It’s hard to believe, but summer’s over and fall is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about what to get your loved ones for the holidays. With the introduction of many new smart home gadgets, it’s no surprise that this holiday season might be the biggest one yet. The challenge is determining which one to get.
We’ve gathered 15 of the best smart home gifts you can give for the holidays. Whether you’re buying for yourself or for a friend or family member, you can’t go wrong with any of the devices on this list. These products will enhance your smart home and make life easier and simpler for anyone using them.
Connectivity
Google Home Hub
Honestly, this is one that I have on my own list for the holidays. The Google Home Hub is an affordable way to get started with your smart home. It’s small, so it won’t take up much room, and its smart display makes it a great gift for the tech enthusiast in your home.
You can use this newly released device to play your music, control your smart home, watch YouTube videos, and learn how to make the best stuffing ever. Additionally, while it’s in screensaver mode, the Google Home Hub will cycle through your albums saved to Google Photos.
Google Home Mini
If you or someone you know likes the Amazon Echo Dot, but prefer Google products, then the Google Home Mini is the perfect option. The Home Mini is a small, puck-sized speaker with the same capabilities as the Google Home. It can play music, look up news information, and provide the weather.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to get a Google voice assistant into your home, the Google Mini is a good way to go. The Google Home Mini is available in four distinct colors: coral, dark gray, light gray, and minty green.
Google Chromecast
If you have someone in your life who is looking for a way to get into streaming, the Google Chromecast is a great place to start. The Google Chromecast is an easy to use device which offers a wide range of content.
For instance, Chromecast users can stream Pandora, YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, and HBO. The beauty of the device is that since you can control everything from your smartphone, you or your loved one won’t even have to learn a new platform.
Amazon Echo Show
The latest edition of the Amazon Echo Show offers many more features than the original. You’ll enjoy the fantastic Dolby sound that comes with the Amazon Echo Show, along with a magnificently clear 10-inch high-def screen.
Like the Google Home Hub, the Amazon Alexa Show can show you things like the weather, videos, news, and movies. You can also call friends and family who have a Show (with their approval of course). This feature is especially handy if you have family who lives far away.
Echo Dot
The newest version of Amazon’s Echo Dot is still cheap, but it comes with improved sound and design. If you want to use this device in stereo, just grab a couple. Pair them together and listen to the high-quality audio as it hits your ears.
You can get this device in either light gray or black. Unfortunately, it does not come in quite as many colors as the Google Home Mini, but its price point makes it a great holiday option for anyone looking to break into the smart speaker and voice market.
Echo Spot
The most recent connected device from Amazon is the Echo Spot. This small, hands-free device can sit wherever you need it in your home. You can use its voice recognition capabilities to watch whatever you need.
Users can watch the news, weather forecasts, create to-do lists, and have face-to-face conversations with loved ones. With this tiny device, the phrase “good things come in small packages” takes on a whole new meaning.
Security
Ring Stick Up Security Cam
The latest security camera from Ring is its Stick Up Cam. This fantastic little camera is easily mounted pretty much anywhere you need it to go. Or you can set it on a flat surface if you prefer not to mount it somewhere.
This slick little camera is a great security option you can use both outdoor and indoor. It offers 1080p HD video and offers real-time video feeds for you to check in on your home or office no matter where you are.
You can also speak, here, and see people through your computer, phone, or tablet when connected to the Rink Stick Up security cam. Not only that but if it senses movement, it will send you a notification so you’re aware of the situation.
Wyze Cam Pan
The Wyze Cam Pan is a great option if you’re looking for a smart security camera but don’t want to spend a lot of money. In the realm of smart security cameras, the price for the Wyze Cam Pan is ridiculously low. This is even more amazing considering that the device offers 1080p hi-def streaming and a free two-week cloud storage trial.
This smart security camera works with both If This Then That (IFTTT) and Alexa. Additionally, it offers motion detection areas, along with the ability to listen for CO and smoke alarms. The Wyze Cam Pan is packed with features that rival many cameras that more expensive models offer. If you or someone you know is looking for a smart security camera, this one should be near the top of the list.
| Get it from Amazon |
Lighting and Cleaning
TP-Link Smart Plug
There are many smart lighting solutions that are popular right now, including the Philips Hues starter kit, but for this year, we’re going with a smart plug that has the ability to perform many tasks, including control your lighting.
The TP-Link smart plug offers a two outlet option that gives users an inexpensive device that will connect with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Nest, and IFTTT. You can also control each socket individually, and the smart plug offers an Away mode, which makes it look like you’re home, even when you’re not.
Roomba i7+
If you’re looking for a vacuum cleaner and have an extra grand just lying around, the Roomba i7+ is for you. This robot vacuum takes cleaning to a whole new level. The i7+ automatically empties itself into a disposable bag held within an enclosed container. It will hold up to 30 full bins before you need to empty the bag and throw it away.
You might be able to go a month or longer before you need to worry about changing that bag. And since it’s a Roomba, you know you don’t have to worry about certain floor types getting clean. As it cleans your home, the i7+ maps and learns all about the layout of your house. No matter where you are, you can control your i7+, telling it when and where to clean. It’s pricey, but if you can swing it, it’s without a doubt the premier robot vacuum on the market.
Review: Read the full Roomba i7+ Review
Philips Hue Light Strip
We mentioned Philips earlier, but their light strip is a great option if you know someone who enjoys decorating in bright colors. This lighting strip is 80 inches in length and has the ability to display millions of different colors.
Its adhesive backing makes the strip easy to attach to a wall or any other surface. This makes it easy for the Hue Light Strip to meet whatever needs you have. Like other Philips Hue offerings, the Light Strip integrates easily with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit smart assistants.
Pets
Wagz Smart Dog Feeder
Everyone loves their pets, so it’s safe to say this list wouldn’t be complete without a smart home gift item for your favorite furry friend. The Wagz Smart Dog Feeder is a great way to replenish your pet’s food dish without hassle.
The Wagz Smart Dog Feeder also gives you the option to see or hear your pet with two way audio and video. So whether you’re at work or away on business, you can check in and schedule feedings that fit your dog’s schedule.
Scales
Greater Goods Digital Smart Food Scale
Health and wellness are certainly a focus of many people nowadays, so what better way to help them track their food intake than with a smart food scale? WIth the Greater Goods Digital Scale, you can measure and weigh out food so you know exactly what and how much is going into your body.
This fancy food scale will give you kitchen a high-tech feel without replacing large appliances like your dishwasher, stove, or fridge. With the Greater Goods digital scale, you can view the nutritional information for nearly 2,000 different types of foods.
Withings Nokia Body+
In addition to watching what we eat, we tend to try to watch our weight after the New Year. If you or someone you know plans to make this their resolution, the Nokia Body+ might be a great holiday gift option. With the Nokia Body+ smart scale, users can track their BMI and weight.
But this is a smart scale, so that’s not all it does. The scale also tracks the air quality within your home, tells you the weather and tells you your current heart rate. The Nokia Body+ also includes a smartphone app for both iOS and Android, so you can track all your information right in the palm of your hand.
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