Alexa is the platform with the most support for home automation, closely followed by Google Assistant, but some users still prefer HomeKit. The reasons are varied, but a common one is that they already use Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, or Macs. So, if you've made the same decision, here are the HomeKit-compatible devices you should start using to automate your home.
Why Home Kit?
The reasons why a user decides to bet on HomeKit as a platform for home automation are many and varied, but they basically come down to a personal decision that is usually motivated by already using Apple products. Even so, as we have said on occasion, there are two aspects that are key and the pillars on which Apple's discourse is based:
- Integration: Unlike Amazon Alexa or even Google Assistant, with HomeKit you don't need to install anything on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and even Apple TV because everything is already natively integrated into the latest versions of their operating systems. You simply add the devices through the Home application and you will already have the option of control through Siri or via the touch interface. This interface in turn allows not only access to a panel of switches, but also to show quick actions, create scenes and much more.
- Privacy: On the other hand, knowing that nobody shares your data with third parties is something that many value. Especially when it comes to intimate information like what you can share inside your home with other people. For this reason, Apple places a lot of emphasis on all this so that you are calm at all times.
The HomePod and Siri as a control center
While Amazon offers Echo and Google Assistant with their respective smart speakers, manufactured by them or third parties, Apple doesn't. So, the first thing to know is that if you choose HomeKit and want to use Siri's voice commands, you'll need to purchase a HomePod. This is because it also serves as a central hub for remotely accessing your devices when you're away from home.
It's true that you could start using Siri through your iPhone, iPad, Mac and even Apple TV if you have it, but it would never be the same or have the good performance that Apple's speaker microphones allow. So don't even think about it, even less considering that the HomePod mini has a fairly competitive price of 99 euros.
So taking all this into account, let's get down to business and talk about those accessories that we consider basic in any home that bets on HomeKit home automation. In addition, these are the ones that we recommend without fear of being wrong. Because it is true that there is not a wide range of products compatible with HomeKit, but you can see some that despite having the seal of being compatible, the experience is somewhat deficient.
Automotive Lighting
Lighting is the easy option when starting to automate your home, but before starting to buy smart bulbs, also consider the option of using smart switches. These have advantages such as being able to keep the lights you already have and the investment may even be much lower. Although you could lose the possibility of color change if they are RGB bulbs or dimming and temperature change. Once you choose what you want, these are our recommendations.
Philips Hue
Philips Hue technology is undoubtedly the preferred choice for most users who opt for smart lighting. The Philips catalog offers a wide range of products, from the simplest decorative bulbs to light bars, strips, and even motion sensors.
To create a smart lighting infrastructure with Philips Hue, you must first purchase the connection bridge. While they do have some Bluetooth-compatible products, the advantages of the Zigbee standard make investing in the bridge worthwhile. This is especially true in the future, as more and more products will become available in homes, since Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are not optimal solutions when a large number of devices are trying to interact simultaneously.
See offer on AmazonLIFX bulbs
Lifx is another recommended brand for smart lighting compatible with HomeKit. Their catalog is also very extensive, and the only drawback is that it requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network . If you only have a few products, you won't have any problems. But if you have too many, it's better to opt for Philips.
See offer on AmazonNanoleaf
Finally, if you're into gaming and streaming on platforms like Twitch, Nanoleaf's lighting solutions are ideal. That's why they've become so popular thanks to many YouTubers who use them in their setups.
With different types of solutions, such as the panels that you can combine to achieve the composition that you like or interest the most, you will undoubtedly enjoy playing with them to give light to your leisure room.
See offer on AmazonMeross Smart Switches
They are an alternative to take into account when the purchase of smart bulbs does not interest you for a specific reason. In addition, they can offer significant money savings and provide an important additional benefit: if any member of the house uses the physical switch to turn off a light, we will not stop having access to it remotely.
See offer on AmazonEVE thermostats
The use of smart thermostats is becoming more specific, and not everyone needs one. Furthermore, if you plan to use it with your air conditioner, heat pump, or heating system, you must ensure it's compatible. Otherwise, you could be making an unnecessary purchase, as you'll likely never end up using it.
The Eve Thermo is a smart thermostat for radiators. Its function is to automatically heat rooms according to your schedule or simply through voice commands via Siri. It allows you to synchronize temperatures between rooms and detect heat leaks due to poor insulation, among other functions. It doesn't require any type of control unit and is an Apple HomeKit-only accessory.
See offer on AmazonCameras, Security and Smart Locks
Finally, the last devices that we would recommend to finish automating your home are security cameras, smart locks and other sensors that are capable of alerting you when something is wrong.
Akara Sensors
The Aqara brand specializes in these sensors that help you detect if a window or door has been left open, if there is a water or gas leak, or if there is smoke in the house that could even come from a domestic fire.
Furthermore, although they are actually devices for Xiaomi's home automation platform, thanks to the bridge they add support for HomeKit and at a very competitive price you can improve aspects of the home that go unnoticed until some kind of misfortune occurs.
See offer on AmazonEve CAM security camera
The Eve Cam is a very small and discreet indoor surveillance camera . Its specialty is privacy, a common feature of all products that work specifically with HomeKit.
The device has optics capable of covering 150º of vision. In addition, the camera can rotate 360º about its axis and tilt up and down in the vertical plane another 180º. It records in Full HD, it has infrared sensors for motion detection and it has a night vision mode that allows you to see up to 5 meters deep.
See offer on AmazonNuki Smart Locks
We've already reviewed the Nuki lock and told you everything you need to know about it. There were many things we liked about it, but undoubtedly one of the most attractive features was its HomeKit support combined with its excellent performance.
It is true that entrusting the security of our home to a product like this is not easy for anyone, but you can trust when we say that it completely changes the experience of coming home. What's more, the possibilities are so many that even if you have to let someone in while you're away, you'll still be able to.
See offer on AmazonStart enjoying home automation
There are many more home automation proposals with which you could have a truly smart home, but these are the basic products that every user should consider if they want to make their home much more pleasant and comfortable. They are also brands that have shown that they update their products so that you can take advantage of each new feature that HomeKit incorporates.