In the year we stayed at home, more of us than ever have turned to gadgets and smart devices to keep our lives running smoothly, and stay connected with the wider world. If you’re ready to take the next step on your tech journey, we’ve rounded up the latest developments in the smart home world below.

Digital Taps to Start Your Mornings Seamlessly

Especially on the mornings where you just can’t seem to get everyone out the door, time-saving solutions matter more than ever. One way to speed up the bathroom queue is by installing an intelligent tap or shower. With the option to choose your perfect temperature and water pressure before you hop in the shower, digital taps make your morning routine speedy, seamless and much more enjoyable too. For family homes, in particular, digital taps like iTaps are also a great hygienic option thanks to sensory buttons, and the option to prevent overfill for the more absent-minded of us, who might leave the tap running.

Smart Thermostats to Cut Down on Your Heating Bill

There’s nothing worse than waking up chilly. One way to stop this from happening is to invest in a smart thermostat, that you can control from your phone. Switching your radiators on only when you need them means that not only will you save on unnecessary heating costs, you’ll keep as cosy as possible throughout the day too.

Smart Bulbs to Save Energy

If you’re trying to keep your home eco-friendly, smart bulbs are a great place to start. Smart lights use energy-efficient bulbs to lower your energy usage, and so reduce the electricity needed to effectively light your home. Many of the latest smart bulbs also include motion sensors. That means that rather than spending your time constantly switching lights on and off, your smart bulbs will do all the heavy lifting for you. As well as the time-saving benefits, this feature can also work towards your home’s security, lighting up your home if any unexpected movements occur.

Smart Coffee Machines for an Instant Brew

A well-made coffee can really make your morning, especially when you don’t have to put the work in yourself. With built-in digital timers, smart coffee means you can wake up to the smell of fresh coffee beans. Coffee-lovers don’t need to worry that an automated brew means their morning coffee won’t be up to scratch, either. Many smart coffee machines have customisable settings to make sure your brew is served up just the way you like it. That way, you’ll save both time and money popping into your local coffee shop each morning, too.

Smart Plugs to Stay Connected

Converting everyday devices into smart objects is made much more simple with the help of smart plugs. By plugging a smart plug into a wall socket, you can control the device connected through your smartphone. This is also a much more affordable option than many more sophisticated smart devices, so are a great choice for those dipping their toes into the smart home world.

Smart Locks for the Security Conscious

Smart locks are some of the safest around, with multiple benefits for you and your family. Smart security systems can let you in with a code rather than a key, meaning the more forgetful of us will never be in trouble of losing a key. This also means you can give access to people who need to pop in and out of your house without you being there, such as a cleaner or babysitter. The majority of smart security systems also now include a video link, so you can check in on your home when you’re out and about, and see who’s at the door before you get there.