Smart Home
A smart home is made up of different tech that talks to each other via your WiFi and can be controlled with your smartphone. Setting up your smart home couldn't be easier. This page will help you learn more about smart home technology and how it can benefit you.
Getting your smart home started
Whether you want a fully automated home of the future or are just happy with lights you can control from the comfort of your bed, there are a few things to consider when shopping for your kit.
Ask yourself the following questions when considering your purchase. These should help you decide which tech is right for you:
What smart tech do I already own?
There are so many smart devices on the market these days, you may already have some without even knowing. Do you have a smartwatch or a TV streaming device? If so, it may be worthwhile buying smart products that are compatible, so you can start building up an ecosystem that talks to each other.
What phone do you have?
A lot of the smart tech we sell can be controlled with your smartphone. Does your phone run an Android or Apple operating system? Once you know this, you can find the smart tech that works best for you.
Works with...
Having products that work together is essential to building a smart home that works seamlessly. The selection of smart home products you have in your house is called an ecosystem. Some of the biggest ecosystems right now are made by brands you'll recognise and may already own:
Google
Your Google ecosystem can be controlled with your voice via the Google speakers range. Equally, Google supports all iPhone and Android phones.
Apple
Apple's ecosystem is called HomeKit. They support a huge range of smart home products. Great if you have an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Amazon
Just say "Hey Alexa..." to control your Amazon ecosystem via your Amazon echo speakers. Ask her to dim your lights, turn the kettle on, or find out what the weather will be.
Smart speakers
Smart speakers allow you to control your smart tech with voice commands, which is ideal if you are in the middle of cooking in the kitchen and your hands are messy.
Smart speakers can also play your music, read you the latest headlines, remind you about upcoming events in your calendar or even call your mum!
Our brands include:
Smart heating
Installing a smart thermostat is a great way to reduce your energy bills - great for the environment and great for your bank account.
Some of the thermostats in our range can even learn from your behaviours and make suggestions on how to save even more energy.
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Smart sensors
Smart motion sensors can be paired with other smart devices such as lights or plugs to turn your tech on when you enter a room. They can also detect whether you or your family has left the room and turn off products to save you energy.
Smart door and window sensors can alert you if you have left a window open, giving you peace of mind when you are away from home.
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Smart sockets and switches
If you are decorating a room or replacing your sockets or switches, a great way to modernise is to make them smart.
This will allow you to add non-smart devices into your ecosystem and control them with your voice or smartphone.
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Smart plugs
Control the devices in your home that are not smart by plugging them into a smart plug.
You can set up timers or use them in conjunction with sensors to automate your home.
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Smart lighting
There are many ways to control the smart lighting in your home. Control your lights with your phone or set a schedule to have them turn off and on when you like. You can control your lights with your voice through a smart speaker or even use motion sensors to automate your system.
Our range of smart lighting includes white bulbs where the brightness and warmth can be changed or coloured bulbs that can shine in any colour you desire.
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Smart hubs
Smart hubs are a simple solution to controlling your smart tech via one app. All of your smart tech connects to the hub and you control the hub.
Some smart tech products - such as the Samsung SmartThings - require a hub to work, whilst others like Philips Hue or Hive do not need a hub to work but can be added to one. Additional tech can then be added to the hub, creating one ecosystem.
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Smart security
We have a large range of smart security devices to give you the peace of mind you need when you are away from home - from smart doorbells that allow you to communicate with visitors to smart locks that can be controlled whilst you are at work.
We also have a large range of alarms and cameras that can be monitored remotely, because there is no better feeling than knowing your home is secure.
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Smart WiFi
All smart tech relies on your home's WiFi to work and sometimes the router supplied by your broadband provider does not reach every room in your house.
Setting up a Whole Home WiFi system ensures you get a strong WiFi connection where you need it - which is great for your smart tech and even better for your family.
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Smart Home products you love...
"Excellent recordable doorbell I'm very impressed with the Ring Video Doorbell 2. The 1080p HD camera is amazing quality. Faces and audio are both really clear. I highly recommend this one!"
"Very good product, but I knew that when I bought it. Very good price from Wickes."
