The whole Internet of Things (IoT) and connected devices boom is really in full swing, with companies scrambling over themselves to produce hardware that appeals to those consumers looking to get in on the action, and of course, Apple is one of those companies.
Given the increasing reliance of IoT devices on Apple’s home-automation framework, Apple is looking well set to be the front runner where home automation is concerned, so grabbing a HomeKit enabled gadget for your home automation needs is a step in the right direction. If you’re looking to add some intelligence to your home, but want to do it frugally and with Apple HomeKit support, which by the way has been there since 2014, then check out these excellent options.
For those who don’t know, with Apple’s HomeKit compatible hardware, you can control various devices in your home by simply asking Siri to do it. If you have an Apple TV or iPad always at home, you can use Siri on iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch to control HomeKit devices remotely from anywhere in the world.
Want to turn lights on or off? Simply ask “Hey Siri, turn on the living room lights” or “Hey Siri, turn bedroom lights to blue color” or “Hey Siri, turn off all the lights”. Want to lock or unlock your door using Siri? Ask “Hey Siri, lock the main door of my house”. For thermostat control, you can ask Siri to increase or decrease the temperature depending on what you are feeling like. With Apple’s HomeKit, the possibilities of using Siri for home automation are endless.
With iOS 10, HomeKit goes one step further with the native Home app on iOS devices and Apple Watch that lets you manage, organize and control HomeKit-comaptible accessories from different third-party companies into one single interface.
iOS 10 also introduces a dedicated panel in system-wide Control Center so that you can control your home automation accessories even without launching any app.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of our favorite HomeKit compatible accessories that you can install in your home for use with Siri voice control today.
iHome iSP5 WiFi Smart Plug
The iHome iSP5 serves up seamless Apple HomeKit and Siri support, but also extends a little beyond that by offering support for the Nest, Wink and Amazon Echo platforms. Plugging things like lamps, heaters, air conditioners and television sets directly into this smart plug will allow you to control their power state through app, Siri, and more.
Buy: iHome iSP5 WiFi Smart Plug from Amazon: $33.22
Philips Hue Bridge 2nd Generation + Lights
The Philips Hue range of intelligent bulbs probably don’t need much introduction, but maybe the Hue Bridge does. The bulbs and lamps may be what ultimately produces the light output and make everything in the home pretty, but it’s the Hue Bridge that’s the real intelligence behind the operation. The second-generation Bridge connects directly to a router and is compatible with Apple’s HomeKit framework.
Whether you have older Philips Hue bulbs or the newer ones, as long as you have this new HomeKit-compatible hub, you can control all your Hue light bulbs with Siri.
Buy: Philips Hue Bridge, 2nd Generation from Amazon: $59.99
Buy: Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Bulb, 2nd Generation from Amazon: $59.99
Elgato Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter
What could be more empowering than being able to instantly control and switch off your devices using a simple touch of an app, or voice control via Siri? Being able to do all of that and see exactly how much energy individual appliances are using. Sound good? Well that is indeed all possible with the Elgato Eve Energy smart switch.
Buy: Elgato Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter from Amazon: $44.95
August Smart Lock 2nd Generation
The August Smart Lock is undoubtedly a really awesome piece of engineering. And now with 2nd-generation model, it offers HomeKit support for control via Siri, which makes it even better than it used to be. This little beauty essentially protects your home and turns your smartphone into a key. You can lock and unlock your property, control exactly who has access at any given time, and even keep an activity log of who enters and exists 24/7, all from either an app, or using Siri.
Buy: August Smart Lock 2nd Generation from Amazon: $229.99
Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting In-Wall Dimmer Kit
This one comes as a little bundle of goodies. Purchasing this will get you a Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge, two Caseta Wireless in-wall dimmers, two Pico remote controls, and the accompanying accessories to fit them all in the home. Functionality offered is things like setting schedules for your lights and using Apple’s Siri to get immediate control over your scenes and lighting environment.
Buy: Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting In-Wall Dimmer Kit from Amazon: $189.95
Ecobee3 Smarter Wi-Fi Thermostat 2nd Generation
It’s probably fair to say that manual management of heating systems in the home can be fairly frustrating and lead to a number of issues being experienced. Either being too hot or too cold. Using more energy than you need to thanks to having the heating on when you don’t actually need it to be, and so on. Smart thermostats like the Ecobee3 look to remove those issues by learning from how the home is used and adjusting the heating schedules accordingly.
And with this 2nd-generation Ecobee3 model, you can control your heating and cooling system all using Siri voice control on iPhone.
Buy: Ecobee3 Smarter Wi-Fi Thermostat 2nd Generation from Amazon: $234.95
Elgato Eve Door & Window Wireless Contact Sensor
Ever been sitting at work and wondered if your home door or windows are open or closed? Well, with this particular Elgato invention you can find that out in a hurry, as well as gain insights into how often entrances to a property are open and left opened. And since it’s HomeKit compatible, what that means is that you can simply ask Siri whether your door or windows are left open or not, from anywhere in the world.
Buy: Elgato Eve Door & Window Wireless Contact Sensor from Amazon: $39.95
Elgato Eve Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Sensor
If monitoring windows and doors isn’t your thing, then how about a sophisticated sensor that can not only connect to your smartphone and Siri, but also sense indoor air quality, temperature and humidity? The Eve Room Sensor is probably what you’re seeking.
There’s Eve Weather Sensor too which can be used outdoors to monitor weather, humidity and air pressure.
Like any intelligent device, these two can provide an excellent historical view of your property and how its internal and external environment changes over time.
Buy: Elgato Eve Room Wireless Indoor Sensor from Amazon: $74.99
Buy: Elgato Eve Weather Wireless Outdoor Sensor from Amazon: $47.99
iDevices Thermostat
Intelligent thermostats rose to province when the now Google-owned Nest was launched, but there’s now a plethora of options to choose from. The iDevice Thermostat packs complete HomeKit compatibility, allowing users to give commands to Siri like “set my home temperature to 60-degrees”, and so on. Wherever you have your iPhone with you, you’ll be able to control this thermostat using voice or app.
Buy: iDevices Thermostat from Amazon: $148
iDevices Switch
In a similar fashion to the iHome Smart Plug, this iDevices Switch offers the same level of functionality. Accessories can be plugged into the socket to monitor and schedule electric appliances throughout the home. Of course, with HomeKit-compatibility, users are able to control all of those connected devices by using Siri voice commands.
Buy: iDevices Switch from Amazon: $42.95
iDevices Socket
Want to convert your existing light bulbs into HomeKit-enabled light bulbs? iDevices Socket is your best friend in that regard. Simply plug your existing light bulb into it and then control it using Siri or the Home app in iOS.
Buy: iDevices Socket from Amazon: $59.95
Hunter Fan Company’s Ceiling Fan
A ceiling fan, but with HomeKit compatibility. It also features “whisper wind motor delivers ultra-powerful air movement with whisper-quiet performance so you get the cooling power you want without the noise you don’t.”
Buy: Hunter Fan Company’s Ceiling Fan from Amazon: $349
Koogeek Smart Plug
A smart plug that also offers HomeKit compatibility. In addition to that, it also monitors power consumption so that you can check how much energy the electric item you have connected into it is consuming.
Buy: Koogeek Smart Plug from Amazon: $44.99
Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt
A high quality deadbolt coming in from a well known brand offering full Apple HomeKit compatibility. In addition to Siri voice control, the deadbolt can also be controlled using Apple’s Home app as well as Schlage own dedicated app for the deadbolt.
Buy: Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt from Amazon: $222.95
That’s it for now. We’ll keep updating this post though with other new and interesting HomeKit-compatible devices whenever we come across any. Make sure you keep checking!
You may also like to check out:
- Migrate Old Philips Hue Lights Bridge To HomeKit Bridge 2.0, Here’s How
- How To Setup Siri Voice Control For Philips Hue Light Bulbs
- Apple Posts HomeKit Siri Commands, Here’s The Full List
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