Everyone wants to keep their home neat, tidy, and safe, but it's not always easy to maintain that. Luckily, there are cool kitchen gadgets and smart home technologies that can help make all of this a little easier. At Engadget, Smart often reviews speakers, robot vacuums, and more, but for the holidays, we've put together a list of our favorites that would make great gifts for you or your loved ones. Additionally, you don't need to be particularly tech-savvy to use them. Most of our suggestions are simple enough even for those new to the world of smart homes.
Instant Vortex Plus
Air fryers may look like just glorified convection ovens, but in our tests they produce results that are better than or comparable to convection toaster ovens, and produce surprisingly crispy foods. I found out that I can get it. The Instant Vortex Plus is definitely our favorite because it has a clear viewing window that allows you to see your food as it cooks, and it also has an odor filter to reduce cooking odors. It's roomy enough for four large chicken thighs and heats up much faster than a traditional oven. Best of all, it's almost easy to clean. The rack is dishwasher safe and the non-stick drawer basket can be washed with soap and water.
Buy Instant Vortex Plus on Amazon – $133
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell
If your loved one frequently complains about their packages being stolen or simply wants a way to see who's there without opening the front door, consider gifting them a video doorbell. Our favorite is the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell, which is compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon's Alexa, and Apple Homekit. He has a 180-degree view of visitors from head to toe, and every time someone rings the bell, he'll be notified on his phone via video call. This comes with his 3-month trial of Arlo's Smart subscription service out of the box, which also includes motion detection to distinguish between people, packages, vehicles, and animals. Masu.
Buy Arlo Essential Video Doorbell on Amazon – $150
Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
Google's Nest Hub smart display is a great device to have around your home, especially if your gift recipient already uses Google Assistant. It functions as a digital photo frame and can be used to watch YouTube or Netflix. You can also make calls via Google Duo, and it also provides recipe videos with step-by-step cooking instructions. If users wish, they can place the device next to their bed to track their sleep patterns. Plus, if you already have a Google Nest Doorbell camera, you can easily use the display to see who's at your door.
Buy Nest Hub at B&H – $100
amazon echo show 8
For those who prefer Alexa over Google Assistant, the Echo Show 8 is a great alternative to the Nest Hub. It doubles as a digital photo frame, and the 8-inch display is a good size for streaming shows from Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu while you prepare dinner. You can also use it to check the news, check the weather, and control your smart home devices. Amazon has partnered with Allrecipes and Food Network Kitchen, so users can also find a variety of recipes and instructional videos.
Buy Echo Show 8 on Amazon – $130
flashing indoor camera
Blink indoor cameras provide peace of mind in a compact and affordable package. Your loved ones will appreciate the fact that Blink is wireless and battery-powered. It does not need to be placed near an electrical outlet, so it can be installed almost anywhere. You also don't have to worry about charging your camera, as the two included AA batteries can last up to two years. Not only can you monitor your home, but it also has customizable motion alerts so you'll receive alerts only when you need them. There's also two-way audio, so you can hear and talk to your partner (or your pet).
Buy Blink Indoor on Amazon – $80
iRobot Roomba 694
Maybe there are people around you who can help you clean up afterward. For that, we recommend purchasing our favorite robot vacuum, the iRobot Roomba 694. It picks up dirt and debris from both hardwood and carpeted floors, and the edge cleaning brush cleans dusty corners. A companion app lets you control the robot remotely and set cleaning schedules so the little robot does its work at set times. It will automatically dock and charge even when the battery is low.
Buy Roomba 694 on Amazon – $274
August WiFi smart lock
Smart locks are a great way to add security and convenience to any home. We recommend August's WiFi Smart lock because it's easy to use and fits over your existing deadbolt, making it perfect for homeowners and renters alike. Your loved one can unlock the door completely hands-free, which comes in handy if you have your arms full of groceries. You can set the door to lock automatically when it closes or after a certain amount of time. If someone is at your door, whether they're in your office or backyard, you can easily let them in with a tap of a finger. You can also grant access to specific friends and family, so you may never have to leave your keys under your doormat again.
Buy August WiFi Smart Lock on Amazon – $230
mira air purifier
Air purifiers are great gifts for people who have allergies, live in polluted areas, or just want to breathe easier at home. If you want to gift someone a smarter air purifier, consider Mila Air. It comes with one of seven preconfigured HEPA filters that can remove particles and allergens such as pollen and dust. There are also plenty of customization options. There's a “housekeeping service” mode that runs at full capacity when no one is in the room, a “sleep mode” that turns off the lights and lowers the fan speed at night, and even a “white noise.” Option to imitate soothing sounds like a waterfall. Mira is equipped with a number of sensors that tell you if there is carbon monoxide in the air or if the humidity is too high.
Buy Air Purifier at Mila – $349
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug
With smart plugs, you can make any appliance part of your connected home without spending a lot of money. TP-Link's Kasa smart plug is especially great because it's affordable and incredibly compact (there's also an even smaller mini version if you're really short on space). When used with a companion app, you can schedule timers to turn on and off everything from Christmas lights to your coffee maker. It's also compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can add voice control to any outlet.
Buy Kasa Smart Plug on Amazon – $30
Eero 6 WiFi Mesh Router
Most of us have so many gadgets and smart home devices that the best thing you can gift your loved ones might be the gift of better WiFi to keep things running smoothly. Amazon's Eero router does just that. The latest model supports WiFi 6, the latest and fastest WiFi standard, and supports over 75 devices simultaneously. And with WiFi speeds of up to 900 Mbps that can cover up to 1,500 square feet, it's unlikely you'll ever have to deal with dead spots or buffering again. Eero 6 also has a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, allowing you to connect compatible devices without purchasing a separate device.
Buy Eero 6 on Amazon – $89
Philips LED smart bulb starter kit
Add some color to your loved one's life with the Philips LED Smart Bulb Starter Kit. It comes with four multi-colored bulbs and a Hue hub to connect them all. Light bulbs can fill a room with millions of different colors, so you can choose from warm, moody lighting for a cozy atmosphere to a rainbow for a party. With the companion app, you can create timers and routines that gradually turn your lights on in the morning and turn them off in the evening. And it's also extensible. Ultimately, you can connect up to 50 lights to a single Hue Hub, giving you the freedom to outfit your entire home with smart lights as you wish.
Buy Philips Hue Starter Kit on Amazon – $200
More holiday gift ideas: Check out the rest too Click here for tech gift ideas. You will also find the best ideas for car enthusiasts. auto bloga gift for the young (and the young at heart) Only those in the know knowand select almost everyone else on your list (mothers, fathers, teens, nurse, anything is fine! ) Yahoo's Holiday Gift Ideas Section.
