When you hear the term “smart home,” you might think it’s difficult to set up and that it’s only for geeky people. In fact, in recent years, the evolution of IoT (Internet of Things) home appliances has made it possible for anyone to make their home smart easily and on a low budget. This time, as a first step towards creating a smart home, we will introduce some IoT gadgets that are definitely recommended for beginners.

The first thing you should install is a “smart remote control.” Typical examples include Nature Remo and SwitchBot hub. This is a device that learns the signals of infrared remote controls in your home (TV, air conditioner, lighting, etc.) and allows you to control them all from a smartphone app. By simply implementing this one feature, you will be able to live your dream life by turning on the air conditioner from outside before returning home or turning off the TV using your smartphone while lying down. The biggest appeal is that even old home appliances can be made smart with an infrared remote control.

The next most convenient option is a smart plug. This is a small adapter that allows you to control the power on/off from your smartphone by inserting it between an outlet and a home appliance. Ideal for making simple home appliances that operate with physical switches, such as indirect lighting, circulators, and humidifiers, smarter. You can also use the timer function to turn on the lights according to the time you wake up in the morning.

If you want to take it a step further, consider installing a “smart speaker.” By linking the above-mentioned devices with Amazon Echo, Google Nest, etc., you will be able to control home appliances using just your voice, such as “Alexa, turn off the lights” and “OK Google, turn on the TV.” This is very convenient when you are doing housework when your hands are full.

These can be purchased for around a few thousand yen, so you can easily try them out. Please gradually introduce IoT into your home and experience a comfortable and futuristic lifestyle.