Smart Home Devices

The decision to make before buying any smart home device is which ecosystem you are joining, because mixing them is where the frustration comes from.

Most devices work with one or more of Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit, alongside the manufacturer’s own app. If you already use a voice assistant, check the product supports it. Matter is the newer cross-platform standard designed to end this problem, and it is worth preferring where available.

The second question is whether a device needs a hub. Some connect straight to your Wi-Fi; others use a low-power radio and need a hub to translate. Hub-based devices generally have far better battery life — a door sensor can run for a year or more — but the hub is an additional purchase, so factor it into the total.

The practical items here: smart thermostatic radiator valves, which let you heat rooms individually on a schedule and are among the few smart devices with a clear payback; hubs and chimes; and Bluetooth trackers for keys and bags.

See smart home.