Different Types of Smart Homes Devices and Their Benefits

Did you know that as of 2024, there are about 411 million smart homes worldwide? By this year, the number is estimated to be about 470 million. The Philippines is also embracing this ever-evolving lifestyle. In fact, the projected value of the smart home market size in the country is USD 350 million by 2030.

Smart home devices are made to make daily problem-solving easier and nicer, besides contributing to security and energy saving, with technology going up to the point where you can control them from anywhere. This technology consists of internet-connected devices allowing users to control their environment through voice, movement, apps, or switches.

With the automatic system to control various household functions, operating your appliances has never been simpler. Below, you’ll learn the different types of smart homes and their benefits.

What Is a Smart Home?

People who live in a smart home can reap the benefits of modern technology, which allows for handling and automating the entire home's systems and appliances from one location through a smartphone, voice commands, or a central hub.

These systems encompass lighting, security cameras, thermostats, appliances, video systems, and even door locks. Smart houses are designed to facilitate, economize energy, and provide safety by enabling remote access and constant monitoring of the entire house.

What are the Benefits Of a Smart Home?

Smart home devices make home living fairly convenient. The platform is divided across applications, which can monitor and provide remote control for household appliances and electronics. For instance, they can tint the lights and watch the security system.

Aside from the comfort it brings, it also contributes to your home safety and security. For example, cameras have been integrated with AI to keep you informed of any suspicious actions occurring in or around your home areas.

Smart home systems save energy, as they first learn the users' habits and then regulate power consumption of the devices according to those habits, for example, by cooling the house before the owner comes back, thus helping the environment as well as the owner's budget.

The smart home devices' assistive features facilitate greater autonomy and safety for the disabled or elderly living users, thus making their everyday life manageable and secure.

Top Examples of Smart Home Devices

Smart security cameras

Smart cameras can be considered as additional pairs of eyes; hence, they allow you to keep an eye on your house live, no matter if you are at work or enjoying your holiday. Through TP-Link Tapo cameras, you will be able to view the live feed, get alerts for movements, and also converse through the built-in speaker. A smart camera comes with night vision and the option for using cloud storage.

Smart Door Locks

Smart door locks provide a hassle-free way of entering your house or workplace with the help of your fingerprints, PINs, or sometimes even your mobile. Smart Wi-Fi locks come with a wonderful feature that lets you control access for people living with you and visitors by assigning them either one-time or time-scheduled codes.

Additionally, it can monitor all your locking and unlocking actions to keep you well-informed about your security situation.

Smart Plug

When using a smart plug, it's possible to make every appliance smart. The TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug lets you plug in your coffee maker, lamp, or fan, and then you can control it through your smartphone from a distance or use the voice commands of smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.

Smart Sensors

Smart sensors make your home react automatically. A motion sensor might switch on the lights as soon as someone enters, while a touch sensor might tell you that a window is unlocked. The automated mode implies that energy is not wasted in the case of no one attending.

Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch & Dimmer

A smart switch replaces your traditional wall switch, giving you an app and voice control for lights and ceiling fans. You can even customize the brightness and light temperatures as you like with the TP-Link Tapo smart Wi-Fi light bulb. You can even save a setting you can select for your movie viewing or other activities.

Smart Thermostats & Climate Control

A smart thermostat as well as climate control could now be used to manage the temperature inside your house. Not only regulating temperature but also granting you the ability to keep track of the room temperature and even access it from a distance is the function of this high-tech gadget. It can provide a tailor-fit comfort in your personal space and is beneficial for energy efficiency.

Smart Switches

Smart switches are the ones that link your home network and allow controlling of lights and appliances from anywhere by the use of an app or voice commands. They also offer you automation, altering the settings of your home tools to make your life more comfortable.

The TP-Link Omada Pro smart switch is capable of delivering a whopping 150W of power to the devices connected, so you will never have to think about power outlets again whenever you want to set up your devices.

Smart Speakers & Displays: The Voice-Controlled Command Center

If you enjoy listening to music or just want to have some background noise while working on a project or doing anything else, an intelligent speaker with a display is the ultimate choice for you.

You can ask questions and get answers from them. Moreover, they can execute commands, for instance, playing your favorite music, waking you up and notifying you when the time is up, and operating other gadgets in the smart home. A calendar can be checked, a movie watched, or a video call conducted on a smart screen.

Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Robot vacuum cleaners offer a hands-free lifestyle for you. The TP-Link Tapo robot vacuum and mop is good at removing dust, pet hair, crumbs, and all sorts of small, unwanted things from any kind of flooring. Thanks to this gadget, your home is going to be in top-notch cleanliness condition even in the hidden spots.

A personalized cleaning setting can be established for various parts of the house. Thanks to the automatic charging feature, it will automatically go back to the docking station when it runs out of battery and resume from the same spot where it was interrupted.

How to Set Up a Smart Home

Here’s a practical guide to get your smart home up and running cleanly and securely.

Decide what you want to automate—lighting, temperature, security, or entertainment.
Choose a main ecosystem like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit for easy compatibility.
Ensure your Wi-Fi is strong and stable throughout your home.
Secure your network with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
If needed, get a smart hub to connect devices that use Zigbee or Z-Wave.
Start with a few key devices such as smart bulbs, plugs, or a thermostat.
Download each device’s app and connect it to your chosen ecosystem.
Physically install your devices and follow the manufacturer’s setup instructions.
Organize devices into rooms or groups for easier control.
Create routines or automations, like lights turning on at sunset or thermostats adjusting automatically.
Test all devices and adjust settings for best performance.

Smart Home Pros and Cons

Pros of a smart home:

Convenience: Control lights, appliances, and security systems remotely or with voice commands.
Energy Efficiency: Smart thermostats and lighting help reduce energy consumption and lower bills.
Enhanced Security: Smart cameras, locks, and alarms offer real-time monitoring and alerts.
Customization: Automations and schedules can be tailored to your daily routines.
Accessibility: Great for elderly or disabled individuals who benefit from voice or app control.

Cons of a smart home:

Cost: Smart devices and hubs can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
Privacy Risks: Connected devices can collect personal data or be vulnerable to hacking.
Compatibility Issues: Not all devices work seamlessly across different ecosystems.
Internet Dependence: Most smart homes rely heavily on a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Complex Setup: Initial installation and troubleshooting can be confusing for beginners.

Understanding Potential Vulnerabilities

Smart home devices make life easier and more convenient. But it also becomes an attractive target for cyberattacks.

Smart homes depend a lot on digital security to keep them safe, while other homes still use real barriers and locks along with security measures. This feature makes it vulnerable to hacking, malware, and unauthorized access.

Your home devices seamlessly integrate with your daily life. Personalization is carried out in tandem with eminent advertisement, thus making it easier to find oneself.

In order to stop the exploitation and to safeguard your privacy, the security measures for your devices, like encryptions, authentication, and firmware updates, should be very strong so that the risks are lessened.

Importance of a Robust Home Network

Modern homes rely on high-speed, secure, and stable internet connections to function efficiently. A well-thought-out home network system makes sure that all smart home gadgets always have reliable internet access so that they can work together and talk to each other easily.

Having a poorly optimized network could lead to lagging and interruptions in the automation of your devices. If the Wi-Fi speed is slow, there could be delays in streaming, security feeds, and cloud access.

Optimal smart buildings are equally smart in homes or businesses. These buildings run automation and security and improve performance.

Protecting Your Smart Home: Best Practices

Living in, and even performing daily activities, are now being transformed by smart home devices to become easier, safer, and more convenient. TP-Link’s ecosystem puts you in control of everything, making automating lights, securing your property with smart cameras, and even managing energy consumption possible.

Smart Plug or Camera among the small devices to begin with. Then go on gradually at your own pace. With TP-Link, the connection of your house is not only through wires but also through smartness.

If you’re looking to upgrade your smart home setup, here are some smart home devices worth considering:

Tapo S210 Smart Light Switch: A smart wall switch that you can use instead of your current lights and fan. Great for setting times, controlling lights with your mouth (Alexa or Google), and automating tasks.

Tapo C211 Pan/Tilt Home Security WiFi Camera: A 3MP pan/tilt smart camera that's great for keeping an eye on rooms, pets, and front doors. A local review in PH shows good value.

Tapo P110M Smart Plug Mini: A smart plug (“mini”) that you plug into an outlet, then plug your appliance into it. Allows remote on/off and scheduling. Matter support is a bonus for future ecosystem compatibility.

FAQS About Smart Home Devices

1. What is a smart home device?

Everything in your house that is connected to the internet and can be controlled from afar by your phone, voice commands, or an automation system is called a "smart home device." Some examples are smart lighting, heating and cooling, surveillance, and door protection.

2. Do I need Wi-Fi for smart home devices to work?

Without a doubt, most smart home appliances need a strong Wi-Fi link to work with your phone or smart hub. There are also gadgets that can link via Bluetooth or Zigbee.

3. Are smart home devices safe from hackers?

They can be if properly secured. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, keep firmware updated, and connect devices to a separate Wi-Fi network for added protection.

4. What happens if my internet goes down?

For some devices, like smart bulbs or locks, you can still use them by hand, but most of the remote and voice-control features will not work until the link is restored.

5. Can I control my smart home while I’m away?

Of course. If you have access to the internet, you can use an app on your phone to remotely watch and control your devices.