Must-Have Smart Home Gadgets for An Intelligent Living Space in 2024

PUBLISHED March 6th, 2024 06:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 05:34 pm

In today’s day and age, we can’t deny that we’re heavily reliant on technology to streamline our daily lives. Be it at work or within our personal spaces, we’re just seeking to eliminate that extra effort and to enhance our comfort. So buckle up – we’re about to guide you through the must-haves for transforming your home from ordinary to smart!

Smart Speakers

Part music player, part robot-assistant, smart speakers can seamlessly integrate into your favourite ecosystem – granting home control or delivering great music. From exceptional sound quality to the effortless  integration into your home system, the plethora of smart speakers may feel intimidating, so make sure you know where your priority lies and take it from there!

Try: Sonos One (S$319) or Amazon Echo Dot (S$102.16)

Smart Locks

Gone are the days of fumbling through your bag for keys or worrying about misplacing them! A smart lock offers a hassle-free way to navigate your daily routine and enter your home. Whether it’s a thumbprint-activated lock or one with a PIN, these locks not only provide the highest level of security, requiring your physical presence to unlock, but they are also a sustainable choice in the long run, eliminating the need for traditional keys.

Try: Samsung Digital Fingerprint Door Lock (S$1,008) or Xiaomi Automatic Smart Door Lock (S$599) 

Video Doorbells

This is undoubtedly a boon for all the socially anxious folks out there – not only does it help you identify stranger danger, it also eliminates the awkward shutting of door in someone’s face. With this smart gadget, you can even keep tabs on who’s lingering at your doorstep, even when you’re away. And to top it off, almost all of them are USB rechargeable, saving you the money you might otherwise spend on basic doorbell batteries!

Try: Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (S$279) or Xiaomi Smart Doorbell 3 (S$77.90)

Automated Laundry Rack

As much as hanging clothes outside under sunlight might be the cheaper and faster option for drying your laundry, in today’s times, the unpredictable weather says otherwise. Instead of risking the pain of re-washing your clothes, opt for an automated laundry rack. With a push of a button, you can easily extend and retract the clothesline. And some brands even comes with solar heat-air drying, wind air drying, and UV disinfection so your clothes can be dried quickly, efficiently, and even hygienically, without the added worry of rain.

Try: Yu Home’s Yu Nique (S$1,239) or Steigen’s Solar Sonic Gen 2 (S$1,199)

Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Of course, we’ve all heard about this nifty little device that can suck up all the dust and gunk from your home without you even lifting so much as a finger to do so. However, many people shy away from investing in a good robot vacuum cleaner due to its extravagant price point and the regular maintenance needed to keep this little guy going. Nevertheless, in the long run, it does help you save time spent on cleaning, so you have more time for things you enjoy. This little thing is smarter than you might expect, as it can sense changes on the floor and adjust accordingly – no matter the floor type, this robot can handle the cleaning task perfectly.

Try: Ecovacs’ Deebot T20 Omni (S$999) or Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 (S$719.10)

Smart Sofa

This took us by surprise too, as most smart sofas we know are just straight-up massage chairs. However, that is not the case here. Designed for comfort in work, play, and rest, smart sofas lets you pamper yourself no matter what you do. It gives you the option to work, lounge, and even have a quick massage while maintaining that sleek outlook that works seamlessly with your home design. Plus, it’s also half the size of a traditional massage chair, giving you more floor space!

Try: OSIM uDiva Smart Sofa (S$3,699)

Motorised Drapes

Although these window treatments perform the same function as traditional blinds, motorised blinds offer the added functionality that takes convenience to a whole new level. With just the push of a button, these tech-savvy shades can open, close, and tilt on command, allowing you to effortlessly control the amount of sunlight and privacy in your space. Some models even come with handy presets, such as simulated “at home” modes, automatically opening and closing on schedule to give the illusion of occupancy when you’re away on vacation,. Moreover, beyond their ease of use, many motorised blinds are designed to maximise energy by automatically adjusting throughout the day to regulate lighting and temperature. Whether your style leans modern, transitional, or classic, the wide range of options available makes upgrading your shades a breeze.

Try: YEELIGHT Smart Curtain Motor & Stitching Track (S$399)

Alarm Clock Rug

If sleeping through alarms is the norm for you, then this gadget is probably a staple for your bedroom. Whether you use a traditional alarm clock or your smartphone, getting up has always been a drag. Alarm clock rugs provide a different approach to embracing your mornings. Built with a touch-activated countdown, you’ll have to step on the rug for a few seconds before it stops ringing – failure to do so, and snoozing again will make them ring, loud. Plus, its incredibly soft, slow-rebounding memory foam padding makes you feel like you’re stepping on a cloud every morning, and what could be better than that?

Try: Ruggie Alarm Clock (S$100) 

LED Mirrors

Probably one of our favourite inventions, LED mirrors! Not only do these gems give you the added lighting when you’re getting ready to take on the day, but some of them also come with an anti-fog feature – perfect for installing in your bathroom without worrying about the steam that’s coming from those warm showers. An added bonus, its sleek outlook makes it so easy to integrate with the rest of your home design.

Try: LED Mirrors from Shopee (S$299++) or Urban Mood (S$176++)

Automated Pet Feeder

This one is for your furbabies – one aspect of pet care that is often overlooked is feeding. We get it; it can be challenging to manage feeding times, especially if you have a busy schedule or you travel frequently. That’s where automatic pet feeders come in. Connected via Wi-Fi, these advanced feeders make it easy and convenient for you to ensure that your pets get fed on time and with the right amount, all with the touch of a button.

Try: SMARTPAW Burpurr Basic Pet Feeder (S$79) or PETLIBRO Automatic Pet Feeder (S$72.91)

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