‘Tis the season to check out what’s new in smart gadgets for the home. Lately it’s been tough to keep up with the moving tide of technology, but according to analysts at IHS markit the focus this year will be to educate consumers, lower prices, and enhance security. Here are a few of the best smart home gift ideas to put on your shopping list this holiday season:
- Amazon Echo – This product has come a long way since 2014. It has transitioned from a simple speaker to a virtual hub for your home in a few short years. It is being called the “tube of knowledge” because of its ability to give you the weather, news, music, etc. Ask Alexa for sports scores, to have a pizza delivered, or to remember your grocery list. The sound quality is top notch. A must have for every room in the house and an excellent gift idea!
- Chamberlain Smart garage Door opener – Open or close your garage door from anywhere in the world! Customize to close the garage door at a specific time of day or night. Compatible with most garage door openers after 1983. Set custom alerts that will notify you when your garage door is open.
- Robomow RS622 – Who needs to waste their time mowing lawns any more? Customers are saying this smart mower is pricey but worth it! It takes a few hours to set up the perimeter, but once it is set up, enjoy a freshly mowed lawn every day and kick back and watch your neighbors sweat it out cutting their grass. Life is good.
- iRobot Roomba 960 Robot vacuum with Wifi connectivity – This product is a life changer for those with pets that don’t have the time for non-stop cleaning. The original and 400 series Roomba was originally launched in 2002. In the spring of 2017 they announced the integration with Alexa, so now you can schedule vacuuming when you want it done and receive detailed cleaning information through the app. How nice to come home to a clean house.
- Arlo Q by Netgear-1080p HD Security Camera-2 Way Audio-Indoor Only – This indoor security camera works well with Alexa/Echo/Show/Fire TV. It has live-stream sharp resolution from all over the world using your tablet, smartphone, or computer. It records motion and has night vision. It also comes with 7 days of video cloud storage free of charge. Easy set up, this camera is a top contender and makes a great gift. Consider giving the gift of “peace of mind” this holiday season.