I walk the dog every morning and one thing I’ve become very accustomed to is checking the weather to see how to dress before I leave. Price: Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor, $33 on Amazon | Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor, $48 on Amazon A smart weather station for hyperlocal forecasts Being able to change the light’s intensity and other behavior based on time of day is also key. I’ve tried HomeKit sensors (and the Hue sensors can act as HomeKit sensors, too) but they just don’t work as reliably as when you’re working within Hue’s ecosystem with its own smart lights and sensors.Įven after I stopped being amazed by it, guests have many times commented on how remarkable it is to walk through our house and have lights just “magically” turn on when they enter a room or area. Specifically, the ones I find the best are the Hue sensors, including both their indoor and outdoor versions depending on your needs. It may seem simple, but I at first balked at picking any up because they’re actually fairly pricy and rarely go on sale.
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But only more recently did I introduce a key quality-of-life upgrade into the mix that made smart lighting more than just a convenience and into something much more transformative that I now really couldn’t live without. I have long had smart lighting, across multiple homes over many years. Looking for more ideas? Find our other gift guides here. When you buy through these links, TechCrunch may earn an affiliate commission. This article contains links to affiliate partners where available. That said, I’m going to specifically suggest a few things that work with particular brands of the above, like the Philips Hue smart lighting system, which I continue to maintain is the best and most consistently reliable. But if you’ve already taken the plunge and find yourself with the key ingredients in place for a smart home, let’s look at some options that can take it to the next level for a truly divine digital domicile.įor the purposes of this guide, I’m going to assume that the giftee on your list (which can be you, no shame) already has a lot of the basics in place, like smart lighting, a connected thermostat, etc. If you’re just starting to build out a smart home, look no further than Zack Whittaker’s excellent starter kit guide, which should lay the groundwork for a connected home experience.