Automated Paradise?
It seems like smart home products are all the rage these days. We are constantly trying to make our homes feel simpler, more automated, and attuned to our individual needs. Many products are well on their way to doing this for us, but some turn out to be more of a hindrance than a help.
1. Central Hubs
The worst part about having a bunch of smart home products is having to download a million apps to keep everything working. If you can swing it, a central hub like an Echo, HomePod, Google Nest, or equivalent, will keep random apps off your phone and streamline all your tech.
2. Garbage Bin
This item is so simple but so effective. Smart garbage bins will automatically open a new bag for you when you take out the old one, so you don’t have to remember to set up a new bag. Occasionally, certain bins will also tie off the bag for you, so you can keep your hands cleaner than with your standard trash bin.
3. TVs
Who doesn’t love a smart TV? This is probably the most common smart home item you see, and that’s definitely on purpose. Smart TVs let you stream content, use other apps like Spotify or YouTube, and automatically search if you speak into the mic.
4. Ring Camera
The ring camera is a great way to see who’s at your door from anywhere you are. It can be helpful if you’re busy in the kitchen, running out to the store, or are otherwise occupied. It also provides quick communication between you and your visitor.
5. Security Systems
Smart security systems are much quicker than your standard alarm system, and they can be accessed from anywhere via your phone. If someone shows up on your property, or your kid is getting home from school, or a package is dropped off, you can know right away. You can also set your alarm remotely, which is great if you forget to in the morning.
Sebastian Scholz (Nuki) on Unsplash
6. Plugs
Smart plugs are a great way to automate your lighting situation. They can usually connect to your smart hub, so you don't need to cross the room to turn on your lamp, and they can be scheduled to turn on at a specific point in the day.
7. Alexa/Google/Etc.
We mentioned these items on the very first slide of this list, but we should also say that Alexa and Google Home are great on their own. It’s like your own dictionary, meteorologist, and time keeper rolled into one.
8. Food Thermometer
What better way to keep an eye on your food than by using smart technology? Food thermometers like MEATer stay inside whatever meat you’re cooking as it's in the oven, and it will let you know exactly when to take out your meal so it's safe, but not dry.
U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wikimedia
9. Smart Feeders
Feeders are a huge help, especially if you are in the office for the better part of your day. Your furry friend will appreciate getting their food throughout the day, so they’re not starving when you come home. If you don’t have a dog or a cat, you could also opt for a smart bird feeder and watch your local wildlife up close.
10. Thermostats
Smart thermostats are useful for helping you save money and be more comfortable. They learn your schedule and automatically adjust your home's temperature depending on the time of day and even how many people are home. You can also change your thermostat via your phone, so your home won’t be freezing or sweltering when you get in.
1. Stove
Sure, it’s helpful if someone forgets to let the oven preheat, but that can take 10 to 15 minutes maximum - so it doesn’t really affect you all that much. There are also definitely safety concerns with accidentally leaving a home appliance on that can start a house fire.
2. Wi-Fi Door Lock
It’s so easy not to have keys, but what happens if your wifi stops working, or your phone is dead? Sure, you’ll likely be fine 99% of the time, but that 1% could cause some major setbacks in your day.
3. Switches
Unlike pairing a smart plug to your phone, smart light switches are a more tedious process, as you’re actually getting into the circuitry of your home. If that’s worth it to you, great! Otherwise, you’ll probably be fine doing the old off/on flick when you leave or enter a room.
4. Fridge
Tell us why you need a smart fridge? Is it to keep a list of items you need? Is it to automatically fix the temperature of your appliance? Both of those things can be done much more easily and much cheaper on your phone. The only upside is that the smart fridge will keep track of expiry dates, but you could also just… write those down.
Lotus Design N Print on Unsplash
5. Roombas
Many folks love or hate Roombas, depending on the brand you pick from. While they can be an effective way of automatically cleaning your home, many find that their Roombas get stuck on carpet or under furniture and don’t get all the housework done.
6. Anything With A Sketchy App
There are so many third-party apps that you’re required to download when you get a piece of smart technology, especially if you’re not getting them through Google or Amazon. Unfortunately, even the most streamlined apps are subject to hacking, leading to a plethora of security issues.
Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash
7. Curtains
Smart curtains seem like a great idea until you lose power. They tend to be very costly, occasionally very loud, and some of them just straight up don’t work.
8. Water Bottle
Do you really need a smart water bottle? Sure, they track water consumption and can be found easily when lost, but there are definitely toxicity concerns with having circuitry next to your drinking source. It is also more likely to break if you drop it.
9. Microwaves
Microwaves are perfect as they are, and it's not like you need to preheat them like an oven. Most of us know the average time to cook something, so this one really just seems like a waste of money.
10. Faucets
Smart faucets are great if your hands are dirty and you need to turn your faucet on, but other than that, they seem moot. They’re great in public places to reduce the spread of germs, but you and your housemates don’t need to worry about that as much.
