I want to set up a smart home but it’s very intimidating. How would I get started as a beginner?

Smart homes are a great way to add a “cool” tech aspect to one’s life, and can also be a great way to save electricity. Most people get started with lights because they tend to be straightforward to set up.

There are two types of smart lights: switching lights and colour-changing lights.

Switching lights are ideal for those who don’t want to change their existing lights and only want on and off functionality.

There are intermediary devices like Slampher switches, which fit between an Edison/Bayonet light socket and the existing light. They connect to Wi-Fi and are controlled via an app. These are ideal for garden lights that can be programmed to switch on at sunset and off at sunrise.

The second type adds a colour-changing aspect and Philips Hue produces the best bulbs. They come as a new bulb to put into a light socket and, for example, one can change the lights to purple when watching a movie to provide a cinema feel.

Smart plugs are also a great entrance into the convenience of smart home tech. Paired with a temperature sensor, this unlocks a great deal of smartness. For example, one could attach smart plugs to electric blankets, which only turn on after 7pm when the temperature drops below 10°C.

Another great start to a smart home is a smart alarm. South African-based company Synthus is preparing to launch its smart alarm, which pairs with existing smart home hubs like Home Assistant.

One can get a notification when the alarm is triggered while one is away from home, as well as the ability to check-in if the alarm is armed while one is away.

For added security, a smart CCTV setup is helpful for breakins. Swann sells great CCTV boxes, which pair with its HomeSafe View app. This app can alert users of movement in a camera area, and allows for remote monitoring of cameras while one is away from home.

From personal experience, the case file at the police was much easier to build with a video of an attemped break-in.

One can use a voice assistant like an Amazon Echo (Alexa), Google Home (Hey Google), or an Apple HomePod (Hey Siri) to control all these devices by voice.