As a seasoned smart home enthusiast who's tested dozens of devices over the years, I've seen the rapid evolution of home automation. From thermostats and locks to bulbs and beyond, the market exploded recently. We even launched a dedicated Smart Home category on MakeUseOf to cover it all.
The smart home revolution is here, and it's more affordable than ever. Curious about costs? Check out how much a smart home really costs. Plenty of entry-level options exist, like these 6 types of affordable home automation. ABI Research reported 1.5 million systems installed in 2012, projecting 8 million by 2017—a testament to swift adoption. The possibilities are endless, but not all ideas pan out. Some products sound innovative but falter in feasibility or timeliness. Here are five you shouldn't wait for, based on my hands-on analysis.
Last year, I recommended 5 smart home appliances worth buying, including the SONTE Smart Shade. While I stand by the others, this one hasn't delivered. It promises shades that automatically shift from transparent to opaque based on light levels, helping regulate home temperature.
Marketing started in 2012, with CES demos and a successful 2013 Kickstarter—yet it's still unavailable. Competing energy-saving devices, like those that save energy and money, are already thriving. Skip this; necessity is questionable anyway.
CastleHUB positions itself as "the first voice control system for everyone," aiming to support all smart home devices and protocols—potentially replacing hubs like those in our best smart home hub guide.
Skeptical promises fill its Kickstarter. Established hubs like SmartThings already handle Z-Wave, Zigbee, and more. Voice control? Amazon Echo leads, per our Echo smart home guide. Why a middleman? Wait and see, but odds are low.
We highlighted 6 Kickstarter smart home campaigns, including Kepler's "smart gas and carbon monoxide detector" with alerts and notifications.
Crowdfunding succeeded in 2014, production slated for 2015—but no public release. Nest Protect outperforms it from a trusted brand like Nest over Orvibo. Not worth the hype.
The Roost Smart Battery upgrades existing devices, especially smoke alarms, by alerting your phone to low battery or alarms—avoiding the screech.
Marketed for smoke detectors, its value is thin. I've endured chirping alarms; this specialized battery doesn't justify the cost, especially unreleased.
Smart home markets mix gems and duds. Before pre-ordering, vet thoroughly. Prioritize proven categories like smart home security or Philips Hue alternatives.
Have you backed a flop? Waiting on a delayed gadget? Share in the comments!
