The Internet of Things (IoT) has increased the quality of our lives, allowing us to keep our devices connected to the Internet and control all aspects of our home with the touch of a button.

However, making the most out of the Internet of Things can be difficult, as there are a lot of moving parts and aspects to the technologies considered part of the IoT. Plus, security can be a bit of an issue, even if you were to take advantage of security software, read up on a guide on how to use a VPN. Overall, secure your network with proxies.

With this article, I want to help you figure out the best devices you can buy to get you connected to the IoT.

7 Smart Home Devices To Get in 2020

1. A Smart Assistant

Let’s start by talking about the most popular form of IoT on the market: smart assistants. You may know these smart assistants by the various names they’ve been given: Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and vice versa.

These smart assistants use the Internet and voice commands to help users without forcing them to lift a thumb! Their use is situational, but they’re nice to have anyway.

2. Smart Lights

But not all IoT devices are designed to help you or give you an advantage in your daily routine. Sometimes, these devices are designed to liven up your room, which is the case here with smart lights.

Smart lights, such as Phillips Hue bulbs, let users control the brightness, color, and various other features of their lights. They’re not a necessity, of course, but I’d say it helps me feel more comfortable in my room!

3. A Smartwatch

Having to take my phone out of my pocket every time I receive a text or notification starts becoming annoying, especially if I’m working and am unable to physically check it. Smartwatches get rid of that problem, acting as a small phone on your wrist.

Smartwatches connect to your phone and let you check notifications, make calls, and even play music! Like the smart assistants, a smartwatch is situational, and not everyone needs it.

4. A Video Doorbell

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like answering the door if I’m unsure who it is. Fortunately, a few companies have created a solution to that: video doorbells.

These doorbells let you see who’s at the door before you even approach it, helping you feel safe and secure. I recommend for everyone to get a video doorbell. Even the cheap ones work well enough—better than answering the door for a random person.

5. A Smart Speaker

Music fans can also benefit from the growth of smart devices. See, companies decided that smart assistants alone weren’t going to bring in money. So, as a way to profit, companies decided to create smart speakers.

These are exactly what they sound like: speakers that use smart assistants to create a convenient experience. Amazon’s Alexa is included in many smart speakers, and Apple tried to create its own smart speaker a couple of years ago.

6. A Smart Thermostat

Sure, your basic home thermostat may work just fine, but what if you could modernize it? Well, you can! There are dozens of smart thermostats on the market that allow you to control your thermostat from the comfort of your couch. Definitely not necessary, but helpful, nonetheless.

7.  Mesh Network Routers

But what if you’re in need of a better home network? A network that spans across your entire house and never lets you drop connected? Then look into a mesh network, specifically Google Mesh networks.

While not a smart device itself, a mesh network will allow your network to run through your entire house instead of a few select areas, allowing you to keep your smart devices anywhere. Plus, some smart devices are designed to work with Google Mesh.

Conclusion

Smart devices, devices belonging to the IoT, are important pieces of technology that enhance and simplify our lives, and I highly recommend you invest in owning a few smart devices.

And yes, technology has its problems. For example, security can be a big issue, but using certain security software can help with that. That, and a bit of proper cybersecurity etiquette.

IoT is the future, and getting into it now will make it less painful to get into later on. So go ahead and experience the joys of IoT!