2017 was the year smart home technology became available to the masses, and now more amazing sci-fi tech than ever before is just a click of a button or a trip to the store away.
Robot vacuums, new-age security guards, and (very) smart speakers: in the right combination, you can be surrounded by some truly incredible gadgets. We've combed through the vast selection to find the best (and most useful) tech of 2017.
Nest Cam IQ (£179.99)
Nest Cam IQ is perfect for security-conscious smartphone users, allowing them to keep an eye on their home while they're away. It's also especially popular among families who want to keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable family members at home. Gone are the days of shelling out big bucks for professional security camera installations. Now all you need is the app and this camera, which looks a bit like Steven Spielberg's ET. Tucked neatly away on your shelf, the camera lets you keep an eye on your home from anywhere in the world.
August Smart Lock (£150)
Essentially, it's a system that gives you entry without using your house key, but August lets you keep your existing locks. August released its third generation earlier this year; this system is cheaper, smaller, and has a new feature called DoorSense, which is a sensor that you can place next to your lock to let you know if your door is open or closed. You can also check the app from anywhere to see if your door is locked, giving you peace of mind.
Amazon Echo (£89.99)
This pioneering gadget was resurrected in 2017 and is sleeker, smarter, and cheaper than ever. Not only can you listen to music, make calls, check the weather, get the latest news, and set alarms, but once you connect it to the right add-ons, you can use the device to control almost every aspect of your smart home. With simple voice commands, you can control compatible smart lights, switches, TVs, thermostats, and more.
Trådfri Smart Bulbs (from £15)
Launched by IKEA in April, the product is slightly cheaper and very similar to the long-time leader in this market, the Philips Hue bulbs. In short, it's an LED bulb that easily connects to a wireless bridge, remote control, and smartphone app access, but IKEA's offering is decidedly simpler.
Nest Learning Thermostat (£199.99)
This future-forward thermostat lets you control the temperature in your home wherever you are. The device links to your boiler and lets you turn the temperature up or down on the go using a dedicated app. Coming home and immediately putting on a jumper to watch TV is a thing of the past. You can also set schedules and request a monthly energy summary if you want. If you want to go completely hands-off, the device will monitor your usage over the first few days to record when you turn the heating up or down and create a schedule automatically.
RING Video Doorbell (£132)
Say goodbye to those awkward moments peeking behind the curtains or hiding behind the couch. This Wi-Fi enabled doorbell lets you see, hear and talk to whoever comes into your door on your phone, tablet or desktop. It features HD video, night vision and two-way audio.
Neato Robotics Botvac Vacuum Cleaner (£679.99)
Have you heard about interactive cleaning maps and enhanced third-party integration? We didn't either until this robot burst onto the vacuum market earlier this year. The Botvac D7 is more powerful and smarter than its predecessor, plus it's integrated with Amazon Echo. It uses laser navigation to scan multiple rooms and plan the fastest way to clean (even in the dark) so no crumbs are left behind. The FloorPlanner map system is accessible through the app and allows owners to designate “no go” areas without the use of physical objects like baby gates.
TP-Link HS100 Wi-Fi Smart Plug (£22.99)
A smart plug doesn't sound like the most exciting smart home gadget, but it's actually pretty cool and can save you money (if used right). This gadget plugs into a regular wall outlet and acts as a buffer between your plug and the electricity. Now you can connect it to your smart home and turn devices on and off with just your voice. Pretty cool, right? Plus, this gadget also monitors your power consumption, so you can keep an eye on how much power you're using and call out to you if you're using too much.
Furbo Dog Camera (£199.99)
This is a must-have item for pet owners. Furbo is the answer to the question, “What does my dog do when I'm not around?” Although it's not as essential as some of the other items on this list, it should be the first pick for any dog owner. Furbo is a smart dog camera that allows you to see, hear, and talk to your pet when they're in front of the camera. In addition to smiling, you can also tell Furbo to give your dog a treat right from the app. Genius!
All prices accurate at time of publication.