The VHS team has a lot to be thankful for this year, the response from the community has been humbling and we want to genuinely thank you for the support! Now that Black Friday is upon us, we have put together a list of our favorite products and a high-level overview of how all of this technology can integrate.

Don’t want to read all this? Just scroll to the bottom for a consolidated list.

Foundation Package

Like anything else, in order to have the best experience, it’s important to start with a solid plan. Our foundation package is a great start and serves as a great starting point to add more technology into your home over time. The first place to start is upgrading your home network, adding a virtual assistant, a video doorbell, a smart thermostat, and a few smart bulbs.

Home Network Upgrade – As you continue to add connected devices to your home, relying on old and basic equipment can lead to connection issues that can be very frustrating. A mesh network involves installing multiple nodes around the home, that connect to each other, and cast a “net” over the house for a consistent and seamless wifi experience.

VHS FAVORITE:

Ubiquiti AmpliFI Mesh System

Other Options

  • Google Mesh
  • Eero
  • Linksys Velop

Intelligent Assistants (Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple HomePod) – A lot of people think of intelligent assistants as just a smart speaker or something to ask funny questions to, but they are so much more than that! They allow you to control smart devices with commands or control sensors around the home that trigger actions, I.E. lights turn on when you walk in the room or open a door. You can also trigger a cascade of events by creating Routines within Amazon Alexa devices, for example, when I say “Alexa, dinnertime” the lights in my kitchen dim to 65%, the living room dims to 50%, and the speakers start playing an acoustic mix.

VHS FAVORITE:

The VHS team prefers Alexa devices, there are a ton of options, they’re well built, and the user interface is incredibly easy to customize.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon Echo Show

Amazon Studio

Amazon Echo – Smart speakers that give you the ability to voice control your music, check the weather, intercom other echo devices throughout the home, control lights, thermostats, set timers, alarms, and so much more

Amazon Show – Every thing the standard Echos do, plus the addition of an interactive high resolution display that can show you shopping lists, real-time view of your outdoor cameras, play videos, and make video calls to other Alexa show owners. The Show comes in three screen sizes (5.5”, 8”, & 10.1”)

Amazon Studio – This is the newest device from Amazon, it is an Amazon Echo on steroids. The Studio provides 3D sound and Dolby Atmos for a truly immersive sound. This is the device for the homeowner that is passionate about awesome sound.

Other Options

-Google Nest Mini

-Apple HomePod

Smart Doorbell – We’ve all seen the amazing footage captured on doorbell cameras over the last few years, whether it be a meteor streaking across the sky, someone slipping on ice, or a package being stolen. A doorbell camera is an amazing addition to any home, they give you the ability to have an HD video feed, two-way audio, motion detection, night vision, and valuable recordings you can have access to. All of that from an app on your phone that you can use no matter where you are. Imagine you’re cooking dinner and the doorbell rings, the Amazon Show on your countertop starts a live video feed, you see who is outside, and you can speak to them without stopping what you’re doing or opening the door. Pretty cool, right?!

VHS FAVORITE:

The VHS team are huge fans of Ring products, whether you want the doorbell wired or wireless, they’ve got options. The sleek design and user interface makes for a great user Experience

Ring Pro (can only be wired, no wireless option)

Ring Video Doorbell 2

Ring Video Doorbell 1

Other Options:

-Nest

-August

-SimpliSafe

Thermostat – Smart thermostats really are incredible, they learn a households’ patterns and adjusting heating and cooling according to when a home is occupied or is about to be occupied. This greatly reduces the use of heating and cooling systems when nobody is home for significant periods of time.

VHS FAVORITE: The VHS team loves the newest Nest 3 Learning Thermostat, it has a great user interface, clean and simple design, and different color options to match your home’s decor.

Nest Learning Thermostat

Nest Thermostat E

Other Options

-Ecobee 4

Smart Lighting – Smart lights give you the ability to control lights with your voice or with sensors throughout your home. This can save you on your energy costs, the bulbs have great life span, and increased security (for example, outside motion can trigger inside lights to turn on inside your home, or lights can turn on/off randomly while you’re out of town to give the illusion that someone is home.).

VHS FAVORITE(S): We are huge fans of Phillips Hue lighting, they have a ton of really amazing solutions, however, they are definitely expensive and require a Hue Hub. A great inexpensive solution is from WYZE, they are easy to use and have great customization options.

Hue Starter Pack

WYZE 4 Pack

Other Options

-Sengled Starter Kit

-LIFX

-Lumos

WHAT’S NEXT?!

Now that your home wifi network is rock solid, you have voice control, added security from your doorbell camera, energy savings with your thermostat, and some smart lighting in place, what do you do next? There are so many amazing options.

Our recommendation would be better outdoor camera coverage, door/window sensors, smart locks, or even smart garage door add ons that allow you to open or close your garage from anywhere – the possibilities are endless!!!

Ring Spotlight Camera

Ring Floodlight Camera

Ring Door Sensors

SmartThings Smart Hub

SmartThings Sensors

Yale/Nest Door Lock

Full List:

Home Network

  • Ubiquiti AmpliFI Mesh System
  • Google Mesh
  • Eero
  • Linksys Velop

Intelligent Assistants

  • Amazon Echo Dot
  • Amazon Echo Show
  • Amazon Studio
  • Google Nest Mini
  • Apple HomePod

Smart Doorbell

  • Ring Pro (can only be wired, no wireless option)
  • Ring Video Doorbell 2
  • Ring Video Doorbell 1
  • Nest
  • August
  • SimpliSafe

Smart Thermostats

  • Nest Learning Thermostat
  • Nest Thermostat E
  • Ecobee 4

Smart Lighting

  • Hue Starter Pack
  • WYZE 4 Pack
  • Sengled Starter Kit
  • LIFX
  • Lumos

Other Smart Options

  • Ring Spotlight Camera
  • Ring Floodlight Camera
  • Ring Door Sensors
  • SmartThings Smart Hub
  • SmartThings Sensors
  • Yale/Nest Door Lock