Best Smart Home Products of the Year

Roborock's middle segment now consists of Q Revo. An extremely competent robot vacuum cleaner. It's a smart move by Roborock to first launch its flagship S8 Pro Ultra for about $6k more and now follow up with the Q Revo, which technically is almost up and running on the flagship. Although they differ slightly on the technical side, there is not as much difference when it comes to the result. If you add the difference in price to the equation, Q Revo becomes the clear winner.

Q Revo, of course, has all the subtleties that we recognize from Roborock's top models. Lidar, obstacle avoidance, automatic lifting mop, self-emptying, etc. The base unit itself is slightly higher but at the same time accommodates a full 5 liters of water. The mop cleaning is done with a new type of base plate that requires minimal maintenance and above all no need to change parts until difference from e.g. S8 Pro Ultra and S7 MaxV Ultra.

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Dreame L20 Ultra is an impressive robot vacuum cleaner that delivers high performance and intelligent features to keep your home clean and tidy.

One of the most notable features of the L20 Ultra is its powerful 7000Pa suction power, which allows it to handle different types of flooring. It has a rubber roller brush that prevents hair tangling and facilitates cleaning.

Another impressive feature is the unique bionic robotic arm, called MOPExtend™ Technology. This feature allows the L20 Ultra to reach corners and edges that would otherwise require manual finishing. With the patented Wipe technology, it also ensures a thorough cleaning of corners, eliminating dead spots.

The L20 Ultra also has a smart feature to remove the mops automatically before vacuuming thick carpets, preventing carpets from getting wet or dirty.

A dirt-sensing system measures the level of dirt after each wash. Too dirty mops are automatically washed again, providing a more efficient cleaning. In addition, it has advanced AI technology that recognizes rooms, furniture, floors and cleaning habits to create optimal cleaning plans based on dirty maps.

The L20 Ultra has an impressive ability to detect and avoid obstacles with its 3D structured lens and AI cameras. It clearly shows obstacles on the app's map and allows you to navigate smoothly, even in the dark with the help of Auto LED lights.

With an intelligent mop pitch of 10.5 mm, it avoids wetting carpets and brushes when detecting short carpets. One of the most innovative features is the ability to install a water and sewage module, which allows it to automatically replace clean water and discharge waste. The L20 Ultra has also been upgraded with remote photos, two-way calls and tracking capabilities, allowing you to interact with it remotely and even follow your dearest moments.

Finally, the L20 Ultra also offers comprehensive care and maintenance with features such as automatic detergent refilling, dust collection, water filling and draining, and drying the mop with hot air.

The Dreame L20 Ultra impresses to say the least. It is a great addition to the smart home and will definitely make cleaning easier and more efficient. For anyone looking for a reliable robot vacuum cleaner with advanced technology, the L20 Ultra is an excellent choice.

Automower 430X NERA is an advanced robotic lawnmower that fixes a perfect result even on difficult lawns up to 3200 square meters. With the Automower® Connect app and Husqvarna EPOS Plug-in Kit, you can cut with virtual borders. With smart features such as intelligent object avoidance, slope management with up to 50% slope and GPS-assisted navigation, it is ideal in its design. With Automower® Zone Control, you can easily use your mobile to create temporary surfaces where the mower is not allowed to ride.

*New model to be released soon*

Ecovacs, the Chinese company known for its robotic vacuum cleaners, has now launched the Goat G1 lawnmower. The machine can cut up to 1600 square meters without the need for a buried wire. To use it, one needs a base station and navigation beacons that can be purchased separately. The Goat G1 uses different sensors and has smart features to avoid obstacles. It can also be used as a surveillance camera. The concept of the beacons is not optimal and the cut quality at edges and obstacles is not perfect.

Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug is easy to install and use. You can connect it to your existing 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network and then install the Meross app. In the app, you can create schedules for when your device should be turned on or off, or you can use voice commands to control it.

One of the most unique things about the Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug is that it is one of the first smart plug adapters to support Matter. Matter is a new standard for smart home devices that aims to simplify the integration of devices from different manufacturers. This makes the Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug an excellent option for people who want to build a smart home that is compatible with a variety of devices.

The Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug has a built-in energy meter. This will allow you to see how much energy your appliances are using, so you can save money on your electricity bill.

The Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug is a great choice for people who want to add some smart features to their home. It is compatible with most electrical appliances and is easy to install and operate. In addition, it is one of the first smart plug adapters to support Matter, making it a future-proof choice.

Recently, the Cmee Play Pro G5 was introduced, an advanced version of the popular GPS watch for children, which was launched in the fourth quarter of 2023. This model continues to include key features like previous models, such as mobile phone capability, 4G coverage, a parental app, and GPS positioning. However, the Cmee Play Pro G5 has been expanded with several new features.

A novelty is the integration with the Safekid app, previously used in other GPS watches such as Safekid Nova and Safekid Rocket 4G. This app, which is now compatible with the Cmee Play Pro G5, is free to use. However, users still need a SIM card, and here one is free to choose the operator.

Among the new features are an upgraded chat feature that now supports posted images, and the ability to send messages through the app. Another demanded novelty is the possibility of receiving and sending SMS directly from the watch, with support for emojis.

The watch also includes a scheduling feature. Here, parents can put in the child's activities or homework, so that the child can follow his schedule right from the clock. Users can also set different types of alarms, with a choice between sound signal or vibration.

The camera in the Cmee Play Pro G5 is multifunctional, useful for taking pictures, recording videos or making video calls. Parents can even use the app to ring up the bell and see through its camera, which can be useful in emergencies.

The watch also has a school mode, which minimizes distractions during school hours by activating a Do Not Disturb mode. In addition, there is an SOS button where you can program up to three numbers for emergencies.

For personalization, the watch offers several background designs and layouts for the watch face and apps. Users can choose between analog and digital dial and customize the apps' presentation in the settings.

In addition to these features, there are also handy tools such as calculator, Google Translate, voice memo, stopwatch and calendar. A special function for draining water from the watch will help protect against water damage.

The Aqarq Presence Sensor FP2 belongs to a new generation of sensors that makes use of a mmWave technology. This allows for a significantly more advanced and accurate detection of movements. The sensor can sense movements as small as a person's breathing. It can also sense up to five people in the room and divide the room into up to 30 different zones. These zones, in turn, can be used to automate your home. For example, you can divide your kitchen into two zones, one at the dining table and one at the sink. When someone moves to the sink, the work light comes on.

The Aqarq Presence Sensor FP2 also has a light sensor (LUX) that can be used for automation. Using the sensor in the bedroom also adds some clever features as the sensor can sense if someone is lying in bed. Another smart feature is fall detection. If someone suddenly falls in the home, the sensor can trigger an automation, for example, to send a push notification to your phone.

In summary, the Aqarq Presence Sensor FP2 is a player in the market using a technology that we will see more of in the future. If you are willing to pay a slightly higher price, this may be for you. Keep in mind that the Aqarq Presence Sensor FP2 requires constant current.

Homey Pro has received a lot of updates. Processor, memory, storage, Wifi, Bluetooth and Z-wave have all been upgraded.

New additions include Thread, Matter and and the ability to connect your Homey Pro wired to your network using an ethernet adapter for 349kr.

With Homey Pro, you get access to over 50,000 apps written both by enthusiasts and verified apps by manufacturers. With built-in antennas for most protocols, the Homey Pro becomes one of the most powerful controllers on the market. The possibilities for automating your home are endless. Homey Pro is for the most advanced users.

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The Aqara Camera Hub G3 offers a combination of monitoring and integration with other smart home products. The camera supports 2K video resolution, which provides high-quality image reproduction. With a viewing angle of 110° and the possibility of pan and tilt control (340° horizontal and 45° vertical), it offers comprehensive coverage of the area it is aimed at, even with night vision.

You can easily automate flows and scenarios with other Aqara devices. With its NPU processor, the camera can recognize faces, pets and gestures. These can then be used for various automations. For example, you can set your TV to silent by holding your hand up, partly thanks to the device's built-in IR lamp.

Installation and configuration of the Aqara Camera Hub G3 is relatively simple. The app interface is user-friendly, and allows users to remotely control the camera, view live streams and review recordings.

The Aqara Camera Hub G3 can store its recordings in more ways. With Aqara's proprietary cloud storage, you get 30 days of 2K resolution encrypted video storage and no storage limitation. With Apple Secure Video, you store your movies in iCloud. You can also store your movies on a microSD card in the camera (up to 128gb).

The Aqara Camera Hub G3 is a versatile and powerful smart home camera that offers high-quality monitoring and integration with the Aqara ecosystem. While its features and performance are impressive, you should consider the ecosystem compatibility and total cost before purchasing.

Not available in th UK.

One of the later additions for smart locks is Nimly formerly called Easyaccess. The Norwegian company has entered the Swedish market and impresses with its feature-packed smart locks specially developed and designed for the Scandinavian conditions.

Nimly Touch Pro Black is one of the latest additions where you can use your fingerprint to unlock your door, unlike their other Lock Touch which lacks this feature.

The lock also has touch panel for code entry and the ability to use one of the three RFID code tags included to unlock the lock. Three physical keys are also included for added security.

If you want to control your lock via their app and be able to automate your lock with Homey, Homely or Futurehome, you can purchase a gateway and a ZigBee module that you can easily install yourself.

The lock comes in black and silver.

Yale doorman L3S is a well-sold and well-liked lock. Installation can be somewhat demanding and not as easy as a locking door. Keep in mind that the price can skyrocket if you have to hire an installer. An advantage of the lock is the locking piston rotates upwards which increases safety slightly. The lock only works with Yale's own key washers, for better or worse. The advantage is that their own badges are harder to copy than other RFID tags and the downside is that you have to buy Yale badges that cost over 200kr/pc. Three trays are included. The L3S has received an updated end ink from its predecessor L3. The lock itself is the same as the L3.

Update: Slide has decided to close its operations for the time being

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Slide is a smart curtain engine that can make your existing curtains smart and electric. With Slide, you can control your curtains from anywhere in the world using the app. Slide has several features, including timer routines, sunrise and sunset routines, manual operation, Touch&Go, and SpeedControl. In addition, you can use Slide to wake up naturally using the alarm function or save on your heating bill by using the insulating power of the curtains. Slide works on all straight rails up to 6 meters and can be used for single or double curtains.

Slide comes in three different designs, Slide Light, Slide Comfort and Slide Pro. Here you can read more about what features are included in the different products.

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Owlet Monitor Duo is an advanced baby monitoring system that combines Smart sock with Camera monitoring. via Cam 2. This system provides parents with a detailed picture of their child's well-being. The Smart Sock uses pulse oximetry technology to track the baby's heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep, and this information is sent to the base station, which uses light and sound to keep parents updated on the baby's condition. What's more, Cam streams HD video to your phone over a secure and encrypted connection. All in all, Owlet Monitor Duo provides a comprehensive picture of child safety.

The system is designed to be easy to set up and use, which means less worry for parents. It takes less than 10 minutes to set up and then you can stream HD video to your smartphone wherever you are. Monitor Duo tracks key indicators such as your baby's heart rate, oxygen level and sleep trends and notifies you when readings fall outside your child's preset zones. It also includes sound, movement and now cry detection, which gives parents an idea of what happened before the baby started crying.

The Owlet Smart Sock sits on the child's one foot and reads the heart rate and oxygen levels during sleep. The sock syncs with the base unit via bluetooth and offers real-time updating of the baby's vital statistics through the Owlet app. The sock is available in two sizes to fit babies from birth up to 18 months. The stump can be used separately only with the app or together with the security camera.

Cam 2 is a surveillance camera that reads the baby's sound, movement and cry detection and sends notifications to the app if the baby wakes up and starts crying. The camera also reads the room temperature and reports in the app how many degrees the room is in and whether it is a comfortable temperature or not.

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