered Philips Hue motion sensor can turn your lights on whenever it spots you walking into the room.
What kinds of 'things' can I automate?
"Smart home" is a very broad term, covering a huge number of connected gadgets, systems and appliances that do a wide variety of different things. "Home automation" is slightly less broad, referring specifically to things in your home that can be programmed to function automatically. In years past, those automations were pretty basic -- lamp timers, programmable thermostats and so on -- but that's fast been changing thanks to the recent sprawl of smart home tech aimed at mainstream consumers.
The possibilities are immense, ranging from lights and locks to cameras and coffee makers. The common denominator is automation, and a promise that these devices can save you time, save you money or make your life a little easier. An automated lamp might turn on by itself as soon as you walk into the room. An automated thermostat might turn the heat down when it detects you've left for the day, then back on when it thinks you're on your way back.
To cut through all of it and figure out what's most relevant to you, imagine a typical day at home. Are there any devices you regularly turn on and off? Do you regularly adjust your home environment depending on what you're doing? Those regular habits and activities are typically the best candidates for automation. Figure out which ones are most important to you, and you'll have a much better idea of what to look for as you start shopping around.
Some of the most popular categories in home automation include light bulbs, switches, home security, door locks, cameras and climate control. If you'd like to dive deeper on any of those topics, just click the link to check out its own dedicated buying guide.
Mind you, those categories are far from exhaustive. With so much competition, manufacturers are getting increasingly creative in order to stand out from the crowd, which is one of the main reasons that the smart home has diversified as quickly as it has.
Shop around, and you'll find gadgets designed to help you sleep better, devices that promise tosmarten up your home entertainment system and even connected tools for more intelligent gardening. We've even reviewed a smart home piggy bank. Sure, some of these devices come with an extra-high novelty factor, but if they're automating something you care about, then they might merit consideration all the same.
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