Great gadgets every house needs
Note: This article was first published on April 6, 2016.
We've all been there before.
You save money, buying the best gadgets you can afford to populate your house with. Then the house becomes a technological marvel, an envy of your friends. For a while, you're content. But then, as time passes, the gear you've gathered starts to show their age. They become the norm, and soon, everyone has them. Worse still, they're outclassed by better, newer machines with better technology and specifications.
When that time comes, we all know there's only one thing left to do; go on a shopping spree for all new stuff!
If you're a geek like us, always trying to suss out new gadgets for your home, you've come to the right place. Here are some of the best stuff you can buy right now.
(You better get your credit cards ready.)
Entrance
No matter where you live, we reckon there's an entrance to your home. That's where we'll start. Since the entrance is the gateway to your house, it mustn't only be welcoming, but secure as well. These gadgets will help you achieve that.
Netgear Arlo
The Netgear Arlo is one of the best DIY security systems you can get. The base package gets you two Arlo cameras and a base station.
All you need to do is connect the base station to your home router, sync the cameras and download the Arlo app, and you're up and running. Adding additional Arlo cameras (which are purchased separately) is just a matter of syncing the new additions to the base station.
The Arlo cameras are wireless and run on batteries, so you'll need to have a couple of rechargeable ones handy. The cameras are weatherproof, so if you stash one of them outside your house, you can see activity outside your door without even opening it. The 720p cameras also have night vision, motion sensors and can pan and zoom. The system also comes with free cloud storage that saves anything recorded up to seven days prior.
If your home security needs beefing up, the Arlo Security system starts from S$599 for the base package (pictured above), with a single Arlo camera costing S$229.
Schlage Sense
The Arlo cameras might have visual surveillance of your home covered, but it's the Schlage Sense smartlock that you'll depend on to keep your home safe and secure.
This smartlock has two access methods: manually entering the code into the keypad or via Bluetooth using Siri on an Apple device. Sadly, Android users are out of luck as the Schlage Sense app makes extensive use of Apple's Homekit and thus is only on iOS.
If the lack of Android compatibility isn't an issue, you'll find that the Schlage Sense is one of the better smart locks you can find on sale currently and with its US$299 price tag, it isn't that expensive, too.
Ring Video Doorbell
Every house needs a doorbell, so why not make it a smart one?
With the Ring Video Doorbell, you not only get a doorbell, but with its built-in camera and speaker, you can speak to whoever is ringing from wherever you are as long as you're connected to the Internet. The built-in microphone and camera not only allow communication, they also record and save to cloud storage in case you need the footage later.
At US$199, the Ring Video Doorbell is a great purchase for anybody with a smartphone.
Noke Smart Padlock
No matter how tight your other security measures might be, a padlock can mean the difference between a home invasion and a night watching Netflix. That's why we're recommending the Noke here.
Despite its plain Jane looks, the Noke is actually a smart padlock. It's made from boron hardened steel, so it can withstand punishment. It is weather resistant, too. With an estimated battery life of about a year, you don't have to worry about changing the battery every few days. In fact, even if the battery runs out, you can use a regular watch battery to jump start it, so you can open it up and remove the batteries.
The Noke doesn't use conventional keys, relying on Bluetooth technology and its app to recognize users. Alternatively, you can manually enter your combination by clicking the lock itself or buy an optional key fob from the manufacturer that also functions as a wireless key.
The Noke costs US$69.99 alone, or US$239.96 for a four pack.
What about the living room, you say? Don't worry, that's coming up next!
Living Room
Your living room is where you entertain your guests and unwind after a hard day's work. That's why it has to be equipped with the latest entertainment hardware available. Here are a few of our suggestions of what you can get to complement your living room and make it live up to its potential.
Amazon Echo
Out of all the speakers in the world, you might be wondering why we picked the Amazon Echo. That's because the Amazon Echo isn't just a speaker, it also does other things like communicating with your other smart devices, as well as answer your queries.
Like the much more expensive Samsung WAM7501/XM, it too has omni-directional audio projection, so there's no sweet spot you need to be in to get the full experience.
The Amazon Echo connects to Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based voice service. Alexa works like a digital assistant of sorts and you can ask it rudimentary questions and it'll use the Wi-Fi it's connected to to find the answer online. On top of that, Amazon's continually improving the service, so Alexa will have even more functions down the line.
Amazon doesn't ship the US$180 Echo overseas, but that's easily overcome by using freight forwarders.
Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home Touch Screen remote
With all the electronic hardware at your disposal, you're going to want something that can control them all. That something is the Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home Touch Screen remote.
It can control up to 15 different entertainment devices, including video game consoles like the PS4, as well as an unlimited number of compatible smart devices. On top of that, the remote works with the Harmony app so you can use your smartphone as a control device as well.
The remote comes with an included base station, which sends commands from the remote to whatever devices you're connected to. The base station works via IR, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which means that you don't require line of sight (as in you can stash the base station in the drawer) for commands you send to register.
The MSRP for the Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home Touch Screen remote is US$349.99, though it can be found cheaper at various online retailers. We spotted it going for US$224.95 at Amazon, so if you're interested, you might want to shop around before committing.
Sony PlayStation 4
The Sony PlayStation 4 is the top selling console in the world right now and the perfect companion to have in the living room.
It's no fluke either as the machine can play Blu-ray movies, games and comes with a built-in media player. It also supports all the popular streaming apps like Netflix and the WWE Network.
The only thing the PS4 can't do is play 4K movies, which means you'll need another separate device for that. But since 4K Blu-rays are still a rarity, you have some time before you'll need to commit. The PlayStation 4 console starts from S$529.
Sony Bravia X9300C 65-inch 4K TV
You're going to want a great TV as the centerpiece of the living room and nothing turns eyes towards it like the 65-inch Sony Bravia X9300C 4K TV.
Running Android TV (not to be confused with the Android OS that's found on smart devices), the 4K TV can upscale any lower resolution content, as well as support all current 4K standards. The TV is fitted with Sony's 4K Processor X1 and the Triluminos display, which combine to deliver great picture and vibrant colors.
Sony claims it's also the world's first high definition audio TV, delivering crystal clear audio with its magnetic fluid speakers so you know that your ears will be in for a treat as well.
The Sony Bravia X9300C 4K TV certainly deserves every cent of its S$8,990 price tag.
Now that you have your entertainment center all set up, it's time to move on to the bedroom. Find out what stuff we have in store for you in the next page!
Bedroom
The average human spends about 30,000 hours sleeping, with most of that time spent in one's own bedroom. That's why your bedroom should not only be a great place to relax, it should also be a place you want to relax in.
Sleep Number C2
At its most basic level, the Sleep Number C2 is a bed. However, it also comes with specialized air mattress layers embedded in the mattress, which you can regulate with the included remote. That's not why we're recommending the bed though.
It's the optional Sleep IQ system that's what makes the bed special. Everybody's undoubtedly heard of fitness trackers. Well, the Sleep IQ system is a sleep tracker. You sleep in the bed and it'll record everything from your sleep rhythms, to your heart rate to how restful your sleep was. It even gives you advice on how you can improve your sleeping habits based on your stats.
Never miss out on a good night's sleep again!
The Sleep Number C2 bed itself has a MSRP of US$1,099.98, with the Sleep IQ system an optional purchase at US$299.
Phillips Hue
Sometimes, normal lighting just won't cut it. That's why you'll need the Philips Hue, a smart lighting system.
The Starter Pack, pictured above, is all you need to get started. It comes with Hue bridge, which is the brain of the outfit. It connects to your Wi-Fi network so it can receive commands from your smart device. Once that's squared away, all you need to do is to plug in the Hue bulb to any light socket.
Using the Hue app, you can then do basic things like changing the colors that the bulbs project, to remotely triggering them so that it will appear that somebody's in the house. On top of that, the app allows you to do things you'd never think of doing with light bulbs, such as setting them to blink or change colors whenever you get a message or when your favorite show is on. Best of all, each bulb uses about 80% less power than a traditional bulb, so you're saving money in the long run, too.
The Phillips Hue Starter Kit is going for S$319, with a single bulb selling for S$89.
Nixie Ramos clock
Depending on how old you are, the Nixie Ramos might look like a hipster clock or a vintage, retro timepiece. No matter which side of the fence you're on, you'll find that the Nixie Ramos, despite its looks, is a pretty innovative alarm clock.
That's because once you set an alarm on the clock, you can't shut it off without using a separate wireless panel that Ramos calls the Diffuse Panel. The idea is that you set the alarm clock in your bedroom (hence why it's in this section) and the panel in another part of the house so that you'll have to get out of bed to turn the alarm off. Clever, no?
If you're having trouble waking up due to the restful sleep you're getting from the Sleep Number C2 bed, you can buy the Nixie Ramos for US$399.
Sony LSPX-W1S 4K Ultra Short Throw projector
Space in the bedroom is probably a premium so you'll want to skip having a TV proper in the room.
Instead, you'll want Sony's LSPX-W1S 4K Ultra Short Throw projector that can project a 4K image onto a nearby wall. The unit is actually made up of a couple of different parts; speakers, the projector and cabinets at both ends. The best part is that it not only comes with built-in storage, the projector can retract into its alcove when not in use, allowing you to use the whole thing as a table or shelf.
Like most 4K devices, the projector can upscale content to 4K, and in this case, also project 4K content in 3D. It comes with Sony's Triluminous display tech, with 4K SXRD panels to deliver a native 4K image without any enhancement of pixels.
The Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw projector will set you back US$50,000.
With the bedroom all set, we're off to the kitchen next, so head on to over to the next page to see our picks!
Kitchen
Unless you have a phobia of home cooked meals, the kitchen will be where the majority of your food will be stored, cooked and then served from. With all the different organic ingredients in the kitchen at any one time, the gadgets we'll be recommending will help you out in not only preparing them, but determining whether they'd still edible!
Quirky Egg Minder
The Quirky Egg Minder is a smart egg tray, which connects to the Wink app. The app tells you how many eggs you have in storage, which egg you have is the oldest (and thus should be used immediately) and best of all, which egg has gone bad and in need of replacement. It can even notify you when you're running out of eggs, so you don't have to wonder if you should grab some eggs while you're out.
It might sound like a simple thing but the Egg Minder is an incredibly useful device considering the egg is a major part of our diet, unless you're vegetarian that is.
The Quirky Egg Minder costs US$49.99 but it's US$11.44 on Amazon right now, so you might want to shop around first for the lowest price before you hit the buy button.
Hapilabs Hapifork
Eating utensils are part of every dining set but why settle for normal cutlery when you can get something modern like the Hapifork, a great smart utensil you can get from Hapilabs.
The Hapifork is a smart fork that tracks your eating habits via sensors in the fork and then sends what it records to the app. You can then review the data and with the app's suggestion, fix your eating habits so that you eat in moderation.
The Hapifork can do more than send data though, it can even vibrate and light up to warn you whenever you're eating too fast. Eating quickly is not advisable, as it can lead to various health conditions like gastric reflux, weight gain and digestive problems.
If you're interested in the utensil and want to eat healthier, you can order the Hapifork for US$79 from the Hapilabs' website.
Pantelligent Smart Frying pan
Pots and pans are the number one pieces of cookware every kitchen needs. Whether you're a beginner in the kitchen or a bona fide chef, you can probably use the Pantelligent smart frying pan.
Having it in your corner is like having an invisible assistant. It not only tells you how to prepare food beforehand, the companion app even comes with recipe suggestions. In fact, the recipes will guide you step by step into creating the dish, going as far as giving you real time advice on when you should do something (like flipping the steak over).
Made out of solid die-cast aluminum, the frying pan is also embedded with sensors that transmit its temperature to the app in real time, allowing you to monitor your food to make sure it's cooking just as you intend it to. If the temperature gets too hot, the app will signal you and let you know so you can take actions to fix it.
The sensors embedded in the pan not only tell you the pan's temperature, but they also measure the temperature of food you place on it, calculating the optimal cooking time and temperature so you'll never overcook or undercook anything ever again.
You can order the Pantelligent smart frying pan from the pan's website, at a price of US$199.
LG LRE3027ST Smart ThinQ oven
With the Pantelligent smart frying pan your arsenal, you have the majority of the cooking styles covered. But what happens when you want to bake or roast something? Then you'll need LG's LRE3027ST Smart ThinQ 6.3 cu ft oven.
The oven hooks up with the LG app, which controls all their Smart ThinQ hardware. That means if you have another appliance that's from LG's Smart ThinQ line, you can control them all easily through one app.
The oven has a touchscreen display built into it though, so you don't have to rely on your smartphone if you prefer to do it manually.
On top of the smart features like monitoring and controlling the oven's temperature remotely, LG claims the oven also cooks 20% faster than other LG products, while maintaining the ideal temperature and airflow needed for optimal cooking. In the long run, not only will you save time cooking, you'll save money too!
If you want a taste of what the LG LRE3027ST Smart ThinQ can do, you can find the oven online for US$1,399.99.
With that, we come to the end of our recommendations for the kitchen. Don't go away though, we've still got one more location to visit; the bathroom!
Bathroom
Finally, we come to the bathroom, where one goes to relax and unwind with a soak in the tub. Smart appliances have infiltrated the bathroom too, which is why we've a handful of gadgets you might be interested in.
Kohler Underscore bathtub
Kohler makes a ton of different bathtubs but the one that caught our eye was this 60" x 36" oval freestanding bath.
Not only does it look nice, it's spacious enough even for tall persons and yet small enough that it could fit in most bathrooms. The best part, since the faucet for the tub is in the middle, you can lie back on whichever the side you prefer. Of course, that also means two persons can share the same tub.
The best tub feature though, is what Kohler dubs their Music Bath system. This is an optional add-on to the tub that you can get, which installs two speakers into the tub's walls. It can connect to any Bluetooth device and when in use, it not only projects sound, but also produces gentle, soothing vibrations in the tub itself.
The Kohler tub costs US$3,280 and the Music Bath optional add-on is US$500. Incidentally, if you're the DIY type, you can buy the Music Bath kit on its own to outfit any tub you might have.
Hydrao smart shower head
If you're in a hurry or don't have the space in your bathroom for a tub like the Kohler Underscore, you can always get the Hydrao smart shower head instead. You might remember we talking about it earlier this year.
While most smart devices do a variety of things, the Hydrao is single minded in that it's mainly used to help you save water. It does that via a chip in the shower head that commands the built-in LEDs in the shower head to glow different colors whenever you're exceeding your preset (which you set via the app) shower time. That way you'll know when it's time to stop daydreaming and step out of the shower.
On top of setting presets for the shower head, the Hydrao app can also tell you how much water has been used by the Hydrao over a set period of time, useful for gauging if you're wasting too much water and need to cut back on the showers.
If you want to try the Hydrao out, the shower head is now up for pre-order from its website, at US$99.
Oral-B Black 7000
Make your toothbrush as effective as it can be with the Oral-B Black 7000 electric toothbrush.
Equipped with a rechargeable battery, the electric toothbrush is also compatible with any Oral-B replacement brush heads, so you'll never have a problem getting a new one.
The toothbrush comes with six high-performance modes and is equipped with pressure sensing technology that tells you if you're brushing too hard.
On top of that, the toothbrush makes use of the Oral-B app to give you real time information, which includes data on your brushing habits. The app stores up to 6 months of your personal brushing data, so you can easily keep track of your brushing habits and times and see where you can make improvements.
The Oral-B Black 7000 electric toothbrush has a suggested retail price of US$219.
DXV AT200 smart toilet
Our last entry is perhaps the most important item that's in a bathroom, the toilet. Or in this case, the smart toilet bowl.
The DVX AT200 smart toilet is probably unlike any other toilet you've tried.
The lid lifts automatically whenever somebody is about to use it and it comes with its very own deodorizer (with replaceable cartridges) to neutralize any unpleasant odors.
The toilet also has auto flush technology, a heated seat for those cold nights, soft night light, and a built-in bidet. The bidet doesn't only splash your delicates with water, you can use the included remote to control the water spray strength or activate its massage feature.
If that' sounds like the perfect toilet, you can get it now for US$4,200.
