Everything you need to know about smart home devices

A smart home device is an internet-connected gadget that allows you to control something in your home – temperature, lights, music, blinds, locks, etc – via an app on your tablet or smartphone. It doesn’t matter whether you are in the property, on your way to the property or lazing on a beach in Lanzarote, you will always be in control.

From lighting that sets the perfect mood to voice assistants that help you stay organised, the best smart home devices can make everyday living easier, safer and more efficient. 

Here are some of the most popular smart home gadgets: 

• Smart lights: An affordable and easy way to start your smart home journey. Adjust brightness and colour from your phone or voice assistant, or set schedules, so your lights switch on automatically when you’re home. 

• Smart speakers: The hub of any connected home. Ask Alexa or Google Assistant to play music, check the weather, or control other devices without lifting a finger. 

• Smart thermostats: Ideal for cutting energy bills and keeping your home comfortable. They learn your routine and adjust the heating automatically, helping you save energy while staying warm. 

• Smart cameras and security systems: Keep an eye on your home from anywhere. Motion alerts, two-way audio and night vision make it easy to check in when you’re away. 

The faster the broadband you have connected to your home, the more devices you can connect without negatively impacting speed or performance. It’s not much use having the most up-to-date internet-connected home gadgetry if your broadband speed can barely handle your devices.

It’s only natural to be sceptical about new things, to question whether you personally – or society as a whole – really needs them and how you might decide to join the party.

Are smart devices really worth it?

Smart home installations are about personal choice and self-improvement. Early tech adopters might get a lift by being the first people on the estate to have automatic locks on their doors and the Ring home security service on their doorbell.

List lovers might want a voice-activated smart speaker to help them organise their lives in new and exciting ways. Cat connoisseurs might view a smart feeder as an essential addition to their garden so they can interact with their pets from afar and make sure they are okay.

What we do know is that in the future more and more houses will begin to have smart devices as standard as will workplaces and public places, so being prepared for smart gadgets to gently infiltrate your world is probably a good way to be.

What smart devices work together?

There’s a number of devices on the market that run different operating systems made by different companies that don’t always communicate, making it hard to hook up to a coherent system that can be controlled from one hub or application. After all, there’s nothing too clever about having to use multiple apps on multiple devices to control your home.

Which means the first thing you need to do when looking at buying smart home devices is to check their compatibility. A good way to start is to choose which smart speaker or advance controller you think is best for you and concentrate any subsequent buying decisions around compatibility with that device. Naturally, Google Home works seamlessly with Google Nest Hub Max and Google Chromecast, but it will work equally smoothly with Philips Hue White Starter Kit, Wemo WiFi Smart Plugs and Arlo Q security cams.

There are way too many combinations and permutations of smart devices to list what the best combinations are here, the best advice we can offer is this: choose an operating system – the most popular and wide-ranging are Google Assistant and Alexa – and then base your subsequent purchases around that initial choice.

What is the best internet speed for smart homes?

There are many different broadband setups, promoting many different speeds available on the market that will affect how you use and enjoy the internet in your home, including any smart devices you may own. The golden rule is this: the faster and more reliable your broadband connection the better it is for using multiple devices in multiple rooms all at the same time all day long.

Don’t worry if you’re a smart home novice, it won’t take long to learn the lingo and discover your options. Setting everything up is much easier than it probably seems, too. Depending on your area of smart home interest, here’s some best-in-class smart home gadgets to point you in the right direction.

Explore the top smart devices, from lighting and security to entertainment, and see how Virgin Media's ultrafast broadband can seamlessly connect them all. With our reliable connectivity, your smart home setup will be more efficient and responsive than ever.​

Whether you’re streaming music through your smart speaker, adjusting the thermostat on your phone or checking your doorbell camera while away, our broadband will keep your smart home running smoothly.  

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