We inhabit a futuristic world with the upcoming technology called home automation. Researchers keep expanding and improving the technology surrounding the future smart home. Right now, the technology pushes for integration of all the tasks.
For example, instead of tapping an app that unlocks the door and another app for the lights and a third app for the home security system, you will access all this information from a single source. Tons of technology companies have started moving forward with their own hubs.
The Best Home Automation Systems to Bring the Future to Your Doorstep
#1. Vera Home Automation
As a home automation system, Vera eliminates monthly fees, contracts, and the hassle. The programmers of Vera sought total flexibility and freedom with this home automation system. In fact, the novel approach of choosing your own system made Vera a popular choice. When the other systems lock you into using their specific apps, the programmers designed Vera with compatibility in mind.
In fact, the software works with over 900 Z-Wave Certified Devices. You have tons of options for customization. You can control your home with simplicity because this home automation system boils everything down to its most simple components. Watch your front door, monitor your property and turn your lights on automatically with a sensor.
#2. Wink Hub 2
Wink Hub 2 impresses us with its affordable price and versatility. With the first Wink Hub, it lacked the 5GHz Wi-Fi, and it had a buggy pairing process. The new hub brings us more memory, a sleeker design and better network support than ever before. You also have enhanced security, Bluetooth support, and a simplified setup. What sparks even greater interest is how this is a wireless home automation system.
Because of the wireless protocol support, this home automation system received the thumbs up for Editors’ Choice with PC Magazine. In total, you have 512MB of memory, and Wink Hub 2 offers support for Z-Wave, Lutron Clear Connect, ZigBee and Kidde wireless protocols. Control a wealth of third-party information from door locks, thermostats, security cameras, sensors, ceiling fans, windows.
Control a wealth of third-party information from door locks, thermostats, security cameras, sensors, ceiling fans, window blinds, and doorbells. Download the free iOS and Android Wink app, and you will overview detailed instructions to monitor your devices and pair up your components.
#3. openHAB
Referred to as an open source home automation system, you can access time-based triggers, scripts and create powerful but flexible rules. When you look at the home automation hub comparison, this technology supports up to 200 various technologies.
You can create the smart home of your dreams, and you can even check out the demo to decide if this home automation system makes sense for you. Moreover, you can up your features and host without a personal instance. Remote access has also been used with this system.
#4. Amazon Echo Dot
Ringing up a total of just $49, the Echo Dot makes a great choice for the budget-conscious customer who wants a home automation system at a low price where they don’t sacrifice the groceries for home automation.
Granted, the Amazon Echo Dot lacks a booming speaker that the $179 Echo does, but you will discover the Dot’s far-field microphones have just as much adeptness at picking up your voice from across the room. Along with turning the lights on and off, the Dot also reads news headlines, sports scores, weather reports and you have an entire host of other brilliant features.
#5. Google Home
Known as a monolithic player in the technology industry, Google Home earned the title for the “Best Voice Control Smart Home Hub” in Tom’s Guide 2017. While it does cost $80 more than the Amazon Echo Dot, quality can’t be overstated. It responds promptly to voice commands, and you can stream music and control your smart home devices through it. What distinguishes Google Home?
In particular, this technology integrates itself with Google Assistant. Through it, you can search for anything and everything necessary. Do you have a Chromecast? Control it with your voice. Google Home brings you a happy middle ground between the cost efficient Amazon Echo Dot and the more expensive Echo.
#6. Amazon Echo
Ever wanted to play music with the tap of a smartphone button? The voice activation of Amazon Echo lets you play music, check the weather, replace your Bluetooth speakers and scroll through a list of enriching features. A lot of people find Amazon Echo useful for controlling the thermostat and smart vents.
As you can see, you have many practical features, but the fun never gets lost in the design. The sound quality looks rather impressive, and you will have minimal trouble hearing from another room. The Echo does demand a little more tech knowledge in the setup, but through it, you can turn on your TV, cable and ask for reminders from the system.
#7. Logitech Harmony Elite
A powerful and intuitive way to grab the reins of your entertainment, Logitech Harmony Elite understands life happens outside the living room. This home automation system takes one step beyond movies and TV, and it controls music from the kitchen, lets you adjust the lights while across town.
You can even program the blinds to work based on the time of day. Through this system, you can look at lights, locks, thermostat and more to create a simplified one-touch system. You will be able to dim the lights or turn on multiple devices with the touch of a button.
Drawing to a Close
So, what is home automation? To sum it up, home automation puts the control and convenience in the palm of your hands. Depending on the system, you can lock your doors, control the air conditioner, coffee pot, TV, movies and thermostat from your smartphone.
Enter the future and enjoy everything it has to offer with a system. A plethora of equipment continues to drive the explosion of popularity in this technology. If you’d like to try out one of these systems, perhaps one of the cheaper products will be a good way to get your feet wet to decide if this is the right choice for you.
