I love technology. Love devices. I’m a big believer that they can make your life a lot more chaotic, but if you get the right ones…can make your life a lot better. There are different gadgets that solve different problems for us to make our lives easier. You’ll want to check this list of some of my favorite gadgets and devices that truly help not hinder your life. From smart home automation to home security, you’re going to want to check out this list.
Best Devices And Gadgets To Make Life Easier
Whether you’re a busy mom or dad trying to keep up with the kids, or an older adult struggling with daily tasks, some great devices and gadgets can make life easier. Now…you don’t have to get every one of these. I’m not about to tell you to drop a lot $$$ and get every device listed here. BUT…I truly believe each of these, in its own unique way, can help dial down the chaos in life and really help you organize and increase the efficiency in which we operate. Heck…some of these devices even do some chores for you!
A Portable Battery
Imagine a world where you’re always tethered to a wall. Your phone dies every few hours, your laptop only lasts for a couple of hours on a charge, and you can never stray too far from an outlet. Portable batteries make life much easier by freeing us from the tyranny of the plug (I’m waving my Les Mis flag). Whether on a long flight, stuck in traffic, at the park with the kiddos, or taking a hike in the middle of nowhere, portable batteries allow us to stay connected and keep our devices charged.
Portable Power Station
You have emergency food storage, right? That’s kind of how I view these portable power stations. Our devices are essential to our everyday lives. We rely on them for work, school, and staying connected. But what happens when our devices run out of battery or worse…the power goes out? A portable power bank can be a lifesaver in this situation. Portable power banks are small, portable chargers that can give your devices the boost they need to get through the day (and sometimes a week). And with so many different sizes and capacities available, there’s sure to be a portable power bank that’s perfect for your needs. The best thing about portable power banks is that they’re relatively lightweight, small and have enough power to charge our phones and other devices a dozen times or so.
A Roku Media Streamer
Or if you prefer…an Amazon FireStick. If you’re looking for the most efficient method to stream media from the most diverse sources, the Roku streaming device is your most efficient solution.
It’s compact enough to carry with you on your travels. These streaming devices provide access to more content than you’ll ever be in a position to access. And there are a lot of streaming apps that have access to free content.
Ring Camera System
Imagine never having to worry about whether or not your home is secure. That’s a hard feeling to achieve, but with Ring, you can rest easy knowing that your property is well-protected. Ring’s camera system offers a wide range of features that make it an essential part of any home security setup. If there’s one device I’d recommend EVERY home have, it would be this one. Perhaps most importantly, Ring’s cameras provide live streaming of what is happening on your property at all times. This means that you can check in on your home whenever you want, and be immediately alerted if there is any suspicious activity.
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Additionally, Ring’s cameras come equipped with night vision and two-way audio, so you can keep an eye on things even in low-light conditions or when you’re away from home. Best of all, Ring’s camera system is easy to set up and use, so you can start protecting your home with just a few simple clicks (and about four screws).
Google Nest Wifi
Google Nest Wifi is not your ordinary wifi system. This powerful little device not only provides a fast and reliable connection for all of your devices, but it also comes with a host of features that make life easier. For example, the built-in Google Assistant makes it easy to stay connected and control your smart home devices. And if you ever need a hand, the Nest Wifi app can help you troubleshoot any problems. Best of all, Google Nest Wifi is easy to set up and use, so you’ll be online in no time. Whether you’re streaming movies, playing games, want to control a device connected to the network, or just staying connected, Google Nest Wifi has you covered.
One of my favorite features is just having the ability to have insight and control into which devices are connected to my network. It’s not just making life easier in this regard, but making your digital life easier as well.
READ MORE: Can Google Nest Wifi Really Speed Up Your Internet?
Home Assistant Device
Amazon Echo Dot and Google Nest Mini, both are awesome. Google Nest Mini is a small, affordable, and easy-to-use smart speaker with Google Assistant built-in. It has all the features of Google Home, but it’s even more compact and it comes in multiple different colors. You can use Google Nest Mini to control your smart home devices, play music, get weather and traffic updates, set alarms and timers, and much more. Plus, you can ask Google questions and get answers just like you would on your phone or laptop. Simply put, Google Nest Mini makes life easier by giving you access to the power of Google Assistant in a compact and affordable package.
The same goes for the Amazon Echo Dot. The only reason why you’d prefer one over the other is based on how your smart home ecosystem is set up. Some people like to utilize Google Home for their smart home automation. And some prefer Alexa. Regardless, any of these home assistants are going to make your life easier.
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Smart Vacuum Robot Cleaner
With this type of vacuum, you won’t have to worry about lugging around a heavy machine or dealing with cords. Instead, you can simply set it up in one room and let it do its thing. Smart vacuums are also great for people who have allergies or asthma because they can really help to reduce dust and other allergens in the air. And if you have pets, a smart vacuum can be a lifesaver. It will pick up all the pet hair and dander that normal vacuums leave behind.
Hands down, the best smart vacuum robot cleaner is the iRobot Roomba. Not only can it be controlled with Alexa, but it does an amazing job cleaning both hardwood floors and carpets. My only complaint is a manufacturer needs to figure out the whole stairs issue. I hate having to physically move my vacuum to another level and reprogram with the floor plan it’s now on. We put a man on the moon, can’t we figure out how to get these things to climb stairs?!
Firewalla Purple
Once you get this device set up and running properly, it will give you peace of mind when it comes to monitoring your home network. It makes life easier because I don’t have to worry about cyber attacks, internet ads, monthly fees, what bad content my kids might be exposed to, and a slew of other nice features. Quite honestly, I don’t want to think about what my digital life was like before Firewalla.
DISCOVER: Our Firewalla Purple Review
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are devices that allow you to control your home’s electronics via an app on your smartphone. You can use them to turn on and off lights, TVs, and other appliances with the touch of a button. Smart plugs can also be used to create a schedule, so you can automatically turn on the coffee maker in the morning or have the lights turn on when you get home from work. I absolutely love smart plugs. I bet I have close to 15 in my home. One of the best things about smart plugs is that they can make life much easier. For example, let’s say you forget to turn off the straightener before you leave for work. You can simply open the app and turn it off (or have Google Assistant or Alexa help). No more coming home to a burned-out straightener! Smart plugs are also great for people who have a hard time reaching certain switches or outlets. With a smart plug, you can control any electronic from anywhere in your home.
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My favorite smart plug? I really like the WeMo Smart Plug. The WeMo Smart Plug is a smart plug that allows you to control any appliance that is plugged into it. The WeMo Insight Switch can be controlled via a smartphone app and can be used to schedule timers, set up rules, and monitor energy usage. The WeMo Insight Switch can also be integrated with other smart home devices, such as the Amazon Echo, Google Nest Mini, and Philips Hue Smart Bulbs.
Smart Lights
I love smart lights. One of my favorites for smart lighting is the Philips Hue Smart Bulb. This advanced smart light is a line of smart bulbs that can be controlled via a smartphone app or home assistant. The bulbs can be used to create custom lighting scenes, schedule timers, and turn on/off automatically based on your location. There are some clever IFTTT recipes you can program with smart lights as well to take your smart home automation use to the next level. The Philips Hue system can also be integrated with a variety of other smart home devices, such as the Amazon Echo, Google Nest Mini, and Nest Thermostat.
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Smart Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat is a programmable thermostat that can be controlled via a smartphone app. The thermostat can learn your heating and cooling preferences over time and can automatically adjust the temperature to save energy when you’re away from home. The Nest Thermostat can also be integrated with other smart home devices, such as the Philips Hue Smart Bulbs and the Google Nest Mini. My favorite smart thermostat? The Google Nest Thermostat is next-level smart technology. I’ve had Honeywell devices before, but this is the smart thermostat that is keyed-in to making life easier and more efficient.
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Smart Lock
Have you ever lost your keys? Or been locked out of your house? Or needed a neighbor to get into your home while you’re on vacation and have no spare? If so, you know how frustrating it can be. With smart locks, you can use your smartphone to unlock your door (or even 4 digit code). No more fumbling around for keys. No more hiding the spare in the all-too-obvious spots. Smart locks are also convenient if you have guests coming over. Instead of having to keep track of a key, you can just give them a code that expires as soon as they leave. And if you’re worried about security, don’t be. Smart locks are actually more secure than traditional locks because they’re much harder to pick. And these smart locks aren’t just for the outside doors either. Yes, I put a smart lock on my pantry door to keep the kids (mostly my teenage boy’s friends) out.
And mixing home automation is extremely helpful. Have you ever gone to bed and thought “Did I lock the doors”? Well, I can just say “Hey Google, Secure the Batcave” and all my doors lock. To unlock I simply say….wait a second, you thought I’d tell you that one?! I’ll let your imagination fill in the blanks, but I do have a Google command that when I say it…all the lights in my house turn on, my outdoor lights start flashing, and all cameras go into record mode. Some notifications are sent to the Just-Us-League (friends and family) who will come to our aid. Did I mention how much I love technology?
