The Beginner’s Guide to Smart Home Technology:
Your Home, But Smarter
Does navigating the world of smart home technology have you feeling a little less than, well, smart? Don’t worry—you’ve got this! You don’t have to be a tech whiz to transform your humdrum household into an automated marvel. We’ll help you conquer the world of home automation, one (smart) lightbulb moment at a time.
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So you want to...
Turn off your lights — without lifting a finger.
Smart lights offer true hands-free convenience and fast installation—simply unscrew the old bulb, replace it with a smart bulb and download the bulb’s app to control remotely (or pair with a home automation hub like Google Home). Easy! Want to turn off overhead lights with your voice—and without getting out of bed? Done! Even the most technologically averse can handle it, we promise.
Program your smart bulbs to fit your schedule: Have the house lit up to greet you after a long day, or let the lights automatically set the mood with a dimmer for dinner. Did your latest true-crime binge leave you feeling jumpy? Smart switches can be turned on from anywhere, so you can create the illusion that someone’s at home, even when your house is unoccupied.
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Turn up the temp — before you get home.
Get automated: Home automation systems—like Nest—can control different areas of the home, ranging from temperature to lighting to entertainment. Program smart home-automation thermostats to adapt to your life and schedule, and get a warm welcome—literally—when you come home.
And say goodbye to losing the remote: Beyond controlling your thermostat, other home automation devices can plug into your television’s HDMI port to control movies, music and media from your phone.
Shop Home AutomationKeep an eye on the kids — or your furry family.
A no-brainer upgrade from the nanny cams of the ‘90s, today’s smart security cameras enable easy remote mobile monitoring of anything you deem worthy of surveying—home, business, pets, or party-prone teenagers. Opt for a simple baby or pet cam to coo at your loved one from afar—most security cameras feature two-way audio—or invest in a rugged outdoor surveillance system to keep your house covered from intruders (or teenage ragers while you’re out of town).
These discreet cameras can be mounted almost anywhere you can dream up, and they use a Wi-Fi signal to connect to a central hub. Plus, you can program most smart surveillance systems to send you an instant notification when movement is detected, so you’ll always be privy to expected (or unexpected) activity. Brilliant!
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Keep things on lock - and never worry about losing your keys.
Tired of fumbling with keys? Elevate your traditional lock-and-key setup with a smart lock for convenient, keyless access to your home—perfect for secure package delivery, letting your kids inside after school, or locking up after a forgetful spouse.
These intelligent devices allow you to lock and unlock your front door, garage or entryway with your mobile device, and most smart locks don’t need professional installation and run off battery power. But don’t go crazy on smart locks just yet: While some smart locks simply modify your existing deadbolt, others completely replace it, so use common sense if you’re a renter and consult your landlord before making permanent changes to home security.
Shop Smart LocksKnow who's at the door — and deter porch pirates.
Ding dong, who’s there? A doorbell equipped with a live video camera and the ability to connect to your smartphone! Smart doorbells help you screen visitors, watch out for intruders and keep an eye on package deliveries, all from the convenience of your mobile device.
Most wireless doorbells are equipped with two-way audio and night vision capabilities, so you can clearly see and speak to guests even after the sun goes down. If you’re bemoaning your lack of home-improvement skills, don’t worry: Wireless doorbells usually include mounting hardware and require light installation, but you can capably DIY – just follow the instructions.
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Crank up the Wi-Fi coverage — and networking speed.
Who hasn’t lamented weak Wi-Fi signals and long loading times when you’re just trying to binge the latest hit TV show? Smart networking and wireless devices help ensure robust, room-to-room Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home, meaning you’ll never miss the latest "Game of Thrones" and you’ll have enough juice to power any smart technology upgrades.
You can easily control your network from your phone, set guest passwords and pause internet connectivity when needed—no long, manufacturer-set passwords you can’t figure out how to reset or tricky pairing instructions to decipher. Plus, most smart networking devices deliver exceptional data streaming speeds, making them terrific for large households, serious gamers and HD video enthusiasts.
Shop Networking and WirelessControl hundreds of smart products — all from a central hub.
It’s time to jump on the voice-activated assistant train. Smart voice devices like Google Home work off voice commands to make your life easier: Simply say “OK Google” (or whatever opening command your voice assistant uses) and put your tiny technological assistant to work.
Ease worry over last-minute meeting times, outsmart traffic, figure out if you can ditch the umbrella, call Mom, and double-check that tricky recipe, using only your voice. Even better: You can use these smart assistants to voice-control lights, security cameras, TVs and more, usually from a simple dashboard or interface. Conquering your to-do list hands-free? Now that’s a no-brainer.
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Smart Home FAQ
Q: What factors I should consider before adding smart products to my home?
A: All smart devices are designed to be user-friendly, but here are a few considerations:
- Does your smart product need professional installation?
- Is this smart product kid-friendly?
- Do you rent or own your home? (This is especially useful when considering smart lock installation.)
- Does your smart product need a central hub to operate?
- How much does it cost?
Q: Is my new smart product compatible with my Wi-Fi network?
A: Most smart products are made to connect to your Wi-Fi network – unless, of course, your network goes down or you’re in a Wi-Fi dead zone. Most importantly, make sure you’ve got a wireless network and speed that can cover the new demands you’re putting on it with your smart-home upgrades.
Q: What smart products work with other smart products? Can I mix and match?
A: Many smart products are nested within a “family” of smart products – check our product specification pages, the product specification sheet or the manufacturer’s website for compatibility*.
* All smart products carried by Sam’s Club are compatible with Google Home.
Q: Can I access my smart products from anywhere?
A: Smart devices such as smart doorbells and smart security cameras are specifically designed for remote access—but not all smart products offer this feature. Check our product specification pages, the product specification sheet or the manufacturer’s website for more details.