Smart homes have been in the news for the last few years. I have recently got into it and I’d like to share my findings.
The ecosystem is maturing and there are various ways to get started. It can be as simple as a smart bulb to selecting a hub and using it as a platform to control other devices.
There are so many devices and ways to connect things it can be quite overwhelming. I chose to start small with a few devices. I wanted to create my own personal self-monitoring home security system.
There are various technologies that these devices use to connect, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Thread among others. I feel WiFi should be used for devices that are powered by being plugged in and to opt for the devices with both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz radios where possible.
For battery-powered devices or simpler connected devices such as a switch or sensor, Bluetooth can be a hit or miss due to its short range and I feel in this regard opt for Thread devices where possible.
In my research about the Thread network, it is gaining traction and it looks to be the de facto standard for IoT devices going forward. In using a few Thread devices, door sensors and a light bulb, they are fast to respond and reliable.
I went with the HomeKit standard from Apple as it has more of a privacy focus than others. I started with the HomePod mini as the hub, then the smart bulb with thread support, then added door/window sensors with thread, and a HomeKit-based smart thermostat, and finally a camera.
The feeling of opening the app and checking in to see your home is great and building small automations to turn on the light when you open the door is pretty neat. My favourite convenience has to be the smart thermostat and the remote temperature control. Overall I would say having a connected home is a great quality of life improvement.
Update, October 2026: since I wrote this, Matter (launched in 2022) became the shared smart home standard, and it runs over Thread and Wi-Fi.