20 Internet Of Things Products To Make Your Home Even Smarter

Connecting For A Smarter Home

The "smart home" is no longer a futuristic platform – a slew of connected products are currently on the market to help consumers make their houses more automated, secure and comfortable.

With today's smart products, homeowners can schedule their lights and fans to turn on just before they enter their houses. They can check in with their smart refrigerators to see what groceries they need while at the store. And, when someone rings the doorbell, they can talk to visitors and see who is at the door, even if they aren't home.

Meanwhile, on the channel's part, solution providers can offer services to integrate and secure these smart gadgets for residences or commercial building owners. Here are 20 connected products that mark the smart home of the future.

Google Home

Google recently lifted the curtains on its Home digital assistant – a small, white Wi-Fi speaker for playback entertainment and task manager.

With a simple command – "Ok, Google" – consumers can control smart devices like Chromecast, Nest and Philips Hue to set the perfect temperature or turn down the lights. Google Home also supports web-based service IFTTT (If This Then That), which enables users to customize their command phrases needed to control certain actions. For example, saying "I'm running late" to Google Home could trigger the device to send an email to your boss telling her you are late.

On top of controlling smart devices, the $129 Google Home provides music, news and information for users.

Nest Thermostat

Google's third-generation Nest gadget is a learning thermostat that programs itself automatically based on consumers' preferences. For example, if users turn Nest up or down, the product will soon automatically set the temperature on its own.

Nest also can sense when homes are empty, and turns itself down automatically to conserve energy. But in case users still want to access the thermostat when they aren't home, they can use the Nest app on their mobile device to control their house temperature remotely.

The $249 Nest thermostat is compatible with 95 percent of 24V heating and cooling systems, including gas, electric, oil and solar, according to Google.

Presence Security Entry Pack

The Presence Security Entry Pack offers homeowners motion detection technology to keep tabs on their houses.

The $199 pack includes two entry sensors, a motion sensor, and a Presence gateway, which consumers can set up in their houses to detect any intruders or keep a remote eye on their pets and children.

Presence's entry kit also includes a feature that enables users to select certain family and friends for receiving alerts if something happens.

Belkin WeMo Insight Switch

Belkin's WeMo Insight Switch is not the most glitzy connected product, but it has a cool application – connecting home appliances to their Wi-Fi network and allowing them to control those devices remotely.

The $50 WeMo Insight Switch can monitor appliances like space heaters, air conditioning units, TVs, washers and dryers, and will send information about the device's energy usage to the user.

This switch is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Nest thermostat, and IFTTT. It is designed only for indoor use and needs a Wi-Fi router, Android or iOS operating systems, and a power outlet.

Scout Security System

Scout's security system stands out from other platforms because it is completely customizable. Consumers can select from an array of Scout products – such as the Scout Hub, which connects sensors, an Access Sensor to secure the perimeter of their homes, a Door Panel to monitor any door or window that opens, and a Motion Sensor to detect movement from a 25-foot range.

Beyond the components, users can also choose the color and finish of their Scout products, the level of support they want, and the actions Scout will initiative in various situations. Consumers can also check in from smart devices to receive an activity feed, which records all sensor activity. Pricing on Scout's IoT security products varies, with the Scout Hub starting at $129.

iGrill

Homeowners can use the sizzling hot iGrill to bring the Internet of Things into their family barbecues. This smart thermometer connects wirelessly to an app, allowing users to check on their steaks through smartphones and tablets. The iGrill thermometer contains two professional-grade probes to monitor multiple temperatures.

This smart thermometer can be purchased on iGrill's website starting at $99.99.

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June Intelligent Oven

Consumers can use IoT to make dinner thanks to June's Intelligent Oven, a countertop oven the at has one cubic foot capacity.

This smart oven can be controlled with a complementary June app, enabling users to control their over with their iPhone or iPad and monitor their cooking with a live video stream. The oven monitors the food's weight and temperature as it cooks with precision weight sensors and uses Wi-Fi connectivity to send notifications to the user's mobile device. This smart oven, which has a hefty price tag of $1,495 also packs impressive computing power, with Nvidia's 2.3 GHz quad-core CPU.

Lutron's Serena Remote Controlled Shades

Lutron's Serena series allow users to operate their shades using the Lutron app and the company's Smart Bridge.

Serena shades are available in honeycomb and roller styles, and Lutron offers a wide variety of fabric colors and textures. These window coverings install and operate without wires, and are compatible with Apple's HomeKit platform – so users can ask Apple voice assistant Siri to control their shade systems. Lutron's Smart Bridge can also be used to couple the control of Serena shades with Lutron's Caseta wireless dimmers, which manage light.

Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker

Homeowners can use the Internet of Things as soon as they wake up in the morning, with Mr. Coffee's smart coffee maker. This connected device is compatible with a free WeMo app on mobile devices so that users can schedule or adjust brew time, and even set up reminders so that coffee is fresh and hot when they're ready to drink it.

Users can also use IFTTT to connect apps, websites, and devices together to perform custom tasks. This $150 device is a double-walled, stainless steel thermal carafe – and brews 20 percent faster than standard coffee makers, according to Mr. Coffee.

Skybell Wi-Fi Doorbell

Homeowners can wire a connected device right at the entrance of their houses with the Skybell Wi-Fi connected doorbell.

This smart video doorbell connects to mobile devices so that users can see, hear and speak with visitors at the door – even if they aren't home. Skybell, which sells for $199, alerts users when there is someone at the door with a live alert on their smartphones. They can then see, interact with, and even record their visitors on a 1080p HD video.

Skybell also features motion sensor capabilities, so that users can be alerted if someone is at the door, even if the intruder didn't ring the bell.

Amazon Echo

Amazon's voice assistant product for controlling connected devices – Echo – is a $180 competitor to Google Home.

Amazon Echo is a long, rod-shaped product that enables users to control their lights, switches, and thermostats. It is compatible with products by WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Nest and Ecobee.

Echo has seven embedded microphones and voice recognition capabilities so that it can hear users talking from across the room – and dually serves as a speaker with 360-degree immersive sound.

Philips Hue Wireless Dimming Kit

The Philips Hue wireless dimming kit allows users to play around with their lighting system so that it can be controlled with devices and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa.

The $40 kit includes smart LED lights and a bridge connecting the lights to smart devices. According to Philips, consumers can add up to 50 Philips Hue lights to one bridge through Wi-Fi. The bridge is included in all Philips Hue starter kits, or users can buy it separately and build their own Philips Hue system.

Philips Hue is based on ZigBee LightLink, a low-power, safe, and reliable technology to control your lights. Software and firmware updates are completed wirelessly.

Samsung SmartThings Hub

The premise behind Samsung's $100 SmartThings Hub is that it lets users control and monitor their home devices from a variety of different brands – all from their smartphones.

With the Samsung SmartThings Hub and app, users can add and connect devices from their houses. The Hub is compatible with Zigbee, Z-Wave, and IP-connected devices, and brands like Samsung, Honeywell, Leviton and Bose.

The Hub's complementary app also enables users to keep an eye on their appliances with video – so they can keep a live stream of certain products while they aren't home.

August Smart Lock

August's Smart Lock transforms users' smartphones into smart keys. With August, homeowners can use their iOS or Android smartphones to lock and unlock their doors, create virtual keys for guests and keep track of who comes and leaves their homes.

The $229 device will automatically lock doors and log who enters and exits homes through tracking the unique keys of other users. August Smart Lock works with the free August Home app to create keys, grant access, view the activity log, and more, available for Android and iOS smartphones.

Zuli Smart Plug

Zuli's smart plug is compatible with Zuli Presence, so that the plug knows when its user enters the room and will instantly adapt to the homeowner's personal lighting and temperature preferences.

Consumers can use their smartphones to control appliances from the Zuli app, and schedule for lights or devices to turn on or off from their iOS smartphones.

Zuli Smart Plug sells for $60 – or users can buy it as part of a pack for $160, which also includes Zuli Presence and three Zuli smart plugs.

Tado Cooling

On hot summer days, homeowners can cool off with the Tado Cooling smart air conditioning controller. Tado Cooling uses geolocation technology to control connected air conditioners so that they automatically cool down the house before users arrive home – and save energy when they're gone.

This $179 product works with all remote-controlled air conditioners, including wall hanging ACs, portable ACs and in-window ACs. With the Tado app, users can also check on and change settings in their houses when they are remote.

Samsung Family Hub

Samsung's Family Hub lets families keep connected all from the central refrigerator in their kitchen.

This refrigerator features a Wi-Fi enabled touchscreen, allowing users to manage groceries, leave notes and reminders for other family members, play music and update the calendar.

The Samsung Family Hub, which starts at $5,599, also contains three built-in cameras that take photos every time the doors close – so users can check their phones while they are at the grocery store to see if there're any groceries they may need.

ReST Smart Bed

ReST, the world's first and only smart bed, automatically adjusts to support its users' comfort. Using almost 2,000 pressure points and multiple air chambers, the bed customizes its firmness in real time based on body position detection.

ReST also monitors sleep so that homeowners can track their sleep data on the ReST app. The smart bed, first unveiled at CES in 2015, is targeted for athletic performance and consumers suffering from back pain. ReST starts at $4,009 for a twin XL size.

Sony Android TV

Sony's smart TV incorporates an Android platform, which allows users to access built-in Internet connectivity, so they can browse channels and access a range of online services like video on demand, social networking and instant messaging.

Sony Android TV also features Google Cast, which lets users play their favorite games, videos and app from their mobile devices to their TVs. Sony's Android TVs start at $600 for a 4K ultra-HD model.

Parrot Pot

Parrot Pot is perfect for homeowners who love to decorate their porches with potted plants. This Bluetooth-enabled robotic pot manages plant's water consumption and automatically adapts to different needs.

If users need to go on a vacation, they no longer need to hire someone to water their plants – Parrot Pot features four sensors that analyze light, temperature, soil moisture and fertilizer levels. The $150 pot keeps a database of more than 8,000 plants with custom advice and suggestions of the best-fitted plants in the area. Users can also receive real-time alerts on their plants with the product's free app.