An increasing number of Singaporeans are jumping on the smart home bandwagon. Besides having a cool futuristic home, automation through having smart devices makes things much more convenient and easier to implement than people think.
So if you’re looking to upgrade to a smart home, we have sussed out 18 of the best gadgets in Singapore in 2023.
Home systems
Google Nest Hub Max
Image credit: @instasushicat
If your smart home dream is something out of a Black Mirror episode, you’ll want to start with a home system hub. And the champion of the lot has to be the Google Nest Hub Max for its capabilities which allow homeowners to control every part of their smart home.
It comes with a 10-inch HD screen which can be used to watch videos, shows and movies from various streaming platforms or listen to songs. It lets you control every part of your smart home without switching between apps.
Furthermore, it has something no other versions have – a built-in camera which enables you to get a live view of your home, killing two birds with one stone.
Price: $355
Compatible with: Other Google Home products and products by other brands
Best for: Homeowners that want a device that’s part of the Google ecosystem to control their smart home, which also doubles up as an entertainment device
Shop the Google Nest Hub Max.
Apple HomePod
Image Credit: Digital Trends
For homeowners who love the Apple ecosystem and own multiple Apple products, the Apple HomePod is a no-brainer. Although it doesn’t have a screen and is more of a smart speaker, you can easily get Siri’s help to control your home without lifting a finger.
The HomePod features a built-in sensor that can detect and tell you the temperature and humidity of the room, so that you can make quick changes whilst also allowing you to control your smart home accessories automatically.
Price: $429
Compatible with: Other Apple HomeKit products and products by other brands
Best for: Homeowners who prefer the Apple ecosystem and already own a number of Apple products
Shop the Apple HomePod.
Lighting
Zigbee Smart Light Switch
Image credit: Hueblog
For the moments we wish to turn off our lights from the comfort of our beds, there’s the Zigbee Smart Light Switch, controllable by phone or voice which allows you to turn the lights on or off instantaneously without having to move. Furthermore, schedules can be set to switch on/off the lights at certain times.
However, if you still can’t shake off the habit of flicking the physical switches, the Zigbee Smart Light Switch also enables you to turn the lights off/on manually.
Price from: $21.98
Compatible with: Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners who want to turn on or off lights by phone or speech
Shop the Zigbee Smart Light Switch.
Philips Hue Smart Lighting
Image credit: Philips Hue
Investing in smart lighting is the best way to start if you want to inject extra colour into your home. Philips Hue Smart Lighting boasts 16 million colours with the added advantage of being able to control it all from the palm of your hand.
You can create an extraordinary gaming setup, a cinema-like living room or even a concert hall with Philips Hue Smart Lighting, which comes in LED light strips, ceiling lights, or table lamps.
Additionally, with a Hue Bridge, the smart lights can be synced to whatever music or sound is in the background and will match the light to the beat of the sounds to ensure the perfect ambience.
Price from: $49
Compatible with: Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners that want customisable lights which can be controlled through an app
Shop the Philips Hue Smart Lighting.
Home Security
Tuya Smart Doorbell
Image credit: @a8hy
Expecting a parcel but not being home to receive it is paranoia-inducing. But with a smart doorbell, you can see when a parcel is being delivered and even talk to the delivery person if you’re not home.
The Tuya Smart Doorbell allows two-way monitoring via a camera and is connected by a wireless router at home. This camera lets you take photos and videos from the LCD screen and monitor your front porch remotely 24/7, even at night.
Price: $127.44
Compatible with: Both Android and IOS operating systems
Best for: Homeowners who do a lot of online shopping or simply would like a doorbell with a camera
Shop the Tuya Smart Doorbell.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Image credit: August Support
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a small but mighty smart home gadget that locks and unlocks your door through your smartphone or smartwatch. However, you can still use traditional keys as it merely attaches to the door’s deadbolt.
This lock is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more, so rest assured you will never be locked out of your house. As it is connected to your smartphone, the lock can tell you exactly when visitors come and go, bringing you peace of mind.
Meanwhile, with the August app, you can remotely let in your guests even when you’re away or secure your door if you forgot to lock it when leaving.
Price: $377.90
Compatible with: Both Android and IOS operating systems
Best for: Homeowners who prefer unlocking the door without needing keys or being able to lock/unlock their front door remotely
Shop the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
Xiaomi Smart Camera C200
Image credit: Xiaomi
If you need an extra eye to take care of your kids or furkids when you’re away, Xiaomi Smart Camera C200 is an affordable option. The smart camera has many features, delivers a clear resolution of 1080p, has enhanced night vision, and is armed with AI human detection, up to 16x speed playback, and smart voice control.
Additionally, it can capture a full 360° horizontal view and a 106° vertical view, so you can trust that it captures every nook and cranny of your space.
Price: $32.25
Compatible with: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners who need an extra eye on their kids or furkids when out and about
Shop the Xiaomi Smart Camera C200.
Entertainment and media
Sonos Move
Image credit: Sonos Singapore
We all have moments when we want to jam out to music at home while doing chores spontaneously. With Sonos Move, you can blast music whenever and wherever via voice control or a smartphone.
Sonos Move also doubles as your virtual assistant with built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, meaning you’ll be able to control aspects of your smart home through it. It is weather resistant, works with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, is perfect for indoor and outdoor usage, and has a playtime of 11 hours.
Price: $729
Compatible with: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
Best for: Homeowners looking for a high-quality speaker which doubles as your virtual assistant
Shop the Sonos Move.
Environment control
Aqara Water Leak Sensor
Image credit: HomeKit Authority
Coming home to a flooded house is many homeowners’ nightmares. To combat this, installing a sensor such as The Aqara Water Leak Sensor may help prevent a flooding mishap. The device can monitor water levels and detect water leakages, triggering a phone notification.
No installation is required for this sensor; you simply need to position it near the ground of your bathrooms or kitchens. By setting up an early warning system, you can protect yourself from any property damage or having to drain excess water.
Price: $20.08
Compatible with: Android and IOS operating systems
Best for: Homeowners worried about the threat of flooding
Shop the Aqara Water Leak Sensor.
Sensibo Sky
Image credit: @praysim
Don’t have a smart air conditioner? Not to worry, the Sensibo Sky is a smart aircon controller that links your traditional air conditioner to your phone, allowing you to control it easily.
The installation is simple – connect the device to a power outlet, and you can enjoy its benefits instantaneously. It also works with over 10,000 AC models.
With a few taps on your phone, you’ll be coming home to cool home after a long work day. Additionally, you can preset the fan strength and temperature, saving energy and reducing your electricity usage.
Price: $122
Compatible with: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
Best for: Homeowners who would like to come home to a cooling home
Shop the Sensibo Sky.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Image credit: The Keyword
The Nest Learning Thermostat comes in handy when saving energy whilst bringing comfort with optimal living temperatures. After using the thermostat for a week, this smart home gadget can program itself to adapt to your lifestyle.
Besides regulating your home’s temperature, the Nest Learning Thermostat can also control your home’s hot water tank, allowing you to have warm baths without manually turning on your hot water. Additionally, the thermostat sends a monthly home report regarding your home’s energy consumption and provides tips on saving.
Price: $189
Compatible with: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners who would like to save money by reducing energy consumption in the long run
Shop the Nest Learning Thermostat.
Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Image credit: HomeSmart
This smart home gadget might be small and inconspicuous, but it’s a game-changer to easing our lives. The Aqara Motion Sensor P1 detects human motion, triggering other smart home gadgets to perform their functions.
An example would be when you come home; the motion sensor will immediately signal the lights and air conditioner to turn on.
Besides that, the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 can also send notifications regarding motion detection, so it also acts as a device to ensure your home’s security.
Price: $35.90
Compatible with: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
Best for: Homeowners who would like to automate their homes with a motion sensor
Shop the Aqara Motion Sensor P1.
Aqara Smart Curtain Control
Image credit: HomeSmart
Another way of automating a manual daily task to provide more convenience is by having smart curtains to ease up your tasks in the morning. Aqara Smart Curtain Control allows you to control how much sun you want to let into the house via voice control or a smartphone.
The Aqara Smart Curtain system includes an Aqara Curtain Motor and a motorised track, so all you have to do is hang your curtains on the track, and you now have your curtains on autopilot.
Price: $339
Compatible with: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
Best for: Homeowners who would like to open and close their curtains from the comfort of their beds
Shop the Aqara Smart Curtain Control.
Appliances
Tuya Wifi Smoke Detector
Image credit: Multi IR
The chances of a house catching fire are low but never zero. To prevent the irreversible from happening, smoke detectors can help monitor and alert homeowners early. With Tuya Wifi Smoke Detector, you can monitor smoke levels remotely through your smartphone.
This compact smart smoke detector is easy to install and highly sensitive to changes in smoke levels in your home. When there is a high level of smoke and risk of fire, it triggers an alarm and sends notifications to your phone immediately, allowing you to take the necessary measures.
Price: $20.17
Compatible with: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners who are worried about the threat of fire
Shop the Tuya Wifi Smoke Detector.
Ecovac Deebot
Image credit: @maedchenmama__
The Ecovac Deebot is a reliable smart robot cleaner that vacuums and mops your home for a hands-free approach to house cleanliness with its TrueMapping technology and 5.5 hours of runtime.
Through an app, you can adjust settings and schedule when and where you want this handy robot to clean your home and you may even choose the dust collection frequency of every 20 minutes while cleaning.
Price: $449
Compatible with: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners who hate vacuuming and mopping
Shop the Ecovac Deebot.
Aqara Pet Feeder C1
Image credit: HomeSmart
With this smart pet feeder, you can rest assured that your furbaby gets fed even when you’re away. The Aqara Pet Feeder C1 automatically feeds pets once activated through voice control or by an already set schedule via a smartphone.
It comes with a 4L food tank and a removable stainless steel bowl, making stocking and cleaning easier. With in-app feeding statistics, you can also monitor your pet’s food intake.
Price: $153
Compatible with: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
Best for: Homeowners who don’t want to worry about their pets starving or overeating
Shop the Aqara Pet Feeder C1.
Tuya Wi-Fi Power Socket
Image credit: @bb_100
If you would like to slowly start upgrading your home into a smart home without fully committing to a whole suit of gadgets, you can start small by getting smart plugs that bring a great deal of convenience to your life. The Tuya Wi-Fi Power Socket makes every linked device accessible online, so you can forget manually turning physical switches on and off.
With just a few taps, you can set schedules around the house – turning on/off appliances at certain times without having to do it yourself. Furthermore, you can do it via voice control for a hands-free approach.
Price: $9.49
Compatible with: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners who would like to remotely switch physical switches on and off
Shop the Tuya Wi-Fi Power Socket.
Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier
Image credit: Xiaomi
Nothing beats having clean, fresh air now that we’re mask-free. To reward our noses for suffering under a stifling mask for over 3 years, we deserve a smart air purifier in our homes to ensure good air quality 24/7.
The Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier comes in 5 models ranging in different sizes and is suitable for different living spaces. For example, the Mi Air Purifier 4 Pro would be optimal for a living room, whilst its smaller comrade, the Mi Air Purifier 4 Compact, would be ideal for a bedroom.
Simply connect the smart air purifier to your smartphone, and you can control it even when you’re on the move.
Price: $129
Compatible with: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Best for: Homeowners who would like to control the quality of air in their homes
Shop the Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier.
Best smart home gadgets to buy in 2023
Getting to control your entire home from the palm of your hand is efficient and empowering. But understandably, finding which smart home gadgets are right for you is complicated. We hope this curated list of the top 20 smart home gadgets will help you be better prepared to embrace home automation and make your lives hassle-free and secure.
Read more perspectives here:
Cover image adapted from Sonos Singapore, Philips Hue, August Support
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