Revolutionizing Your Home: Top Smart Gadgets for 2023

Smart homes have become a common feature in our lives, thanks to the widespread use of smart home devices that require nothing more than a Wi-Fi connection. However, these devices have come a long way since their introduction almost 20 years ago. They have become smarter, more data-intensive, and more resourceful in delivering reliable user experiences for everyday tasks.

The latest generation of smart home devices is designed to meet the needs and requirements of users, with a focus on ease of use. This includes products such as smart TVs, routers, home security systems, speakers, and lighting, all of which can be customized and configured to provide a better experience for households.

When choosing a smart home gadget, it is important to consider factors such as integrations and protocols. You should also pay attention to the "smartness" of the product, as well as the brand's reputation. While off-brand products may be cool, they can also compromise the security of your internet connection.

The Linksys Atlas Max 6E Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System (3 Pack) is a top choice for a smart home mesh router. Boasting a coverage area of up to 9000 square feet and the ability to connect as many as 200 devices at once, this router is perfect for large households. It also meets the Wi-Fi 6E standard, making it future-proof. However, it is on the pricier side and some users have reported buggy applications that require phone support to fix. The Atlas Max 6E comes with excellent phone support and a 3-year warranty term.

In order to have reliable internet coverage throughout an entire home, a mesh router system is often necessary. While basic mesh systems like the Amazon eero may suffice for most users, those with more demanding needs regarding range, speed consistency, and the number of connections may require much more power.

The Linksys Atlas Max 6E is a top-of-the-line option that supports Wi-Fi 6E and can handle nearly 200 devices at the same time, covering an area of up to 9000 sqft. However, it does come at a higher price point compared to other mesh routers, although it offers a solid package and comes with a 3-year warranty.

As a smart speaker, the Sonos One (Gen 2) is one of the best in the market, providing excellent sound quality and supporting both Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. It also offers hands-on control through various music streaming apps such as Tidal and Spotify, as well as its own Sonos App for an optimal experience.

The Sonos One Gen 2 Smart Speaker is the top choice for a smart home device and speaker. With Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integrations, along with the Sonos App, this speaker provides excellent software support and easy syncing of multiple speakers. While facing competition from the Amazon Echo Studio, the Sonos stands out with its future-proof design and the ability to use both Google Assistant and Alexa. Unless a 3.5 mm audio jack is necessary, the Sonos is the best smart speaker available in 2023.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb is the best overall smart light, providing premium multipurpose lighting.

The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb is widely considered to be the industry's most popular and trusted smart light bulb. With Bluetooth connectivity, the Hue Smart Bulb no longer requires a Hue Bridge, but the Bridge enables more functionality like whole-home control. The estimated lifetime of the Hue A19 LED Smart Bulb is an impressive 22 years or 25,000 hours, making it a great investment. Hue bulbs are widely compatible with smart home platforms like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homekit.

The Hue Smart Bulb offers excellent customizability options and supports as many as 16 million different color options as part of its spectrum. It's also easy to install and follows the standard A19 bulb size. The bundled Hue App supports voice control in addition to in-app customization for up to 10 lights simultaneously.

However, the Hue Smart Bulb is somewhat expensive compared to the competition. It also requires the dedicated Hue Hub if you use more than 10 lights in an area. The cost for the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb is $89 USD at Amazon and $100 at Best Buy.

Overall, lighting is an important part of smart homes and the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulbs are a great choice. They offer excellent customizability out of the box and support multiple smart lights through the HUE app. The service life is impressive and the installation process is easy. While the price is a concern, the Hue Smart Bulb is a solid investment for any smart home setup.

The Arlo Pro 4 is the latest in home security camera technology from Arlo, offering a compact and rechargeable package complete with a spotlight to detect and deter intruders from your property. With high-quality 2K video streams and clear 2-way audio, the Arlo Pro 4 delivers sharp and informative footage to help you make informed decisions about your security. At the tap of a button, you can receive assistance if needed. The Arlo Pro 4 boasts excellent build quality, is weather-resistant, and has outstanding battery life, making it a low-maintenance and versatile smart home security solution. While it is pricier than some of its competitors, the Arlo Pro 4's lack of a central hub means you can buy it in smaller chunks and add cameras as you see fit. Its rechargeable batteries are rated to last up to 6 months, making it a truly wireless solution.

The Arlo Pro 4 stands out with its completely modular design, solid uptime, and excellent build quality. However, those looking to take advantage of the cloud-enabled Arlo Secure plans will need to be willing to pay a premium. Despite this, we still consider it the best smart home security solution currently available.

The LG C2 OLED redefines the term "smart TV" with its impressive WebOS package that not only allows for streaming from various platforms but also offers Airplay support and built-in compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa. The TV's voice control feature makes navigating applications a breeze. With its excellent display technology and integration with all major streaming platforms, the LG C2 OLED is a top-of-the-line smart TV. Although some users may be put off by advertisements on the content store, the comprehensive selection of content makes up for it.

For gamers, the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box is the ultimate way to enhance your gaming experience. Using the CogniGLow algorithm, the sync box creates customized lighting effects based on in-game content and events for select PC titles. The sync box connects to three HDMI 2.0 sources, eliminating the delayed reactive lighting of camera-based systems, and coordinates lighting across existing Govee light strips, panels, and bulbs with DreamView 360 syncing. The Govee AI Gaming Sync Box includes two smart tower lights and LED lights for monitors between 27 and 34 inches. With its lag-free reactive lighting and situational effects, the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box is a must-have for serious gamers, even though it's best suited for monitors between 24 and 32 inches. While it doesn't fully sync with all games, it's still an excellent investment at $299 USD on Amazon.

As you consider upgrading your gaming setup, why not add some reactive lights that can create a colorful celebration of every win? The Govee AI Gaming Sync Box is an excellent choice for gamers looking for smart light sets. This kit can "read" what's happening in select games, such as LOL, Apex Legends, Valorant, and OW2, and provide matching lights to enhance your gaming experience. Even when a game isn't directly supported, you can still customize your lighting scheme or reflect what's on your screen.

The Govee AI Gaming Sync Box connects via HDMI, so you won't have to sacrifice your webcam's spot. Since the system reads what's happening in real-time, there's virtually no lag between action and response, creating a more immersive experience. Unfortunately, due to the size of the light bars, the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box is only recommended for monitors between 24-32 inches, although Govee is working on more light sizes.

When choosing a good smart home gadget, it's important to remember that these devices come in a variety of styles and functions. It's easy to forget that they're related in the first place and that a collection of different devices are brought together because they all have an internet connection.

When it comes to smart products, it's important to judge them based on their form first and foremost, just as you would with any top-quality PC speakers. But what exactly makes a smart gadget worth buying, and what sets them apart from other devices?

Fortunately, it's not as complicated as it may seem. To simplify things, here are three key questions you should ask yourself before making a purchase:

1. What integrations or protocols does this device use? If it doesn't connect to your existing home system, it won't be very useful. Make sure to choose a smart gadget that integrates seamlessly with your other devices.

2. Is this a high-quality smart product? Don't be fooled by devices that are labeled as "smart" but don't actually have any advanced features. Make sure to choose a device that truly delivers on its promises.

3. Does this come from a trusted brand? With any device that connects to the internet, security is a top concern. Make sure to choose a product from a reputable brand that prioritizes security and privacy.

In order to ensure that your smart home device will work seamlessly with your existing system, it's important to consider its integrations and protocols. If you use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, look for these systems specifically mentioned in the product description. Manufacturers will often highlight this compatibility as a selling point, so be wary if you don't see it listed.

Additionally, if your home system relies on Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Z-Wave, take a moment to confirm that your new device is compatible with these protocols. Even if you already own a product from the same brand, it's not guaranteed that the protocols will be the same.

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When it comes to "smart" products, it's important to consider whether or not you actually need or want them. While some may prefer the convenience of controlling a $150 toaster from their iPhone, others may opt for the simpler, more affordable $20 option that still gets the job done effectively.

To determine if a smart home product is right for you, it's important to consider its base quality and also understand what "smart" capabilities it offers. However, it's worth noting that there is no standardized definition of what a "smart product" entails, as companies may have different interpretations and approaches. Some smart home gadgets operate within a connected product environment, such as Apple Home Kit, while others function as standalone products.

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When it comes to connected product environments, it's easy to fall into the trap of sticking to one or two trusted brands. However, this can actually limit our future purchases and prevent us from exploring high-quality smart gadgets from other reputable brands. Research shows that people tend to favor interconnectivity among their products, but this doesn't mean we should overlook other reliable options.

To ensure that you're investing in the best smart gadgets, be sure to read reviews and examine connectivity options before making a purchase. By doing so, you can expand your options and discover new, trustworthy brands that offer top-notch smart products.

Remember, it's not about blindly sticking to one brand, but rather, choosing trusted brands that offer quality and reliable smart gadgets.

When you connect any smart device with a camera or microphone to your home network, you're potentially exposing yourself to security risks. While major brands have a lot at stake if their products are found to have vulnerabilities, they also have a greater incentive to alert customers about any issues as soon as possible. This was exemplified by Nintendo's recent warning about a decade-old USB adapter. It's unlikely that a no-name brand would take such proactive measures.

It's worth noting that there are already webcams on the market that can be used for dubious purposes. As a responsible consumer, it's important to do your due diligence and ensure that any smart devices you bring into your home are secure and not capable of being hijacked by malicious actors.