Our favourite smart home technology for 2024

As technology advances, so do our homes. But what smart home technology can we expect to see in 2024? 

Here at BOXT, we've compiled a list of devices that will likely gain popularity this year. So, without further ado, let's look at how you can upgrade your home to the next level!

1. Home automation

If you're looking to simplify life at home, then automated or remote-controlled devices are what you need. With just the push of a button or a tap on your phone, you can control anything from lighting and heating to water and security. 

It's fair to say that home automation has become increasingly popular over the last decade, and as a result, prices have been declining to meet demand.

Here are some smart home automated devices for you to consider:

Smart thermostats

This handy device allows you to control the temperature of your home. So long as you have mobile data or Wi-Fi, you can automatically adjust your heating with a single tap. 

Google Nest Learning and Hive active heating thermostats are great for setting a schedule for when you'd like your heating to be turned on via an app or the thermostat itself. It's a fantastic way to accurately regulate and monitor energy costs to help you save money.

Smart showers

Ever wanted to walk straight into a shower without having to wait ages for it to heat up? Well, with a smart shower, you can control the temperature and how fast the water flows with the touch of a button, a touchpad or even just your voice. 

So if you want a relaxing spa or tropical waterfall experience, a smart shower is a wonderful feature to have in your home.

Smart light bulbs

At the end of a long day, cuddling up in bed can be a great feeling, but just as you've got yourself comfy, you realise you need to turn the light off. But, if you had smart bulbs, you could switch your lights off remotely via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some Smart bulbs even use the same app as their Smart Thermostat counterparts keeping your smart devices in one place.  An example of Smart devices using the same app for activation is Hive.  

Philips Hue is the leading company for energy-efficient light bulbs. The Go Portable Table Lamp is expected to be among the top picks this year, cycling through various lighting settings and colours thanks to the Hue app. Through this, you can also add Bluetooth devices or the Hue Bridge, which allows remote control access from multiple rooms outside the home and any other automation. Voice control is another option for those who would like such assistants.

Some smart LED light bulbs allow you to turn them on and off automatically to match the sunrise and sunset - so no more coming back late at night to a dark home.

Interconnected devices

Something else we'll see more of in 2024 is interconnected devices. Your phone can not only control your smart lights but also your TV, speakers and thermostat; it can even be used for checking security cameras.

Apple's HomeKit, for example, is an app that lets you connect with all Apple devices and other smart home accessories. Everything is in one place, meaning you can protect your data a lot more easily. You can use this app to connect with your Apple TV, lights, switches, thermostats, window blinds, fans, air conditioners, locks, and so much more.

It is estimated that there will be 30 billion connected devices in 2024.

2. Security features

Home security features are a great way to help your property feel safe and comfortable. It's important to protect yourself and your property, which is why adding a few security features to your smart home can bring you peace of mind.

Here are a few smart home security features you can expect to find in 2024.

Smart cameras

If you've experienced any suspicious behaviour surrounding your home or you simply want to check if a parcel has arrived, smart cameras allow you to see what's happening when you're not around. Using a smartphone, you can connect to a live feed wherever you are. You could be at work or on holiday and still have access to your smart cameras.

Some smart cameras will also allow you to talk and communicate with whoever is in close proximity, and you can control what the camera sees by turning the screen from left to right.

Smart locks

A smart lock enables you to keep things protected via your smartphone. With the sound of your voice or a single tap, you can lock and unlock your home remotely.

Not only can it keep things secure, but smart locks can also monitor when someone has entered or left your home. It can connect with compatible smart home devices on the same Wi-Fi and allow you to see who the person is, making it easier to determine whether you have an intruder in your home or not.

This device is also great for parents who want to make sure their children have arrived back home safely without pestering them.

Opting for other keyless smart home systems is a great solution if you'd rather not use your smartphone. For example, some devices use custom passcodes, voice recognition and even fingerprints. 

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is said to be one of the best smart home devices, with open and close sensors and a log of everything that happens outside your front door. While you can sync this lock with smartphones, you can also add manual codes - this lock has got it all!

3. Sustainable homes

With a cost of living crisis and the threat of climate change increasing year on year, engineers and developers are constantly seeking sustainable solutions. Nowhere is this better showcased than with our homes.

From LED light bulbs and solar panels to natural insulation and recycled materials, with sustainable technology, you can save on energy, help the environment and also create better living conditions with improved air quality.

Water conservation

Perhaps the biggest trend when it comes to sustainable living in 2024 is saving water. With a cost of living crisis and energy bills increasing year on year, water conservation has become much more necessary. Smart water devices can help make your home greener and reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing warm and fresh water. 

In the UK alone, 2.4 billion litres of water are wasted each day due to leaks. This is the equivalent of around 1,200 Olympic swimming pools. Water waste is not just a huge problem for the UK but it also reflects the larger issues of climate change. With the right water conservation technology, not only will you be able to save money, but you will also help save the environment. 

Leak detectors are a great way to monitor your water usage and check for any issues. Flo by Moen is a great smart device that works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and other smart home systems. This detector will alert you about any leakage or changes in temperature and humidity so you can take the best course of action. You can even set this detector to shut off your water if it registers anything faulty, saving you money and energy.

Rainwater harvesting, which sees people collecting and storing rainwater for later use, is another trend that we can expect to see more of. Making rainy days a little less gloomy, you can use rain to water plants, wash your car or boil a kettle. 

4. Home ecosystems

Voice recognition and home assistants have become the must-have piece of tech every smart home should have. It wasn't until Amazon Echo's digital assistant, Alexa, in 2014 that we began to see an influx in this type of smart home tech.

Having the ability to have your questions and needs answered through communicating with artificial intelligence has been astonishing. Whether you want to remind yourself of specific dates, shop, or turn the volume down on the smart speaker, simply talking to your AI will get the job done.

Unsurprisingly, Apple and Google followed suit and produced their own home systems with Apple Homekit and Google Home. Home ecosystems have undoubtedly become hugely popular, with every system offering a convenient and fast way to manage and control the appliances in your home. 

But are there any other smart home systems that you can use in 2024?

When it comes to smart home devices, most people look for something clean and simple. Here are a few smart home systems we think will be popular in 2024.

Samsung SmartThings

The SmartThings Hub allows all kinds of devices to connect to Samsung's smart home system. Whether you accidentally left the lights on or want to make sure your home is at the right temperature when you get home, with a simple app, you can control devices in all rooms. 

On the SmartThing app, the Favourites and Devices tabs require manual control, whereas the Life and Automation tabs allow for automation. For this, you’ll need to plan and schedule when you’d like your appliances to work. Scenes, for instance, allow users to manage multiple devices via voice recognition. If you were to say “Goodnight”, SmartThings will take that as a signal to close your blinds, turn the lights off and turn on any soothing sleep humidifiers all at once. 

Automations allow users to set triggers for when appliances are to work. This can range from setting the time of day to recognising where your phone is in relation to certain tasks. If, for instance, you have forgotten to lock your door when you’re upstairs in bed, your app will recognise this due to the time and location of your phone. This aspect of the app can take some getting used to, however, so it is worth trying things out first before becoming reliant. 

Whether you have a smart bulb from Philips, an August smart lock or an Ecobee smart thermostat, you can use all three at the same time from the same app. Maybe you want the lights to turn on when coming home and unlock the door or lower the lights while watching a film. Connected devices can work in harmony with this Samsung ecosystem.

Yonomi

This little device can have multiple connected gadgets at once via an app which you can use to control and adjust your smart home devices. Yonomi offers more controls than Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google Assistant, with its focus revolving around keeping a routine. This routine could be dimming the lights at dinner time or setting the right temperature before bed. Yonomi helps you set up a schedule for when you want to get things done.

You can also add other voice control assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant if you'd rather not use your phone constantly.

5. Health, wellness & sleep solutions

Tech isn't just for security and entertainment, it can also be used to improve our health and wellness greatly. Whether you’re looking to get yourself fit with a home gym or simply want to get a good night's sleep, there are a few smart gadgets that can assist you on your well-being journey. 

The Oura Ring helps to reduce stress and increase activity. Using an app to help track and monitor your behaviours, you’ll know exactly how your body is feeling and what you can do to help it. This gadget will tell you when you need more sleep, when you’re likely to be feeling ill, when is the best time to start exercising and check your blood pressure whenever you want. As well as this, the Oura Ring is very stylish and offers a nice alternative to smartwatches like the Apple Watch. 

Smart technology can also work outside of the human body. You can use a variety of tech to assess your posture and produce scents to help you sleep. Anything to help you create an eco-friendly home that aids and improves your health is always desirable for a smart home. 

Air purifiers have become a sought-after smart home device to tackle pollution in the home and lessen the chances of contracting an air-borne disease. The popularity of these devices has undoubtedly been because of COVID-19, which has forced many people to think a lot more about hygiene in the home.

You can also relieve symptoms of Asthma, clean your air of particles and reduce the smell of bad odours thanks to air purifiers. Whether you’d like to have one of these in your living room as both a cleansing and decorative piece or place it next to your bed to help you sleep at night, air purifiers are certainly going nowhere in 2024.

6. Hidden tech

In terms of design, it’s becoming a trend to hide or subtly place technology around your house. A good example of this is having a TV screen at the end of your bed, which you can lower into your footboard and hide. 

Smart plug sockets are also becoming a lot more discreet in the home both with their placement and adding a cover over them. Sometimes when designing and decorating your dream home, heavy, big or clunky pieces of technology can disrupt your vision, so finding ways to limit their visibility could be an option.

Be smart about your home

Technology is always evolving and developing, so it's not always certain what new advances could knock at our door, but we can make reasonable assumptions. The more we rely on AI and automation, the more wireless devices will be prominent in every aspect of life, including health and well-being.

Smart home devices aim to aid and benefit us. Life shouldn't be a chore when you have smart home control. Organise your lifestyle with a smart home hub to help you gain more free time for yourself and the things you love doing. With the tap of a finger, you can save money, lock in your home security, play music and keep your home looking modern and sleek.