To say 2020 has been a crazy year is as understated as an understatement can be. We’ve never been more in need of all the holly, jolly merriment the winter holidays bring, and it’s never too early to start shopping for gifts for your friends and family.
When you’re checking those lists and checking them twice, you’re likely considering some home automation and home security products. There are more exciting smart gadgets, gizmos and systems than ever these days, and they can help keep your loved ones safe, make their everyday tasks easier and offer high marks when it comes to cool factor.
Here are 10 smart home & security tech products that will surprise and delight your family and friends this holiday season—we bet you’ll find something to put on your own wishlist here, too.
1. Eufy RoboVac G30
A vacuum isn’t the most exciting gift to get, unless of course it does the vacuuming for you, which is exactly what this new one from Eufy does—and does it incredibly well. From hardwood floors to medium-pile carpets, the Eufy RoboVac G30 removes dirt, dust and pet hair. With maximum suction power, it sucks in all the best ways.
You don’t have to lift a finger, even to turn it on, as this smart vacuum works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control it with your voice. You can also put it on a schedule or turn it on any time via an app. Now, if only there was a smart toilet cleaner.
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2. Amazon Smart Plug
Perfect for a stocking stuffer or secret Santa gift, this Amazon Smart Plug is all about convenience. Most anything you plug into it can then be turned off and on with your voice via Alexa. Think fans, lights and appliances. You can also put those devices on a timer so they go off and on according to your schedule. It’s one of those gifts they’ll wonder how they were ever able to live without once they start using it.
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3. August Wifi Smart Lock
Give the gift of safety and convenience with this smart lock. It works with most any existing deadbolt, and it’s easy to install. Once it’s ready to go, you can then use an app to monitor when people come and go. Plus you can lock and unlock it from anywhere you have your phone. You can also continue to use your existing keys when that’s more convenient. It’s a great gift for anyone with children or those who have cleaners, repairmen or others that they want to let in and out of their home without having to take the risk of leaving a key under the doormat.
- UPGRADE YOUR EXISTING DEADBOLT: August smart locks fit on the inside of your door, making your regular deadbolt smarter, more secure and way...
- GRANT ACCESS WITH THE AUGUST APP: Forget key copying. Quickly and easily share permanent, scheduled or temporary access to your home with...
- EASY TO INSTALL ON ANY DOOR: Even if you’re not so handy, installation only takes about 10 minutes. August locks fit perfectly over most...
- AUTO-LOCKS AND UNLOCKS: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is able to Auto-Unlock as you get home for totally hands-free unlocking (optional). With...
- WORKS SEAMLESSLY WITH YOUR SMART HOME: Built-in Wi-Fi allows your lock to work with your favorite voice assistant, including Amazon Alexa,...
4. Google Nest Hub Max
It’s a security camera. It’s a digital picture frame. It’s an entertainment center and so much more. This Google Nest Hub offers countless features and abilities that will make it a hub of activity for any home. The screen is bigger than ever (10 inches), and the camera can help you keep an eye on your home while you’re away. It offers an abundance of smart home controls for convenience and fun and makes a great gift for the entire family.
$229, Google Store
5. Sonos Move
Sonos fans have long been waiting for this addition from the brand. It’s a portable, weatherproof speaker that can be used indoors or outdoors. The sound quality is second to none, and you can control it with your voice via the Sonos App and Apple AirPlay in order to change songs, check the news or get answers to your most pressing questions. No Wi-Fi? No problem, since you can stream to this speaker using Bluetooth, whether you’re at the beach, a campground or anywhere else. This speaker makes a great gift for college students, music junkies or anyone else who likes a soundtrack to accompany their lives wherever they go.
- Get brilliant sound anywhere with the weatherproof and drop-resistant Move. Control with your voice, the Sonos app, and Apple AirPlay 2 at...
- Experience surprisingly deep bass, a wide soundscape, and automatic Trueplay tuning that perfectly balances the sound for where you are and...
- Stream over WiFi and connect Move to the rest of your Sonos system at home. Switch to Bluetooth when you're away and offline.
- With an IP56 rating, Move stands up to humidity, rain, snow, dust, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme heat and cold.
- With an IP56 rating, Move stands up to humidity, rain, snow, dust, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme heat and cold.
6. Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
This award-winning smart thermometer is a gift that will keep on giving for years, saving the recipient money and keeping them comfortable. A SmartSensor continually adjusts the thermostat based on who is in or isn’t in the room to help save energy, and since it has Alexa built-in, you can control it using your voice or a smart device. Installation is simple, and it works with many smart-home systems such as Google Assistant, Apple Home Kit, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT.
- Save up to 26%*per year on heating and cooling costs. ENERGY STARcertified. Included SmartSensor (50 dollar value) adjusts the temperature...
- Included SmartSensor keeps you comfortable where you are, not just where your thermostat is. Simply place SmartSensor in the bedroom,...
- Control from anywhere with your iOS or Android device
- Integrates seamlessly with your preferred smart home system.
- Comes with Siri and Alexa Built-in for hands-free control, your way
7. SimpliSafe Economy Home Security System
There’s no better gift than safety, and this home security system kit from SimpliSafe is a great way to help protect loved ones. It’s simple to set up—no drilling or tools necessary—and there are no contracts to sign. Just plug it in, and it’s ready to go. This seven-piece set is smaller and more powerful than before, and it includes a base station, wireless keypad, motion sensor, three entry sensors and a keychain remote.
- Wireless "Do it yourself" home security system
- Monitoring stations are ul-certified with a built in cellular connection
- Not compatible with current Simplisafe monitoring plan
8. Furbo Dog Camera
Dog lovers (and their dogs!) will flip for this camera. It allows pet owners to check in on their furry friends when they’re away, have conversations with them and capture video of them and their adorable ways. You’ll also receive alerts when they bark or if there’s an emergency. What really stands about this camera is that it allows you to toss your pet a treat at any time via an app on your phone. (Bow) wow!
- FULL HD CAMERA & NIGHT VISION - The Furbo Dog Camera gives you HD video quality day & night. Stunning 1080p live view lets you easily check...
- 2-WAY AUDIO - Know what’s going on at home and talk to calm them down via the app.
- FUN TREAT TOSSING - Toss a treat to your dog through your Furbo dog treat dispenser camera via the free Furbo iOS/Android app. Fill your...
- BARKING SENSOR ALERT - Furbo’s unique BARKING SENSOR detects when your dog is barking. It sends push notifications to your smartphone when...
- EASY SETUP, SECURE CONNECTION: 1) Plug in the power cord. 2) Place the Furbo within 5 ft of your WiFi router. 3) Download the Furbo app 4)...
9. Arlo Video Doorbell
A doorbell camera adds convenience and security to a front door, and this one from Arlo gets top marks. It allows people to see who’s at their door and speak with them via two-way audio. It works day or night, and notifications are sent when activity is detected. A built-in siren can be triggered if something is amiss.
- Important installation requirements - Wired doorbell and doorbell chime requires existing electrical wiring with voltage between 16V AC and...
- See more at your front door - Arlo's security front door camera and door security devices lets you see a person from head to toe or a...
- Get a clearer picture - HD with HDR quality footage from your video door camera ensures you see the details on your devices even in low...
- Respond quickly - Hear and speak to visitors through your Arlo cameras for home security and apartment security with clear two way audio or...
- Smarter alerts, quicker action - With an Arlo Secure plan, receive smarter notifications for people, vehicles, packages, and animals so you...
10. First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound
This Alexa-enabled smoke and carbon monoxide detector is an apropos gift for new homeowners or anyone who might want to upgrade their existing detector. It can be controlled remotely, and it also functions as a speaker so they can listen to music or podcasts, listen to audiobooks or check the weather. It’s a great mix of function and fun that makes it an exciting gift for an entire family. (We have a deeper look in this Onelink review.)
- About safe and sound: First Alert introduces Onelink Safe and Sound, an Alexa enabled, Apple HomeKit compatible hardwired photoelectric...
- Easy mobile controls: Get remote notifications of an emergency in your home for 24/7 safety, plus track carbon monoxide levels, customize...
- No more confusing beeps: Track battery levels in the app and optimize safety by knowing when it’s time to replace them. AirPlay 2 enables...
- Voice alerts: Voice and location technology tells you the type and location of the danger in your home
- Easy to install: Optimal ceiling placement enhances the speaker’s acoustic quality; Make installation fast and easy by using the included...
This article has been reviewed and approved by Officer Banta.
Officer Banta is the official SecurityNerd home security and safety expert. A member of the Biloxi Police Department for over 24 years, Officer Banta reviews all articles before lending his stamp of approval. Click here for more information on Officer Banta and the rest of our team.
