12 best smart home systems

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

In a modern house or apartment, the number of electrical appliances is constantly increasing. Keeping track of each of them can be quite difficult. Either the owner remembers the iron on at work, or he worries about turning on the security alarm. You can set up remote monitoring and control of household appliances, lighting and heating devices, locking devices using the Smart Home system. Today, innovative products from different manufacturers are available to Russian consumers. They differ in functionality and price. Recommendations from simplerule experts will help you choose a convenient and understandable innovative product.

The main elements of the system. Each consumer has his own requirements for a set of devices that will form the Smart Home system.

1. Sensors are responsible for the state of each element and its indications (movement, temperature, pressure, humidity, time, etc.). When parameters are changed, the sensor sends a signal to the programmable controller, which communicates with the application on the owner’s smartphone.

2. The Smart Home system may include household appliances, multimedia devices, video cameras, sockets, switches, solenoid valves. Each of them must have “intelligence”.

3. The role of the control center (CC) is played by a smartphone or computer. Communication between the control center and individual devices is carried out through wired or wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ZigBee technologies. The role of assistants can be played by voice applications.

Connection type. To organize a system from disparate elements and devices, wired or wireless communication is required.

1. Wired technology is distinguished by reliability, fast response, affordable components. This option is suitable for new housing, and experts advise laying all the wires even before the start of finishing work.

2. The wireless version looks more attractive in terms of installation, but individual components are more expensive. This method is convenient for organizing the Smart Home system in inhabited apartments.

Compatibility with products from other manufacturers. It is not always possible to find all the necessary elements for the Smart Home system in the catalog of one company. Therefore, when choosing an innovative product, it is important to pay attention to compatibility with products from other companies. For example, especially for the leading American companies (Amazon, Google and Apple), consumer equipment is produced that will not work with applications from other brands. The packaging often indicates the platform under which the device is made.

1. The inscription “Works with Amazon Alexa” indicates compatibility with systems from Amazon.

2. Especially for Google developments, devices are made with the “Works with Google Assistant” sticker.

3. The phrase “Works with HomeKit” refers to the adaptation of the product to “apple” technologies (Apple).

We have selected 12 best Smart Home systems for review. Today they are in high demand in the world and Russia. When distributing places, the editors of the magazine simplerule relied on the opinion of the expert community, taking into account the feedback from Russian consumers.

Rating of the best smart home systems

The Amazon

Rating: 5.0

The largest developer of cloud technologies and electronic devices is the American company Amazon. It was created in 1994 for the online book trade. Experts liked smart speakers that can successfully interact with the developments of other companies. For ease of use, voice assistants were invented. Thanks to fierce competition with Google, the manufacturer manages to create new innovative products. Amazon wins gold in our review.

Russian users managed to get acquainted with the American Smart Home systems. They note the ease of use and a wide selection of innovative devices. Of the minuses, there is a lack of support for the Russian language by voice assistants.

Google

Rating: 4.9

The well-known American corporation Google does not lag behind in the development and production of components for Smart Home systems. Many Internet users have had to deal with the activation of the voice assistant using the famous phrase “Ok Google”. Smart speakers are produced at the corporation’s production sites. All other elements of the Smart Home will have to be purchased from other manufacturers. The experts praised the Home Hub device with a screen, which is the heart of the system. You can bind to the hub both an intelligent door lock and a smart socket.

Domestic users consider Google developments to be effective and convenient assistants. However, some models can only be purchased in America.

APPLE

Rating: 4.8

APPLE also has its own Smart Home systems. Yabloko tie their developments to smartphones on the IOS platform. Experts note the high quality of each element, reliability and durability. The most famous development is Apple HomeKit. The product is equipped with a Russian-language voice assistant, which becomes an important advantage over competitors. The Smart Home system is compatible with many sensors and devices from other manufacturers. The brand ranks third in our review.

The owners of “smart systems” APPLE praise the development for a stylish control panel, Russian-language voice support, and compatibility with other elements. The disadvantage is the limited number of devices operating from a 220 V network.

Rubetek

Rating: 4.7

The Rubetek company was founded in 2014, it began its activity with the modernization of the Smart Home systems available on the market. The experts liked the brand’s pricing policy; people of different classes can afford the installation of Rubetek devices. Today, the company boasts a complete production cycle, from system design to the sale of its own products. The first “smart” high-rise building was built in Nizhny Novgorod, which is equipped with Rubetek systems. The apartments are equipped with security sensors, leakage protection, remote control of lighting and heating.

Users are offered about a dozen ready-made systems at affordable prices. In the reviews, the owners praise the brand for clear controls and a convenient application.

CONTROL4

Rating: 4.6

The American brand CONTROL4 attracted the attention of experts with affordable and functional equipment. The “Smart Home” systems created by the company are able to control lighting, multimedia devices, and temperature conditions in the house. The company has been operating on the market since 2003, during which time it has managed to install more than 130 smart home systems. The advantages of the brand include a huge selection of devices and ample opportunities for connection. Individual elements are connected into a single system using Wi-Fi or ZigBee. The total number of devices can reach 70 pieces.

Russian consumers liked the wide choice of equipment and affordable price. The disadvantages include a modest range of sensors responsible for security.

FIBARO

Rating: 4.5

FIBARO will help to fully equip the house with modern control systems. The company’s specialists fully select the entire set of sensors, devices and software to create a “Smart Home” system for the client. All FIBARO devices work successfully with Apple’s HomeKit platform. You can also buy various little things in the company’s stores, for example, modules for sockets, special buttons. And the developed control panel understands sign language. Individual elements can be borrowed from other companies, they interact well with products from FIBARO. The trademark closes the TOP-6 of our review.

Users rave about the inexpensive starter kit, effective security tools, and support for devices from other manufacturers. Of the shortcomings, the large size of the sensors is mentioned.

Wulian Smart Home

Rating: 4.4

The Chinese company Wulian Smart Home has completely focused on the development and production of Smart Home systems. It uses a ZigBee wireless connection to communicate between individual devices. Experts appreciated the company’s desire to gain a foothold in the Russian market. For this, a Russian-language website has been created where you can get acquainted with the latest products from Wulian. The manufacturer has kits for home security, consisting of motion sensors, door opening and leaks. The Comfort option allows you to control security, lighting, heating and home appliances.

Russian consumers praise Wulian systems for their simplicity, affordable prices, and various configuration options. The downside is the lack of voice control.

Xiaomi

Rating: 4.3

The Chinese company Xiaomi boasts a variety of basic sets and individual devices for Smart Home systems. Experts explain the popularity of products in Russia with adequate cost and good quality. In the brand’s catalog you can find light, smoke, humidity sensors, soil and water analyzers, smart lights and switches. Since the company produces TVs, smartphones, meters, locks, it will not be difficult to combine all these gadgets into one system. A proprietary application helps to manage it. Voice control is in Chinese.

An attractive factor for Russian users is affordability and a wide field for imagination. But devices from other companies cannot always work with Xiaomi systems.

broadlink

Rating: 4.2

Products of the Chinese brand Broadlink are not in high demand in our country. The main reason, according to experts, is the lack of advertising. But in the Middle Kingdom, the company occupies a leading position, the trademark was even awarded the title of “Best Project” in 2013. Buyers are offered switches, sockets, universal control panels, opening, movement and air quality sensors. Security systems are the most demanded product today. Devices from other companies can be connected to the multifunctional hub.

Domestic consumers are satisfied with reasonable prices, variety of products, compatibility with products from other manufacturers. But not all devices can be called smart.

Ajax Systems

Rating: 4.1

The international company Ajax Systems was founded in 2011. The main office of the company is located in Kyiv. The brand specializes in the development and production of wireless security systems. Experts believe that employees have succeeded in this area, as evidenced by the prizes at international exhibitions in Moscow and London. The “smart system” is able to distinguish people from pets, so the number of false positives tends to zero. The catalog contains both complete sets and individual accessories. There are also modules that allow you to integrate third-party devices.

Ukrainian developments were liked by domestic users. In reviews, the brand is praised for prompt feedback. The disadvantages include the high price and the lack of voice control.

REDMOND

Rating: 4.0

The leading manufacturer of electronics and household appliances in the world is REDMOND. One of the main goals of the manufacturer was the development and production of devices with the maximum level of comfort. Experts highly appreciated the affordability of “smart products”, the manufacturer managed to introduce a little intelligence even into familiar devices. For example, when a “smart” kettle boils, the user will immediately receive a notification about this on their smartphone. The brand’s assortment includes the whole range of kitchen and household appliances, which differ from their counterparts in intelligence.

Russian consumers praise REDMOND products for affordable prices, a wide range, and a Russified application. But they do not come into contact with the products of other companies.

GAL

Rating: 4.0

The most budgetary “Smart Home” systems are sold on the domestic market by the GAL trademark. It belongs to the Russian company Galax, which was established in 2005. Experts recommend the standard GAL SH-1000 set to novice users. The kit includes a simplified main unit, leakage and door opening sensors, a key fob for control. In the future, you can expand the list of “smart” devices by purchasing a control panel or additional sensors (motion, temperature, etc.). In the catalog you can find products to improve home security. But the manufacturer does not produce smart household or entertainment devices.

In the reviews, the owners praise the brand’s products for ease of settings, low price, and pleasant ergonomics. They consider a modest range of “smart goods” to be a minus.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.