Modern Australian
The Times

5 Smart-Home Upgrades You Should Invest In

  • Written by Diana Smith


Living in the 21st century has made our lives much easier, particularly in the sphere of home maintenance. From ovens with cooking timers to smart door locks, we’re now able to cook without worrying about burning our favourite meal and we secure our homes to prevent any possible intrusion. Aside from smart home technology upgrades, you should also look for the newest editions that will increase the value of your home and give you peace of mind.

Wireless home security cameras

Just because you don’t own a $5 million worth estate, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a surveillance system. A good home security system is more likely to fend the burglars off and give you peace of mind, which is why you should definitely consider a wireless camera as one of your smart home upgrades. Aside from being easy to set up, wireless security cameras can stream video to any smart gadget and alert you in case of a suspicious clamour or behaviour detected. Some models come with additional features such as programmable recording and cloud storage.

Video doorbell

If you want to know who's at your front door without actually having to go to the door and look through a peephole, then a video doorbell is just the right thing for you. By putting a camera right at the front door, any motion around the door will be detected and you will immediately receive an alert on your smartphone along with the video clip of the activity. The same will happen if someone presses the doorbell. Depending on the model you choose, you'll need a hardwired connection via doorbell wiring. In case your home doesn't have doorbell wiring, a battery-powered model will do the trick as well.

Smart humidifier

A must-have smart product for every home is definitely a smart humidifier. This is especially true if some of your family members have asthma or is struggling with various types of allergies. A humidifier will silently infuse the room with clean, fresh moisture, providing relief for nagging coughs, itchy eyes, dry skin, and sore throats. Humidified air can help you sleep better and alleviate the symptoms of certain seasonal allergies. In an array of smart Xiaomi products, look for a humidifier specifically designed to keep the spread of bacteria at bay, thanks to its own built-in humidity monitor that you can set to 40, 50, or 60%. The humidifier’s smart bedtime mode will keep the motor as quiet as possible while you sleep, which makes it perfect for nurseries and bedrooms.

Smart door lock

Installing a smart lock on your front door is one of the best ways to secure your home, but also add value to it. If you want to save on installation time, think about installing the locks which replace only the interior part of the deadbolt. Many locks will offer you a range of smart features, such as auto-lock and unlock functions. You can even create electronic keys for your guests. Door locks come with an adapter which will give you a chance to remotely control the lock via some of the smartphone assistants.

Smarten up your thermostat

Smartening up your home thermostat does not have to cost you a fortune. Just make sure you do your research and you can easily find a thermostat with intuitive manual control including several features such as geofencing and voice control. Thanks to geofencing, your thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature once you leave your home and come back to it. You can even install the thermostat on your own if you’re handy with smart appliances, just be sure to follow step-by-step instructions so you don’t risk causing any malfunctions.

Equipping your home with smart upgrades is the best way to keep it safe and make its maintenance much more convenient. So, if you still haven’t invested in smart home upgrades, make sure you pick at least two upgrades from our list, and start with that. Not only will your home be more secure, but you’ll sleep much better knowing you’ve protected your home well.


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