It’s 2024 and if you’re bummed that you can start your EV with your mobile phone, but can’t open the door to your house with it, the folks at SwitchBot just designed the perfect little accessory. Designed to retrofit onto your existing deadbolt door lock, the SwitchBot Lock Pro has 15 different unlocking options, from letting you use your phone or Apple Watch, to voice commands, biometrics, numeric PINs, or hey, even your regular key if you’re feeling a little old-fashioned. Or maybe get it to unlock when you say “Open Sesame” if you’re feeling extra whimsical!
The Lock Pro follows in the footsteps of the original SwitchBot Lock, which retrofitted onto deadbolt locks to turn them into smart IoT locks. The new Pro variant still transforms deadbolt locks into smart ones, but comes with a sleeker design that integrates right into your door frame, a higher torque output that unlocks and locks doors with absolute ease, and even the inclusion of a number pad and biometric sensor that lets you unlock doors with a PIN or your fingerprint. There’s a minimal amount of assembly, the Lock Pro runs on replaceable AA batteries, and it also supports the Matter IoT protocol which means the Lock Pro can seamlessly communicate with all your other smart home devices, whether they’re from Google, Apple, Amazon, or any other third party company running on the Matter protocol.
Designed with both American and European markets in mind, this retrofit smart lock integrates seamlessly into existing hardware, supporting all common deadbolt locks. Installation is a breeze, taking a mere 5 minutes – for US deadbolts, SwitchBot Lock Pro comes equipped with tailored adapters that allow for effortless cylinder changes, while European users can opt for different mounting plates based on the protrusion of their cylinder. This ingenious design eliminates the need for complex DIY modifications, making the transition to a smart lock a minimal-effort experience without any specialist tools or even requiring calling a handyman. You visit SwitchBot’s website to check whether the Lock Pro is compatible with your door lock for the US or the EU.
At the core of the SwitchBot Lock Pro lies an upgraded motor that boasts an impressive 20 kgf/cm² of torque – more than double the force of its predecessor. This increased power ensures smooth operation, even with multiple locks, and faster unlocking times, providing effortless entry every time. Whether you’re a tenant, apartment resident, or a smart home enthusiast, the SwitchBot Lock Pro is a must-have addition to your connected living space.
Fingerprint Enabled
In essence, the Lock Pro builds on the sheer elegance of its predecessor, which allowed wireless locking and unlocking using Bluetooth devices like your phone or Apple Watch, or through smart home commands via the SwitchBot Hub. Retaining those existing features, the Lock Pro adds a few more for good measure, including a numeric keypad that sits on the outside, allowing residents (or any of your guests) to enter the house with a bespoke PIN code. Aside from the keypad, the SwitchBot Lock Pro sports a biometric sensor too, with a lightning-fast fingerprint recognition time of just 0.3 seconds. It can store up to 100 fingerprints and supports virtual passwords, emergency passwords, and fingerprints for enhanced security.
With up to 15 unlocking solutions available, including one-time passcodes, expiration passcodes, remote unlocking, voice unlocking, and Apple Watch unlocking, the SwitchBot Lock Pro offers a variety of usage methods that cater to pretty much all kinds of people whether they’re tech-savvy or tech-averse. Yes, you can still use your regular key, just in case you’re wondering! Support for Matter means your Lock Pro can also communicate with all your smart home devices, allowing you to remote lock/unlock your door or even set up routines (like automatically locking all doors after midnight). The Lock Pro, however, still requires the use of SwitchBot’s Hub to communicate via WiFi with other devices.
The SwitchBot Lock Pro runs on standard 4 x AA batteries, offering an impressive battery life of 6-9 months, 1.5 times longer than other retrofit smart locks. An optional SwitchBot Dual Power Pack offers an eco-friendly alternative to standard single-use batteries, with a rechargeable design and an ingenious relay power system that ensures uninterrupted use by letting you hot-swap one battery pack at a time while the Lock Pro runs solely on the second battery pack while one of them charges. Additionally, the Lock Pro features passive power supply unlocking, allowing access even if battery replacement is delayed.
Employing AES-128-CTR encryption at the software level, the Lock Pro provides robust protection against potential virtual threats. On the hardware front, the lock sports an auto-lock feature that utilizes a magnetic sensor, ensuring heightened safety and reliability by automatically securing the door based on its open/closed state, and surpassing the effectiveness of timer locks. Users can stay informed with real-time updates on lock and door statuses via their phones, and receive automatic reminders, ensuring peace of mind with every exit.
This isn’t SwitchBot’s first IoT rodeo – the company’s product roster features both standard as well as creative IoT devices like their award-winning curtain-opening robot, the button-pusher that turns regular switches into smart ones, and the Meter – a temperature and humidity sensor that lets you ensure every room in your house is at the right environment setting. The Lock Pro is a perfect addition to SwitchBot’s ecosystem, advancing their existing Lock product with newer features and more unlocking methods including keypad and fingerprint-based input. Whether you’re a family seeking convenience and security, an Airbnb host managing guest access, a fitness enthusiast with hands full of groceries, or a smart home aficionado seeking seamless integration, the SwitchBot Lock Pro offers a tailored solution. From fingerprint unlocking for family members to remote guest access for hosts, quick access for post-workout arrivals, and automated routines for smart home enthusiasts, the Lock Pro quite literally ‘unlocks’ a whole world of possibilities!
If you dream of having a smart home, then filling it up with excellent IoT gadgets is key. People prefer IoT devices today as they help them create an automated home that requires minimum interference and actions on their part. The range of IoT devices is truly quite remarkable today from smart shades that lift themselves to exceptional security cameras that ensure complete safety in your home. We’ve curated a collection of smart, well-designed, and easy-to-use IoT devices that will make your home a smooth automated haven. From IoT devices that help you stay connected with your pets while you’re away from home to the Frame Wall Pad, a full-screen touch system with Korean elegance – we have a whole range of exciting gadgets for you.
1. The Frame
Called the Frame, this impressive full-screen touch system is designed for Kocom, a renowned Korean smart home appliance company. The unique wall pad is designed to redefine and elevate the smart home experience with complete comfort and convenience.
Why is it noteworthy?
Frame’s impressive full-screen touch system differentiates it as a sophisticated and user-friendly centerpiece on the wall of any home. Its functionality and impeccable design set it apart from other systems on the market.
What we like
Serves as an embodiment of elegance, and technological advancement
What we dislike
2. SwitchBot Curtain 3
Called the SwitchBot Curtain 3, this simple robot can be attached to any curtain rod within 30 seconds, transforming your regular curtains into smart ones that can control your phone. You can smoothly operate the robot with shortcuts or voice commands.
Why is it noteworthy?
The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is currently in its third edition and features a new DynamiClamp design that lets it work on a large range of curtain rods and tracks, moving curtains the way you’d see them in five-star hotels.
What we like
Super easy to install, and can be configured in multiple ways
The DynamiClamp design lets the Curtain 3 be navigated in different kinds of rod designs
What we dislike
You need SwitchBot Hub for Voice Control feature
3. Mui Board Gen 2
Called the Mui Board Gen 2, this gadget looks like a simple piece of timber at first glance, but it converts into a touch-sensitive interface for controlling various aspects of a smart home. You can adjust your lighting, curtains, thermostat, and speakers with a simple tap on the wooden surface.
Why is it noteworthy?
This second-gen Mui Board features a new Matter networking protocol, allowing compatibility with smart devices from Apple, Google, and Amazon. This integration offers easy connectivity and elevates the board’s appeal.
What we like
Features ChatGPT integration via APIs
What we dislike
Looks could have been worked upon, to make it more appealing
4. Arpobot Smart Shade
The Arpobot Smart Shade is a Matter-compliant IoT accessory that is designed to work with almost every chain-operate blind and shade. It can transform your analog blinds into voice-activated automatic ones.
Why is it noteworthy?
You can just snap the Arpobot Smart Shade in place, and it will start working without needing extra hubs or separate apps…just your Apple/Google/Amazon smart home platform.
What we like
Easy to install
Minimalist design that blends well into almost every interior space
What we dislike
Hefty price tag
5. Migo
Migo is short ‘for amigo’, and it means friend in Spanish. The various components of Migo communicate and connect via Bluetooth, allowing owners and their dogs to interact remotely.
Why is it noteworthy?
The main appeal of Migo is the collar which has its own tracking system, temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, audio output, and an LED flashlight. It allows owners to have eyes on their dogs at home, through the camera unit that functions as a traditional surveillance camera.
What we like
The camera has a speaker, so owners can speak to their dogs
What we dislike
It’s currently a concept, so we don’t know how well it would translate into a tangible product
6. SwitchBot Bot
The SwitchBot Bot is designed to automate products that aren’t originally smart. Called the ‘Button Pusher’, this IoT gadget can stick to switchboards or appliances, pushing buttons and switches with a plastic flipper so you don’t need to.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bot is a simple and efficient approach to enhancing homes and lives. It can turn simple products into remote-controlled ones that can be operated via an app, voice commands, smart home setups, or IFTTT routines.
What we like
Automate switches that aren’t designed to be smart
Economical than upgrading to a smart appliance
What we dislike
Needs SwitchBot Hub for Voice Control and Smart Home configuration
7. ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera
The ecobee doorbell camera records in 1080p to offer “enhanced low light vision”, and utilizes a 175-degree vertical field of view, allowing you to see everything clearly from the floor to the sky.
Why is it noteworthy?
It allows the viewer on the opposite side of the doorbell camera to see any packages being dropped on the porch, or in more dangerous cases, identify any potential threats that they may present on the opposite side of the door.
What we like
Features a slick outward appearance featuring a machined glass front panel surrounded by aluminum alloy
What we dislike
You need a subscription to ecobee Smart Security, which connects all ecobee security devices
8. Bownce
Bownce calls itself “the first IoT ball of its kind”. It is a small ball designed to get you sweating, and training your muscle groups with the help of technology. It has a compact size, accentuated by integrated electric components.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is quite small, and easy to install, allowing you to bring it to your office, backyard, or whichever room in your home you feel most comfortable in. It’s also not intimidating for newbies who want to start punching stuff.
What we like
It has integrated electric components, allowing you to track your performance
The connecting app logs your punches and gives you real-time updates and statistics
What we dislike
Not sure how it can replicate an actual punching bag
9. SwitchBot Smart Lock
The SwitchBot Smart Lock is created to fit over standard single deadbolt locks, automating it, and allowing you to open it using an app, Bluetooth, proximity, or even voice commands. The device has a motor that can either lock or unlock it.
Why is it noteworthy?
The lock connects with the SwitchBot app via Bluetooth and can work with your Apple Watch as well. It also pairs with the Hub for WiFi-based connectivity, and you can control it using your voice.
What we like
It is protected by 128-bit AES encryption
Can be configured with your smart doorbell to open for approved people
What we dislike
The battery lasts for 6 months
10. Bird Buddy
Called the Bird Buddy, this AI-powered bird feeder captures videos of any birds that make it to your garden or porch, streaming their faces to your phone, alongside a notification when they show up. The feeder features a camera in the front, which captures the bird as closely as possible.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bird Buddy’s AI identifies the birds for you as well, maintaining a record of the birds that visit, along with their pictures, in case you don’t make it to your porch in time with the DSLR.
What we like
Weather-proof feeder
Features a modular design, allowing you to snap the camera attachment off and take it indoors for charging
What we dislike
Has a low battery life
The Bluetooth camera pairing process is a bit buggy
The overall vision of a smart home is spectacular but isn’t without a few bumps in the road. For starters, not everything in our houses is smart. Some bulbs are smart, others aren’t. Our ACs aren’t internet-connected, our coffee maker doesn’t run on its own, our curtains don’t move autonomously, and for the most part, we still need to walk to the door to answer it when someone’s ringing the bell. Moreover, even the devices that ARE smart have their own limitations because Google’s products don’t talk to Amazon’s products, and Amazon’s products don’t talk to Apple’s products. The smart home utopia is still a ways away, but the folks at SwitchBot are on a mission to fill in the gaps left by ‘big tech’. SwitchBot’s smart-home products range from everyday IoT devices to some rather unconventional smart home gear. The company makes great security cameras and thermo-hygrometers, but they also make robots that move your curtains, open your doors, and even press switches around the house, automating your garage door, coffee machine, AC, or any other device with a button. SwitchBot’s products really help realize that smart home utopia by unlocking new possibilities. The company uses a universal Matter protocol that allows its products to work with all other Matter-compatible smart devices from all leading manufacturers. That means Alexa can now tell you who’s at the door, Siri can open your curtains when your phone alarm rings, and Google can activate your coffee-maker with a simple voice command! Isn’t that a smart-life worth living?!
1. SwitchBot Curtain 3
We’ve evangelized the sheer genius of these smart curtain robots for 3 years now! The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is a simple robot that attaches to any curtain rod in under 30 seconds, turning your regular curtains into smart ones that you can control with your phone, with shortcuts, or even voice commands. Now in its third edition, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 boasts a new DynamiClamp design that allows it to work on a wide variety of curtain rods and tracks, moving curtains like you’d find in five-star hotels. Why do you need smart curtains, you ask? Aside from the convenience of being able to open/close your curtains without getting out of bed, these robots really uplift your smart home experience. You can sync your curtains with your morning alarm, or have Alexa automatically adjust them while you watch TV. Want to really make them worth your while? Connect them to your smart home and they’ll automatically close when it’s sunny outside, helping cut down on AC bills, or open up to let the right amount of natural light in, so you don’t have to switch the lights on during the day. The SwitchBot Curtain 3 can be controlled through 8 different methods, has a solar panel module to keep it running forever, and even operates on a quiet 25dB motor that feels like magic!
There’s an understated joy to simply saying “Alexa, Let there be light” and having your curtains magically open! SwitchBot’s 3rd Gen Curtain 3 is an iteration of its award-winning product that turns your regular curtains into magical motorized ones. The tiny bots take half a minute to attach onto a curtain rod or rail, working with almost any curtain style. Once placed, the bots slide up and down the rod/rail, carrying your curtain with it, and allowing you to live in a smarter, more comfortable future!
What we like
Incredibly easy to install
Can be configured and controlled in multiple ways
DynamiClamp design allows the Curtain 3 to navigate all sorts of rod designs.
What we dislike
Requires SwitchBot Hub for Voice Control feature
2. SwitchBot K10+ Mini Vacuum
Smaller than a 10-inch pizza, the SwitchBot K10+ might be the tiniest autonomous robot vacuum ever made. This compact size isn’t just a random dimension flex, it comes with benefits too as the K10+ now possesses the ability to reach into tighter spaces where your old robot vacuum couldn’t reach. Roughly 50% smaller than the average robot vacuum, the K10+ is up to 90% more efficient, cleaning even more parts of your house like behind the sofa, between the dining table/chairs, and underneath the coffee table (thanks to its 3.6-inch height). Its 2500Pa vacuum effectively picks up dust and debris in the K10+’s path, however, SwitchBot’s SilenTech technology caps the vacuum’s noise at a manageable 48 decibels. The robot vacuum doesn’t have its own dedicated wet mop, but SwitchBot solved that problem using a set of disposable Cleaning Pads that attach to the base of the vacuum, wet-wiping the floor instead. The Cleaning Pad can be emptied in the trash after each cycle, whereas the K10+ automatically empties its dust tank into a Smart Base that also charges the vacuum between routines. The K10+ can be configured and controlled via SwitchBot’s smartphone app, along with smart support for Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts, and IFTTT.
The world’s smallest vacuum is in itself quite a noteworthy feat! The K10+ is a petite little appliance that does its job quieter and more efficiently than your existing robot vacuum. It sucks and wet-mops (using Cleaning Pads) your floors, navigating those tough-to-reach spots that your Roomba can’t, and then conveniently disposes all the dust in its Smart Base, which boasts 4 liters of storage so you need to clean out the trash less often!
What we like
Compact design allows it to reach where most robot vacuums can’t
Smart Base stores up to a month’s worth of dirt to reduce trips to the trash can
What we dislike
Lack of advanced wet-mopping system like other flagship robot vacuums
No retractable wet-mop for when the K10+ climbs on carpets
3. SwitchBot Blind Tilt
The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is to horizontal blinds what the Curtain 3 is to curtains. The Blind Tilt retrofits onto your existing horizontal blinds, turning them into smart blinds that can be controlled remotely through an app, or even through voice commands. Equipped with built-in sensors and an AI-powered algorithm, the Blind Tilt detects the position of your blinds and the amount of light entering your room. These features enable the Blind Tilt to autonomously adjust your blinds to achieve your preferred room brightness at any time. Installing your SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a breeze, requiring no technical expertise or tools. It can be retrofitted onto most horizontal blinds with a twisting wand mechanism (with the exception of the ball-chain ones), and can handle blinds up to 3 meters wide. Once installed, the Blind Tilt can be easily controlled using SwitchBot’s app, through your smart home setup, or even voice commands when paired with SwitchBot’s Hub. Like the Curtain 3, the Blind Tilt can automatically close the blinds when it’s too hot outside, helping you save on air conditioning costs (and vice versa), or it can automatically start opening in the morning to sync with your alarm clock. Plus, with solar panel support, your smart blinds can even run on renewable energy!
The Blind Tilt adds the perfect touch of automation to your home or office, allowing you to quickly get a room dark before you fire the projector for a presentation deck, and then illuminate the room again for discussions and meetings after. It’s incredibly easy to install, and takes seconds to calibrate so the bot understands how much to open/close your blinds each time. And yes, you can connect multiple Blind Tilts within the app to control them together or individually.
What we like
Can be easily installed without technical expertise or tools
Sensors allow the Blind Tilt to automatically understand how much to open/close your blinds
What we dislike
Requires SwitchBot Hub for Voice Control feature
Doesn’t work with ball-chain blinds
4. SwitchBot Bot
The company’s first-ever IoT device, the SwitchBot Bot was designed to automate products that weren’t ‘smart’. Dubbed the ‘Button Pusher’, the SwitchBot Bot was an IoT gadget that would stick to switchboards or appliances, pushing switches and buttons with a plastic flipper so that you didn’t have to. Designed to be controlled via Bluetooth or even paired with a smart home hub for voice control, the SwitchBot Bot can turn on/off lights and fans, press your garage door button, or even work your coffee machine. Just align the Bot’s plastic flipper with the button/switch you want to push and an adhesive backing lets you securely attach the Bot in place. Connect it to your smart home setup and the Bot can additionally be programmed to follow routines, switching on the TV when there’s a football game on, or pairing with your alarm clock to press a button on your coffee machine just as you wake up… The possibilities are endless.
The Bot represents the absolute simplicity of SwitchBot’s approach to enhancing homes and lives. We’ve got smart homes with dumb switches, but a simple product like the Bot can help automate them, turning them into remote-controlled ones that can be either operated via an app, voice commands, smart home setups, or IFTTT routines. The Bot simply attaches itself onto a one-way or rocker-style switch, and comes in white or black colors to match your interior decor.
What we like
Automates switches that weren’t designed to be smart
Can be configured with your smart home to perform complex routines
Much cheaper than upgrading to a smart switch or appliance
What we dislike
Requires SwitchBot Hub for Voice Control and Smart Home configuration
Looks a little intrusive when stuck on top of appliances
Makes manual switch/button pushing a little annoying
5. SwitchBot Bluetooth Electronic Smart Lock
What the Bot does to switches, the SwitchBot Smart Lock does to single deadbolt locks. Designed to fit over your standard single deadbolt lock, the SwitchBot Smart Lock automates it, allowing you to open it using an app, Bluetooth, proximity, or even voice commands. A motor in the device turns your door’s lock, either locking or unlocking it. It fits on the inside, still allowing you to use your keys from the outside or even manually turn the lock with your hands if you don’t have the app (or if a guest is opening/closing your door for you). The lock interfaces with the SwitchBot app via Bluetooth, working with your Apple Watch too. Alternatively, pair it with the Hub for WiFi-based connectivity and you can control it through your voice or even configure it with your smart doorbell to open for approved people. The Smart Lock is protected by 128-bit AES encryption and runs on 3V CR123A batteries that give it up to 6 months of use if operated on an average of 10 times a day. Batteries run out? You can still manually operate the lock with your keys/hands!
The SwitchBot Lock is a smart device that retrofits onto your existing door lock, transforming it from a manual lock into an automated one. This innovative gadget is designed to attach over almost any standard single deadbolt lock, allowing you to lock or unlock your door via Bluetooth (or WiFi if you use the SwitchBot Hub) using your phone or even your Apple Watch. The SwitchBot Lock operates on the industry-standard 128-bit AES encryption for added security. And if all else fails, you can still operate the lock manually.
What we like
Easy installation
Automatically locks/unlocks doors through wireless commands
Can still use the lock manually
Can remove it while shifting homes
What we dislike
Needs SwitchBot Hub for WiFi control
Doesn’t fit onto other types of locks
6. SwitchBot Hub 2
The Hub 2 is pretty much the secret sauce behind what gives SwitchBot’s products their true IoT features. Whether it’s the curtain or blind bot, the switch-pressing bot, or even SwitchBot’s retrofittable door locks, almost all the products support Bluetooth connectivity… but add a Hub 2 to your smart home and all of SwitchBot’s products get instant WiFi connectivity as well as Matter compatibility. This means your smart speaker can interface with your curtains, your thermostat can automatically push buttons to turn your fans on or off, and your Apple Watch can automatically unlock your door as you pull into the garage. An integrated infrared blaster also allows your Hub 2 to control infrared-based devices like your air conditioner or TV, unlocking added functionality that seamlessly works across Apple, Amazon, and Google smart home ecosystems. The Hub 2, aside from being a Matter-based IoT hub, even has a built-in thermometer/hygrometer that tells you how temperate and humid your environment is, either on SwitchBot’s app or on the Hub 2’s display.
The Hub 2 is a small addition to your smart home setup, but a massive game-changer for your smart home’s operability. It nonchalantly sits in a strategic position at your home, controlling all your SwitchBot and IR-based devices through smart routines and voice commands. The adoption of the Matter protocol makes the Hub 2 even more easy to use given that it can intercommunicate between Google, Amazon, and Apple IoT devices so you aren’t stuck within one product ecosystem.
What we like
Supports Matter
Can replace IR remotes
Can control products with voice commands and Wi-Fi
What we dislike
Needs to be within range for certain devices
Display can’t be configured to show extra information beyond temperature/humidity
Might need to install multiple Hubs in larger homes
7. SwitchBot Outdoor Meter
Simply put, the Outdoor Meter is a universally usable thermo-hygrometer that measures temperature and humidity pretty much anywhere. It’s IP65 waterproof, comes with a lanyard, and can be hung/placed anywhere to actively measure temperature and humidity, relaying information to the SwitchBot app. This makes the Outdoor Meter rather useful in specific scenarios like greenhouses, pet enclosures, wine cellars, cigar rooms, museum archives, and even within your home. The fact that it measures temperature and humidity is vastly enhanced by the Outdoor Meter’s ability to communicate with your Smart Home via the SwitchBot Hub. Add a Hub to the mix and this meter can now control your thermostat, activate your AC or humidifier, or even ping you with alerts that can help you stay on top of things.
The Outdoor Meter (although also made for indoor use) is a non-expensive device that brings the power of data to your smart-home setup. Hang it anywhere, indoors or outdoors, in the sun or in the rain, and the device still delivers accurate data to you via the SwitchBot app. It’s designed to be wireless, so you can carry it around with you too, and becomes even more useful when paired directly with your smart home setup to enact some incredibly useful home routines… or even outdoor ones, like automatically deploying the sprinklers on a hot, dry summer day!
What we like
Portable Design with lanyard and IP65 rating
Affordable
What we dislike
No display
Bluetooth connectivity holds the Outdoor Meter back
2.4GHz Bluetooth waveband can potentially interfere with Wi-Fi and Zigbee
8. SwitchBot Meter Plus
The Meter Plus is the Outdoor Meter’s indoor sibling. Built with a large seven-segment LCD screen, the Meter Plus can be placed anywhere in your house, allowing you to actively measure the temperature and humidity of your space at all times. Use it in a wine cellar, in your parents or elderly person’s bedroom, in a pet enclosure, or in your greenhouse, and the Meter Plus keeps you informed with its built-in thermometer and hygrometer. The large display on the Meter Plus makes it easy to view details, and data is also transmitted to the SwitchBot app, where you can then set complex routines by connecting the AC and humidifier to the Meter Plus to maintain the perfect temperature. You would need a Hub to do that, though.
A small yet relatively visible meter, the SwitchBot Meter Plus is like having your own personal meteorological department in every room. The Meter Plus gives real-time readings of temperature and humidity, making it perfect for rooms where maintaining a certain environment is absolutely key.
What we like
Affordable
Uses AAA batteries
Lasts for 1 whole year on a full charge
What we dislike
Screen can’t be customized to display any other information
The SwitchBot Hub already has a built-in thermo-hygrometer
Has to be within range of the Hub, making it redundant
9. SwitchBot Pan/Tilt Cam 2K
I imagine spy films would be a lot shorter if banks, casinos, and art galleries had the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt Cam 2K instead of your average CCTV camera. Unlike most security cameras that just sit in one position, pointing in a general area, the Pan/Tilt Cam 2K has the ability to turn and look around. With a 360° panning feature, and the ability to tilt 115° up or down, the Pan/Tilt Cam 2K can pretty much look anywhere it needs to, eliminating any blind spots. The camera comes equipped with a phenomenally powerful 2K sensor that works well in the day, but also shoots clearly in the dark thanks to night vision capabilities. If all that wasn’t enough, the camera even has AI-powered motion and human tracking that lets it catch any whiff of foul-play. Motion alerts can be sent directly to your phone, and the camera records 24×7, working diligently through the day. Recordings get stored both locally via SD card or on the cloud if you opt for a subscription, along with tags for detections or any events during the day. The Pan/Tilt Cam 2K might seem perfect for offices or shops, but it’s also designed for homes, with a two-way audio setup that lets you use the camera to communicate with people or pets in your house. If you’re worried about privacy, the camera comes with its own lens-cover that doubles as a privacy filter too. Finally, like all of SwitchBot’s products, the Pan/Tilt Cam 2K gets the secret sauce of Hub integration, allowing you to communicate with the camera using Alexa, Google, Siri, and even IFTTT.
The Pan/Tilt Cam 2K is like the Eye of Sauron. It sees every single thing. The camera’s ability to look around, along with its 2K clarity, Night Vision, and Motion Tracking make it a perfect surveillance device for your home, garage, etc. Use it as a standalone device, a connected smart home gadget, or even a nifty intercom for your kids/pets thanks to that two-way audio feature. That privacy mask is a nifty added feature too…
What we like
360° panning and 115° tilting practically eliminates any blind spots
Great Video Quality (Especially at Night)
Motion Tracking
What we dislike
Cloud storage can get expensive
Panning and Tilting features make the camera larger than most
10. SwitchBot Outdoor Spotlight Cam
In the pursuit of designing a surveillance device, it’s common to go a little overboard with details and features. SwitchBot’s Outdoor Spotlight Cam is an example of the opposite. It comes with an elegant ball-shaped design that fits cleanly into a socket holder that you mount on your wall, fence, ceiling, etc. Rotate the ball-shaped camera to face exactly where you need it to, set the camera up on SwitchBot’s app, and you’re good to go. A 1080p lens shows you everything in high definition, especially with its 126° diagonal FoV and its IR night vision capabilities. Like any good security camera, the Outdoor Spotlight Cam has motion and human detection, but as mentioned in its name, it sports two powerful spotlights that illuminate the second it detects anything suspicious. Video logs get stored locally on the camera (with an SD card slot that supports up to 256Gb) or even online if you opt for a cloud storage subscription (with 128-bit AES encryption), and can be accessed via SwitchBot’s app. Emergency alerts get sent to the app too, with real-time footage that you can respond to using the Outdoor Spotlight Cam’s two-way audio feature with a powerful 100dB speaker. Or better still, connect the cam to your smart home via the SwitchBot Hub to set routines like opening the door for guests, or more cleverly, triggering the sprinklers if a raccoon or coyote makes it into your backyard! The Outdoor Spotlight Cam comes with a whopping built-in 10,000mAh battery that has a 90-day standby, but if constantly worrying about charging your camera annoys you, SwitchBot has a solar panel accessory that keeps your camera running all year long!
The Outdoor Spotlight Cam ticks all the right boxes with a high-definition 1080p camera, night vision, motion tracking, two powerful spotlights, two-way audio, and a whopping 10,000mAh battery, all packed into a compact, waterproof, ball-shaped design that plugs into its socket-shaped holder.
What we like
10,000 mAh battery with option for solar-powering
That 100dB speaker is LOUD
What we dislike
Only connects via 2.4 GHz
No pan/tilt feature like the previous camera
Ball-and-socket design is intuitive to mount, but also easy to pluck out and steal
Visit SwitchBot’s Home Page | Amazon Page to view all their Smart Home Products!
Don’t get enough sunlight at home to grow your plants? This one is for you! In the ever-evolving world of smart technology, there’s a new contender that’s set to revolutionize the way we care for our indoor plants – Equinox. More than just a grow light, Equinox is a meticulously designed product that mimics the natural orbit of the sun, ensuring your pet plants receive the optimal light they need for robust growth and vitality.
Designer: Yechan Choi (Yekki)
Equinox takes its inspiration from the celestial dance of the sun around the Earth, specifically designed to replicate the sun’s position in the sky. The name itself, Equinox, signifies the time when day and night are of equal length, a crucial period in the natural world. This smart grow light is engineered to provide your plants with the same quality and intensity of light they would receive outdoors.
One of the standout features of Equinox is its ability to provide light at the same angle as the sun. This is achieved through a sophisticated system of LEDs that move in calculated angles over time. By utilizing sunrise and sunset time data, Equinox ensures that your plants receive the right spectrum of light throughout the day, promoting photosynthesis and fostering healthy growth.
Equinox goes beyond traditional grow lights by integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology. With built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, you can effortlessly control the brightness and color temperature of the lights using a dedicated app on your smartphone. The app allows for easy customization, ensuring that your plants receive the perfect amount of light at any given time.
Adding an extra layer of convenience, physical dials on the Equinox device itself offer a tactile and intuitive way to adjust settings. This combination of high-tech connectivity and user-friendly controls makes Equinox accessible to all, from seasoned plant enthusiasts to those new to indoor gardening.
Equinox recognizes that your plants have different needs during the day and night. During the daytime, you can simulate the vibrancy of the outdoors with bright, clear light that encourages active photosynthesis. As night falls, you have the option to create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for both you and your plants by switching to warmer-colored light.
This adaptability ensures that your indoor space remains both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with Equinox seamlessly integrating into your daily routine. Equinox not only benefits your plants but also contributes to a more sustainable future. By providing the right amount of light precisely when needed, it minimizes energy waste, making it an eco-friendly choice for conscientious consumers.
Equinox is more than just a grow light; it’s a technological marvel that brings the beauty and precision of nature into your home. From its celestial design to its intelligent programming and user-friendly controls, Equinox sets a new standard for indoor plant care. Embrace the future of gardening with Equinox, and watch your plants thrive under its nurturing light.
Step into the future of home technology with The Frame, a pinnacle creation for Kocom, the renowned Korean smart home appliance company. Crafted with precision and elegance, this wall pad is designed to redefine the smart home experience with absolute convenience and comfort.
Measuring an impressive 13.3 inches, The Frame boasts a full-screen touch system, setting it apart as a sophisticated and user-friendly centerpiece on the wall of any living space. What distinguishes The Frame isn’t just its functionality but the impeccable design as well. Wrapped in a quiet yet charismatic color palette and adorned with the soft fabric of Kvadrat, the Frame strikes the perfect balance between technology and aesthetics.
Designer: Dive Design, Kyumin Hwang and Minki Kim
Imagine controlling your entire home’s IoT equipment and front door with a simple touch on this smart wall pad. Installed in apartments, The Frame seamlessly integrates into the most sophisticated living spaces, offering a new level of control and convenience making it more than just a device; a statement piece in your lifestyle!
The magic mirror display of The Frame not only offers a glimpse into the future but also seamlessly merges with high-end furniture, creating an illusion of it being a natural part of the interior. It is thus designed to break away from the mundane, The Frame’s unique presence defies the ordinary trend of ubiquitous white-boxed devices, so its minimalistic but luxurious colors and attention to detail set it apart as a design masterwork.
In a world flooded with smart home gadgets, The Frame stands out as an embodiment of elegance, and technological advancement. It’s a seamless integration of technology and artistry, elevating the very essence of what a smart home device can be. With its fusion of Korean sophistication, the Frame is little about what it does, but how it becomes an integral part of your modern living space!
Why slide into someone’s DMs when you could quite literally ‘light up their life’? Aqara’s IFA 2023 showcase includes a slew of products, but its most noteworthy is a Matter-enabled ceiling light that features a glowing outer ring that lights up when you get a notification. Now, it’s important to note that the light’s outer ring doesn’t necessarily connect to apps on your phone (although an update would enable this), but rather to other smart devices around your house. In theory, the individually addressable outer LED ring could shine to let you know if there’s a leak in the bathroom, if the door’s open, or if there’s a pest/intruder in your backyard. The central disc of the Ceiling Light T1M features a range of 16 million different colors, and can be used as your conventional smart home light for lighting your space, setting the mood, or just working as a night lamp while you do a midnight fridge raid.
Aqara, known for its Zigbee-supported products, claims that its ceiling light has low power consumption during idle periods and is compatible with Matter-over-bridge. Although pricing and availability details have not been disclosed by Aqara, the light’s unique feature of an independently addressable ring sets it apart from other smart ceiling lights like those in the Hue lineup.
As a part of its IFA 2023 lineup, the company has also unveiled the Camera E1, a new indoor security camera that boasts a 2K resolution and supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. While it may not be Matter-enabled, this pan and tilt camera is still compatible with various smart home platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. It comes equipped with AI-powered features like person detection and tracking, and offers multiple storage options including microSD cards, cloud storage, and network-attached storage (NAS).
There’s also the Matter-over-Thread smart lock — an efficient smart lock that eliminates the need for lock replacement. The Smart Lock U200, Aqara mentions, seamlessly operates with your existing cylinders, saving you the hassle of drilling or door modifications. This advanced innovation offers various unlocking methods, including Aqara’s NFC card (or an NFC-enabled device), fingerprint verification, and PIN codes. While the exact product availability is undisclosed, Aqara plans to launch it on Kickstarter later this year.
I appreciate when products are functional and no-nonsense at the same time. What else do I say about a modular, multi-functional set of cube-based lights that are quite simply called Cube? Meet the Yeelight Cubes, a set of magnetic, modular, and IoT-controlled lights that can be used for a variety of scenarios. Whether you’re a gamer or YouTuber looking to RGB-ify your space, a film nerd who’d like a backlight for your TV so your wall can color-match your movies, an audiophile who wants his room’s lighting to vibe to his music selection, or just an IoT enthusiast who wants to tinker with modular lights to build out different smart home products, the Cube’s laundry-list of features has something for you. With three cube variants – a Matrix Cube or text and symbols, a Panel Cube for lights and gradients, and a Spotlight Cube for shining light on surfaces like your wall, the Yeelight Cubes give you the ability to build out your lighting rig. Each cube comes with a modular design featuring pogo pin connectors and magnets that let you snap cubes together. A base unit lets you connect your creation to a power source, and mobile and desktop apps give you immense amounts of control over your newly built lighting setup. See? Functional and no-nonsense…
Designer: Yeelight
Click Here to Buy Now: $198$310 (36% off) Standard Kit with 4 Matrix Cubes + 1 Panel Cube + 1 Spotlight Cube + 1 Base & Adapter
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The Yeelight Cubes are both customizable and incredibly capable, with their ability to transform into just the kind of light you’re looking for. The standard bundle of cubes comes with 4 matrix cubes, a panel cube, and a spotlight cube (like the setup shown above), letting you build out basic tools like a clock, music equalizer, notification machine, or any other type of device you want. Add additional cubes to the mix and you can get even more complex with your creations, building out 8-bit signboards, massive RGB ambient lights, or an entire discotheque setup that responds in real time to the music you play. That cheap Tiktok sunset lamp has nothing on the Cube’s dynamism and range of possibilities.
The three cubes form the framework for the Yeelight modular system. Like if LEGO met light!
What makes these lights more interesting than your average household LED bulb is their ability to be just the kind of lights you want them to be. Not only do you get to snap them together piece by piece to build the arrangement you need, you can activate/toggle them in a variety of ways. If you’re looking for just ambient colors, there’s a bunch of themes on the app. A DIY painter lets you paint each individual pixel on the Matrix block, and smartphone and desktop apps let you configure the Cube lights to work just how you want them to. Moreover, the Yeelight Cubes are IoT-ready and Matter-compatible, which means they can integrate into your smart home ecosystem of Matter-enabled products, and can be even activated via voice commands.
Immensely configurable thanks to its desktop Yeelight Station program and the smartphone app, the Yeelight Cubes can be programmed to do things like mirror the colors on your monitor/screen, react to music playing on your smart speakers, or even respond to your gameplay by connecting to it through programs like Razer Chroma or Overwolf. The smartphone app lets you tap into a variety of presets and dynamic themes, including giving you the ability to customize color and LED-paint the Cubes with your own colors, gradients, and shapes. The app even gives you simple controls to turn your Cube arrays into table clocks, calendars, and more.
Setting up your Cubes are a breeze as they simply snap and orient just the way you want them to. Given their power requirements, you can snap a maximum of 6 cubes to one base unit and plug them into an outlet. Any additional cubes will require an extra base and a secondary power outlet. You can then hop onto the Yeelight Station desktop app or the smartphone app to set your modules up to behave the way you want, or integrate them with your smart-home thanks to its Matter certification. Compliance with the Matter IoT standard makes the Yeelight Cube compatible with home assistants like Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and more. The Yeelight Cubes run Bluetooth 5.1 and 2,4GHz WiFi to give them their broad connectivity.
Unlike other smart light solutions from brands like Nanoleaf, Govee, or Philips Hue, the Yeelight Cubes boast a kind of versatility and modularity that’s difficult to achieve otherwise. With matrix, panel, and even spotlight cube variants, you can achieve any kind of light-based setup you’re looking for, and with Matter compatibility, your Yeelight Cube setup becomes a part of your smart-home experience, so you can fire up responsive disco-lights while listening to Miley Cyrus’ 80’s inspired hit Flowers, or a backlight for your desktop monitor while you play Elden Ring or while you watch movies and documentaries online.
The Yeelight Cube comes as a $198 bundle of 6 lights, including 4 matrix cubes, a panel cube, and a spotlight cube, along with the connector base and power adapter. Individual add-on cubes can be added to your pledge for a price.
Click Here to Buy Now: $198$310 (36% off) Standard Kit includes 4x Dot Matrix Cube + 1x Panel Cube + 1x Spotlight Cube + 1x Base & Adapter
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Your smart home just got a lot more smarter. At CES 2023, SwitchBot just announced the Hub 2, their Wi-Fi-based smart-home accessory that communicates with SwitchBot’s products, letting you integrate them in a way that makes your home and life smarter. The Hub 2 is SwitchBot’s first product to now operate using the Matter protocol, which helps unite IoT devices under a single universal standard.
The new Matter protocol makes the Hub 2 even more powerful, allowing it to seamlessly connect to and communicate between different IoT devices from different manufacturers running different software. The Hub 2 now lets your smart lights work together with your smart curtain and your smart door lock to be operated by your smart speaker, regardless of which AI assistant it runs.
Wondering what Matter is? Well, think about it this way – an Apple smart speaker can’t necessarily communicate with an Alexa-enabled smart light, right? Similarly, your Apple and Google devices aren’t cross-compatible, making setting up a smart home incredibly difficult because each device from a different manufacturer speaks a different language. If all devices speak multiple incompatible languages, Matter is like the universal language that allows all your devices to communicate. Matter is like music, the truly universal language.
The Hub 2 is SwitchBot’s gradual yet highly anticipated foray into the Matter-compatible smart home universe. SwitchBot holds the mantle for making some of the most innovative award-winning products that turn regular experiences into smart ones. The SwitchBot Curtain allows you to open and close your curtains based on alarms or voice commands. The SwitchBot Lock takes the single deadbolt lock on your main door and turns it into a smart lock that can either be opened with your phone or your Apple Watch. With the Hub 2, now your SwitchBot devices (and even other smart home gadgets) can all be controlled by a centralized system, whether it’s your Apple Home or Google Home, or a bunch of other smart home systems. Moreover, the Hub 2’s built-in thermo-hygrometer function lets you also check your home’s temperature and humidity either on the Hub 2’s integrated display or within Apple Home, and two Scene keys on the front of the Hub let you trigger presets and shortcuts for your SwitchBot devices like the Curtain or the SwitchBot Bot (which uses a robotic arm to flip switches on or off).
The Hub 2 is just the beginning of SwitchBot’s journey to smart-home dominance. As the Hub 2 now complies with the Matter standard, SwitchBot will gradually have all its IoT products be compatible with Matter. The company announced that the SwitchBot Curtain will be the first to support Matter via an OTA update sometime in February or March. “Other SwitchBot products will be able to support Matter in sequence throughout this year,” the company said.
One of the constant challenges for me personally is to find a workout that I will not get bored with, that will help me shed pounds, and that will not be so difficult. I know that probably said workout that meets all those factors still doesn’t exist but when the day comes when that will happen will probably be the happiest day of my life (and my doctor too). For now, I’m always on the lookout for products or at least concepts that may appeal to this couch potato who’s desperately in need of a workout.
Designers: Katerina Kopytina, Nikita Bukuros
One such product concept that is pretty interesting is Bownce, a small ball that can get your perspiring and training your muscle groups with the help of technology. It calls itself “the first IoT ball of its kind”. It is small enough and easy to install that you can bring it with you to the office, outside in your backyard, or wherever room/space in your house you feel most comfortable. It’s also small enough that it’s not that intimidating, especially for newbies like me that want to start punching things.
What makes it different from other workout balls, aside from its size, is that it has integrated electric components so you’ll be able to track your performance. The app that you connect to the device logs your punches when you work out and gives you real-time statistics so you can adjust how you punch, how fast you do it, the force, duration, etc. The device is attached to the ceiling and the floor, with a small ball on a string and it is connected to the app.
Think of it as a punching bag that’s not a bag but a small ball. The floor fixture is able to let the ball move freely and bounce back (hence, the name) after hitting. I don’t know about the force needed to hit the ball but it seems that you need some to be able to consider this a workout anyway. The fact that it looks simple and not overwhelming like your usual punching stuff is what appeals to me. The fact that it’s IoT also is a bonus. Now whether I won’t get bored with it is the main question.
Although people have been keeping their valuables at home for ages, our homes themselves have now also become more valuable because of the plethora of advanced devices that power them. Smart locks for smart homes are becoming more common in the market, even though not everyone is still convinced of their foolproof security. That said, threats don’t only come through the front door, though, and typical smart locks can’t do anything about windows or other types of doors, for that matter. There is definitely a market waiting to be conquered here, and this smart lock module concept is designed specifically to target one particular type of door or window, the type that slides open to give access to the people and treasures inside your humble abode.
Designer: Haechan Ryu
Typical smart door locks are designed to work only with the most common type of front door, the one that has a knob to turn and swings open or close. Their designs are pretty much pointless for sliding doors, which are sometimes easier to break into because of their location at the back or sides of houses. This kind of door offers an opportunity to design not only a different type of lock but also a lock that offers a convenience you might not be able to have with the conventional smart door lock.
The Plus Link Z concept, designed to work with a real-world Plus Link smart home security platform, is practically the combination of a smart door lock, a security camera, and a slide door opener. The first two functions are pretty much on par with any kind of smart lock, allowing the homeowner to remotely lock or unlock a door as well as keep an eye on people outside the door. It might be possible to eventually add some sort of face recognition to this external camera, but monitoring is its primary purpose for this design.
What makes this IoT security module a little different is that it can also automatically open and close the sliding door. Typical smart door locks can only lock and unlock doors, leaving you to manually push or pull the door. The Plus Link Z uses motorized gears that run the door’s top frame to slide it left or right. Because of this design, it isn’t necessary to change or modify the door itself, and you simply have to install the security module above it and the attached camera on the outside.
The Plus Link Z concept, while innovative, also looks a bit complicated and probably needs a professional to install it. It also raises concern whether those gears will eventually damage the door frame through its friction. Nonetheless, the idea itself is commendable in trying to tackle an often overlooked security problem at home, where the front door might be smartly secured while the other doors and windows are left vulnerable to a simple break-in.
