Home automation allows you to monitor and control devices and appliances in your home remotely. Connected products like smart lights, thermostats, security cameras, locks, and more can be programmed to turn on/off automatically or controlled manually from anywhere.
Home automation systems communicate through wireless protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or are hardwired into a home’s electrical system. Cloud services and digital assistants enable voice control.
We test and review the latest smart home and automation products to help build your connected dream home. See our home automation buying guides, news, deals, product comparisons, and advice to add convenience, security, and savings.
I have previously reviewed the fantastic TP-Link HS110 smart plug, which I now have 3 of. They are great for powering down devices on a schedule or via Alexa and allows me to fully power down my office room at night and have everything switched on when I get there in the morning. As usual…
My last post following my Qualcomm event on Saturday. One of the core technologies Qualcomm are investing in and developing is the new 5G mobile network. It doesn’t feel that long ago that we got 4G and this can often be temperamental depending on where you live, so is 5G going to offer that much…
The Echo Spot was finally released in the UK this week and can either been seen as a budget mini Echo Show or very expensive Echo Dot with a screen. Does it find a comfortable middle ground between the two devices? While the Echo Show is large and ugly, the Echo Spot can only be…
I previously reviewed the Lightwave system nearly two years ago, and while I did find some issues with the lack of sensors and the proprietary communication technology, it is an excellent system and the only system available that offers proper built-in smart plug sockets. Smart Home technology has boomed since then with the introduction of…
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.85″ background_layout=”light”] Priced at £170 the Foobot smart air quality monitor initially seems like the world has taken our obsession with gadgets too far. However, with 8 million people in the UK diagnosed with asthma, increasing asthma sufferers each year and around 5.4 million of those receiving treatment for it, it might…
Having previously reviewed the Devolo Home Control system, I was quite excited to try out a new controller called the nCube. This is a multi-protocol controller, allowing you to control devices that work on Z-Wave, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Lan. If you are not familiar with smart home controllers, they act as a central hub to…
Home automation systems allow homeowners better control over their environments and more idea of what types of energy they are using and why. Home automation systems as a whole are designed to take some of the strain from homeowners – instead of worrying about whether or not they have locked their doors or left their…
I think the iSmartAlarm SPOT+ is the cheapest indoor CCTV camera I have been sent to date. My pack was the dual camera version which sells on Amazon for just £54.99. At this price, you have to wonder if this can possibly perform well? So, let’s find out! The cameras themselves are nicely sized and…
Recently, Barclays undertook a piece of research to identify attitudes toward smart home technology across the UK. This research has been carried out twice in the past two years showing how public opinion towards smart homes has changed over the past 2 years. The 2015 survey consisted of 4,370 adults and the 2017 survey was…
The Panasonic KX-HNC800 camera is an indoor CCTV camera that integrates with Panasonic’s line of home monitoring devices, but it can also work independently. The specification of the camera includes: 1080p Full HD Camera with pre-Recording feature and Wide Angle view Works as Stand Alone IP Camera and with Panasonic Smart Home system Full HD…
The SpotCam Sense is a full HD indoor surveillance camera that also monitors humidity, temperature, and light levels. Users can set their SpotCam to notify them if the temperature drops below or rises above a certain level, or if lights are turned on when no one should be home. Together with advanced motion and sound…
Philips Hue has been one of my favourite purchases in recent months, I love being able to control my lights remotely and have them on schedules. So the idea of being able to do the same with my blinds is very appealing and the Soma Smart Shades do that, for a relatively affordable price and…
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