In the digital world everything is, or can, be connected—and not just computers and smartphones. Nearly everything in your house can potentially connect to the internet. Clocks, speakers, doorbells, cameras, windows, doorbells, garage door openers, appliances; the list goes on and on. This is called the IoT, the internet of things, and it’s the key component of smart home automation. There are dozens of products and components of a smart home system available. We highlight a few of them here to get your smart home started—after all, the benefits of a smart home system are nearly limitless.

Smart Home Hubs

Consider this the brain of your house. The home hub has the sole responsibility of connecting all your smart devices. All your smart electronics connect to the hub and give you control via Bluetooth technology. We are already familiar with devices like the Echo and the Echo Dot, but Amazon is not the only company with a hub on the market. With the right research, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your own home.

Lighting Control

There are smart wall plugs on the market that can make any lamp or non-connected appliances Wi-Fi capable. The plugs make normal analog home furnishings into digital smart devices just by plugging into them. Some offer voice control, power usage reports, and flexible scheduling.

Smart Thermostats

There’s no need to fight over control of the thermostat anymore. Installing a smart thermostat will give you complete control from anywhere. You can program the thermostat to save energy when no one is home and spring to life before you get back. Using an app, you can lock the temperature controls to keep the kids from blasting the AC on a hot day.

Wireless Entertainment

Entertainment gadgets and electronics are usually the first things to get an upgrade. TVs, speakers, tablets, and streaming sources are all connectable. Video gaming systems can serve as a home hub, too. It’s possible to connect it all and watch all your programming anywhere in the world.

Smart Security

Home security products like doorbell cameras, security cameras, and motion detectors are all available with built-in connectivity. They allow you to monitor your home no matter where you are. The Ring doorbell is gaining in popularity because it lets people see who is at their door without having to open it. Police are finding it useful in solving crimes as well. The videos catch porch pirates and record car crashes that are used later to catch criminals.