SmartThings Hub - Homejell

Best Z-Wave Smart Plugs

Smart Plugs are a great addition to any home as they have the power of turning your ordinary vintage table lamp, into a fully automated smart device!

Which you can then operate remotely, enjoy creating schedules and even use the voice control feature with some Smart Plug models.

The Smart Plugs we will be talking about today also feature Z-Wave, a form of wireless communication that’s developed in order to have control over home appliances such as lights, cameras, locks and more.

The way it differs from your own WiFi or Bluetooth connection is that it offers a more reliable and secure connection, easy installation, the advantage of both local or remote control and the useful ability to have your Z-Wave devices communicate with each other creating the ideal smart home ecosystem.

You can read more about Z-Wave here on our take on Z-Wave vs. Z-Wave Plus — What’s the Difference?

But now let’s get right to it and see which Z-Wave Plug fits best into your home!

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Best Z-Wave Doorbell Camera

Z-Wave is one of the newer type of wireless technology that smart devices use to communicate with each other. It’s quite similar to WiFi and Bluetooth, but Z-Wave also possesses its own unique capabilities that many users like.

With Z-Wave, you can expect less interference, fewer disconnections, and a quicker communication speed that you would with other types of wireless communication, plus many other benefits which you can read more about here: Z-Wave vs. Z-Wave Plus — What’s the Difference?

While not all models such as Ring Video Doorbell Pro and SkyBell HD come with an in-built Z-Wave radio, you can still integrate them into the Z-Wave ecosystem by using a hub such as SmartThings or Wink, or even the FortrezZ Z-Wave MIMOlite Motor Control which can turn almost any smart device into a Z-Wave compatible gadget.

Let’s check out some of the smart doorbell cameras (with the exception of Aeotec, which doesn’t have a camera) that you can integrate into your Z-Wave ecosystem!

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SmartThings vs. Hubitat Elevation

Start your morning right with a smart hub!

A smart home consists of 3 major things, devices (lights, thermostats, cameras, etc.), a hub and an optional voice assistant such as Alexa and Google.

You need a hub in order to make your devices talk to each other and create efficient and fun routines all done through a single app.

For example, as soon as you wake up in the morning, the lights are on, the coffee maker is brewing and your favorite song is playing, what a way to start your day!

Different devices use different technologies in order to communicate, such as Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc., so in order to control them all together via a single app you’ll need a hub, and that’s where SmartThings and Hubitat come in.

SmartThings is an already fairly established smart hub that provides an easy and efficient way to have all your devices working together. However, more and more users are turning to Hubitat Elevation and we’re going to explain why!

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Best Smart Lock for Airbnb

What is Smart Lock Airbnb?

A Smart Lock Airbnb refers to the type of lock that can be easily accessed by your guests without you having to be there, through a keypad or even an app, allowing your guest smooth access with minimal hassle necessary.

Additionally, you can also monitor your guest’s activity by accessing the app to see when the guest had used their assigned code in order to gain access to the property.

How Does Airbnb Smart Lock Work?

An Airbnb Smart Lock allows your guests to have a keyless entry by using a unique generated pin code that you provide, which they will then enter into the keypad.

This works for almost all types of smart locks.

However, with August Smart Locks you also have the additional option of simply downloading the app which then automatically grants your guest easy access, no codes or keys necessary.

Most smart locks also come with or can include a physical key too in case of emergencies or other issues that your guests may encounter. You can simply create a hard to find designated spot to store it in.

How Can A Smart Lock Make Hosting An Airbnb Easier?

As a host, there are numerous benefits to having a smart lock for your Airbnb.

Such as eliminating the need to hire an extra person to hand over the key, or just by having to deal with keys in general!

Additionally, you can also expect to improve your listing reviews by having such an efficient and quick entry process with no time-wasting.

All these advantages make it easy to host your guests while also giving you peace of mind too.

Here we will share with you four options that are a perfect fit for your Airbnb Unit!

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Best Smart Plugs That Work With Alexa

What is a smart plug?

Make your electronics smart, with a smart plug!

These handy devices may resemble an ordinary plug, but they are actually quite different.

They are usually controlled via an app, and allow you to turn on or off any electronic appliance that plugs into a standard wall socket remotely. Meaning you can use it with your TV, lights, coffee maker, AC and more.

There are also quite a few benefits to owning a smart plug, such as cutting down on energy costs. Because you are automatically turning off your devices when not needed, so you won’t be wasting any electricity in case you have forgotten to switch anything off. Also, many smart plugs come with the ability to monitor your energy usage too.

Additionally, smart plugs are a pretty convenient too with the scheduling feature, allowing you to set your coffee maker to turn on the morning before you even get out of bed, or have your bedside lamp turn off just as you drift off to sleep.

They are even good for security reasons, as you can have your lights turn on and off while you are traveling, to appear as if someone is home.

Today, we’ll be looking at the best smart plugs that work with Alexa.

Connecting your smart plug with Alexa allows you to use voice commands, making the whole experience even more efficient and fun.

All you need in order to take advantage of this feature is a smart device with the Alexa app installed, as well as a smart speaker such as Echo Dot or Echo Show.

The type of voice commands you could use are:

“Alexa, switch on the coffee maker”

“Alexa, switch off the lamp”

and

“Alexa, switch on the fan”.

Imagine how great it would be after a long night to just simply ask Alexa to turn off the light you forgot downstairs, or even ask Alexa to turn on the heating as you’re getting out of bed on a chilly morning. A simple pleasure such as having your morning coffee already brewing before you even get to the kitchen is enough to put a smile on your face.

So let’s get right to it and check out some of the smart plugs that you can include in your home.

LIFX Mini vs. Philips Hue Gen 3

The LIFX Mini and Philips Hue represent two different smart lighting solutions that can add a splash of color to your home. There are benefits and drawbacks to both options, and each are part of a larger ecosystem that can collectively add something unique and special to your home.

Is it worth splurging for the more expensive Philips Hue Gen 3? Or will the LIFX Mini take the cake with more affordable pricing and easier setup? Let’s dig into the details by comparing the LIFX Mini vs. Philips Hue Gen 3 so you can get a better idea of which bulbs will be the better fit for you and your home.

Sonos PLAY:1 vs. Bose SoundTouch 10

When comparing the vs. Bose SoundTouch 10, it can be difficult to wade through all of the technical specifications and various features that each product family has to offer.

The integration with smart home systems and support for an impressive amount of streaming services make the one of the hottest devices on the market, but the Bose SoundTouch 10 has its own charm with more flexible control options that extend beyond what Sonos has to offer.

We’ve compiled the key points you should consider when shopping for a smart speaker so you can buy a smart speaker that is the perfect fit.

Kwikset Kevo vs. August Smart Lock Pro

What makes a good smart lock? Is it keyless convenience, simple access sharing, or the total control of your front door at your fingertips? With so many smart locks on the market, it’s hard to figure out which one will be the best fit for your home. So, today we’ll compare Kwikset Kevo vs. August Smart Lock Pro to help you with your choice.

Schlage Connect vs. Sense vs. Connected Keypad

Ever wondered how to pronounce Schlage? We did — it’s /ˈʃleɪɡ/ (or “shlayguh”).
The locks are just as hard to pronounce as they are to break.

With a smart lock, you’ll never miss a visitor. It brings security, safety, and peace of mind by giving you total control of your entrance door at your fingertips. With a great variety of smart locks, we know how hard it is to find the right one. So, today we’ll compare Schlage Connect vs. Sense vs. Connected Keypad to help you choose the right smart lock for your home.

Smart Home Technology

In 2017, our homes deal with more data than ever before. Whether through a cord connection or WiFi, a regular home has a constant stream of information. This is doubly true for the smart home.

There are a wide variety of different data formats and protocols that are used to keep your smart home online and functioning properly. Many of these protocols interface well together, working together to provide the ultimate in convenience and home security.

In this article we’ll discuss the basics of smart home technology, and get into more detail about how your connected home stays online and communicative.

LIFX Z vs. Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus

Finding the right lighting for your home can be tough task. There are so many spaces where traditional light just doesn’t quite fit. You want something more than functional, and at the right price. Lightstrips are an option away from traditional lamps in the corner of a room or bulbs hanging from the ceiling. And they can provide (offer?) excellent light in areas most can’t even imagine, with added features that only smart lighting can provide.

With so many smart lights to choose from, this article is going to help you to compare and contrast the features of two lightstrips: the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus vs. LIFX Z. We’ll take a look at the features and differences to help guide you on the better choice for your home.

Both products are fantastic for under cabinets, television stands, computer desks, and basically anywhere your imagination says, “Yeah, lighting there would be a huge plus.” After going over the differences, we’ve put together a table that will show the products and their features side-by-side, followed by a sort of wrap up. So, with that all said, let’s look at both the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus and the LIFX Z.

Wink vs. SmartThings

Choosing between Wink vs. SmartThings is like choosing between iOS and Android — they’re both great and offer a lot of smart features. But, there are a few minor differences between the two that we think are worth being mentioned.

Ecobee3 vs. Ecobee4 vs. Nest

As of May 2017, Ecobee has moved on from the ecobee3 thermostat, and has released the all-new ecobee4 thermostat. And now that Nest has become a household name, we felt the need to compare these three smart thermostats to find out the differences between them. So, let’s compare ecobee3 vs. ecobee4 vs. Nest to help you choose the right smart thermostat for your smart home.

Osram Lightify vs. Philips Hue

When someone talks about smart home lighting, the first thing that usually comes to mind is Philips Hue. Yet, Philips Hue is far from being the only option on the market. The Internet of Things offers us a great variety of smart home lighting solutions, like: Lutron dimmers, GE Link, LIFX, Lightify bulbs, and way more we cannot list. And even though Philips Hue is reputable and very well-known, in some cases it’s better to choose other brands of light bulbs over them. So, today we’ll compare Osram Lightify vs. Hue by Philips to help you make the right choice.

What is Smart Lock Airbnb?

How Does Airbnb Smart Lock Work?

How Can A Smart Lock Make Hosting An Airbnb Easier?

What is a smart plug?

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