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Nearly 65 years ago, the popular animated sitcom “The Jetsons” burst onto the airwaves, giving us a glimpse into the future of smart homes and other high-tech gadgets. With visions of things such as flying cars and fully automated homes, these futuristic concepts seemed far-fetched at the time.
A quarter-century into the new millennium, some of the devices seen in the series have found their way into our reality. As flying cars make their way to market and Waymo self-driving cars currently transport people in select U.S. cities, it’s clear technology is rapidly evolving before our eyes. We’ve entered an era of readily available products and appliances that make home life a breeze, and often with a simple verbal command or touch on your smartphone.
According to Parks Associates, a longstanding market research brand, 45 percent of households in the United States with internet have at least one smart home product and 18 percent of households have six or more.
If you’ve been considering adding a few smart gadgets to your home, here’s a curated list of some of the market’s best products. From high-tech thermostats and AI-enabled refrigerators to colorful LED lights that work at your voice’s command, these gadgets will certainly make your home feel more futuristic:
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug
Voted one of the best options on the market by “PCMag” and “The New York Times,” this plug has the ability to take your regular gadgets from basic to smart with little to no effort. Plus, it’s compatible with major home hubs like Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. Have you ever dreamed of being able to control the fan in your room while you’re sleeping, without having to do so manually? With smart plugs such as this, you can not only put most of your gadgets on a timer, but you can operate them via your smartphone or by voice as well. $41.99 for a four-pack, amazon.com
Ring Battery Doorbell Cam
Long gone are the days of having to get up every time your doorbell rings or missing a delivery when you’re not home. With the introduction of doorbell cameras, such as Ring’s, we’ve entered a new era of home security and monitoring. This brand is loved because you can not only see who’s at the door from a compatible device, but you can reply or set auto replies, too. You can even pair it with the Ring-branded security system that offers 24/7 professional monitoring as an add-on, giving added peace of mind even while away on vacation. $59.99, ring.com
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Now in its fourth generation, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat has been a go-to for homeowners since launching more than a decade ago. Controlled manually or via the Google Home app on your smartphone, the device picks up on your preferred temperature settings over time and automatically adjusts even when you aren’t home. With the help of AI, the newest iteration of the Adaptive Eco feature is also able to determine the right settings for optimal energy saving, which often means lower energy bills for you as well. $239.99, store.google.com
ROKU Plus Series Smart TV
Smart televisions have truly revolutionized the game. ROKU’s Plus Series is not only equipped with a QLED screen and preloaded with popular streaming platforms, but the TV can be controlled by your voice using the accompanying remote. This means you can play your favorite show by simply speaking, or even find the remote if it gets lost. The Plus Series models are compatible with most major smart home hubs such as Alexa and Google Home and can be paired with other ROKU-branded products, too. Starting at $398 for a 55-inch model, walmart.com
Philips A19 LED Smart Color-Changing Light Bulb
The Phillips A19 LED bulb is reasonably priced and has a range of colors perfect for any mood. The light can be controlled via voice through your smart home hub, or you can activate it through the WiZ app from your smartphone. $12.97 for a 60-watt bulb, homedepot.com
LG 16H Prime Home Backup Battery
Though not “smart” in the sense of the other products mentioned, home backup batteries are among the things you didn’t know you needed, until you actually do. Essentially a new-age generator, these high-powered energy sources provide the necessary output to keep your home running, especially in the event of a power outage. This particular model is touted as being designed with the average homeowner’s needs in mind, meaning it’s not overly complicated to use, has just the right amount of power for everyday needs like running an air conditioner while also being affordable in comparison to similar models on the market. $3,999, signaturesolar.com
