As a smart home enthusiast with years of testing gadgets, I've seen plenty of practical devices like web-connected cameras, smart thermostats, and garage door openers that genuinely simplify life. But the rush to connect everything to the internet has birthed some truly odd inventions. Here are six of the weirdest smart home gadgets I've come across—some you might not even believe exist.
Oral hygiene was once straightforward: brush for two minutes twice a day and see your dentist every six months. Enter Oral-B's interactive electric toothbrush, unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2014, complete with a smartphone app.
The app coaches you on brushing pressure, customizes routines, and logs data to share with your dentist. Impressive tech, but is it necessary for everyday brushing?
Japan leads in innovative—and eccentric—toilet tech with the Lixil Satis G. Beyond auto-flushing and seat adjustments, control the bidet via smartphone, play music through speakers, track water use, and log bathroom visits.
With 75% of people using phones in the bathroom, this might tap into a real habit.
GeniCan promises to eliminate shopping lists. This clip-on trash can scanner reads barcodes from discarded items and adds them to your phone's list via app—voice commands included.
Funded beyond goals on Indiegogo, it's clever but involves leaning into the trash for groceries like carrots.
Teach kids savings with this app-connected piggy bank. Sensors track deposits, set goals, and detect tampering via accelerometer.
Tech-forward, yet it misses the nostalgic joy of shaking out coins for toys.
For pet owners, the Pawcet attaches to a hose, dispensing water when dogs paw it—perfect for outdoor pups during vacations or workdays.
Eliminates worry over spilled bowls, though training Fido is the real challenge.
Available at Home Depot, this gauge connects standard 20-pound propane tanks to your phone, alerting you when levels drop—essential for summer barbecues.
Basic but reliable, with room for more features.
From smart fridges to these oddities, the IoT boom raises questions: Do we need connected toothbrushes or trash monitors? As someone who's reviewed dozens of devices, I see potential in practical ones, but gimmicks abound.
What do you think—genius innovations or unnecessary hype? Share your thoughts in the comments.
