Whether you're planning to go away on a trip or stay home this holiday season, it's important that you keep an eye on everything in your house. From your chimney to your basement, front door to the back porch, you want to make sure every inch of your home is protected against any eventuality.
The best smart home devices can do just that. From smart thermostats to video doorbells to water leak detectors, these gadgets can let you know in a hurry if something's amiss, whether you're in the next room or the next state. Best of all, many are on sale for Black Friday.
Security camera
This one is pretty obvious, but installing one of the best outdoor security cameras can let you see who's approaching your house from any angle. Some models also have built in floodlights and spotlights, which not only deters intruders, but can also help you if you're pulling into your driveway or walking up to your front door at night.
Inside, one of the best home security cameras not only can warn you if someone gets into your house, but can also be used to keep tabs on your pets while you're away. Since all cameras have built-in speakers, you could even shoo them off the couch if they're not supposed to sleep there.
Video doorbell
The best video doorbells of course let you know who's knocking, but the models we like the most also have features such as package detection, so you know when UPS or FedEx has delivered something to your door. Thanks to AI, some video doorbells will even alert you if they see someone stealing a package, which is especially helpful around the holidays.
Smart lock
If you're heading out of town for the holidays and have a dog walker or sitter coming over, a smart lock is a super-helpful device. You can create custom codes for guests, and even create schedules for when they're allowed to get into your house — and when they're not. Plus, you'll get a notification on your phone any time someone unlocks your door.
Some of the more advanced smart locks also have fingerprint and palm readers, as well as the ability to be opened with an Apple Watch.
Smart smoke detector
Is the turkey burning in the oven? A smart smoke detector will alert you to any smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide events in your home, so you can quickly act on any potential problems. Should you not want to replace all the alarms currently in your house, some of the best smart speakers can also listen for alarms and send you an alert, too.
Smart water leak detector
As we head into the winter months, the threat of freezing pipes becomes even more real. The last thing you want is to return home to a flooded basement. The best smart water leak detectors can alert you not just to when a leak is occurring, but also to temperature dips or rises in humidity levels, so you can act on a problem before it happens.
Smart plug
Smart plugs are cheap and easy ways to remotely control devices in your home. If you have floor or table lamps, plug them into a smart plug, and you can have them turn on and off at scheduled times, to make it look like you're home.
Battery backup
One thing we have to worry about more during the winter is our power getting knocked out due to snow or ice storms. It's handy to have a battery backup on hand to keep your phone charged and the food in your fridge cold.
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