The 10 Best Smart Home Gadget Gifts for Dad on Father’s Day
Posted by BRENT DIRKS
Mom got her day in May, and now it’s Dad’s turn!
Father’s Day is almost here, leaving many scrambling to find the perfect gift in time. Dads can be notoriously difficult to buy for, but no matter whether he’s a technology genius or just beginning to learn, any dad can find a way to use at least one of these smart home gadgets in their everyday lives.
Our list spans everything from smart locks to remote controls and more. Some gadgets make dad’s life easier, some make his life healthier, and some help him to step up his barbecue game. No matter what your price point is, or which gift you choose, Dad is sure to be impressed with these.
1. Amazon Echo Show
A big part of a smart home is a central hub that can control compatible products. And the Amazon Echo Show is a great choice.
The device can tap into the growing catalog of skills, currently more than 20,000, that can be controlled with a voice command to the virtual assistant Alexa. But the big draw of the model is its 7-inch touchscreen. That helps to open up a world of different possibilities with the easy-to-setup device.
Along with being able to view a live video feed from compatible security cameras, dad can also watch Amazon Video content, music lyrics, video flash briefings, and more. A built-in camera also allows the Echo Show to place video calls to other screen-enabled Echo devices or anyone with the Amazon Alexa smartphone app.
2. Philips Hue White A19 Starter Kit
Wirelessly-enabled lighting is one of the most popular ways to start building a smart home. And the Philips Hue line has consistently been one of the best in the market thanks to its ease of use and a wide number of bulb choices. A great way to help get dad started is with the Philips Hue White A19 Starter Kit.
Along with the necessary hub that attaches to an internet router, you’ll also receive two standard A19 bulbs. Each bulb can only show a shade of white light, and the output is a maximum of 800 lumens. The bulbs can also dim without needing any type of physical dimmer installed. Once dad gets the hang of the Hue line, there are many other possible additions including a bulb that can display more than 16 million colors, a light strip, and more.
The system is also compatible with a wide variety of smart home systems, including Amazon’s Alexa and Apple HomeKit.
3. Logitech Harmony Elite
In the never-ending battle of who gets the remote control, dad usually comes out on top—at least in my house. One of the best remotes on the market is the Logitech Harmony Elite.
Instead of having to fumble for hundreds of different buttons to program the remote for your TV, soundbar, and other devices, all the work is done using a simple smartphone app. The remote can control up to 15 smart home entertainment devices like the Nest Smart Thermostat. Sporting a full-color touchscreen, dad can control devices and even program one-touch activities that control multiple settings at once.
Thanks to the included Harmony Hub, dad can even control devices placed in closed cabinets. And if he really doesn’t like to lift a finger while watching a game or movie, Amazon Alexa support will allow him to control devices with just a voice command.
4. Blink Home Security Camera System
A truly wireless security camera offers a number of great advantages as part of a smart home. Without needing any type of power cord, dad can place them almost anywhere. It’s also a perfect way to secure a rental home or apartment where wiring and mounts might not be practical.
And a great way to completely cut the cord is with the Blink Home Security Camera System.
Whenever motion is detected, the system will send an alert to a smartphone and then record the event in the cloud. Dad can also view live view from any camera. With normal use, the included two AA batteries will last up to two years. Unlike many other cameras, there is no extra fee for cloud video storage. It’s easy to start with a one-camera system and then purchase additional cameras later. There is also an outdoor, weatherproof model to select from.
5. First Alert Onelink Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Even the lowly, but life-saving, smoke detector has taken a big step up with technology. While compatible with Apple’s HomeKit platform, the First Alert Onelink Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm can also integrate with other compatible products.
In the event of an emergency, dad can get a notification on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch from anywhere. The alarm will also verbally tell the type of danger: smoke or carbon monoxide and where it is in the home.
Made to last at least 10 years, the detector can easily replace any existing hardwired alarm. There is also a battery-powered version available.
6. Weber iGrill 2 Thermometer
Your dad probably loves to be king of the barbecue, and the Weber iGrill 2 Thermometer offers some app-enabled smarts to help him grill anything to perfection.
Dad can monitor the temperature of up to four different meats on the grill with probes. Battery powered, the device connects to a smartphone to track each piece of meat from start to finish. Thanks to a magnetic disk, the thermometer itself attaches to any grill. And as long as dad is no more than 150 feet away, he can kick his feet up with the beverage of his choice and watch while the meat finishes cooking.
As a nice touch, there is a LED temperature readout on the iGrill 2. With the app, you can customize minimum and maximum temperature alarms, see temperature graphs, and even share what’s for dinner with friends via social networking.
7. Eero Home WiFi System
To any modern family, fast internet service is right up there with electricity, water, and other must-have utilities.
And as dad knows all too well, making sure that everyone in the house has the fastest possible speeds to stream Netflix, use an iPad, and even control smart home devices, is easier said than done. Ordinary routers have substantial problems broadcasting Wi-Fi through obstacles and walls in a household and handling the plethora of internet-connected devices.
The Eero Home WiFi System uses wireless mesh technology to provide fast and reliable internet everywhere in your home. The starter kit offers a main Eero unit and two Beacons that can be simply plugged into any free electrical outlet. After an easy installation, dad can use a smartphone app to control the finer points of the system.
8. Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller
Most dads enjoying heading outside to cultivate their perfect yard. And the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller can help dad have the best yard on the block. As a bonus, it can save on both water and expenses.
After replacing the current old-school sprinkler controller, dad can monitor and adjust the sprinkler system on any smartphone or internet-connected device. You can customize each zone of the yard and create a watering schedule.
Rachio will automatically adapt to weather and changing seasons to keep a lawn healthy, lush, and green.
9. Tile Sport Tracker
It always seems to happen at the most inopportune time for dad and everyone else. Just when you need something—whether it be keys, a bag, or something else—it’s nowhere to be found. But the Tile Sport Tracker is looking to make the maddening situation a thing of the past.
The small Bluetooth tracker can attach to almost anything. When something is lost, and as long as it is within a 200-foot range of your iPhone, the Tile Sport will begin to beep making it easy to find. The tracker is also waterproof.
And in a pinch, for those times when dad has lost his iPhone, he can just double tap the middle button on the Sport and the handset will start ringing, even if it’s on silent.
10. August Smart Lock
Smart locks provide a great way to control access to a home without the hassle of extra keys. One of the most versatile options currently available is the August Smart Lock.
While many other smart locks require a complete retrofit of the entire lock, August installs on the interior of the door. This means dad can keep the existing deadbolt and won’t need to worry about giving everyone new keys.
With the smartphone app, you can see who is coming and going and more. Dad can also set the device to automatically unlock when he approaches and lock when he leaves.
Smart Gadgets to Make Dad’s Life a Bit Easier
No matter what kind of dad your dad is, there’s a smart home gadget out there that’s a perfect fit for him. He does a lot to keep the family running smoothly, so there’s no better way to celebrate Father’s Day by making dad’s daily routine a bit easier.
And if your dad is looking to jump on the smart home bandwagon but doesn’t want to spend hours and hours setting everything up, take a look at these smart gadgets anyone can install in 10 minutes or less.
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