Are you looking for a new Bluetooth tracker? Finding the perfect Bluetooth tracker can be a daunting task. There are so many different models on the market, and it’s hard to know which one is best for your needs. If you go to Amazon and search for “Bluetooth trackers”, you’ll be inundated with literally over a hundred different Bluetooth trackers. Some are decent, many are horrible Asian-sourced knock-offs, and a few of them are really good. In this article, we’ll go over some of our favorite Bluetooth trackers and help you decide which one is right for your needs.
Bluetooth trackers are a great way to keep tabs on where something is when it’s lost or even stolen (hopefully never this). They also make it easy to find your keys or wallet when you can’t remember where you last put them! There’s no need to worry about losing track of anything with the help of these amazing devices. You’ll be able to find your phone, keys, wallet, and more without any trouble at all. There are some intuitive ways to use these innovative trackers. Remote controls, backpacks, pets, kids, shoes, purses, laptops…we’ve seen these trackers leveraged in some unique ways. It’s important to know that not all Bluetooth trackers are created equally, so let us walk through what each of these models has in common and then what makes them different from one another. We’ve done the research for you! We’ll dive into our top three picks that will work well in the situation that fits your needs.
Bluetooth Trackers are a new invention in the technology world. The Cube Smart Bluetooth tracker is one of the most innovative trackers on the market. If there was an Mt. Rushmore of Bluetooth trackers, Cube would be there. The Cube Tracker allows you to find your lost phone, even if it’s not running any apps. It also has a rechargeable battery and waterproof capabilities so that no matter what happens to your device, you’ll be able to locate it with ease! We love Cube because it does come with its own smart app, has GPS trackability, and is one of the more durable trackers on the market. In fact, the makers claim this device works in sub-zero temperatures. We hope you never
One of the most popular uses of this Bluetooth tracker is to keep track of pets. Considering the alternative (placing a GPS chip in your pet that can be super expensive), we think it’s just awesome that smart technology can be used to make your life a little easier. How Cube leverages GPS tech is kind of cool (actually…really cool). Set up tracker boundaries that allow you to set up a virtual geofence zone in the app and get notifications when the object leaves the zone. And you can get location history on where your tracker has been. Like we said…put this device on the Mt. Rushmore of Bluetooth trackers.
Cube Tracker Benefits
There are many benefits to discussing the Cube smart tracker, but here is some that stand out:
Extremely easy setup: Pair your cube, Activate your subscription, Begin tracking.
Plethora of tracking accessories that enhance the already incredible technology and features of this smart tracker.
Multiple device types to fit your lifestyle.
Cube also has a really good return policy and impeccable customer support.
Rechargeable battery and waterproof capabilities.
Never lose your stuff again.
Feel secure knowing you can find anything you’ve ever tagged with the Cube Tracker.
In the broad scope of technology, Bluetooth trackers are a new idea in the world of personal security and safety. The Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker is one such device, which makes it easy to find lost items like keys or even your bike. I’ve seen people even use these effectively for tracking pets (and kids) like its counterpart the Cube. Aside from the base model we reviewed, Tile has several different smart tracker types to fit any situation and any purpose.
The Tile Mate is water-resistant and has an impressive range of up to 250 feet. It also works with both iOS and Android devices, making it extremely versatile for all types of users. What’s more, you can attach this tracker to anything that you don’t want to lose: from your laptop bag to your dog’s collar! This means that if you misplace something important while out on the town, there’s always a chance that you’ll be able to find it again before you go home for the night.
Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker Benefits We Love
Tile’s smart tracker just layers features on top of features that just over-deliver on value and add some really nice benefits.
If upgrading to the premium plan you get Item Reimbursement, which means if Tile can’t find your item, they literally will reimburse you for it. Kinda cool. Shows us they really stand behind this product. And a brand that has that much confidence in its product, is a brand worth trying out.
Save time and money by always finding your lost items. If your Tile gets lost, you can easily add your contact information to help find your lost Tile.
Get back to the important things in life without worrying about where you left your keys, wallet, or remote.
Tile works with your Smart Home devices like Alexa and Google Assistant
Your privacy is important to the company. You’re probably thinking, “But they literally are tracking your stuff!” That’s understood. Tile holds your data securely and is never sold to any third-party companies or used for marketing purposes. We love that policy.
With the Apple AirTags like most Bluetooth trackers, you don’t need to worry about losing your stuff. And finding it is so simple. The AirTags are small Bluetooth trackers that work with the Find My app and can be attached to anything: key chains, wallets, the standard Bluetooth tracker stuff. Utilizing this allows for more accurate finding through Ultra-Wideband technology and instant pairing with an iPhone or iPad. The tags use low-power Bluetooth to communicate their location and battery life status at any time, so you’ll never have another lost item again! Apple Airtags have the added benefit of leveraging the Apple ecosystem for flawless and seamless utility and that is on full display with these clever Bluetooth trackers. Like the other Bluetooth smart trackers we’ve reviewed, Apple has placed a priority on privacy. Only you have access to where your Airtags are. Location data is never stored on the device. And even the other devices that may relay the location of your Airtag are completely hidden and anonymous.
Apple Airtag Benefits:
Here are a handful of the benefits worth mentioning for the AirTags:
The AirTags are small Bluetooth trackers that work with the Find My app and can be attached to anything: keychains, bags, luggage, backpacks, pets, you name it.
Leverage the Find My Network. This allows for more accurate finding through Ultra-Wideband technology and instant pairing with an iPhone or iPad. Again…if your devices live in the Apple ecosystem, you will benefit immensely from that.
Precision Finding is one of the most innovative benefits of Apple AirTags. Now, you have to have an iPhone 11 or newer model, but your phone will tell you direction and distance to how close (or how far away) you are to the tagged object. Like a virtual game of warmer-colder.
Lost Mode is phenomenal. Lose something, put it in Lost Mode and when one of the millions of Apple devices in the network detects it, you immediately get a notification.
So…Which Bluetooth Tracker Do We Recommend?
Which Bluetooth tracker is the best for your needs? It really depends on what you’re looking for in a smart tracker device. If you want something that’s small and easy to use, the Tile Mate would be a great option. It’s quick and easy to set up. Almost flawless in that department. If you’re looking for something with a longer range, the Cube is probably your best bet. And if you want something that integrates seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, then the AirTags are definitely the way to go! If we had to choose one Bluetooth tracker over another, we’d lean towards the Cube smart Bluetooth tracker. Some of the features of this product just differentiate them from the competition. They’re not just featured for the sake of adding something different either (we hate that). They are truly utility functions that serve a purpose and augment the experience of using a smart tracker.
No one is immune to losing things. It’s easy to misplace your phone, keys, or wallet, and if you’re like most people, it can be a pain to track them all down. That’s where Bluetooth tracking devices come in handy. They allow you to keep tabs on your belongings by connecting with your smartphone or other devices. We wanted to break down what Bluetooth trackers are, what they do, how they work, and how to choose the best Bluetooth tracker for your lifestyle.
What Are Bluetooth Trackers And What Do They Do
Bluetooth trackers are small devices that connect to your phone or other electronic devices using Bluetooth. They work by emitting a signal that helps you locate the item they’re attached to. This could be your phone, keys, purse, or anything else you want to keep track of. They are one of the handiest tech gadgets that can really make your life easier. Bluetooth trackers come in a variety of shapes and sizes (and prices), and there are a variety of different trackers on the market to choose from. Amazon has a plethora of Bluetooth tracker options to choose from, but be careful…because not all of them are the same.
One of the best things about Bluetooth trackers is that they can help you find your phone even if it’s on silent. This is because most trackers emit a loud alarm when they’re near your phone. This alarm can help you find your phone even if it’s buried deep in your bag or pocket. But it’s not just phones they can find. You can use a Bluetooth tracker to track wallets, purses, backpacks, books, keys, and yes…your pets! They are such a clever gadget. They not only will make your life easier, but if you’re the type who loses track (no pun intended) of things, they’ll save you a ton of time!
How Do Bluetooth Trackers Work
Bluetooth trackers work by using a Bluetooth signal to connect with your phone or other devices. This connection can be used to help you find your lost phone or keys, among other things. The connection also allows the tracker to send alerts and notifications to let you know when they’re nearby.
There are many options available for Bluetooth trackers, making it tough to decide which one is best for you. We want to help you choose the perfect tracker by breaking down the different types of trackers, how they work, and how to choose the right one for you.
The Different Types Of Bluetooth Trackers
There are many different types of Bluetooth trackers on the market today. Some are small and can be attached to a key ring, while others are larger and designed to be attached to a pet’s collar. Some trackers come with a built-in alarm, while others only provide location updates. Again…there are many varieties in this niche.
It’s important to choose the right tracker for your needs. If you’re looking for a tracker that will help you find your lost phone, then you’ll need one that has an alarm feature. If you’re looking for a tracker to keep an eye on your pet, then you’ll need one that is water-resistant and has long battery life. No matter what your needs are, there is sure to be a Bluetooth tracker out there that is perfect for you.
How To Choose The Perfect Bluetooth Tracker For You
When it comes to choosing the perfect Bluetooth tracker for you, there are a few things you’ll want to take into account. One of the most important factors is deciding which type of tracker you need. There are several different types available on the market, so be sure to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs. Are you wanting a Bluetooth tracker to track keys? Your phone? Your pet? Maybe the remote to your TV? Make sure to match the type of Bluetooth tracker with the purpose.
Another important factor to consider is price. Bluetooth trackers can vary in price, so be sure to find one that’s within your budget. And the prices range. Apple Airtags are around $30 apiece…for one. Additionally, make sure to read reviews before purchasing any tracker to get an idea of what others thought of it. We’ve covered how to read and assess reviews on Amazon, but expand your research outside of the Amazon bubble (Consumer Reports, Reddit, etc).
Finally, decide which features are most important to you. Some trackers offer a variety of features, while others are more basic. Choose a tracker that will best fit your needs and lifestyle.
Some Of Our Favorite Bluetooth Trackers
We will have a more in-depth look at each of these Bluetooth trackers and dive into how they work and some of the incredible benefits each one offers. Until then, here are a few of our favorite Bluetooth trackers and why we would recommend them.
One of the best features of the Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker is the “Find” functionality. You can “Find Nearby” where you use the Tile app to notify your Tile tracker when it’s within Bluetooth range. Or you can “Find Far Away” where you leverage Tile’s app to find devices when it’s outside of Bluetooth range. And yes…Tile works with Alexa and Google so you can sync your Tile account with these smart home platforms. The Tile Bluetooth tracker is very easy to use and just over-delivers on value, which is why we just love this little tracking device.
Losing stuff isn’t that hard. Finding it shouldn’t be hard either. This is where the Cube smart Bluetooth tracker comes into play. It’s literally as easy as tagging, pinging, and finding lost items. It works similarly to other Bluetooth trackers (has an app, integrates with smart home devices, etc), but we love the rechargeable battery feature, the GPS tracking capability, and its sleek design. Aside from being water-resistant (almost a must-have feature in the Bluetooth tracker market), the Cube smart Bluetooth track is super durable and can handle sub-zero temperatures.
Aside from the price (around $30), the Apple Airtag is what we’d expect from an Apple product. You are getting premium technology and software integration when you buy a product. If you own an Apple iPhone, you’ll love the seamless integration in the Apple ecosystem (works flawlessly with the Find My app, connects instantly between iPhones and iPads, and has live precision finding). If you lose an item, put it in Lost Mode and you’ll be automatically notified when it’s found. Oh…and all data shared within the Find My network is encrypted and never stored on the AirTag. The battery isn’t rechargeable BUT…it is replaceable and lasts for over a year. If your devices live and exist in the Apple ecosystem, you may want to opt-in for the Apple AirTag from the get-go.
Bluetooth Trackers: Leveraging Tech To Make Life Easier
If you’re looking for a way to make the process of finding your everyday things easier, consider purchasing a set of Bluetooth trackers. We consider them one of those tech gadgets every home must have; right along with smart plugs and smart lights. They truly are that handy. There are various types of Bluetooth speakers and features available, so be sure to do your research before deciding which is best suited for you. Don’t buy cheap because it has a ton of reviews and the price looks good. Again…like with a lot of tech devices sold on Amazon, there are many products sourced from China that are cheap and don’t work. Once you know what type of tracker will work best, it’s time to decide on the price range. You’ll want something that fits into your budget but also has quality reviews from past customers who have purchased them in the past (one of the first filters I’ll perform is recency). Finally, be sure to think about which features will help mold this purchase into one that suits both your needs and lifestyle preferences!
There are a ton of smart plugs on the market. You know you should buy a smart plug, but which one? Dale Dumbs It Down is going to share some of our favorite smart plugs we’ve seen on the market. We’ve already discussed what you look for in a smart plug and now we want to get into the specifics of which smart plugs we like.
We believe EVERY home should have at least one of these awesome little smart tech wonders. Why? Because they are relatively inexpensive and the value they deliver is just awesome. “Hey Alexa, turn on my bedroom lights.” “Hey Google, turn on my Christmas lights in 10 minutes.” Yes…these are actual prompts you can command with a smart plug. Smart plugs are easy to use, simple to set up, yet…not every smart plug is created equally.
Four Smart Plugs We Love
So we gave you a little insight on what to look for in a smart plug, but we want to dive into the specific brands we kinda like. We’ll dive a little bit into what we like and don’t like about smart plugs through the perspective of looking at four of our favorites we’ve had our eye on for quite some time.
Let’s chat a bit about the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug. Has a cool name. Sold us there. But this thing comes in at around $20 on Amazon and has a four out of five-star rating. Sometimes you have to take Amazon reviews with a grain of salt, even the verified ones. A couple of the things we like about this plug right here is that it is nice and slim, so you can stack two of them per outlet. A simple design feature that does matter. The Wemo smart plug also has features like setting up schedules and an auto-off timer. This is going to allow you to turn your device on and then have it automatically turn off after a certain amount of time. Kinda cool. This little bonus is nice.
The Wemo smart plug also has some cool features like Away Mode which is going to simulate you being at home even when you’re not by turning lights or devices on and off. This is kind of like a home security feature. This device also integrates with Apple’s HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant so you’ve got most of the popular integrations with this smart hardware. What about what we don’t like? One thing we didn’t like about this device is that it is a bit pricier than its competition with similar features. Also, it doesn’t have any in-depth features as far as monitoring your power usage or the actual run time of your devices. This can be utilized through Google Wifi on your Google app, but being able to measure it directly from the plug is a nicety they could have added.
The next one we want to dive into is the Wyze Smart Plug. This one comes in at around $12 and has a four and a half out of five-star rating on Amazon. Not bad of a rating. The Wyze smart plug has a lot of great features for its price. It packs value on top of value with smart tech which we love! You can set up things like schedules, on and off timers, and…it’s got Vacation Mode. The Wyze Smart Plug also integrates with Amazon, Google, and IFTTT for some extra home automation. Home automation is something you need to invest in if you want to really leverage the value of smart devices! This smart plug device also provides a runtime report so you can see how long a device has been on. Do you have kids who like to game a lot? Hook this up to their gaming platform for accurate monitoring. Another thing we love about the Wyze smart plug is that it is extremely affordable. We told you about the great things about the Wyze and there are many. In fact, the good far outweighs the bad! But what about what we didn’t like? One thing we wish this smart device had is that it monitored your power usage. It has a run time report, why not a power usage report? Seems like a simple addition that would have really pushed its value prop to the next level. For a device this inexpensive that little feature would be just icing on the cake because it is so affordable.
Next in the lineup is the TP Link’s Kasa Smart WiFi Plug. This cool smart wifi plug retails at around $17 on Amazon for a two-pack! It also has a four and a half out of five-star ratings. This wifi smart plug is very comparable to the Wyze Plug. One of the things we love about this smart device is that you can set schedules, timers, and scenes in the mobile app. It also has group control which is nice. The Kasa integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant for some additional smart home automation. The Kasa does have Home and Away Mode, so it can turn your lights and devices on and off if you’re not home. We love this feature.
This cool little smart plug also has a runtime report so you can see how long devices have been running. What about what we don’t like? With the Wyze Plug, you’re not gonna be able to monitor power usage with this device. Again…we think that is a simple feature TP-Link could have added at a relatively low cost. How much more would be willing to pay for this smart device if it had that added benefit? Probably around $3-$5 more dollars. The mini model is much nicer than the stand-alone device because it can feel a bit bulky and takes up the entire outlet. So you can’t plug anything in next to it.
The D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Outdoor Plug is a great option if you’re looking to control some devices outside. This thing is IP54 dust and water-resistant. That is such a cool feature! You can set up schedules and on and off-timers. It works with Amazon, Google, and IFTTT for that smart home integration you should be striving for. And the great thing about this device is it has two outlets that work independently of each other. Again…another simple feature we love. In addition to that, it also has a USB outlet. What about some of the things we’re not too hot about with the D-Link smart outdoor plug? With the smart plug for the outdoors, you can’t turn it on and off. Not that big of a downer. But it’s always on but it’s nice to have it.
Not a deal-breaker, but perhaps on the next version we’ll get a toggle on/off feature. The D-Link smart outdoor plug retails on Amazon for around $35 and has a four out of five-star rating. Another thing we’re not too keen on is it’s not Apple HomeKit compatible and has no power monitoring. There’s also no runtime monitoring or actual power usage monitoring in this device. Again…not a deal-breaker, but some features they could possibly add to the next version of this cool outdoor smart plug.
With most smart devices, we love smart plugs because they do have a pretty high value-to-cost ratio. For what they do and how much easier they make our lives…getting a smart plug is a no-brainer. So our favorite plug out of all the ones would be the Wyze Smart Plug. This smart tech device is honestly the best bang for the buck, works with all the major systems like Amazon, Google and IFTTT for any home automation that you want to set up, and it is super reasonable on price. If you have any questions about smart plugs or how to set up your home to make it the best smart home, follow us at Dale Dumbs IT Down for more smart home tips.
Your kitchen isn’t complete until you have at least one of these smart kitchen appliances for your home! Learn what we’ve discovered when it comes to smart tech for the kitchen! Smart appliances are growing in popularity, which is a good thing if you haven’t made the move to smart tech. The market is beginning to move from early adopters to influencers which means the technology is only going to get better. According to recent reports, 19% of the U.S. owns at least one smart appliance. Each year, more and more new smart gadgets and appliances are being made available for the consumer. The smart appliance market is hitting that point where the benefit has superseded the price to the consumer.
Here at DaleDumbsITDown, we wanted to feature smart kitchen appliances for an array of reasons. Chief among them is how useful (practical) the smart appliance is, ease of use (do I have to read instructions for hours to figure it out?), how likely are they to enrich our lives, and does it make our lives easier…or is just another one of those kitchen appliances or smart gadgets that we only use a couple of times and then never use it again.
Five Smart Kitchen Appliances Your Kitchen Will Thank You For
There are so many smart kitchen appliances on the market right now. Admittedly, some of these look really fun. Some are “smart” and we don’t really know why. Does every appliance in the kitchen need to be smart? Possibly. Smart fridges and smart dishwashers make sense. But smart blenders? Debatable. We take a look at a handful of smart appliances and detail some of our favorite features and how they can impact your life in the kitchen.
If you haven’t experienced the pure joy that comes with using an air fryer, then stop what you’re doing right now and go buy one of these. Seriously. Stop reading and go buy one right now. Air-fried food is incredible. Air fryers really grew in popularity a few years back, but their place as a staple in the kitchen appliance arsenal cannot be understated. Food tastes better in an air fryer. Period. This one from Cosori is a smart air fryer. Now…before you roll your eyes, the smart, WiFi-enabled air fryer is definitely clever and practical. This one works with Alexa and Google Assistant and is nearly 6 quarts. It also cooks meals quicker than a regular oven and uses 85% less oil for cooking. Aside from being able to say, “Hey Google, preheat the air fryer”, the free-to-download app comes packed with nearly 200 original recipes on your phone. But here’s the cool part: you can actually choose the recipe and begin cooking that specific recipe all within the app. The only thing that would make this the perfect smart kitchen appliance is if it actually prepared the food and served it on a plate for you 😉
One of the most popular kitchen appliances over the last few years has been undoubtedly the instant pot. Now, there are some naysayers, but we believe most of those are driven by two types of people: those who have never tried cooking with the instant pot or those who have never tasted food from an instant pot. It only takes one time doing one meal with this amazing appliance to have you hooked for life. Enter Smart technology. When we first saw this, we were like “Really…Wifi-enabled instant pots? Cmon, man!” But after diving into the detail of what a smart instant pot can do, we’re kinda giddy about this smart kitchen appliance. For starters, this is the first multi-use programmable pressure cooker to hit the market. You simply download the app, find a recipe, follow the instructions, and you will have a very tasty meal. You don’t have to stir, watch, or take care of the meal while cooking either. Once you pair your mobile device to the Instant Pot App, you can completely control your cooker, check the progress of your meal, and…get notifications when it is ready! With this specific model, you’ll also get access to 1,000’s recipes that are Alexa enabled. The other added benefit to this is the Instant Pot community is MASSIVE. So yeah you’re going to get a TON of recipes from the app and the brand, but there are literally millions of recipes on the web for instant pots. On top of the really cool features of having a smart instant pot, here are some other incredible benefits: You get 8 kitchen appliances in one: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker (makes the best jasmine rice in the world), yogurt maker, cake maker, saute pan, and food warmer. We’ve even eggs sous vide in one before. 13 smart programs which make cooking extremely easy and efficient. Multiple safety features so you don’t have to worry about cooking with a pressure cooker Massive 6-quart capacity makes it ideal for cooking for small and large parties Don’t let the smart technology of an instant pot scare you away from getting one of these. And don’t be fearful of cooking with a pressure cooker. The tech inside of these is so much more advanced than your parent’s old school pressure cooker that you probably thought was the next closest related thing to a time bomb. Check out this incredible smart kitchen appliance.
Smart Meat Thermometer? Really? Yes! It would shock you how many people get food poisoning each year from undercooked meat. According to the CDC, about 1 million people get sick from just poultry alone every year. It is a problem and this Smart Meat Thermometer can prevent a lot of pain for a lot of people. Not only was this the first truly wireless smart meat thermometer, but it also touts itself as having dual temperature sensors which can measure the ambient and external temperature of your meat. And don’t worry about temperature maximums either: the sensor max can handle temperatures as high as 530 degrees! This model does come with an app and process that ensures perfectly cooked meat. Their guided cooking system literally gives you step-by-step cooking directions. That is just one thing we love about this smart kitchen appliance. It’s simple to use. Simple to set up. Alerts you when your food is finished. It will even estimate the cooking time as well. No more hanging around the kitchen waiting for food to get done! No more dry meat. No more over-cooked chicken. No more undercooked chicken either…YUCK!
The Tovala Gen 2 smart steam countertop oven is amazing. That’s all that can be said about this. It truly is smart technology. The features and benefits of this smart appliance are so clever and useful! You can tell the company and product development teams behind the scenes have put a lot of ingenuity, effort, and innovation into this product. Yes, you get five cooking modes with multiple functions (steam, broil, reheat, bake, etc). Yes, you get a ton of recipes that are really easy to follow. BUT…this smart oven goes multiple levels deeper with its smart tech. The Tovala smart oven scans and cooks the food you want. The app interface is kinda cool too. Aside from having an easy-to-follow UX, you can simply set the cook mode and time from the app and track everything. You’ll even get a notification when it’s finished. But for those who are extra busy in their lives (or just lazy or just not a good chef), you can subscribe to oven-ready meals. Yes…you can plan out your weekly menu, purchase Tovala meals, scan the meal, and literally do nothing and have an incredible tasting meal. Tovala is next-level convenience with cooking. We love this product because of the support you’ll get when trying to cook delicious meals. Not only do we like this smart oven because of its backstory (you should check it out…it’s cool), but it’ll simplify your life. Some appliances do get in the way and we only use them like once or twice a year and we often just loathe its existence (sorry juicers…you’re the worst at this). This is one of those smart kitchen products that can really make a difference for your home.
Robot vacuums are the best. Most people on average spend about half an hour a week vacuuming. Convert that to total time and it’s about 60-70 days of their life spent going back and forth and back and forth through all areas of their home. Can you see where we’re going with this? These clever smart home appliances have been around for a while, but we love that each new model gets better and more innovative. The latest from iRobot is the Roomba s9+ and this thing can clean. Not only does it clean, but it also has automatic dirt disposal which allows itself to self-empty for up to 60 days. It’s literally hands-off tech for a couple of months and when you do have a little bit of maintenance, it’s a simple process. Some of the other features and benefits we love are the effectiveness to which it cleans, its ability to clean across multiple surface types, and the coolest benefit is the smart tech. Say your neighbors are coming over in an hour and your entryway is dusty and has little specs of garbage (we’ve all been there), simply say “Roomba, clean the entryway.” One simple command via voice assistant is all you need. This latest version has even better Smart Mapping so your smart vacuum knows the difference between your kitchen, your living room, and under the kitchen table. The iRobot Roomba s9+ is the smartest and most efficient smart vacuum on the market. iRobot continues to pour a lot of time, research, and energy into its products. That’s another reason why we love this smart appliance for the kitchen. It’s worry-free, hands-free, time-saving, efficient at cleaning, is personalized for your home’s needs, does what it’s intended to do, has great customer service, and is kind of cool. Having one of these smart robot vacuums around the house has a future-esque feel to it. We highly recommend the iRobot was a smart kitchen appliance every home should have.
Understanding The Value Of Smart Appliances For Your Kitchen
Remember the purpose of a smart kitchen appliance: make your life easier. Most of these smart appliances cost more than their regular “dumb” counterparts. It’s not just the technology in these smart appliances for the kitchen which makes the cost go up, but the massive amount of increased value they offer for your lives. They are supposed to save you time so you can focus on other important things in your life
Don’t know which smart plug to get for your smart home? We understand! Dale Dumbs It Down is going to break down what to look for in a smart plug.
“Hey, Google…turn on my living room lights.” So easy. So practical. It’s kinda hard not to feel a little special being able to command devices in your home with a simple voice prompt. And if you haven’t tried using a smart plug, you’re missing out! There are a ton of different smart plugs on the market with different awesome features. But what is the difference between them all? What should you look for in a smart plug?
They seem to come in all different shapes and sizes, some of them you can set up different schedules while with others, you can set up timers that can turn on and off at a certain time. Some work with different platforms as well. This is a major point to make with smart plugs: make sure the smart plug connects with the platform already integrated in your smart home. Amazon, Google, and HomeKit are the standard. There are so many different questions out there. We want to quickly touch on a handful of important things you need to look for in a smart plug.
What To Look For In A Smart Plug
There are a lot of different smart plugs out there but not every plug is going to be right for you and your family. The price range on these can run from around $6 to as high as $60!
Budget + Simplicity
If you’re more on a budget, you’re gonna be looking for something that just has simple features, turning your device on and off. Maybe setting up a schedule or two. With any smart plug, you will get what you pay for it. Period. But simplicity, because you’re on a budget, isn’t always the norm. Sometimes, the simple feature of just being able to turn devices on or off is exactly what you need. Determine the purpose of the smart plug. This is key. In one of our rooms, we have a special plant light and we turn it on when there isn’t a lot of sunshine during the day. A simple on and off toggle is perfect for that situation.
Features You Want In A Smart Plug
Most smart plugs offer tremendous value by delivering on what they promise to do. But maybe you want to spend a little bit of extra money and really get something that is just feature-packed. A smart plug that’s gonna be able to monitor the power usage from your device in addition to enabling Vacation Mode or Schedule Modes. Perhaps you want timers? These are really nice features if you’re the geek type and love to leverage smart technology to make your life easier.
Dedicated Apps And Integration
Something else to consider with all smart plugs is if they have their own dedicated apps. If they do, this usually indicates the company is dedicated to the product. We highly recommend downloading and signing up with an account for the app. What this will do is unlock more features than if you were to use it only on Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant environment. In most cases, you can use both and the app integrations and how the apps communicate with each other are pretty seamless. Another thing to consider is how you control these plugs through their apps from anywhere in the world as long as they are connected to WiFi.
Location In Your Home
There are some smart plugs on the market right now that have been designed to work outdoors. They feature water-resistant features and tech inside of them so they’re protected inside. Don’t make the mistake of getting one of these higher-end priced smart plugs and then use it inside. And as mentioned earlier, depending on where you decide to utilize your smart plug should play a major role as to what brand you want to go with.
Your Home Needs Smart Plugs
These are just a handful of things to look for when deciding on getting a smart plug. We take a look at the smart plugs we really like, but one thing is certain…every home should have a smart plug or two. They are simple technology but massively practical and do make life a little easier with little disruption to our lives.
