The Best Smart Home is Filled With the Best Smart Home Products

Having a smart home used to be a distant pipe dream, but now the technology is here and only gets better every year. Things you never thought could be "smart" and automatic in an average home now are, and the things you never thought possible have been made. But it's okay if you haven't yet updated to all the state-of-the-art smart home equipment, there is so much out there it's difficult to know where to start and what products are the best of the bunch. There are plenty of things such as thermostats, refrigerators, and even home security systems that are now "smart". For those trying to integrate to these from their old standbys, it's hard to figure out what comes first. Below are some of the top rated products for making your home work smarter, so read on to find out which ones are going to be best for your family and its priorities.

1 - 4th Generation Amazon Echo with a Clock

Any modern home would be incomplete without an Amazon Echo with Alexa - your own personal assistant to daily life. This Echo will play your favorite music wirelessly, it can answer questions like what the weather forecast is, and even adjusts its interface to the lighting in the room so it's never too bright or too dim. This latest generation even includes a clock face, so you don't have to ask the time any longer. Having this device is advantageous for many reasons, but namely because with the Echo you can integrate it with many other products to increase functionality and efficiency in your home.

2 - An Amazon Smart Plug

There are few inanimate things that could change your life, but this is potentially one of those. A Smart Plug has many functionalities, but the best part is most brands work with all major "smart assistants" so you can get one that isn't from Amazon, too. Offering electric usage monitoring, voice-controlled commands for turning on lights, and even some functionalities for appearing home when you aren't, smart plugs can do it all. You don't have to leave lights on for days when you're out of town, and you don't have to struggle in the dark to find the light switch any longer with a Smart Plug in your home.

3 - An Ecobee Smart Thermostat

Upgraded from digital thermostats, this Smart Thermostat is another must have for anyone looking to go smart for good. They make programming your heating and cooling schedules a breeze, so you don't have to aimlessly push buttons and pray like you did with your old thermostat. It is smart-assistant enabled, has a large touch screen for ease of use, and its remote sensors also allow you to monitor individual rooms to make sure they are at the proper temperature. Having one could even save you money on your electric bill too, ensuring your home doesn't overwork to keep your place comfortable.

4 - Nest Hello - a Smart Doorbell

The days of peepholes and surprise visits are gone with the creation of this smart doorbell. When someone is at the door, it will alert you on your phone and has both facial recognition technology and excellent video quality making it possible for the Nest to recognize and announce familiar faces. It even can alert you to people coming through when you aren't home, if you choose, so you can keep an eye on things when you are away. Make your home a more secure home with the addition of this device.