What is a smart home? Which gadgets make a home "smart"?

Smart Home is not just a trendy concept, but a real opportunity to make everyday life more comfortable and efficient. Modern gadgets allow you to automate routine processes, saving time and resources. 

So, what technology truly makes a home smart? Which devices can take over routine tasks, saving you time and effort? And most importantly – how to avoid spending a fortune on electronic assistants?

In search of answers, we looked into the online store ALLO. After all, the site https://allo.ua/ has virtually everything, from smart bulbs to robotic vacuum cleaners. Moreover, the website is convenient for selecting, comparing, and purchasing technology. Thus, we compiled our own top-5 gadgets for a smart home that can genuinely make life more comfortable.

Smart bulbs allow you to control lighting using a smartphone or voice commands. You can change brightness, color temperature, and even the shade of light, creating the perfect atmosphere for any situation. Additionally, such bulbs promote energy efficiency as they allow you to program operating modes and automatically turn off the lights when no one is in the room.

For example, the Yeelight Smart LED Bulb W3 provides soft and pleasant lighting, supporting shades in the range of 2700K, which helps create a cozy atmosphere at home. Control is done through a convenient app on your smartphone, and integration with popular smart home systems is also supported.​

Smart outlets turn ordinary electrical appliances into part of a smart home. They allow you to remotely control the power of connected devices, set timers, and monitor energy consumption. This is not only convenient but also helps reduce electricity costs.​

Smart speakers serve as the control center for the smart home. They are equipped with built-in voice assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, allowing you to manage other smart devices, play music, get weather updates, news, and much more using voice commands.​

One of the most popular products is the second-generation Google Nest Mini. This compact speaker delivers quality sound and clear recognition of voice commands even in noisy environments. It easily integrates with other smart home devices, allowing you to control lighting, temperature, and other systems using your voice.​

Automated vacuums significantly simplify the cleaning process, allowing you to maintain cleanliness with minimal effort. They move around the house on their own, collecting dust and debris, and some models also have wet cleaning functions. Control is done through an app on your smartphone, where you can set cleaning schedules and monitor the device's status.​

A bestseller for 2025 is the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 (we have been using its “younger brother” from the 9 series for a year and a half, also purchased at ALLO, and it works fine). This robotic vacuum is equipped with a powerful navigation system and an efficient suction system. It supports both dry and wet cleaning, and its battery provides long working hours. Control is done through a convenient and intuitive mobile app, where you can set cleaning zones, vacuum modes, and working schedules.​ You can call it “Servant, Slave, Terminator” or whatever you like ;)

These little devices enhance home security, allowing you to see and communicate with visitors through your smartphone, even when you are not at home. They are equipped with high-resolution cameras, motion sensors, and night vision, ensuring clear images under any conditions.​ Thanks to the built-in motion sensor, you will receive notifications on your smartphone about any activity at the door, and two-way audio communication

allows you to communicate with guests even from a distance. The device supports night mode, ensuring security even in the dark.

So, a smart home is not just about convenience, but also significant savings in time, resources, and increased security. With smart outlets, bulbs, video doorbells, speakers, and robotic vacuums, you can automate many routine processes and make your life more comfortable. Implementing these technologies does not require large investments, as you can start with a few basic devices and gradually expand your smart home ecosystem. The key is to choose quality technology that meets your needs and easily integrates into your system.