Home for the holidays: Smart Home gift guide

At this time every year, consumers and business professionals start planning their end-of-year gifts for family, friends and colleagues. One of the biggest trends in gift items over the last two years are smart devices. This year, make your gifting choices thoughtful, useful and “smart” with the following suggestions from Newsday’s Brand360 Content Studio and Smart Home experts P.C. Richard & Son:

Smart hub speakers

Just like last year, voice assist audio speaker hubs from Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod are high-demand holiday gifts! These wireless devices allow you to use voice commands to play music, search the Web, create to-do lists, shop online, get the news and weather, and control other Smart Home products. If your intended recipient already has a smart hub, gifting them with an Echo Dot or Google Home Mini will let them extend their network throughout their home. Looking for a more visual gift? The Echo Spot or Echo Show are smart hubs with a built-in screen!

Smart security

Smart Home security devices make great holiday gifts, and a Ring Wireless Video Doorbell Camera with two-way audio is affordable and easy to install. It sends an alert to a smartphone, tablet or smart speaker hub whenever someone approaches the front door, allowing occupants to interact with them from anywhere inside or outside the home. With its high-definition camera and infrared night vision, homeowners can see “who’s there” around the clock for peace of mind and added security. The doorbell camera, and other Ring products, are accessible by voice command via cloud-based Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Smart plugs

Another handy gift item is the Belkin WeMo Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug. It retails for under $30, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving! This device lets you control almost any home electrical appliance from anywhere, at any time, using only a smartphone or computer. Simply plug the WeMo into an ordinary wall socket, then plug the device you want to control—like a lamp, coffee maker, or fan—into the WeMo. Download the free WeMo app and use it to turn that appliance on or off through your home’s Wi-Fi network. You can set schedules for plugged-in devices, and WeMo’s “away mode” turns houselights on or off at preset or random times to make your home appear occupied. WeMo also syncs with voice-activating Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as with a range of other Smart Home control hubs.

Smart as in bright

A Philips Hue Bridge is a smart gift idea that’s “light” on the wallet! This smart lighting hub lets homeowners control individual lights or preprogram room lighting with the Hue smartphone app. Control up to 50 Hue LED Bulbs and a dozen Hue accessories, including light strips and color-changing bulbs. You can even add voice-command via Google, Amazon and Apple hubs.

Smart when you’re not

Need a smart stocking-stuffer or a perfect corporate gift? Try a Tile Mate Smart Tracker Tag! Small and light enough to fit on a keychain or attach to a smartphone, this Bluetooth-enabled device will ring to let you find items that are nearby but out of sight. Can’t find your phone? A Tile Mate can make it ring, even if the phone is set to silent.

Wearable tech

The Fitbit Versa fitness tracker features a heart rate monitor, GPS, a touchscreen, and swappable wristbands. In addition to tracking health data and delivering smartphone notifications, the Versa helps users unwind via personalized breathing exercises.

Garage security

Give the gift of security for under $80 with a Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub! It’s compatible with most garage door openers made after 1993, so virtually any garage owner can use it. The MyQ offers a number of security features, such as notifying owners via smartphone or tablet whenever a door is opened. The MyQ hub operates from its own smartphone or tablet app.

Smart TV

Splurging on a holiday gift for yourself? Consider a TV with Smart Home technology already on board! The LG OLED C8 Series UltraHD 4K Smart TV is the first television with built-in AI ThinQ (artificial intelligence) and Google Assistant, plus Amazon Alexa compatibility. You can use your voice to control compatible Smart Home devices through your TV. The 64.5″ OLED screen’s high contrast ratio and fast response time creates the finest picture quality available today. Advanced video and audio formats like Dolby Vision and Atmos audio are supported, as are Advanced and Technicolor HDR. The leading consumer-product review organization gave this TV its highest overall rating!

Smart Home products can save energy, automate tasks around the home or office, and generally make life easier for everyone who uses them. This holiday season, be a smart shopper by putting Smart Home products at the top of your gift-giving list.

P.C. Richard & Son makes it easy to shop in-store or online. Check out everyday savings and special Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals HERE

The news and editorial staff of Newsday had no role in the creation of this content