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There are endless possibilities for automating your home with do-it-yourself, DIY, smart home products, from automated lights and locks to thermostats and appliances. If you’re looking to get started with DIY smart home features, this guide will show you how. Discover who has the best smart home DIY kit and how to get started.
A smart home incorporates products and features that focus on comfort, convenience, and efficiency while decreasing costs and increasing home security. Smart home technology enables multiple appliances to be controlled remotely and/or automatically, typically from a mobile app. A DIY smart home refers to smart products that you can install and activate yourself, rather than needing professional installation.
There are multiple DIY smart home products you can install, depending on your needs, home, and goals. These are the top smart products homeowners and renters use:
Smart thermostats enable you to control the temperature and humidity in your home or apartment from your phone. You can also create timers and “rules” so your thermostat automatically adjusts depending on the time of day.
Smart lights rely on smart light bulbs that can be controlled remotely. When you replace your current light bulbs with smart lights, you can turn them on and off from anywhere and set timers for lights to adjust automatically for your convenience.
Smart plugs turn any small appliance into a smart appliance. When you plug a fan, space heater, outdoor decorative lights, or sprinklers into a smart plug, you can turn them on and off from your mobile app manually or automatically by setting a schedule.
Smart locks replace the lock on your front door and typically come with a keypad and unique key codes for keyless entry. You can also lock and unlock your door from anywhere with a mobile app.
Smart garage controls notify you when you leave your garage door open and provide options to open and close your garage from anywhere.
Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest integrate with a DIY smart home system to add voice control to all your products.
Doorbell cameras with HD video enable you to see who is at your front door, whether you’re home or away. Many video doorbell cameras also come with two-way communication features, so you can speak with people at your front door without having to be there in person.
Smart security cameras feature live video and recordings so that you can always keep an eye on your home. Some even come theft deterrent or two-way audio.
Learn more about how to choose the best DIY home security system with smart features and integrations for your home or apartment.
Once you know the types of DIY smart home products you want, it’s time to choose a smart home DIY kit from one of the top providers. Security system companies are leaders in DIY smart home technology and offer customizable packages to meet your needs.
Some companies offer pre-built packages that come with specific products and the option to add additional smart features. Others, like SimpliSafe, offer build-your-own system options, which are ideal for those who want more flexibility when choosing their DIY smart home products. And there are also companies, like Ring, that sell individual smart products to create your own smart home DIY kit.
To learn more about your DIY smart home options when it comes to purchasing a smart home DIY kit, check out our Guide to DIY Home Security.
A smart home DIY kit isn’t the only way to purchase smart products. There are professionally-installed home security systems with comprehensive options for smart home integration as well. If you’re looking for interior and exterior smart products that aren’t available in a smart home DIY kit, learn more about professionally-installed smart home systems from other security companies.
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Editor at Smarter Home
Alyssa is a writer and editor who has spent her entire career making complex topics easy-to-understand through clear, unbiased writing. With a degree in Professional Writing and Information Design, she specializes in creating content about a variety of technical products and applications. Alyssa has been with Smarter Home since it’s beginning, helping develop our rigorous editorial policy. At the end of the day, she hopes she is able to help readers find the information they need to make the right security and smart home choices for them.
Smarter Home was created to help you make an informed decision when choosing a home security system.
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Requires 36-month monitoring contract starting at $38.99/mo. without QSP (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees from $935.76) and minimum installation amount of $599 for professionally installed systems OR month-to-month monitoring contract for ADT Self Setup systems starting at $24.99 without QSP (one month minimum) and minimum purchase amount of $194.98. Professional monitoring required for ADT to notify emergency contacts or services on your behalf. Service and installation charges vary depending on system configuration, equipment and services selected. For reactivations of professionally installed systems, a $99 test and inspect fee applies . Upon early termination by Customer, ADT may charge 75% of the monthly service charges due for the balance of the initial contract term. Quality Service Plan (QSP) is ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty and is available for additional fee. Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. Professionally installed system remains property of ADT. Local permit fees may be required. Prices and offers subject to change and may vary by market. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Satisfactory credit required. A security deposit may be required. Simulated screen images and photos are for illustrative purposes only. For Self-Setup Systems, cancel by calling 888-392-2039 or by following the instructions in your order confirmation email. To avoid contract termination charges, cancellation must occur no later than 30 days after the contract date. Contract termination charges may be applied for cancellation after the initial 30-day period. Equipment must be fully removed and returned before a refund will be processed. Any shipping costs previously paid are non-refundable. Google and Nest Doorbell are trademarks of Google LLC. Some features, including mobile notifications, remote control, video streaming and video recording, require working internet and Wi-Fi. Minimum OS requirements are available at g.co/home/req. iOS is a trademark of Cisco and is used under license. Google Nest products and services featured are designed to make life easier and to build a helpful home and were not designed specifically for life-sustaining or safety-critical use cases. These products and services are compatible with the ADT Self Setup System, and depend upon working internet, Wi-Fi, and, in some cases, the service availability from ADT and/or Google. To learn more, please visit http://g.co/nest/TOS.
Money-back guarantee only applies after ADT has made attempts to resolve a system-related issue and has not been able to resolve that issue within the first six (6) months of your original activation. ADT Money-Back Guarantee is not transferable. Equipment must be returned before a refund will be processed. Conditions preventing normal system operation cannot be caused by the customer. For professionally installed systems only.
Customer may receive reimbursement of up to five hundred dollars ($500) of Customer’s homeowner’s insurance deductible (if any) if, and only if, ALL requirements for Theft Protection Guarantee are met to ADT’s reasonable satisfaction. Customer must request reimbursement within 60 days of property loss. Request must be mailed to ADT and include: Theft Protection Guarantee certificate signed by Customer, a letter from Customer requesting reimbursement, a copy of the police report, and a copy of the accepted insurance claim. ADT reserves the right to reject any application for reimbursement that does not comply with all of the requirements. For professionally installed systems only.
