If you’re a fan of iOS and Apple technology in general then the Apple HomeKit is for you! The HomeKit is Apple’s approach to smart smart home technology, acting as an interface that communicates with all compatible smart devices on one app. Connecting to HomeKit means these devices are easy to set up and will respond to voice commands. While Apple has traditionally limited itself to its own technology and operating system, as the smart home industry evolves, products from different companies are interfacing with Apple better over time.
Thermostats
Ecobee Smart Thermostat
We see this thermostat come up a lot and it’s not wonder! We list this as one of our “Best of the Best” because it works well no matter which smart home hub system you choose to work with, making it versatile and ultimately compatible. Tying into your existing HVAC system to control your household cooling and heating, you can add Smart Sensors to other rooms, allowing you to control the temperature in multiple rooms throughout your house. Also monitoring your schedule, this thermostat will adjust itself to when you are home and away, changing the temperature on your behalf. When paired with HomeKit, you can either use voice commands by saying, “Hey Siri,” or you can control it on the HomeKit app on your smartphone.
Honeywell Home T5+ Smart Thermostat
The Honeywell Home Thermostat is a less expensive, but still worthwhile purchase. Giving you complete control over your home’s temperature, this thermostat is simple and user-friendly. You have your choice of control, whether you want to use the touchscreen, voice command or the HomeKit app, making it a versatile and functional option. This thermostat will also manage your home’s temperature by tracking your smartphone's location, meaning it knows when you’re home and when you’re away. Similarly to the Ecobee, it will adjust the heating or cooling based on where you are, so your home is always the right temperature. A small, but super convenient feature!
Locks
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen
This smart lock really is one of the best in the industry. We’ve mentioned it in each blog post in this series so far, making it the most versatile smart lock on the market, as it is compatible with Amazon, Google and Apple HomeKit. The door sensor gives you status updates on your door through Siri, or the app on your phone, letting you know whether your door is open or closed, locked or unlocked. You can also track who is coming and going, give access to specific people (think dog walkers, or babysitters), or even lock and unlock your door remotely. Plus, it attaches to your existing deadbolt, making it one of the most convenient options out there.
Yale Assure Lock
If you’re the kind of person that is always losing your keys, then this lock is for you. Yale offers a lot of smart locks, but this upgraded version, Assure Lock with M1 Network Module, is the one you will want if you’re looking for Apple HomeKit compatibility. This lock is just a touchscreen, allowing you to unlock your door with your unique passcode, the HomeKit app, or by asking Siri. Similarly to the August Smart Lock, this gives you the ability to assign unique codes to other people, rather than having spare keys, or leaving someone locked out!
Lighting
Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs
We have talked about these smart light bulbs before. The ultimate in compatibility with the HomeKit, you can use voice command to adjust and control any of your Philips Hue Smart Lighting Devices. From Light bulbs, to light strips, motion sensors and more, there is no limit to what these devices can do together. With the Philips Hue Hub you can add up to 50 smart light bulbs to your home, setting schedules and timers, so your lighting adjusts to your schedule.
Plugs
Wemo Smart Plug
We love Smart Plugs. Turning any device into a smart one, you can use voice command, giving you complete control over the power outlets in your home. From turning your devices on and off, to scheduling things to adjust while you are sleeping, or out of the house, these smart plugs will have all of your devices working together to support your lifestyle. The affordable smart plug comes in at just $25 and is compact working with all the major smart assistants, making it one of the best. It also features a physical button, so you can simply press the button on the plug rather than using voice command, or going into your app.
Garage Door Opener
myQ Smart Garage Door Opener
This is one of the best smart garage door openers out there. By adding the myQ Home Bridge to the system, this garage door opener upgrades, making it compatible with Apple HomeKit. This allows you to open and close your garage door from anywhere and tells you whether your garage door is open or closed. It responds to voice commands with Siri and It also supports scheduling, making sure your garage door is closed when it should be. You’ll never have to worry about whether or not you remember to close your garage door once you get to the office!
Now that you know what HomeKit is, and what devices are compatible with it, do you think you would leverage this smart assistant in your home? Are you pro Apple or not? Let us know what smart home system you’re going to use in your house in the comments below! Maybe you still have questions about which smart home system is best for you. Contact one of our smart home techs today, we’d be happy to answer any questions.
