From heated wallpaper to a desk that allows you to exercise and power your gadgets at the same time, our houses are getting savvier by the second. Smart home technology is now so advanced and seamlessly integrated that we have more control over our environments than ever before. We've rounded up the latest gadgets, gizmos and inventions that are set to change the way we live for good. Click or scroll on and step this way into the future – it's already here...
With countless benefits, the LG MoodUP™ refrigerator comes equipped with advanced technologies that preserve your food's freshness, as well as allowing users to change the colour of their refrigerator at the touch of a button, thanks to clever LED door panels. The innovative model also enables you to see what's inside with the tap of a panel, plus the exterior will flash to alert you if the door has been left open. A fun extra, the MoodUP has built-in Bluetooth speakers that play music, and the fridge panels will even change colour in rhythm with the beat. You can buy one right now for just under £4,000 ($5k).
Tired of sitting at your desk all day? Well, the brand-new Acer eKinekt BD 3 will allow you to burn calories while replying to emails. As well as its health benefits, this hardworking home office desk generates energy from your pedalling power, charging your laptop or smartphone simultaneously. It also boasts a bag hook, a beverage holder and sports mode – which will allow you to do a high-intensity workout without your laptop getting in the way. The ingenious bike-desk is available from June 2023 for £806 ($999).
Drones are nothing new, but did you ever think you’d own one for use inside your home? Well, Amazon's latest gadget is an indoor flying drone camera; the 'Ring Always Home Cam'. The camera can be accessed remotely, via the Ring app, and allows you to keep tabs on your home from anywhere. You can train the drone with custom flight paths too, and put it in charge of pet sitting and home security. A limited number are now available in the US on request, but it's expected to be widely available in 2024.
While radiators heat up the air, heated wallpaper warms objects directly, including people, by emitting heat through infrared waves. Companies like NexGen Heating have created metallic sheets that can be hidden behind plasterwork and connected to mains electricity. This means that if your home is powered by solar panels, you could bag yourself free heating. This type of system is said to provide better air quality and generate less mould. An electric wallpaper system would cost around £4,000 ($5k) to install in a typical three-bedroom home, according to Nexgen Heating.
Over the last few years, toilets have become almost as smart as our mobile phones. Kohler's latest creation, the Numi 2.0, is a multi-functional toilet like no other. As well as personalised settings that allow you to fine-tune your toilet to your exact preferences, the Numi also boasts integrated cleansing, motion-activated seat opening and a deodorising filter. Compatible with Amazon's Alexa, you can even ask your virtual assistant to lift the toilet seat and play songs while you go about your business, because Numi also has speakers! One could be yours for a cool £6,900 ($8.6k).
Who said your gallery wall has to be permanent? With the Meural Canvas II, you can switch between over 30,000 artwork and images, including iconic pieces like the Mona Lisa, with the touch of a button. Download the Meural app and set up your Canvas in minutes. You can create playlists, personalise your art and schedule display times, too. This game-changing gadget is now on sale for around £444 ($550).
In an effort to kerb global warming, Purdue University engineers have created the whitest paint yet. Coating buildings with this paint may one day cool them off enough to reduce the need for air conditioning. “If you were to use this paint to cover a roof area of about 1,000 square feet, we estimate that you could get a cooling power of 10 kilowatts. That’s more powerful than the central air conditioners used by most houses,” said Xiulin Ruan, a Purdue professor. While typical commercial white paint gets warmer rather than cooler, the high concentration of barium sulfate and varying particle sizes make this paint ultra-white. Watch this space!
The LG Signature OLED R is the world's first and only rollable television. The flat-screen display appears when you need it and disappears when you don't, meaning you can create a sleek interior space that isn't dominated by a giant screen. The TV rolls out to three different heights and comes with a state-of-the-art sound system and self-lit pixel technology for a near-perfect visual display. If you love it, you'll need deep pockets, because the TV is priced at £80,700 ($100k).
IKEA's GUNRID curtain is coated with a mineral-based surface that breaks down common pollutants as light shines through it. It works with both natural and artificial lighting, and was designed to help fight air pollution in homes. GUNRID curtains are also made from 100% recycled polyester, which means less impact on the environment and a new life for old PET bottles!
The LG InstaView has an integrated screen that allows you to check the contents of your fridge without even opening the door. Never miss an item on the shopping list again with its integrated smartphone app, which allows you to peep into your fridge while you’re out doing grocery shopping. If you happen to own an Alexa, you can sync up your fridge with Amazon’s voice-controlled system to order your grocery shopping online from the comfort of your kitchen. Get yours from £1,599 ($2k).
The Arlo Baby does so much more than monitor your little ones. An all-seeing eye disguised as a cute animal, this clever device allows you to speak to your baby through integrated microphones. It’s also fitted with a motion sensor, night light and lullaby player to ensure that your baby feels safe and comfortable even when you’re not around. Set up notifications on the Arlo Baby app to alert you whenever a sound or movement is detected. Purchase yours for around £153 ($190).
Compoz Parfum is a smart diffuser that allows you to create and customise your own unique scents for your home. The world's first, bespoke home fragrance composer, this clever little gadget comes with five cartridges of natural essential oils from Artiris SAS, with base notes like sandalwood and rose. You can also use the company's app to alter the levels of each separate ingredient, according to your mood. Prices start from around £990 ($1.2k).
For all the keen cooks out there, this innovative new kitchen appliance is about to change your baking game. The GE Profile™ Smart Mixer with Auto Sense looks like an ordinary electric mixer, but it has added benefits. For starters, it actively monitors changes in texture and viscosity through motor torque feedback, ensuring that you never overmix cake batter again. It also has built-in scales for speedy measuring and can be powered by voice control. It's available exclusively from Crate and Barrel for £806 ($1k).
Schedule your laundry times with more efficiency by washing your clothes with the LG SideKick compact washer. A smaller washer is located beneath the main washing machine, for fewer items that can’t wait until the next big load. The LG SideKick is great for washing clothes that you get through quickly, but also allows you to tackle two loads at once. Own one from approximately £524 ($649).
Wink Bright is a smart light control system that adjusts brightness by syncing itself to sunrise and sunset times. Lights are automatically switched on and off according to when it gets lighter or darker, enabling you to stay connected to your home no matter where you are. It also serves as a security device by switching your lights on at realistic times, giving the impression that someone is home, and meaning you'll never have to return to a dark house again. Nab yours for £104 ($129).
Technology has just outdone itself. Integrated with Alexa, the iKettle by Smarter allows you to brew the perfect cuppa from the comfort of your bed. Using a mobile app, program your iKettle to heat up water to whatever temperature you desire and keep your water warm for as long as needed. It can be set to boil at certain times of the day, ensuring a cup of tea is ready to be poured as soon as you step out of bed. WiFi- and voice-activated models are also available and priced from £129 ($160).
Ring's Smart Video Doorbells are not just there to notify you when someone is at the front door – although its motion sensor means you'll always know if someone is lurking outside. The device also allows you to communicate with anyone that comes to your door, in real-time, without having to speak to them face-to-face. This clever tool is fantastic when you're not at home, or for the security conscious that want to avoid answering the door to strangers. Buy one for just £70 ($87).
The Moxie Showerhead by Kohler pairs your smart device with its wireless speakers via Bluetooth technology to deliver up to seven hours' worth of music with crystal-clear sound. Their classic showerhead features 60 angled nozzles that deliver a powerful spray, while the rain head version features 80 nozzles for an all-encompassing spa-like treatment. Plus, the speaker can easily be removed, so you can take it wherever you want to go. Create a luxurious bathroom from £82 ($99).
Are you sick of having to run your clothes down to the dry cleaners, or spend hours every weekend ironing piles of laundry? Well, now you no longer have to thanks to the LG Styler S3BF. This ultra-smart closet will steam your clothing, removing creases as well as 99.9% of allergens. Add fragrance to your favourite pieces with the closet's aroma sheet and select special settings to take care of delicate items, including cashmere and velvet. It's on the market and priced at £1,600 ($2k).
Phillips are the masters of cool home tech and their popular smart bulbs, the Phillips Hue, let you control your lighting straight from your phone. Functions range from colour control to dimness, depending on the model, and you can buy everything from light bulbs for overhead lighting to gradient table lamps or ambient lighting. Prices range depending on models, but you can build a starter kit to suit your needs.
Budgee is a robot assistant that follows you around and helps you carry your things. The smart bot can carry up to 22.6kg and can be used outside as well as indoors. Budgee is currently on sale for around £161 ($200) and with its friendly face, who wouldn't want one to help cart the shopping in?
Yet the Budgee isn't the only robot out there that's changing the way we live. The products from iRobot take household help to another level. The company's nifty little machines will complete your chores for you, without a single complaint. While some vacuum your floors using power-lifting suction, other models feature built-in water jets and microfibre pads, that mop your surfaces after hoovering. Tracking sensors help the robot to navigate both carpets and hard floors too, and all this help costs as little as £399 ($494).
Most people have an at-home coffee machine, but what about a station for creating your own beer? LG's HomeBrew will work in the same way as your espresso maker, using single-use capsules containing yeast, hop oil and flavouring, to make freshly brewed beer in just weeks. An app will let you monitor the beer’s progress and the machine will self-clean after use. The brewer will offer five beer styles and is set to be retailed in the coming years.
Future-proof your home with the August Smart Lock Pro +. This nifty security gadget ensures your front door is securely locked throughout the day, but also controls and tracks who enters and leaves your property by sending notifications to your smartphone whenever it senses movement through your front door. You can also add key code entry for greater convenience, meaning you no longer have to worry about lost or copied keys. Prices start from £186 ($230).
The Nuki Opener gives you keyless access from the street to your apartment via an app, making letting people in a lot easier. The system connects to your building's intercom and triggers the door when activated. It works remotely too, so it's perfect for the busy Airbnb host. A Nuki Opener will set you back £115 ($142).
Another clever kitchen gadget is the Ember Temperature Control Mug. Ember’s patented technology allows you to set the precise temperature of your hot beverage, via a Bluetooth-enabled app, so you can enjoy your drink just how you like it. Ember’s extended battery life and travel range mean you can also enjoy your brew while on the move. Available in a variety of sizes and styles, you can grab an Ember mug for £149.95 ($186).
Created by the engineering experts at Ford, this hi-tech kennel uses the same technology that masks noisy engines to reduce scary noises like fireworks to a dog-friendly level. The kennel is still only a prototype, with no release date or pricing announced yet. But surely no pooch palace will be complete without it?
Yet smart home gadgets aren't just for entertainment or problem-solving. Some are merely for luxury! The U by Moen Smart Shower allows you to fully customise your showering experience to the most minute detail. The electronic shower control allows you to set different water temperatures and shower durations, while a smartphone app gives you the option of turning on your shower before you even enter the bathroom.
PepsiCo has taken eco-friendly to the next level, launching a drinks machine to cut back on single-use plastic. The SodaStream Professional has an ‘integrated hydration platform’ that allows you to choose from a variety of non-branded drinks and customise them to your tastes. You can alter the sweetness and temperature, and add flavours like strawberry, cherry and lime.
Sprinkler systems, although vital, can be pretty damaging to interiors. Plumis has found a solution with its Automist Smartscan Hydra sprinkler. The eco-friendly device has a built-in heat sensor that releases a targeted high-pressure burst of water to douse the flames, depending on the heat. There to protect against hidden hazards, it uses 90% less water than your average sprinkler and the price varies depending on a building's requirements.
Say goodbye to corked wine with Plum, a device that will help you to pour the perfect glass of wine every time. The clever kitchen gadget has the ability to identify 220 commercially-available wines and chills each bottle to the recommended serving temperature. It can preserve wine for 90 days and is compatible with any 750ml bottle of wine with any closure, including natural cork and screw caps. Oh, and did we mention it's self-cleaning?
For the eco-conscious, a toilet that turns your urine into handy fertiliser is officially on the market. Developed by Austrian design firm EOOS, bathroom brand Laufen and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, the smart loo recovers useful nutrients for plant-friendly food. It's currently on the market for €1,154, which equates to around £1,000 ($1.3k)
This gizmo is as fun as it is useful. Furbo is an interactive dog camera that allows you to watch over, communicate with, and give treats to, your pets when you’re not at home. The smart device’s barking sensor sends push notifications to your smartphone whenever it detects barking, while a night vision camera allows you to keep up with your pup at all hours of the day. Treat your pooch for around £159 ($197).
You’ve heard of smart TVs and smart fridges, but how about a smart bed? Hi Interiors has created the ultimate sanctuary for entertainment, sleep and meditation. The HiCan is equipped with a 4K HD projector and 70” surround sound screen, but it also tracks your sleep patterns and boasts a smart alarm to improve your sleeping habits. Use an app to manage ambient lighting, draw in side curtains and add fragrances to your room. The luxury bed doesn't come cheap. In fact, this billionaire bling has a starting price of £97,000 ($120k).
In September 2021, Amazon launched its first household robot, Astro. Powered by Alexa, the cute bot can be controlled by remote when you're not at home, and it will even send you a notification if it detects something unusual. Its extendable periscope camera will also allow you to ensure you haven't left the stove on. The device could even help the elderly and those less able to manoeuvre around the home. Astro is priced at around £1,200 ($1.5k), though it's currently only available in the United States.
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