Smart lighting has become the norm in our homes over the past 10 years or so, but Signify (formerly known as Philips) is taking it one step further, announcing the launch of the Philips Smart Skylight - and it’s so smart, it mimics daylight to create the effect of a real skylight.

While lighting trends come and go, one that has remained consistent is the inclusion of smart lighting. From the classic Philips Hue range, which lets you control your home’s lighting from your phone, to smart lighting that boosts your mood, this lighting style has become entrenched in our home lives.

Now, the Smart Skylight is arriving to replicate the natural brightness, shades and depths of daylight, making the light look like an actual window. Think of it as an incredibly clever SAD lamp. Here’s everything we know so far.

What we know about the Philips Smart Skylight

By now, most people will have heard of SAD lamps, and how they mimic natural light to help boost mood, especially during winter months. For example, the Ideal Home team are fans of the Lumie Dash (was £179, now £139.98 at Amazon), which claims to increase energy, mood and productivity when working from home.

The Philips Smart Skylight reminds me of a SAD lamp. Its whole essence is using advanced LED lighting to help people feel more connected to natural light. This comes after new research from Signify found that 58% of people said they feel they spend too much time indoors, while 89% said they felt more energised when they get enough daylight. The Philips Skylight was developed to address this shift, helping people bring the feeling of daylight into their homes.

Now, the Philips skylight differs from what we typically regard as smart lighting (i.e., lighting that can be controlled via a smart home ecosystem). This light won’t connect to your home’s ecosystem, and you’ll need to use a remote control. Instead, what makes it smart is its use of NatureConnect technology, which recreates the effects of real daylight.

The integrated auto day rhythm feature automatically adjusts brightness and tone throughout the day. It delivers bright, blue-enriched light during the day and warmer light in the evening. Users can select from five different daylight-inspired scenes depending on their activities.

We also know that the Philips Skylight family will include an integrated UV-B module designed to support the body's natural vitamin D production indoors, as well as integrated safety features, including an automatic shut-off after eight hours of use. The lights also have an IP44 rating, meaning they are suitable for damp, humid environments such as bathrooms.

The skylight is currently approved for use in hospitals and commercial environments such as offices, but will be available for a wider European market this month. We know the range includes the following models: Philips Skylight Medium, Philips Skylight Large, Philips Skylight VitaUp Medium and the Philips Skylight VitaUp Large.

Signify has not revealed exactly where the light will be available or how much it will cost yet. However, if you’re looking for something similar you can buy now, you can get a Philips SceneSwitch Ceiling Light for £99.99 at John Lewis. While not as high-tech as the new skylight, this ceiling light allows you to adjust brightness with your existing switch, so you can control your room’s ambience.

Alternatively, here are a few more smart lighting options available to shop right now.

Shop smart lighting

If your home lacks natural light, a smart skylight could be a gamechanger for making your space feel brighter.

Amazon has launched a competitor to the Samsung Frame TV, the Amazon Ember Artline TV, which is available for pre-order today, with delivery from May 7th.

The Amazon's Ember Artline TV is designed to hide your TV in plain sight, disguised as a piece of art when not in use. The most famous TV to achieve this effect is the Samsung Frame, a staple in some of the most stylish living rooms on Instagram. However, lately, other TV brands, including TCL and Hisense, have started launching their own art TVs. Amazon's TV is the latest to join the ranks.

The TV has a 4K QLED display with Dolby Vision and uses the latest Fire TV interface. But as an interiors journalist, what I was most interested in was how the TV hides itself as a piece of art when not in use.

The TV has a gallery of over 2,000 free works of art that can be displayed when you're not watching it. The TV uses a matte display to make the images appear like a real piece of wall art. It also comes with a clever AI function called 'match the room' that will help you find the perfect piece of art to match your surroundings. Alternatively, you can upload your own photos and images to the TV for a personalised look.

But you don't have to worry about the device sitting on all day, running up your energy bill. The Amazon Ember Artline TV's Omnisense technology uses sensors to wake the display when someone walks into a room. Walk away, and the TV turns off, saving energy

To complete the look and turn it into a framed work of art, the TV comes with a frame available in 10 colours, including walnut, fig, gold and midnight blue. You can also switch the frame up at a later date, if you fancy a new colour or material; they are easy to snap in and out of place.

The new Amazon TV lifestyle TV is priced at £949.99 for the 55-inch and £1,199.99 for the 65-inch, which is roughly around the same RRP as the Samsung Frame TV. Right now at John Lewis, you can pick up the Samsung Frame TV, 55-inch for £894, and the Samsung Frame TV, 65-inch for £1,139.

I've seen the Samsung Frame TV in action a couple of times and have always been impressed with how well it blends into a gallery wall. I've yet to spend time with the Amazon Ember Artline TV, but I'm hoping it proves to be a worthy alternative for hiding a TV in a living room.

When looking for clever yet affordable solutions to product your home from damp and leaks, IKEA is the surprising place that should be on your radar. Their recent launch of the KLIPPBOK Water Leakage Sensor might just be the smartest home solution I’ve seen for tackling leaks, and it’s only £7.

Last year, IKEA announced it would be launching a series of affordable smart home gadgets, designed to make your home more efficient and even help you save money. And with each new smart arrival, we’ve been left pretty impressed.

There’s no arguing that it’s been a very wet and damp year, and if you’ve been struggling with leaks, IKEA’s latest smart home buy could be exactly what you need. Here’s how it works.

As with all IKEA smart home products, such as their new air quality sensor, the KLIPPBOK Water Leakage Sensor is Matter-compatible or connects directly to the IKEA DIRIGERA hub. Don’t worry, I’m also fairly new to the world of smart home gadgets, so I didn’t understand what Matter-compatible meant at first. In short, it means that smart home devices can work harmoniously together even if they are different brands. This means devices from Apple, Google Home, Samsung and Amazon, etc, can seamlessly work together using the unified Matter standard.

The sleek, small leakage sensor will beep when it detects a leak, giving you peace of mind during the wettest months. It’s particularly helpful when placed behind dishwashers and washing machines, alerting you before it’s too late.

When connected to a smart home hub, the sensor will send an alert to your smartphone about the leak. Its small size also means that it’s easy to position in hard-to-reach areas. It’s well-suited to the space under your sink, kitchen appliances and anywhere you suspect is prone to damp or leaks.

When left, water damage from leaks can cost you a fairly hefty bill to fix. Plus, if your leak causes damp and mould in your home, this can put your family at risk, too.

I don’t have a smart home. My partner has a smart speaker, and I’ll admit it’s great being able to control it from my phone and request songs by my voice, but other than that, I don’t have a Smart home ecosystem. However, I’d say that this IKEA leak sensor is still a handy gadget even if you don't subscribe to a full automated smart home. Only recently, I discovered a leak under my sink that had gone unnoticed, and I’d had to bin some of my belongings. I wish I'd learnt about this device sooner; it could have saved me time and money.

As well as IKEA’s smart leakage sensor, I’ve also done some digging to find some affordable alternatives you can also shop online.

The leak sensor is the first smart home gadget that has genuinely piqued my interest. It’s a simple solution that provides huge peace of mind.

IKEA is quickly becoming one of the best places to shop for affordable smart home accessories, and the retailer has just dropped two more clever gadgets that will make running your home (and saving energy) so much easier.

It’s no secret that we love IKEA. An affordable place to shop the latest furniture and home decor trends, there’s also a wealth of DIY IKEA hacks to help us transform our flatpack furniture into something bespoke for our home. I’ve always associated the Swedish brand with homeware, but its continued expansion into smart tech is a welcome one.

Recently, we’ve been impressed by both IKEA’s smart plug and new air quality sensor, and the latest launches to join the IKEA smart range are the MYGGBETT Door/window sensor (£7) and TIMMERFLOTTE Temperature/humidity sensor (£5).

If you’re looking to save money at home, investing in smart tech such as plugs and sensors can be a great starting point. While smart plugs allow you to track your energy usage and control appliances from your phone, sensors allow you to keep a close eye on your home’s environment and make any appropriate changes faster.

This leads me to the first product I want to talk about - the MYGGBETT door/ window sensor. Connecting to any Matter-compatible hub, these sensors keep track of your windows and doors, alerting you via your smartphone if a door or window has opened. All you need to do is fix the sleek, subtle sensor to your window sill or doorframe, and it will do all the hard work.

Not only is this an added smart home security feature, but it can also enable you to be more energy efficient. After all, there’s no point flicking the heating on if there's a window upstairs you’ve forgotten to shut.

The second product I’m looking to snap up is the TIMMERFLOTTE temperature/ humidity sensor, which allows you to keep an eye on your indoor climate at home. It measures both temperature and humidity, displaying the result with a touch of a button. Similar to a hygrometer, this handy product allows you to keep an eye on your humidity levels so you’re equipped to switch on your dehumidifier if levels are too high. This can help combat issues such as damp, mould and condensation, as well as keeping your family healthy.

However, the TIMMERFLOTTE sensor has already sold out online and is available at a few stores, so I recommend checking the stock levels online and acting fast if you want one.

To use these new smart sensors, you’ll need a Matter-compatible home ecosystem such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung, Apple, Homey, or IKEA’s own DIRIGERA hub.

As well as these two clever sensors, IKEA has also soft-launched a water leakage sensor and a light motion sensor. I believe these smart sensors will sell fast, so if you were unable to get your hands on these latest gadgets, I’ve rounded up a few more smart home essentials that will save you money in the long run.

With both products coming in under £10, IKEA is providing one of the most accessible and affordable access points to the world of smart tech. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

I’m a nightmare for leaving plugs switched on all around my home, and in an effort to get a grip on this energy-guzzling bad habit, I’m investing in smart plugs.

A lazy and inexpensive way to save money at home, smart plugs allow you to control lights, appliances and devices from your phone, meaning no switch goes forgotten about. Given that energy bills have risen this month, coupled with January being famous for being a tough month financially, I’m keen to save the pennies where I can, whilst improving my own home habits.

And if you’re looking to save energy at home, too, I’ve rounded up some of the best places to buy smart plugs without breaking the bank. We haven't been able to test these ourselves, but I've looked for the best deals and reviews, selecting plugs I'd choose for my own home. Here’s what I found.

1. IKEA

I personally am really excited about IKEA’s new ranges of smart products, with the retailer committed to producing affordable, accessible smart home brands in 2026. Right now we have the iconic smart doughnut lamp to look forward to as well as a range of practical products such as air quality sensors.

IKEA have also just launched a £6 smart plug that links to their DIRIGERA hub, allowing you to control the plug from your phone. All IKEA products are Matter-compatible and therefore will work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and Samsung SmartThings, or work with IKEA's own smart ecosystem, the DIRIGERA Hub.

2. Amazon

Not only do Amazon stock some of the best-rated smart plug brands, but they also offer fast delivery and frequent discounts - especially if you have a Prime account.

They also offer an Amazon Basics Smart Plug (£12.49), which allows voice activation via your Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Samsung SmartThings device. Easy to set up, and well-reviewed, it's a great introductory plug - you do need a Matter-compatible hub though.

Here are a few of the highest-rated smart plugs on Amazon that don't cost the earth.

3. Argos

With many Argos stores offering same-day collection, the brand is often my go-to for picking up home items quickly, and smart plugs are no exception.

Right now, Argos is stocking a range of the best-rated smart plug brands including Tapo and Philips. They also sell smart extension tables, which I think are great if you have more appliances you want to turn 'smart' than plug sockets.

While it’s true there is an initial investment with smart plugs - especially if you want one for every socket - they will help you save money in the long run. These plugs allow you to keep a tighter control over your energy usage, so you can no longer forget to leave the big lamp on.

IKEA’s viral ‘doughnut’ lamp has just received a major upgrade for 2026. It has been given a 'smart' makeover, which will allow you to change the colour of the light and turn it on and off from your phone.

A few years back, the whole of social media became quickly enamoured with the VARMBLIXT Doughnut Lamp, which was designed as part of a collaboration with Rotterdam-based designer Sabine Marcelis. With its ‘Insta-worthy’ retro look, stylish curved shape and soft glow, the lamp (£55) was an instant classic.

And now, I think its new upgrade is a future cult classic, too. Landing in UK stores from April, shoppers will be able to pick a Smart version of the classic light. It’s the latest of IKEA’s Smart home innovations and one that we’re truly excited about.

Late last year, the Swedish retailer announced that it would roll out 20 smart home products in the coming years, offering affordable entry points to the world of smart home gadgets. Only recently, IKEA launched a £25 air quality sensor which links to your air purifier to help keep your home a healthy and comfortable space to live.

Now, IKEA has teamed back up with Sabine Macelis to bring us the much-anticipated VARMBLIXT LED smart doughnut lamp, as the latest step in its journey to accessible smart-home design.

Don’t worry, the lamp is keeping its iconic doughnut shape, although it is swapping its glossy, orange exterior for a matte white finish. But this new finish accommodates the new light feature, where you can control the colour, brightness and light temperature of the lamp.

The lamp cycles through 12 preset colours - carefully chosen by Sabine - from different temperatures of white light, into amber and warm red, soft pink, cool lavender and turquoise, and on to gentle yellow tones, before circling back to white light.

A BILRESA remote is included to control the lamp, or it can be controlled via the IKEA Home Smart App and other Matter-compatible systems, which gives you access to four different shades across the colour spectrum.

‘We spent a lot of time fine-tuning the transitions between the curated colours. What makes this lamp unique is that switching between colours is not a sudden change, but a very smooth journey through all the hues to get to the next colour. The light slowly moves through colour to, in turn, transform the colour of a space,’ commented Sabine Marcelis.

‘The focus this time was on what more we could explore within the iconic form of the doughnut lamp. Colour variation is one part of it, but at its core, VARMBLIXT has always been about how you experience light. In the original doughnut lamp, external light played on the glossy surface and bounced beautifully off it. With this version, the matte finish lets the light glow softly from within. It’s a very natural, technical evolution of how light can be experienced.’

If you can’t wait until April, I’ve found a few similar alternatives to shop now.

IKEA’s new range of smart home accessories is quickly proving to be easy and affordable entry points into the world of smart home ecosystems. This cult lamp is tipped to be a big hit, and we can’t wait to see what IKEA comes up with next.

Lock manufacturer Yale has just launched its newest smart lock, and it promises to say goodbye to keys for good.

Yep, that’s right, the latest smart home innovation is a lock that doesn’t require a key to open it. And while smart locks aren't new technology, this clever gadget has caught my attention - but I just can’t decide whether it is a good idea or not.

The Yale Linus® Smart Lock L2 Lite (£129.98) can unlock your front door using the power of your smartphone. But as impressive as this sounds, are smart locks worth it? I asked the experts to find out.

While smart locks are not a new invention, the Yale lock has certainly caught my eye. It’s introduced what the brand is calling ‘KeySense™ Technology’, which promises to make locking and unlocking the home easier - but it all depends on whether you trust your smartphone to unlock your home.

With button-controlled locking from inside the door, and Auto-Unlock via smartphone location as you approach the door, this lock does away with the need for keys completely. The concept of fumbling around in your bag for your keys is gone forever. Your keys are no longer an item to lose when you’re out, either.

You also won’t need any spare keys for family members, either, as individual access can be granted via a Yale Smart Keypad. Plus, the Yale Home App will let homeowners know exactly when loved ones get home, offering peace of mind.

Designed for renters and homeowners, this smart lock will fit most European doors without the need for drilling or professional installation. The lock is also Matter compatible via Thread, which ensures seamless integration with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and Samsung SmartThings.

This all sounds great, but it’s time to find out what exactly smart locks are and whether they keep your home secure.

What are smart locks?

As someone who frequently loses her keys, I am intrigued by the prospect of a keyless society. However, I can’t help but wonder if it is the best home security measure, especially when Wi-Fi can sometimes put your home at risk.

‘Smart locks are basically normal door locks with tech built in. Instead of using a metal key, you unlock them with your phone, a code, or even your fingerprint. They connect by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and when you send a command from an app, the lock checks if it's really you and then opens,’ explains Paul Douglas, professional locksmith and owner of For Locks That Break.

‘They can be just as secure, or even more so, than traditional locks because there’s no key to copy or hide under a plant pot. That said, they do come with digital risks. Like any connected device, they can be vulnerable to hacking if the software isn’t kept up to date. Some cheaper models are also physically weaker, and “retrofit” locks that sit over an existing lock can still be attacked in the old-fashioned ways. So quality and installation really matter.’

However, if you invest in a quality smart lock and install it correctly, it can be just as secure as a traditional lock and key.

‘When installed correctly and used properly, smart locks can be just as secure as traditional locks, and in some cases even more secure. Most reputable smart locks use encrypted technology and secure authentication to prevent unauthorised access,’ says Anthony Neary, security expert and Managing Director at Safe.co.uk.

‘The biggest advantage of a smart lock is convenience. You don’t need to worry about lost keys, and you can easily grant or remove access for family members, guests or tradespeople, even when you’re not at home.

‘Many models also provide activity logs, which can give homeowners extra reassurance about when doors are being locked and unlocked.

‘On the downside, smart locks do rely on batteries and technology, so occasional maintenance is required. Connectivity issues or app glitches can happen, and some models need a separate Wi-Fi connection for full functionality. Like any smart home product, they work best when software is kept up to date, and security settings are used properly.’

Are smart locks worth it?

‘A smart lock isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can be a great option for the right household. If convenience, flexibility and control over who can access your home are priorities, then a smart lock can offer clear benefits over a traditional key,’ says Anthony.

‘That said, it’s important to check compatibility with your existing door and lock, and to choose a model that includes strong security features and a manual backup. When combined with good digital habits and a solid physical door and frame, smart locks can be a very practical and secure upgrade.’

Paul agrees, stating that if you have a busy household or lots of visitors, or already have a smart home ecosystem, these locks can work effectively.

‘Personally, I often suggest a mix – a high-quality smart lock on the main door for convenience, and traditional locks on other doors as a backup. And as always, speak to a local, reputable locksmith before you buy, so you know you’re getting the right product fitted properly,’ he says.

It all comes down to preference. If you feel a smart lock will positively benefit your home, it can be great. However, like with all home security systems, it’s important to be diligent, ensure your software is up to date and speak to a trusted professional if you have any concerns.

Is there anything Aldi can’t do? Just when I think I won’t be surprised by a middle aisle item anymore (I’ve somewhat got used to the idea of picking up a canoe while doing my weekly food shop), they surprise me again. This time it is in the form of a £16.99 video doorbell.

It’s no secret that investing in one of the best video doorbells is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your home security. From keeping an eye on your property whilst not there, to making deliveries even easier, video doorbells are a handy addition to the increasingly popular smart security measures.

Launching this Thursday (23 October), Aldi’s video doorbell is just £16.99, making it one of the cheapest I’ve seen on the market. Here’s how it shapes up.

In my books, this is a real middle aisle gem, and a gem that’s far more practical than the aforementioned canoe. Sleek and easy to install (according to Aldi), this video doorbell features real-time video as well as night vision so homeowners can monitor their doorsteps from anywhere in the world.

Like other video doorbells, Aldi’s works by connecting through both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to provide two-way communication on either side of the door. Simply set up via an app on your phone, and receive push notifications whenever someone is at your door. This way you’ll never have to miss a visitor, delivery or unexpected guest.

Perhaps the most well-known doorbell is, of course, the Ring doorbell. Most similar to Aldi’s is the Ring Doorbell Wired (£49.99 at Amazon). This Wired doorbell security camera has an 1080p HD video, two-way talk, advanced motion detection, standard 2.4 GHz connectivity and customisable privacy settings.

While Aldi has the same standard of connectivity, its video quality is not as high as Ring's, which, in my opinion, is to be expected considering the price difference.

Ring is also a trusted brand by Ideal Home, with the Ring Video Doorbell 4 receiving four stars in our review. Meanwhile, the Ring Video Doorbell Wired has tens of thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, with customers praising its excellent sound and image quality.

By contrast, I have not tested the Aldi Video Doorbell, so I cannot vouch for its quality. What I will say is that my home is filled with Aldi Specialbuys, when I haven’t been able to afford certain products, and I have always been pleasantly impressed with how well they work.

If you’re looking to improve your home security but don’t have a lot of money to spend, I do think it is worth testing the Aldi video doorbell. However, for peace of mind, it is always worth investing in a quality product, such as these video doorbells.

If you’ve been left tempted by the Aldi video doorbell, we’d love to know how you get on with it. Let us know in the comments below.

More homes than not own a voice assistant now – it could be on a smart speaker or a smartphone, a TV or even a coffee machine. But how much these smart home assistants are used varies wildly.

Most people probably won’t go further than asking for the weather forecast or setting timers. Others might have adopted them into a smart home ecosystem, controlling lighting, cameras and thermostats throughout their homes.

But each voice assistant has a wide range of additional functionality – here are just a few tricks that the main three players (aka Google, Alexa and Siri) can do that you can try out at home…

Amazon Alexa

Alexa's oh-so handy Birthday Tracker function makes Alexa the ultimate organisational tool. Add details with ‘Alexa, ask birthday tracker to add Emma’s birthday’. Then you can ask a whole slew of questions about birthdays in each month, set reminders, work out how old someone will be on their next birthday, and so on.

If you have several of Amazon's hands-free home tech devices in your home, Alexa’s neat Drop In function allows you to connect to them by saying ‘Alexa, drop in on the living room’ – great for calling the kids down for dinner or reminding them that they need to do their homework.

Google Assistant

If you’ve finished the milk, Google can make a shopping list for you. Download the Google Keep app to your smartphone and link it to your Google account. Then ask Google to ‘Create a shopping list’, then ‘Add milk to the shopping list’. When it comes to doing your weekly shop, you’ll find the list in the app.

Another great feature is a must if you tend to forget where you put things for safekeeping. So by saying: ‘Hey Google, remember that next door’s spare keys are in the console drawer’, Google will tell you where they are when you need to find them.

Apple Siri

Truth be told, Siri’s abilities are limited compared to the other two, but Siri still has a few neat tricks up its metaphorical sleeve. The HomePod and HomePod Mini smart speakers have built-in temperature and humidity sensors, so you can ask the device to let you know how warm or humid it is in the room it lives in.

And if you have a Siri-enabled iPhone and misplace it at home, just shout ‘Siri, where are you?’ and it will sound an alert and vibrate to help you find it.

Universal tricks that every voice assistant can do

• CALENDAR MANAGEMENT All voice assistants can schedule appointments, reminding you so you never forget important events.
• CALL FRIENDS & FAMILY If your voice assistant has access to your contacts, you can tell them who to call via your phone or smart speaker.
• SMART HEATING If you have a smart thermostat, you can control your heating via your smart assistant. Turn the heating on and off, up the heating by a few degrees, and so on...
• GENERAL UPDATES From weather forecasts and traffic reports to the news headlines, you can ask for updates whenever you like.
• MUSIC & MORE Stream music and podcasts, listen to the radio, watch a TV programme… a voice assistant can instantly sort out all your entertainment.
• SMART LIGHTING If you've invested in some smart lightbulbs, you can adjust the lights brighten them, dim them, change colour and so on - all by voice control.
• VIDEO DOORBELL If your smart hub features a screen, you can see who is at the door when the doorbell rings. If you don't, you view it though your TV screen, provided both have Wi-Fi capabilities.

Want to discover more about the functions your voice assistant is capable of? Try searching online – type in its name followed by ‘features’ and you will find a wide range of tips and tricks that you can try at home...

With a host of easy-to-use smart tech, the latest smart home security systems and devices are ready and waiting to give complete and instant control over your home and property. With the ability to customise your system to suit your needs, so that you can keep an eye on your home at all times, smart security offers impressive protection for your home and family.

Whatever level of security you need, whether a doorbell camera is enough to give you peace of mind or you’d prefer a complete home alarm solution, EE smart home security powered by Verisure offers a flexible range of smart home security packages. Not only can you choose the devices that best suit your home, they’ll also install your devices professionally too, taking away the effort of connecting everything up yourself.

1. Video doorbells

If you’re starting from scratch, the easiest and most practical entry to smart home security is a video doorbell which will let you see and record who’s at your door. It gives you the freedom to answer your door and see and speak to callers via your smartphone – a huge bonus when you’re not home, or you’re stuck on a work call you can’t duck out of!

Devices are easy to install, set up and manage via a user-friendly app, with instant notifications for anything that activates the device. Many models will record when triggered, meaning you can review past footage if needed.

2. Real-time monitoring

One of the biggest benefits of a smart security system is that you are able to keep an eye on your home in real time, even when you’re not there by checking in on the app via your smartphone.

Whether you want to have a quick look at the live video feeds from any of your wireless cameras, or respond to alerts when movement’s been detected or the doorbell rings, you can jump on immediately and respond. This is great whether you’re out at work for the day, or on holiday for an extended period.

3. Complete coverage

When choosing a system, a clever combo of indoor and outdoor wireless cameras works best. That’ll give you coverage of the garden and inside your home even at night with full colour night vision, plus they’re a visual deterrent for potential intruders with a built-in siren and spotlight among the features.

And it’s not only about the security of your home. Cameras and video doorbells mean you can keep an eye on the kids or an elderly relative living with you – you’ll know in real time if they’ve got home safely or if they leave the house unexpectedly. Check in on pets via internal camera, and speak to them to reassure them or tell them to get off the sofa!

4. Remote access and control

All smart devices can be controlled remotely, via the app. Depending on your system, this means you have the ability to lock doors, view live camera feeds or disarm the whole system from any location. Delivery driver at the door? Speak to them through the two-way speakers on your video doorbell to give them instructions about what to do with your package if you’re not in to avoid it being dumped on your doorstep.

Control the notification settings on your devices to ensure you’ll receive alerts for specific activities, whether that’s motion detection from wireless cameras installed at the front or back of your home or if door or window sensors have been forced open, broken, or even shaken.

For ultimate peace of mind, an EE Verisure security plan offers 24/7 monitoring, 365 days a year. All your devices are connected to a UK-based Alarm Receiving Centre, where a team of specialists is on hand to handle any warning or emergency situation within 60 seconds.

5. Fully-Integrated devices

Linking your security devices up to a smart home network via your Wi-Fi connection means you can control them all from your smart speaker. They’ll respond to voice commands, and can connect to other tech such as smart lighting or heating, so that you’re in control of everything in your home.

For more advice and ways to protect your home, visit https://ee.co.uk/security.

Moving home is stressful; If only it were as simple as finding your dream house, packing up a van and moving in. But the reality is usually a tangle of to-do lists, packing boxes, and hidden expenses.

One poll found that 57% of Brits say it’s more stressful than splitting up with your partner or having children. That stat might sound extreme, but it illustrates how challenging the process is.

The stress often doesn’t end once you're in, especially if your internet hasn’t been installed. Rather than taking it easy with a couple of days working from home, it's back to the office or chasing after all the free wifi spots in your area. A relaxing wine with Netflix is off the cards until further notice.

However, smart tech can go a long way in easing the stress of moving into a new house. From getting your broadband switched over with EE or installing a Nest smart heating system to avoid any energy bill surprises, these are 4 of the ways smart tech from EE can make the process smoother.

1. Get set up early

One of the worst times to be without internet is in a new place when you're trying to establish a new routine and getting everything from council tax to your new energy bills set up. If you are already with EE your broadband can be connected from the first day you’re in your new place. All you have to do is give the team at EE a call at least 3 weeks before you move, and they’ll handle the rest.

If you aren’t with EE then simply enter your postcode and landline to check if EE’s services are available at your new address. If you are switching to EE and have to wait for your home broadband to be connected, this is when the backup plan comes in.

2. Have a backup plan

If you choose an EE One package when switching, which covers your broadband and mobile plan, you can use the EE data half of the package while you wait for the wifi to be installed.

Alternatively, if you need more data for your online activities, or a bigger boost to the wifi to keep the kids happy you can pick up one of EE’s 4G WiFi and 5G WiFi mobile broadband devices to bridge the gap while you wait for the installation.

3. Be smart with your energy usage

Moving into a new home often comes with nasty energy bill surprises, so setting up something like the Nest smart heating system will get your home energy usage off on the right foot. It allows you to control the heating from your phone and monitor your energy usage to help you save energy and money from day one. The best part is that it can be installed by yourself in less than 60 minutes.

4. Keep your new home safe

Installing a smart security system as soon as you move in is going to take a lot of pressure off those first few weeks in a new place. It can be nerve-wracking, locking and walking away from your new home that first time, wondering if the ‘sold’ sign on the front gate is a giant advertisement to a burglar.

You can pick up all the essentials to keep your house safe by signing up to an EE smart security system plan. Most of the plans will include a video doorbell to keep an eye out for deliveries and 24/7 alarm monitoring, but you can look into any additions based on the needs of your new home.

Getting your smart tech ecosystem embedded from day one will make adjusting to your new home so much easier.

Let’s face it, most of us are not big fans of cleaning our homes. Whilst having a sparkling space looks and feels great, when you have to sacrifice your valuable leisure time to catch up on your seemingly never-ending rota of cleaning tasks, ticking them off the list just doesn’t feel worth it.

That’s why anything that offers a shortcut is so appealing – from the wealth of cleaning hacks that pop up on our social media feeds, to smart home appliances designed specifically to make life easier. Roll up, roll up, it’s time to put the robot vacuum in the spotlight. 1 in 3 people questioned in our 500-participant survey believe smart vacuums are silly. Are they right, or are they simply not clued up on how handy this tech can actually be?

Vacuuming has to be up there as one of our least loved cleaning tasks, and smart vacs are supposed to make home cleaning more convenient and efficient, but are they really worth it?

Time-saving

One of the biggest pros when it comes to getting your robot helper on the case is time-saving. Because you can set the machine to clean your floors automatically, it frees you up to focus on other tasks (or take some time out with a cuppa!).

The more expensive models will offer programmatic schedule functions, which means you can set the vacuum to clean at specific times – whether that’s when you’re out during the day or overnight while you’re asleep. While it might not deliver the same deep-down clean as your regular vacuum, it’s a great way to stop dirt building up, and make your home feel more consistently clear and tidy. If you’re looking to really get the most from your robot vac, look out for a model that combines vacuuming with a mopping function.

Ease of use

Just like many smart tech appliances, one of the joys of a robot vacuum is that it’s so easy to operate when you have strong and reliable Wi-Fi at home. Usually controlled via smartphone apps or smart speakers, they’re super user-friendly. Once they’ve completed their initial mapping of your home, it means they’ve learnt the layout and they also have sensors to detect dirtier areas or avoid obstacles so that they can get on with the job with minimal input from you.

Cleaning performance

If we’re being totally honest, while robot vacs score high for convenience, the main drawback is that they’ll never get your floors as sparkling as your regular vacuum cleaner will. They usually offer less powerful suction, and struggle with deep-cleaning carpets or picking up larger debris. They’re also limited in how much debris they can store onboard so need more frequent emptying, although the more expensive models can do this themselves at their charging dock.

Cleaning interruptions

The vacuum cleaner will map the area and identify obstacles but that doesn’t prevent it from getting stuck under furniture, tangled in power cables, or caught up in your rugs. If you’re a particularly messy household, it could actually end up taking you more time to clear the floor area enough for the robot vacuum to operate than it would to just run round with a traditional vacuum yourself.

Robot vacs are really designed for large, single-level open plan layouts where they can work their way round systematically cleaning the whole area. This isn’t how many of our British homes are designed, and tackling awkward corners, multi-level spaces and cramped rooms can be too much of a challenge.

What’s the verdict? Smart vacuums are probably not going to replace our standard vacs any time soon, but they’re definitely a great add-on for busy households if you’re looking to simplify your cleaning routine.

To browse smart vacuums and other smart home tech to help your day run a bit smoother, check out the EE Store.

Every day, the world of smart home continues to grow. Devices get cleverer, expanding their use and capability, to become an integral part of a modern home.

One of the biggest tech-related buzzwords is AI. What is it really? Is it that helpful? Will it put people out of work? Will machines take over the world?? And so on.

While the last two questions hopefully will never come to fruition, the answer to whether AI is a helpful addition to the smart home roster is most definitely a yes.

If you didn't already know, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. Generative AI, that is, the AI that generates any form of data, from words and pictures to specific actions tailored exactly to a task, is slowly becoming more prevalent in humble kitchen appliances. It allows the machine to judge the best way to cook dishes, wash clothes, and help you keep track of your food to reduce food waste.

And it doesn't stop there. 'AI is also helping our products to last longer, too,' explains Tanya Weller, director at Samsung. 'If for some reason, your washing machine or vacuum cleaner stops working, the machine will run a self-diagnosis, then you'll get a notification like clean your drum or clean your filter.'

1. Extra clever washing machines

These days, the latest washing machines often come with auto-dosing - this means you top up a cartridge or tank in the machine with detergent when required, and the machine will automatically add a dose of detergent to the drum on every wash.

But certain models also feature sensor-controlled functionality that assesses the type of laundry in the machine simply by the way it hits the drum as it spins.

Depending on the model, they can then tailor the correct wash cycle to the contents, as well as the exact amount of detergent required, thus reducing on the cost of running your washing machine by saving water and detergent. All you need to do is switch it on and it’ll do the rest.

2. Astute ovens

While quite a few brands have added Wi-Fi functionality to their ovens, meaning you can adjust the cooking temperature via your smartphone, just like you would with a smart heating system, or check the progress of a cake via a camera in the oven, the addition of AI technology enhances an oven’s versatility even further.

An AI-enhanced oven will monitor a variety of settings via sensors in the cavity, like temperature and humidity, adjusting the settings accordingly to ensure perfect results every time.

3. Super smart fridges

Do you ever go to get something from your fridge only to realise that someone in your family has already used it? With AI-enabled fridge freezers, this is a thing of the past. These clever models are kitted out with internal fridge cameras that can detect and identify the contents.

They keep a stock take of what's inside - which you can access on your smartphone anytime. When an item is removed, it’s deleted from the list. So if you run out of something, you’ve only got yourself to blame.

It'll also help with the dreaded daily dilemma of what to cook for dinner. 'With the Bespoke AI Family Hub fridge freezer, you can ask the integrated voice assistant Bixby: "What's in the fridge Bixby? What shall I have for dinner?" It'll then assess the contents and suggest recipes for you,' explains Tanya from Samsung.

'It'll also recognise your voice, so if someone in the family has a dairy allergy, asks, Bixby won't suggest recipes to them that contain dairy.'

So while we're hundreds of years off robots taking over the world, it's important to note that AI functionality won’t change the way we use appliances. We'll still use them for washing clothes, cooking meals, storing food, and so on.

AI will, however, enhance the user experience when doing all these repetitive, mundane chores, making them far more energy-efficient, and saving time and money, so everyone's a winner.

The best smart appliances to look out for

Want to bring some AI to your kitchen? Here are just a few of the latest smart appliances with built-in AI that have hit the market...

So, what do you think - are these new AI advances likely to make their way into your kitchen, or are you happier keeping things a little more analogue?

It’s widely recognised that having houseplants in our home will benefit our health. From a spider plant in the bathroom to a statement monstera in your living room, introducing lush green plants to our space ticks a number of boxes – reducing stress and anxiety, boosting productivity and improving air quality. But if you’re not naturally green-fingered, you may be feeling daunted and worried about how to take the best care of them.

Don’t let a lack of confidence stop you from introducing houseplants into your home – the act of nurturing a plant and watching it grow is so rewarding. Mariana Popejoy, an interior designer who loves using biophilic design principles (designing homes to create a strong connection with nature) to aid mental health and improve wellbeing in the home, has shared her top tips for using smart tech to help your plants thrive. And when they’re supported by EE’s strong wifi connection, you can rely on these apps and devices to work in tandem, making plant parenting that much easier.

‘Nature has this amazing way of grounding us,’ says Mariana. ‘It actually releases endorphins which is a mood booster. With wifi-connected homes we’ve got tools at our fingertips that can make houseplant care easier than ever.’

1. Understand each plant

There are so many houseplants to choose from that it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re anxious about how to care for each one. This is where plant identification apps are your answer, giving you all the advice you need, straight from your smartphone or tablet.

Simply scan the plant and you can find out the best spot for it, how much water it needs and the app can even diagnose if it’s sick (and tell you how to fix it). It’ll take all the guesswork out of caring for your plants, acting as your safety net so you can add any type to your home.

2. Get watering spot on

‘One of the biggest problems that people encounter with houseplant care is that they either over- or under-water,’ says Mariana. It’s the biggest challenge you’ll face with your plant family, and if it’s something you’re struggling with, you need a smart soil reader. This is a neat little device that you simply pop into the soil. It’ll measure the moisture levels and tell you instantly whether the soil is too wet or too dry.

Getting a watering schedule in place is another great way to keep on top of this task. ‘Setting reminders on a smart speaker is an absolute game changer,’ Mariana says. ‘If you just have that little verbal prompt it’s just one less thing for you to remember.’ Pick a time you know you’ll usually be in, and you’ll make sure your plants stay happy.

3. Start small

Mariana’s advice for beginners is to try growing herbs first. ‘If you’re just getting started I always recommend edible herbs,’ she says. ‘They’re beautiful, they help you season your cooking and they help to build your confidence with plant care.’

To make this first step easier, Mariana recommends trying a smart indoor herb garden. These clever planters have built-in lights and a water reservoir, making it really straightforward to create a thriving mini garden in any space, even in dark or windowless rooms. Pop one in your kitchen for a ready supply of fresh herbs, and when you’re feeling more confident with your plantcare skills, you can use it to propagate other plants and add more greenery to your home for free.

Follow these easy tricks and you’ll be enjoying the benefits of welcoming nature into your home in no time, and for even more smart home tech ideas, make sure to visit EE Home today.

There’s nothing quite like this time of the year - the days are getting longer and brighter, our gardens are becoming more colourful and, of course, our homes are primed and ready for a spring clean.

Whatever technique you take with your spring cleaning, whether it’s a full weekend blast or a slow and steady approach, using the right tools will make the chores easier and be done in less time. After all, no matter how cathartic deep cleaning is, we all want to minimise how long and strenuous it feels, so we can have more time to spend enjoying these spring days. Dreame Technology is here to help you get that time and energy back with their cutting-edge smart home cleaning products. And, as an extra bonus, they’ve also launched an exciting sale which can see you save up to 25% off the innovative cleaning tech.

With the brand offering everything from powerful robot vacuums to high-performance wet and dry vacuums, we’ve selected a few products that we think will help you get the most out of your spring cleaning this year.

Our picks from Dreame Technology

To make the most of these offers and explore the rest of Dreame’s impressive smart home cleaning solutions, make sure to check out their spring sale now. Products will only be available at these discounted prices from 25-31st March through Dreame’s own website and their Amazon store. So make your spring clean go more smoothly than ever, and save some serious money to boot.

There are few TVs which offer as much as the The Frame by Samsung and, to put it frankly, as purely iconic.

The latest iteration of The Frame means that now is the perfect time to upgrade your TV experience – both in terms of when it’s on and when it’s off. Even if you already own one of the older models of The Frame, this version should absolutely be on your wishlist of dream home buys.

Whether you're renovating your home, your existing TV has seen better days, or you're looking to add extra interest to your media wall, here’s why the 2024 model of The Frame TV is worth the hype…

Set in style

As the name suggests, The Frame design has been made to look just like a picture frame, rather than a traditional TV. With a stunningly slim profile and customisable bezel frame options*, The Frame will fit perfectly into your home decor and sit satisfyingly flush to the wall thanks to the Slim Fit Wall Mount.

Of course while The Frame design looks great when you’re watching a show, it offers just as much when you’re not thanks to Art Mode which transforms the screen into a piece of art, from your own photos you can upload to world-class paintings, illustrations and photography you can access from the Art Store† which offers an ever-growing library of over 3,000 pieces of artwork from world renowned institutions.

Detailed displays

Whether you’re enjoying your favourite movie or taking in the premium artwork on the screen, The Frame’s display provides a top-quality experience. The ground-breaking Matte Display actually absorbs reflections, meaning you’ll always have glare-free viewing, even in bright light‡. So as well as being able to see whatever’s playing without distractions, the artwork looks even more real than ever before.

Glare-free viewing doesn’t mean dull however, because Quantum Dots provide a naturally bright and colourful picture, offering greater detail and realism. Validated by colour experts Pantone, the screen uses over a billion cinematic colours for more lifelike and accurate colour than ever before.

A perfect package

Get ready to enjoy unparalleled sound quality along with your new TV, too. For a limited time, you can boost your viewing experience even more with a free Music Frame when bought with selected The Frame TVs, plus get up to £250 off your purchase when you recycle your old TV, both until 11th March 2025 while stocks last (see the website for all the T&Cs).

So bid farewell to your outdated tech or the unappealing, impersonal black box on your wall and instead bask in top-quality displays, stylish good-looks and add impressive art to your home, all in the sleek and fashionable bundle that is The Frame by Samsung 2024 TV.

*Customisable bezels each sold separately

†Separate Art Store subscription and Samsung Account required to access full selection of artwork

‡Measured against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard, certified as glare-free (reflection, discomfort and disability glare) by UL

In a digital age, plenty of our home security measures use Wi-Fi — but is it secure enough? Security experts have warned against the dangers of an unsecure network when it comes to home security, warning it can be the digital equivalent of leaving your front door open.

When looking at the best security measures, smart security frequently tops the list. Smart security consists of internet-connected security measures which are grouped through your Wi-Fi. These can consist of security cameras, motion sensors, door locks, window/door sensors and even sirens.

However, the experts say there is no point in having smart security if your Wi-Fi is not secure. If your Wi-Fi is breached, criminals can access your home security system and the risks are huge. From learning your daily routine to disabling smart locks, your home is suddenly at risk of being burgled - this is everything you need to know.

How your Wi-Fi is putting your home at risk

‘An unsecured Wi-Fi can be an open invitation to anyone to be able to snoop within your network, and with more and more devices in our homes connected it becomes even more important to ensure this is securely locked down,’ explains Javvad Malik, Lead Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4.

‘If criminals are able to infiltrate your home network, they could do things such as disable your smart security cameras, unlock smart locks, mess with alarm systems or access any of your connected devices.’

You’re probably already aware of the risks of using unsecured WiFi in public to look at your banking apps and sensitive information. This applies to your home security measures too, and neglecting to keep your Wi-Fi system secure is a big mistake to avoid.

You’re home Wi-Fi network can be put at risk by using a simplistic password or not changing it from the default Wi-Fi password. As Javaad says: ‘your Internet security is the key to your home security in many ways. A £500 smart device isn't worth much if your Wi-Fi password is ‘Password123’.’

How to tell if your Wi-Fi is secure enough

‘Your Wi-Fi network should require a unique password to connect and be secured with either WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. This prevents strangers from connecting to your network and being able to access or monitor the devices connected to it,’ explains Paul Bischoff, Consumer Privacy Advocate at Comparitech.

WPA stands for Wi-Fi protected access and is a special security measure designed to safeguard your Wi-Fi traffic. Since July 2020, it has been mandatory for routers with the Wi-Fi Certified Label to have WPA3 support - the most up-to-date version of Wi-Fi protected access.

'Some of the best things to do when checking your Wi-Fi is to ensure that the default settings on the router have been changed. Set a strong password and ensure encryption is enabled. Change your default network name to something that does not describe the type of router you have, the service provider, or your home address,’ says Javvad.

‘Try connecting to your network from a new device and see if your password and security settings stand up to the test.’

So when upgrading to the best home security system, don't neglect your Wi-Fi, ensure it is secure and your router is WPA3.

While I love snuggling under a blanket and lighting the candles during the long, dark winter months, going into full hibernation mode isn’t an option when life continues apace. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is recognised as a low mood that occurs seasonally – usually starting in autumn and lasting right up until spring arrives. It’s widely believed that this ‘winter depression’ is caused by the reduction in sunlight we experience over the winter months when there are fewer daylight hours.

Luckily I don’t suffer severe symptoms, but I definitely experience a drop in mood, and I have some strategies up my sleeve that I turn to to help keep me positive and productive, whatever the winter weather throws at me.

Shine a light

When the natural light levels dip in autumn and winter, so does my motivation and ‘get and go’ energy. As well as trying to make sure I get outside for a dose of natural light even on the most dull and dreary winter days, I also use the lighting in my house to optimise my positivity. I have an app on my smartphone to set up different lighting zones – these are controlled by smart plugs, and I use voice commands on my smart speaker to switch them on or off.

I’m also looking to invest in smart bulbs so that as well as the light levels, I can also adjust the colour of the light. Orange is known to energise the body, whereas green acts as a relaxant to calm you down. If you do suffer from SAD, white light stimulates the production of serotonin to give you energy. I have a SAD lamp in my office to help me when the light falls in the afternoon.

Ramp up the volume

Music makes me happy, so if I’m stressed or I need to tackle a job that I don’t love (hello, cleaning the kitchen!) I've got a go-to playlist of songs that make me smile lined up ready to go. This good mood can increase serotonin production to help the happy hit last well past the end of the song. All I have to do is ask my smart speaker to play my ‘happy songs playlist’, and the feelgood vibes help me power through the task at hand. And music isn’t the only mood-setting option – if it’s anxiety-relief, wind-down or focus time you’re after, try getting your speaker to play relaxing sounds such as rainfall, or birdsong.

Positive screentime

One of the bad habits I’m trying to kick this winter is hours spent mindlessly watching TV. While there’s nothing wrong with a boxset binge or an at-home movie night (and there was no way I was missing out on Traitors, obviously!), I’m aware that I could often be using my evenings doing something more productive that will boost my happy hormone levels, and set me up for a better night’s sleep.

I’ve introduced yoga into my evening routine, but I don’t want to leave the house to go to a class, so I stream sessions via YouTube on my TV. There’s a host of other workout options to choose from, whether you’re after the endorphin high of a HITT class, or some pilates stretching to balance you out after a day sat at your desk and with EE Wifi 7 you can be confident you can work out without any interruptions thanks to with strong and reliable Wi-Fi.

Set reminders

I’ve got into a good habit of doing a sleep meditation when I go to bed, but I’m useless at remembering to fit one into my day. I’ve set reminders so that my smart speaker gives me a prompt to meditate during the day too. Meditation is widely known to have great wellness benefits, including reducing stress. It’s a great way to reset and has been shown to increase dopamine production. I always find my mind is more focused afterwards, which is perfect when I have a lot of tasks to tick off my to-do list.

EE helps you do more with tech in your home. For more smarter ideas to make everyday easier, visit ee.co.uk/tech.

Your house, your rules? Well, not quite. And if you have CCTV cameras or video recording devices on or around your home, it’s essential to understand the rules for having security cameras on your property - or risk paying hefty fines or legal bills.

On paper, the best wireless security cameras and the best video doorbells offer homeowners the chance to keep an eye on their home at all times, resulting in impressive protection for your home and family. And as there are countless smart home security options on the market, many people believe they can use them whenever and wherever they want. However, this isn’t the case.

As Nathan McEvoy-Swann from Alert Electrical explains, ‘Installing CCTV or security cameras around and outside your home can enhance security and provide peace of mind for when you are at home or out and about. However, homeowners in the UK must comply with a number of legal obligations to ensure their surveillance systems do not infringe on others' privacy.’ So, these are the rules you need to know if you have security cameras on your property.

1. You may need to comply with GDPR rules

Cameras and video doorbells are some of the best security measures for a house, but installing these on or around your property is a lot of responsibility. In fact, you may need to comply with GDPR rules depending on where you install them.

As Anthony Neary, security expert at Safe.co.uk, explains, ‘If cameras are positioned to monitor only the homeowner's property, such as a driveway or garden, no special permissions are required.’

However, this all changes if your cameras are positioned so that their coverage includes public or communal areas around your home or flat - like a pathway in front of your house or the hallway in a block of flats.

Anthony says, ‘If the cameras capture footage beyond property boundaries, including neighbouring homes or public spaces, homeowners must ensure they are complying with the law. More specifically, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.’

‘If a CCTV system records areas beyond the homeowner’s property, the individual effectively becomes a data controller under data protection laws. Individuals whose data is captured have the right to request access to their images, and homeowners must grant their wishes unless there are legitimate legal grounds to retain the footage,’ he adds.

In extreme cases, your neighbours can lawfully request that you remove your security cameras as a breach of their privacy. And while this may be a complex case for them to win, it has happened in the past when neighbours have felt as though they are being watched in areas with the expectation of privacy - like their bedrooms and bathrooms.

Because of this, we’d suggest installing a camera like the Ring Spotlight Cam from Amazon, which allows you to customise designated motion zones so the footage only picks up and stores movement within your property.

2. You must have a clear reason for using the CCTV

It’s no secret that home security systems are worth it if you want to keep your home - and your family - safe. They can provide a visual deterrent and allow you to monitor your home when you’re not there. But if you install CCTV cameras or video doorbells on or around your property, you must have an apparent reason for using them and ensure you’re using them respectfully.

‘You must ensure footage is only used for security purposes, store recordings securely, limit access, and delete footage regularly when it is no longer needed,’ explains Nathan. ‘Failure to comply with these regulations could result in complaints to the relevant authorities, fines, or legal action if neighbours or visitors feel their privacy is being violated.’

Of course, everyone has a legal right to keep their homes protected in any way they see fit, but most experts would agree that you should only install these security cameras if you have a legitimate reason to have them - especially if the visuals extend outside your property's boundary. Then, you should also make neighbours aware.

‘If you do happen to capture footage beyond your property, you must clearly inform people they are being recorded, typically through signage or verbal communication,’ says Nathan. Thankfully, signs are extremely affordable, and you can pick up this CCTV in Operation Sign from Amazon for just £3.49.

3. You should be willing to hand over your footage

Whether you’re only filming on your property or your footage extends beyond your boundaries, you also need to be aware that you may have to hand over your footage to the authorities at some point or another. This may happen if there has been criminal activity on your street.

Although you have the right to say no to the police and refuse to hand over the footage from your home’s security cameras, it’s worth noting that they can obtain the footage through legal means if they believe it will aid their investigations. They may even be issued a search warrant for your home, where they can take the security footage by force.

It’s highly unlikely that this will occur, but it’s always worth having a hard drive like this Seagate Skyhawk, 4TB, Video Internal Hard Drive from Amazon on hand should you want to keep footage yourself or share it with others.

And if you don’t like the idea of potentially having to do this, you may want to rethink where you install them.

FAQs

Do I need permission to have CCTV on my property?

No, you don’t need to have permission to have CCTV, as you are within your legal rights to do whatever you want on your property. There are a few things you need to consider, though. These include:

• The height of your cameras: If you have a listed building, you are legally not allowed to install a security camera higher than 2.5m. In many cases, you may also need planning permission to install one.
• The footage radius: If your cameras cover areas outside of your property boundary, you may need to obtain permission from your neighbours and will need to abide by GDPR rules.
• Rented vs legal owner: If you legally own your property, you don’t need permission to have CCTV. If you rent, however, you’ll need to obtain permission from your landlord before buying any cameras.

Can neighbours put cameras overlooking my property?

If your neighbour is using their cameras to protect their home from thieves or criminal activity legitimately, they are within their rights to put cameras up - even if they overlook your property.

However, if you feel like these cameras are violating your privacy in any way - especially if they point in the direction of rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms where privacy is expected - you can ask them to remove the cameras. You can also ask them to delete any footage of you and your home if the radius of the cameras extends that far.

They do not legally have to remove the cameras if they only pick up footage from their property, but if you are confident that the radius extends to your property, you could take them to court as a last resort.

Do CCTV cameras have to be visible?

Ideally, yes. Although hidden CCTV cameras aren’t illegal, it’s generally recommended that you keep them visible at all times - unless they are only used for capturing your personal affairs and movements.

Having CCTV cameras visible will also enhance your home security system, as they will serve as a more effective visual deterrent and keep thieves at bay.

Is your home security system abiding by the rules?

Curating your home office tech might sounds like a job only for the most tech savvy among us, but rethinking your working from home set-up is something all of us can benefit from.

Even if you don't have a dedicated home office, chances are you've cribbed together a little work space somewhere in your house. After all, according to the Office of National Statistics, the number of people working from home (either all the time or hybrid working) has risen to around 44% of the UK workforce in the most recent tracked period.

The pandemic is mainly to blame, but advances in smart home technology and remote work systems have helped this shift in work patterns. If you’re working from home - either full-time or a few days a week - a few small changes to your WFH setup might make a big difference to your comfort and efficiency…

Reassess your hardware

While many remote or hybrid staff may be working off company-provided computers, if you’re buying your own accessories or have a choice of what to buy, it’s worth shopping around.

For instance, Samsung's Smart Monitor allows you to link up your tablet seamlessly to provide an extra screen on which to answer work messages via Slack or Google Chat, so you don't have to spend all your time toggling from one window to another.

Meanwhile, if work has saddled you with a dull, clackity-clack keyboard, check out Logitech’s new Pop Icon range. The compact, wireless, and stylish-looking keyboard comes with a matching mouse in a variety of colours making your desktop a little less boring.

Sort your workspace

Whether you’re at work or at home, sitting at your desk for too long just isn’t good for you. Standing desks encourage better posture, and can help reduce the chance of developing long-term issues like lower back pain.

If however, you're working off a laptop, a laptop stand is a must to keep your screen at eye level and not give you neck strain. Logitech’s Casa book features a laptop stand, wireless keyboard, touchpad and storage that you can close up like a book at the end of the day.

Get up to speed

One of the biggest issues when working from home is broadband speed. If you’re regularly uploading or downloading, streaming or using the internet, you’ll need a strong Wi-Fi signal. Even more so if your kids are draining the signal with their console or social media use. EE’s Smart Hub Plus features a special setting called Wi-Fi Enhancer which allows you to prioritse the signal to wherever you need it most.

Alternatively, boost your broadband speed by investing in a mesh network system. It will cover your home in a virtual blanket of Wi-Fi signal via several hubs, meaning you won’t get dead spots anywhere in your home.

Keep cosy and warm

While you may save on commuting costs and buying lunch when working from home, you’ll undoubtedly spend more on energy bills. Investing in a smart heating system will help you keep your bills lower than they would be if you had your heating on all day, as it will only heat the room(s) that you need to heat, and only to the temperature that you need it to be.

Stay well lit

Every work desk needs good lighting - smart lighting or otherwise - especially in the winter months when both mornings and afternoons are dark.

Lumie’s handsome Task light therapy desk lamps mimic natural daylight, ensuring your surroundings and mood are always light and bright.

Whether you're a WFH pro, or have made a resolution to better balance home and work life going forward, these little upgrades should help each day be a little more productive.

Using smart technology in our homes helps to make life easier for all of us, but with the long, dark winter nights upon us, it can play an even more important role in helping those who are sight impaired with their day-to-day activities at home. Social media executive Lisa is visually impaired. She has a condition called nystagmus, which means she can’t see well enough to drive, but she has enough useful sight that she doesn’t need to use a guide dog or a cane.

When it comes to her life at home, Lisa has a few tricks for adapting her space to suit her needs. EE’s Smart Hub Pro with Wifi 7 optimises her smart home connection, and with strong and reliable Wi-Fi she can be confident that she’s firmly in charge of her devices and networks – essential if you rely on them for everyday life.

How to use smart tech to adapt your home

Control devices with your voice

‘My routine shifts in the winter as the clocks go back and it’s darker,’ says Lisa. Like most of us, this means Lisa relies a lot more on lighting over the winter months. Smart bulbs and smart plugs are a good solution – with a good connection, they can be operated via a smart speaker like Lisa’s Google Nest or an app on a smartphone.

Pick dimmable bulbs so you can create a cosy mood when you need to relax, or turn up the brightness if you’re reading or doing a task that requires more light. Lisa has set up a welcome home smart speaker routine that turns her lights on automatically. She also opts for warmer light settings on her phone screen and lamps to create a cosier and more welcoming vibe at home in the evenings.

Make use of apps

During the day, Lisa uses magnifying apps on her Samsung smartphone. ‘I would typically use these for reading anything like messages, emails and instructions,’ says Lisa. ‘I tend to use them more later in the day when my eyes get tired and I need to see things a bit closer.’

Find new ways to relax

Lisa’s a night owl, so likes an evening in. When she finds a good audio book, that’ll often be her entertainment of choice rather than watching TV. ‘I’ll sit, relax and listen through the chapters as a different form of relaxation,’ she says. She loves a movie night, and uses Audio Description (or ‘AD’), available via her TV settings. AD delivers a verbal narration of the visual elements on screen to help people who are blind or sight impaired understand the scene and what's happening. A horror-film fan, Lisa finds that AD can really build up the tension and suspense, and recommends trying it to heighten your movie experience, even if you’re not sight impaired.

EE helps you do more with tech in your home. For more smarter ideas and inspiration, visit ee.co.uk/tech.

Once most of the the stressful build-up to the big day is over with, Christmas is a time for family, friends and relaxing. And what better way to relax than to not have to deal with time-consuming tasks like making playlists and faffing with light switches?

We’ve rounded up a list of the best festive smart home trends and tech products to add to your smart home setup, so you can make your Christmas a better and far more enjoyable one.

1. Invest in some smart festive lighting

When it comes to decorating at Christmas, you’re lost without lighting. Sling a string of fairy lights on something and you've instantly festi-fied the space.

Brands like Twinkly, Philips Hue and WiZ all have impressive ranges of decorative festive lights with a difference - from fairy lights to festoons, to reindeer and trees, as they can be controlled via an app, set to specific schedules and even sync to any music playing meaning that they’ll pulse along to the beat.

They tend to come at a premium though, so if your budget won’t stretch to new decorative smart lighting, you can still make your existing lights a smidge smarter, by plugging them into a smart plug and linking that to your smart home ecosystem, to allow you to turn them on and off just by asking your voice assistant. This also saves you from having to disappear under the tree each evening before bedtime to unplug the lights...

2. Choose a soundtrack to set the scene

Speaking of music, if you have a subscription to a music streaming service, like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Napster, Tidal, and so on, as well as smart home voice control (via a smart speaker with a built-in voice assistant), you’ll have a wide array of festive music on demand.

From background tunes to play when everyone is dining on Christmas Day to party tunes for an impromptu kitchen disco, simply ask and you shall receive.

3. Use video calls to keep in touch

These days, most people know about video calling but usually always do so via their phones. This results in bad angles, roaming fingers obstructing camera lenses or covering microphones, and generally shaky hand-held pictures.

Investing in a smart speaker with a screen (Google Nest Hub or Pixel tablet or any of the Amazon Echo Show models) or if you’re a Sky Glass owner, the Sky Live camera and you’ll be able to sit comfortably and chat to a loved one in the same room, even if they’re miles away.

4. Try smart thermostats to keep you cosy

While the chances of a White Christmas this year are low, that doesn't mean you won't need the heating on to keep you cosy indoors.

As well as being automatically responsive when you leave the house or return home - turning the heating off when you go and back on when you're back again- a smart heating system (a smart thermostat together with smart radiator valves) will switch the heating off in rooms that aren't being used, such as bedrooms during the day time.

All of this will, in turn, save you energy and therefore money off your energy bill - which certainly can't be sniffed at during the spenniest time of year.

5. Have your voice assistant at the ready

As already mentioned, voice assistants can be an enormous help at Christmas, actioning a whole host of jobs while you're multitasking with the cooking, present-wrapping, or simply just entertaining.

For instance, you can set multiple timers on your voice assistant to help you cook Christmas dinner. Just make sure you give each one a different name.

6. Download some Christmas apps

Finally, why not make the festive season run super smoothly with one of the following Christmas helpers?

• Todoist There’s a LOT of planning involved in the run-up to the big day and this app will help you get organised. This app is perfect for those with a lot on and who relish crossing stuff off a list. Free and on both Android and iOS, it helps with meal planning, shopping lists, event reminders and so on. It even has a handy daily list of Elf on the Shelf ideas if you’ve already exhausted your set-ups after the first week.
• Elfster If you are planning a Secret Santa this year, this app will make the whole process a cinch. Available on both Android and iOS devices, this free app will help you create a group and send out invites to all included. It’ll also help you all to virtually pick a name out of a hat, too. Invitees can add personalized wish lists, and buy directly through one of the app’s affiliated stores.

There’s a place for holiday tech in everyone’s getaway plans. Whether it’s the smartphone that allows you to snap pictures of your holiday or the console or tablet that keeps your kids entertained on a long journey, there are certain devices that you’ll never leave home without.

But other smart tech must-haves can enhance your trip away without dominating it. We delve into the options that can make your holiday even more smooth sailing.

Luggage must-haves

Let’s start with packing. The July Carry On suitcase features a built-in power bank so you won’t have to worry about running out of battery en route. If you’re flying, per current aviation safety rules the case can’t go in the hold.

If you’re worried about your luggage getting lost in transit, popping a GPS tracker into your suitcases before you close them will ensure you will know exactly where they are at all times. Apple’s Airtag and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag2 - both available at John Lewis will give you that extra peace of mind.

Holiday entertainment

If you're an avid reader, a Kindle Paperwhite will lighten your load considerably, while the screen clarity and pixel density make it far easier to read than its predecessors.

For those who like a little music when relaxing by the pool, a portable Bluetooth speaker is also a great addition when you’re on holiday, whether camping, self-catering or by the beach. Ultimate Ears, Sonos, Sony, Bang & Olufsen all have stylish portable models.

If you’re not too bothered about sound quality and you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful, Ikea’s Vappeby speakers come as a set of two in three colourways. Just remember to be mindful of your neighbours with your volume levels.

When it comes to those with kids, if you have ever had to endure the Fortnite soundtrack or listen to the latest Trolls movie on repeat, you’ll know that buying a good pair of headphones for your kids’ tech is essential when travelling.

Pogs Gecko wireless headphones limit the sound to 85dB - the maximum safe level for a child - and come in four colours. They also run for 12 hours on a single charge.

Keep an eye on it

Worth mentioning if you’re worried about your home when you’re away is smart security. One in five UK households have video doorbells now and if you haven’t yet taken the plunge, doing so before you leave your home for an extended period is the perfect opportunity to join the club.

As well as acting as a deterrent for would-be thieves, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your home while away, and at the very least, feel smug when you see the terrible weather back home versus your holiday sunshine.

Finally, if you're going abroad, don't forget to download the Google Translate app (free on both iOS and Android) onto your smartphone and the camera function will translate up to 33 languages in real-time.

This summer, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to what’s on the box. Whether you’re a super sports fan who’s up for everything - from Wimbledon to the Euros, the Olympics to the start of the new Formula 1 season - or you love a movie marathon and have been waiting for the new season of your favourite show to drop, there’s something for everyone.

Turn your TV time into a social event by inviting your favourite people round to share them with you. Smart tech makes hosting easy, so you can focus on the big moments, rather than stressing out. EE TV is the perfect focal point, whether what you’re watching is the main event, or you’re looking for a way to entertain the kids while you hang out with friends.

Gather for big occasions

The year’s biggest sporting events are even better shared, when you can ramp up the excitement (and tension!) levels and enjoy the highs with friends and family. ‘It’s a great summer of sport this year, and I’m really excited to have friends round so we can watch it together,’ says Ideal Home’s Editor in Chief Heather Young.‘With EE TV you’ve got access to TNT Sports, Eurosport and you can add on Sky Sports so you know you’re not going to miss a minute.’

Being a great host means creating the perfect set up, so make sure there’s lots of comfy seating and snacks on hand. Load up the coffee table with nibbles, or you could turn a sideboard into a food and drinks bar so guests can help themselves throughout the afternoon or evening. Themed decorations and a playlist full of sporting classics – guests can add their own suggestions via a smart speaker – will create a buzz, and turn it into an event to remember.

There’s nothing worse than missing a crucial moment! A video doorbell is a great way to see who’s at the door without having to leave the sofa. Make life even easier by ordering a takeaway, and you can be sure you won’t miss it when it arrives.

Host a cosy night in

Skip the cinema, and create an at-home experience with friends instead. You can enjoy the latest new releases on EE TV from the comfort of your own sofa. Load it up with plenty of cushions and throws so everyone can snuggle up, and have snacks to hand. ‘With so much choice on EE TV, I know that my guests are going to be entertained all evening,’ says Heather.

‘When I’m hosting, lighting is key, and using smart lighting really helps get it right. It’s my first port of call for creating a really nice atmosphere.’ Swap the main light for warm pools of light created by table lamps or floor lights. You can even create a specific setting on your smartphone or tablet, so all you need to do is ask your smart speaker and it’ll instantly set the mood.

Entertaining doesn’t have to be hard. With smart tech on hand to help, you can create a night to remember, for all the right reasons.

With long, warm days on the horizon (we hope), it’s time to throw open the doors and throw your own summer parties for friends and family. We’ve seen entertaining at home take off as one of the biggest trends of the year, as more and more of us swap expensive meals out for dinner parties and tablescaping on our own turf.

Find hosting stressful? It doesn’t need to be with the right set up – you can use the latest tech to make entertaining easier and more fun for both you and your guests. From the all-important pre-prep to throwing the perfect bash on the day itself, there are simple solutions that will help get the organisation nailed, and leave you free to relax and enjoy spending time with your guests, without that frazzled feeling.

How to use smart home tech to up your hosting game

EE’s Smart Hub Plus helps your whole home run smoother, both inside and out – whether you’re organising your digital calendar, setting up your smart speakers, lighting and music, or just hitting pause on the Wi-Fi on your kids’ devices at bedtime. It puts you in charge of your devices and network, and strong and reliable Wi-Fi is exactly what you need to take back control. Embrace connectivity and tech to make the most of summer entertaining and let your broadband do the hard work, so you don’t have to.

1. Prepare in advance

‘The right prep before you have people over means a lot less stress on the day,’ says Ideal Home’s Editor in Chief Heather Young, who uses a digital calendar to set reminders to ensure she’s ready in plenty of time before hosting events, large or small. Share calendar invites with family and friends before the day, too, so no-one gets double booked. Heather loves having her to-do lists (complete with tick boxes) on her smartphone, keeping any planning panic at bay.

You can also add to your digital shopping list via your smart speaker. Use it to log any store cupboard essentials and ingredients as soon as you think of them, to make sure nothing gets forgotten and book regular slots for your online grocery shopping so you’re always fully stocked, even for impromptu get-togethers.

As well as readying your home for guests, Heather makes food prep a breeze by setting timers to keep her on track. ‘On the day I set timers using my voice,’ she says. ‘It keeps my hands free while I’m in the middle of messy prep.’

2. Entertain your guests

Setting the right vibe is a must when having anyone over. Curate your perfect playlist in advance, or if you’re happy for guests to get involved, let them request songs themselves via a smart home voice assistant. With a strong internet connection you can offer visitors this virtual jukebox-style option, even when you’re outside in the garden. Plus you can control the volume of smart speakers with your voice to turn it up when your favourite tune comes on, or down if you’re worried about disturbing the neighbours later in the evening.

Lighting is another brilliant tool when it comes to creating the mood. Choose smart outdoor lights that can be controlled by your voice or smartphone, so you can switch it on as the sun goes down to keep the party going.

3. Stay connected

EE smart home security powered by Verisure comes in very useful when you’re hosting outside in the summer. With a good WiFi connection, you can answer your video doorbell from the garden via your smartphone. Check who’s at the door without having to run through the house and rest easy knowing you won’t miss the arrival of any guests.

EE helps you do so much more with tech in your home. For more smarter ideas, visit ee.co.uk/home – plus save £20 a month on new, unlimited data mobile plans, when you choose EE Broadband.

You'll have heard of a smart home, but what about smart gardens? Well, despite the many pros of having a garden, the upkeep involved in keeping it in tip-top shape can be pretty demanding.

After all, despite being an ‘additional room’ in the summertime, gardens tend to lack the creature comforts that your actual home can offer. Well, it’s not all that bad, because that’s where tech can help - nd smart robots are just the start...

Smart gardens

Just like the jobs that can be automated in a smart home, there are now devices that take on the dreary, repetitive gardening tasks to neat gadgets that help create a welcoming atmosphere, tech companies have cottoned onto the fact that there’s money to be made in making people’s outdoor lives a lot more enjoyable...

Hydration stations

When it comes to clever tech that works away in the background and you barely notice it doing so, smart watering is a brilliant example. Controlled via a companion app on your smartphone or pre-programmed to water your plants of lawn plants on cue, some of these smart irrigation systems can respond to voice control, too.

What's more, certain devices - when linked to your Wi-Fi signal - will pinpoint the weather forecast in your local area and react to it automatically, watering more if it’s going to be extra sunny, even cancelling a scheduled sprinkling if rain is due.

Robot gardeners

Much like the best robot vacuum cleaners, robot mowers will, on a schedule of your choice, make their way around your entire lawn trimming the grass and mulching the cuttings as they go. And once they’re done, they’ll quietly make their way back to their dock to charge up for their next round.

And worth a mention (though eye-wateringly priced) is the EEVE Willow. This cute, eye-blinking robot will cut your grass, identify weeds and kill them using a bio-herbicide, sweep your patio, and double as a security guard at night. It features AI capabilities, too, so it can detect different items, like objects and animals, avoiding them as it makes its way around your garden.

TOP TIP: Some smart garden gadgets require access to an outdoor tap or plug - always check first before buying.

Scene setters

Once your plants and lawn being looked are after, the next thing to consider is your outdoor entertaining space. Smart lighting is one of the easiest ways to create an atmosphere outdoors, whether you’re outside with friends or family and need some subtle lighting, if want to enjoy the view of your garden at night from inside your home, or you decide to have an impromptu garden disco.

Smart lighting can be programmed to switch on automatically at planned times of the day, then dimmed later on, and eventually switched off at a set time. It can be used to highlight certain areas of your garden, to brighten up walkways for safety, or just to add a little magic to your outdoor space.

Once you have the lighting sorted, it's time for some music. The best wireless speakers that are extra durable and waterproof will add to that atmosphere, providing a soundtrack of your choice to your garden via a music streaming platform of your choice.

Our tip 3 buys for smart gardens

Energy supplier OVO has partnered with Happy Valley's James Norton for a new Alexa Skill designed to make it easier for people to use energy and run their home appliances when the grid is greener.

OVO's new skill dubbed 'Power Nap' uses real-time data from the National Grid so that anyone who owns an Alexa smart speaker – regardless of energy supplier – can be in the know of whether it's a good, okay, or bad time to switch on electrical appliances and devices by simply asking.

We don't know about you, but this smart home trend is definitely piquing our interest, especially if it offers us the opportunity to save energy at home and lower the cost of everyday household tasks. If there's any time to consider how voice assistants can make your life easier, it's now.

OVO's new 'Power Nap' Alexa Skill

The skill was developed following new research commissioned by OVO, in which the findings highlighted a clear gap in understanding how to make greener energy decisions in the home. The research found that only 21% know that running appliances at off-peak times is a greener way to use energy.

Those who have participated in or heard about National Grid's money-off energy scheme will have heard a bit about being encouraged to try to use energy at off-peak hours in an attempt to avoid blackouts last year.

Well, this greener outlook on home energy is something that prevails regardless of season. However, making the greener energy choice is admittedly not always the easiest or most accessible choice – until the release of OVO's Power Nap skill.

OVO's Power Nap Skill aims to bridge the gap, giving simple, easy-to-action tips and advice so people can use their electrical devices and appliances when there is more renewable energy available on the grid and understand the difference it makes – all through smart home voice control.

Not only can using energy at off-peak times lower your carbon footprint, but it can also reflect in your energy bills if you're signed up for a time-of-use tariff or schemes like OVO's Power Move, which rewards customers who take part in energy-saving challenges during specific times when the grid is greener.

That's right – you can expect savings in the cost of running a washing machine or running a tumble dryer on those dreaded wash days.

Better yet, it's voiced by James Norton to make things all more novel when making this transition in your own home to be more eco-conscious.

Commenting on being the voice of OVO's Alexa Skill, James Norton says, 'Everyone wants to do their bit for the planet, but it can sometimes feel a little daunting. It's important to remember that even small changes can be impactful. OVO's Power Nap skill makes it really easy to know when the grid is greener with simple, easy-to-action tips and advice.'

'If you need to do a load of laundry, you can easily check when it’s a greener time to turn on the washing machine. If we all make some small green changes in our day-to-day lives, together we can make a big difference.'

To access the skill, all you have to say is 'Alexa, open OVO Power Nap' to your Alexa smart device. It's early days, but we already suspect it's going to be one of the best Alexa voice commands available for many.

If we can do our bit as well as save some extra change in our pockets, you can count us in.

After months of rain and darkness, Spring is the perfect time to reset your home. It’s time to throw off the heavy fabrics, and moody colours and embrace all things light, bright and airy. 

Investing in one or two pieces to refresh the look of your home is all part of the fun of welcoming spring into our homes. However, it is important to invest in pieces that will blend into your home and look amazing year after year. 

 Make small swaps 

Your first port of call before buying anything new at the start of a season is looking around your home and considering any small changes you can make. This could be hiding away a few blankets, swapping out your scatter cushions or adjusting your lighting. 

If you have a smart speaker hooked up to smart bulbs in your home you can tweak your lighting to change the ambience in your home. You can switch to a preset for spring so that the lights will come on automatically when the sun goes down later than in winter. 

 Do you research  

Once you have made these small swaps using things you already own you can start considering new investments. While it is tempting to buy a room's worth of new on-trend pieces, you will only regret it when it falls out of fashion in a couple of months. 

Instead, do your research. Work out what key pieces of homeware are worth investing in to transition your home into the new season.

One of the best places to start is to create a mood board. You can do this easily on your smartphone with the aid of digital moodboards, like Pinterest. It will allow you to pin images of rooms you like to help you identify the key elements that make up the look you’re trying to create. 

Once you have narrowed it down and settled on a key piece of furniture or a paint colour change, you can then try it out with the help of an AR app.

Many retailers including IKEA and Dulux now offer product visualisation apps on your smartphone. These apps allow you to see how a piece of furniture or paint colour will look in your home through your phone. Clever huh?

Armed with a smartphone and a good broadband connection, like with the EE Smart Hub Plus, you have everything you need to transition your home into the new season. 

Visit ee.com/home for more information on the uses of EE tech in the home. 

IKEA has released a brand new smart home product in the form of a clever wall light panel that is not only wireless but is controlled via remote or app.

To be honest, you needn’t look too much further than IKEA if you're on the hunt for almost any new smart home trend. The Swedish brand has a pretty impressive range of smart home items available, including smart home blinds and the IKEA smart home sensors that detect leaks or intruders.

To add to this growing collection they’ve just launched an LED light that sits flush to your wall and presents a seriously cool opportunity to light your home from anywhere, and in an assortment of ways.

IKEA’S new smart light panel

The JETSTRÖM LED wall light panel is designed to sit on a wall anywhere in your home, be it your bedroom, office, or living room.

The light, which retails for just £35, is designed to be used with IKEA’s smart home system, the DIRIGERA smart home app, which allows you to control the light via an app on your phone.

And when you’ve got that working, there’s plenty of fun stuff you can do with this light panel to not only create a soothing (and functional) living environment but also to entertain guests and little ones.

The JETSTRÖM, for example, can emit an array of different light options, from a brighter, cold white light that’s handy for when you’re working, completing certain tasks such as cooking, cleaning or reading, or simply when you need to properly see what you’re doing. It’s got a brightness level of 1150 lumens, so it should be just as clear as a regular table or floor lamp.

It also gives off a warmer light, designed for when you’re entertaining guests, or simply when you want to unwind at the end of a long day. 

But that’s not all. You can actually choose from an array of different coloured lights when it comes to using the JETSTRÖM too; some may prefer a super warm red, while others might like to put on an atmospheric blue when they’re watching their favourite film.

Unlike many traditional lamps, this LED panel can also be dimmed too (ideal for use in bedrooms), using either IKEA’s DIRIGERA smart home app, or your remote control, which is sold separately at IKEA. 

It can also be controlled through your voice too, via smart home technology hubs such as Amazon’s Alexa or the Google Home hub. 

If you have the remote, you can even control up to 10 smart lights sources at one time, allowing you to create an incredibly cosy ambience throughout your entire home in an instant – without needing to go around and turn every individual lamp or light on.

The JETSTRÖM light panel has a lifespan of around 25,000 hours, which means it should last you for a good few years, at least. It is however worth noting that unlike a lamp, the JETSTRÖM will need to be wired to your home - unfortunately, you can’t simply plug it in.

But if this doesn't bother you, this newly-released LED wall panel could offer you a seriously unique option for lighting your home without needing to move from your comfy spot on the sofa, or from a distance, to create the illusion that someone is home (because added home security is always helpful!)

Fundamentally, when we mention 'hands-free' or 'touchless tech', this refers to the ability to control an appliance or device without actually swiping a surface or touching buttons. 

While it’s fair to assume that the rise in this hands-free way of living might be a hangover from the pandemic and one of the latest smart home trends, this functionality has been growing and developing for many years. 

From voice assistants to sensors, and even devices that can be programmed to work autonomously, there are so many areas in the home now where you don’t have to lift a finger.

Simple orders

If you're keen to make your home a 'smarter' one, you'll know it's possible to make your life easier with voice assistants. But if you’re just using your smart speaker to set timers, check the weather, or ask trivia questions, then there’s a whole raft of functionality that you have yet to tap into. 

Doing so will involve investing in different smart home products, but the possibilities of what you can do via voice command can really expand, from controlling your lighting, smart home security system, central heating, music, vacuum cleaner, coffee machine, TV, and much more.

Smart sensors

While sensor-activated appliances are clearly beneficial for those with mobility problems, there are many reasons why this clever functionality would benefit all homes.

Public bathrooms are already full of motion sensors on flushes, taps, and hand dryers which help with hygiene and save water and energy. But for convenience, this simple tech is also available in plenty of areas in the home.

For starters, you can open the fridge door of LG’s Signature Door-in-Door fridge freezer by waving your foot in front of a sensor at the base, perfect if your hands are full.

The same goes for any number of rubbish bins, from brands like Eko and Simplehuman, with lids that open when you swipe your hand above the sensor (the latter also opening via voice control). 

Philips Hue’s Motion Sensor will trigger smart lighting to turn on automatically, ideal for nighttime trips to the loo or outdoors for added security. And just like public loos, you too can have bathroom or kitchen taps and soap dispensers with sensor activation.

Automated controls

The concept of an automated home feels strangely futuristic, but the reality is that much of this functionality is now commonplace in many homes across the UK. 

Smart lighting and smart heating thermostats can be programmed to turn on and off automatically, at different brightness and temperatures at various times of the day. Robot vacuums can be programmed to give your flooring a once over at a time of day when the house is empty so it can zoom around without distraction. 

You can program your smart home ecosystem to use the GPS on your phone so various devices, like lighting and heating, switch on when it detects that you’re close to home, and off again when you leave.

Outdoors, smart watering sprinklers and robot lawnmowers can work to set routines for watering at dusk or cutting the grass in the afternoon.

These days, if you have children, setting parental controls on your home's tech is essential. As tech becomes more commonplace in day-to-day life and smart home trends are being adopted into our homes, the issue of online safety will always be a concern.

All internet service providers (ISPs) should have parental controls built into their systems. The majority of devices and streaming services will do, too. These can be as simple as setting a password or introducing PIN protection, to a far more sophisticated variety of security features that you can control, as and when required.

Don’t know where to start or what’s available? Read on to discover the options… 

Where to find parental controls

These days, every device will have some element of parental control functionality built in. From games consoles to smartphones and tablets, every piece of tech your child has access to should have some protection added for peace of mind.

On a device like a tablet or games console, always head straight to Settings. Depending on the device, you can restrict any in-app or online purchases, set timers so your child can’t use the device 24-7, and/or put age restrictions on specific content access. 

Mobile providers will also offer filters on smartphone access, so even if they’re not home, your kids will be protected anywhere they are.

What about Wi-Fi?

Now, you can't control every piece of tech that makes it into your home and into your teenage bedroom ideas, so to ensure a broader sweep of security, you can set parental controls on your Wi-Fi access at home. 

This is best done through your ISP so that anything that is using your signal - from laptops to consoles, and any handheld devices - can be limited, filtering access to any sites with unsuitable content, or setting specific time limits.

To access these, you’ll need to either login to your account via your provider's homepage (or via the companion app), search for ‘parental controls’ and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Varying restrictions

Every ISP differs in the parental controls they offer. Most offer a variety of security that you can tailor to the children in your household. 

For instance, Virgin Media’s Child Safe function allows you to set timers and block specific websites entirely. 

Sky’s Broadband Shield can be set to different age ratings (PG, 13, or 18), as well as block sites. You can also set this to relax to 18+ in the evenings, when you know your kids are asleep in bed. 

And while EE offers a standard service with its broadband package, if you pay extra for the brand’s Smart Home Hub, you have the added flexibility of setting different levels of security for different children on specific devices. You can also pause (and unpause) their access to Wi-Fi completely whenever you choose.

Talk about it

Children are now online from a young age, so online safety is addressed in schools as part of the curriculum. 

While you may not be as computer-savvy as your kids - and let’s face it, who is? - it’s still essential to discuss the dangers and why you have decided to limit their access at home. 

Ask them what they like to do and watch online, what sites they usually visit, and how they stay safe, when accessing content and on social media. For more information or help on how to broach the subject with your children, check out the NSPCC’s advice on keeping children safe online.

For more information, Internet Matters - a not-for-profit organisation set up by the UK’s leading ISPs - offers advice to parents regarding online safety for children.

Our homes are the ultimate multi-taskers. Not only do we want them to look great but we also need them to be comfortable enough for some R&R, and durable enough to take whatever life throws at them. So while we often have aspirations for the perfect home, it can often feel like a struggle to tick all the boxes.

Luckily there are some brilliant hacks when it comes to making use of the latest tech to create your dream space. Once you’ve offloaded some of those day-to-day worries and frustrations, you’ll have way more time to enjoy your home, and the company of the people you share it with.

EE’s new Smart Hub Plus will help your whole home run smoother – whether you’re setting up apps for appliances, smart speakers, heating and lighting, or just hitting pause on the Wi-Fi on your kids’ devices at bedtime. It puts you in charge of your devices and network, and strong and reliable Wi-Fi is essential to help you take control. Get 2024 off to a winning start with broadband that’s a little smarter, and embrace the connectivity and tech that’s there to make life easier.   

1. Use tech to visualise your space

When you’re faced with decorating a blank space, being able to see its potential can be a challenge, which is where great tech comes into play – on-hand to help you at every stage. Overwhelmed when it comes to picking a paint colour? Try out different shades in your room before you reach for a paintbrush using clever software that will show you how that colour will look on your walls. 

Our Editor in Chief Heather Young used a measuring app and online design tools to help her plan her latest kitchen renovation. ‘We were struggling to work out whether we had left enough room for a dining table,’ she says. ‘Using a 3D room planning tool on our tablet really helped us to fine-tune the layout of the space. It’s so reassuring when you can see your ideas come to life in 3D form.’ 

2. Make everyday life easier

Running a busy family home is always a juggling act, and smart tech is often a lifesaver. Whether you (and the rest of the family) are adding items to the shopping list via a smart speaker, or you’re streaming a recipe on a phone or tablet so you’ve got your hands free for food prep, these simple solutions will save time and make life run that little bit smoother.

It’s all about reducing those daily stress points. Heather can control her washing machine via an app so the cycle’s finished exactly when she needs it, even if she’s running late on her commute home. Plus a smart home security system means she can check in on her house while she’s out and about, taking one more anxiety off her list for greater peace of mind.

3. Prioritise space for downtime

Our homes work hard but they should help us wind down, too. They offer a sanctuary – an escape from our busy lives – and it’s important to make sure that your space can easily switch to ‘relax and unwind’ mode. There are some great ways to create a calmer atmosphere – light a soothing scented candle, set up a cosy nest with a blanket on a comfy sofa or armchair, and dim the lights for some digital downtime. 

Or maybe you’d prefer to unroll your yoga mat and do some active stretching instead? Clever tech is on-hand to help, too. Use smart speakers to stream music or a guided meditation (or watch a yoga class on your phone or tablet), and mix in smart lighting to set a vibe that mirrors your mood. As well as finding the ideal light level, you can also change the colour of the light to create the ambience you need for your chosen activity. 

EE helps you do so much more with tech in your home. For more smarter ideas, visit ee.co.uk/home – plus save £20 a month on new, unlimited data mobile plans, when you choose EE Broadband.

While health and fitness tech is nothing new, the availability of this sophisticated technology from both worlds is now something the average person can avail of at home.

As smart home trends for 2024 go, the vast array of tech that deals with keeping fit and healthy at home is ever-increasing, giving users more control and knowledge to ensure happier and healthier lives. 

From wearables to body scanners, there are plenty of options for you to choose the type of tech that you think you will get the most out of. 

What's a wearable?

Portable tech that you wear rather than carry around in your pocket, wearables are becoming much more commonplace. This is partly because they're a lot more, well... wearable (the designs have improved considerably in recent years) and people are becoming more self-aware and wanting to know more about their health.

As well as health and activity tracking, many wearables also double up as excellent sleep tech, monitoring your sleep patterns and encouraging wellness.

While FitBits have been around for years now, the sophistication of these clever wearables offers so much more than just letting you know how many steps you've taken in a day. 

Now owned by Google, FitBit’s latest version - the Charge 6 - allows you to spot changes in your temperature, monitors your blood oxygen and stress levels, and tracks your heart and breathing rates. 

With similar functionality, Garmin’s range of round-faced smartwatches look more traditional than the modern look of a FitBit, and they offer a plethora of tracking capabilities, including heart rate, hydration and temperature levels, along with a very long battery life.

Furthermore, smartwatches like the Pixel Watch and the Apple Watch again track your activity and health readings along with the added bonus of a SIM card, which frees you from your phone.

If you’re looking for something a little less conspicuous, the Oura Ring Generation 3 (£299 at ouraring.com) looks rather like a wide wedding band that you wear on your finger. It tracks your daily activity and heart rate, sleep quality, temperature, menstrual cycles, and stress levels, flagging up any issues as and when. 

And the rest?

If wearables don't float your boat, you can still keep tabs on your health in other ways.

Withings’s Body Scan may look like a futuristic bathroom tech weighing scale with a pull-up handle. Still, this ingenious device will monitor your heart rate and vascular age, flagging up any biomarkers associated with common health conditions. 

How can I work out from home?

If there was one good thing that came from Covid’s many lockdowns, it’s the widespread availability of advanced at-home gym technology, meaning that you can work out anytime, leaving you with no excuses on skipping a trip to the gym.

This all depends on how much space in your home you’re willing to sacrifice. Those with a lot of room to spare and a lot of budget to spend can go all out. Peloton’s subscription-based exercise classes (from £12.99 per month) can revolve around the brand’s stationary bike or treadmill or remain completely kit-free. 

Peloton’s vast choice of classes ranges from yoga to cardio, spinning and running - on or off the treadmill - and all of the machines and kit are available on financing so you can spread the (quite high) cost. 

Not sure if it's worth the cost? Take up the offer of Peloton's Home Trial where you can test out a bike or treadmill with a subscription completely free of charge. If you're not convinced within the trial period of 30 days, they'll take it all away and you won't have spent a penny.

Anything suitable for smaller spaces?

Thankfully, there are plenty of options for those with less space to spare. If you have a Sky Glass TV, the brand’s Sky Live interactive camera (from £6 per month) offers at-home classes. In collaboration with fitness app Mvmnt, there are hundreds of workouts available, from strength and cardio to balance and meditation. 

Thanks to the camera’s built-in motion control, Sky Live will track your body positioning, mapping, and monitoring your form, while the Mvmnt instructor suggests ways to improve it as you go along, much like you would get in a real-life gym class.

Similarly, the Magic AI Smart Mirror (£1,399 at Magic) is a H150xW50cm body mapping wall mirror offering classes including HiiT, core, cardio, and conditioning. It needs a minimum of four feet of clearance space in front of the mirror for the tracking to work accurately.

Like it or loathe it, video calling has a place in our modern, smart home-enabled lives. Whether it's a special occasion or just keeping in touch, seeing someone when you're calling them makes it a far more personal experience, one that allows you to connect in a more meaningful way. 

Video calling is by no means a new smart home trend for 2024. We’ve all been chatting via FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, and Zoom for some years now, specifically honing our skills throughout the pandemic that even most technophobic grandparents are pretty au fait with video call etiquette. 

So what’s new? Read on to discover the new apps on the block, as well as new functionality to make your calls more enjoyable.

The most used software

Most people will be familiar with WhatsApp and while you may not use the video call function that often, it couldn’t be easier to use, via the video icon at the top of each contact or group. 

It’s also available to use on a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Just download it via Web.WhatsApp.com (you will need to link it with Whatsapp on your phone - see Linked Devices). 

FaceTime is only available between Apple devices - iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers all run the facility as standard. You can accept a FaceTime call on an Android device or a PC but only if you have been sent a link from an Apple user (to send a link, open the app, click 'Create link' at the top left of the screen and follow the instructions to send).

Other well-established names include Zoom and Skype, both of which can be used on a mobile device or a desktop.

Use your assistants

If you have a voice assistant linked to a screen - whether that's a Google Nest Hub or an Alexa Echo Show - you can video call anyone you have in your contacts list. Provided you sync your contacts to the device, you can ask your voice assistant (via the usual initial prompt of 'Hey Google' or 'Alexa') to call anyone you choose.

Google Duo - the program that runs on its Nest Hub and smartphones, is also available online, regardless of what brand computer you have, as a free alternative to Skype and Zoom (and all the rest).

New ways to call

Fancy trying out a new way of calling? There are a several new video calling services to choose from, namely Jitsi Meet and Discord. Notable differences include call lengths and functionality. 

Unlike other free video call software, Jitsi won’t end your call after a certain length of time, so you can natter away to Aunt Cathy for as long as you fancy. 

Discord, meanwhile, will allow you to video chat and screen share at the same time, perfect if you’re going through your holiday snaps with a family member or showing friends your renovation plans and moodboards.

Also worth a mention is Sky Live, the new smart camera with motion control for the Sky Glass TV. Among other things, you can use it to make video calls via Zoom. The wide-angled AI-powered camera lens will detect the people in the call and automatically pan in or out to keep everyone in the frame.

You can speak to anyone who has the Zoom app either on their phone, tablet or on a computer (or a Sky Live device). And if you're on a call but need to move to another room? Provided you have the same Zoom profile on your phone as you do on Sky Live and you're signed into both, you can easily switch from the TV screen to your phone (and visa versa) without dropping the call.

Word up

Worth a special mention is captioning - perfect for the hard of hearing. Aimed at the business market but can be used by anyone, Google Meet, Skype and Zoom all offer live subtitles while you call. As with all instant subtitling, it’s not 100% accurate but it’s super useful if you or others have difficulty following conversations on video call.

Group video calls

Want to speak to more than one person? Here's how:

• WhatsApp Make a group with all the people you want to group call. Click on the video icon to call them all. Video calls can accommodate up to seven people and up to 32 via audio call.
• FaceTime When in the app, tap the video icon, then ‘New FaceTime’. Choose your contacts (up to 32 per call). Select the video or phone icon depending on whether you want a video or audio call.
• Google Duo Tap ‘New call’ button on the bottom right, then ‘Create group’. Select your contacts, then ‘Done’. Choose the video icon to turn your camera on and start your call by tapping it again.

And above all, don't forget - if your home is looking a little messy, worry not. The majority of video call services will allow you to either choose a random background or upload a picture of your own as a backdrop. Either that or you can simply blur the room out of sight.

Convincing people to buy into smart lighting can be a bit of a hard sell. While many people can see the benefits in installing a video doorbell or a smart thermostat, on the surface smart lighting doesn't seem that transformative. If you can’t see how smart lighting could work for you, it's probably because you’re not familiar with all the ways in which it works. 

For instance, when introducing a smart home element to a property, many automatically dismiss smart lighting, presuming that it means installing either colourful or super bright lights at home. While that functionality is available with smart lighting, unless you’re a teenager, the majority of people will never really use it. 

In reality, once installed smart lighting will quickly blend into your home’s fabric, giving you full control of the lighting in every room using your smartphone, tablet or voice (via voice assistant). 

Awesome automation

Most people know by now that smart lighting can be controlled by switching lights on and off either via an app on your smartphone or by voice command when the system is linked up to a voice assistant. But that’s just its basic functionality. 

Where smart lighting really comes into its own is when it is programmed to respond and adjust to the time of day or a certain action. Most smart lighting systems can be programmed around timers or routines. 

Timers can be set to adjust the lighting at particular times of the day - say, switching your living room lighting on at 7pm and dimming slightly an hour and a half later, then switching off completely at a set bedtime.

Routines are a little more sophisticated as they respond to your actions - whether you’re coming home, leaving the house, waking up or going to bed, they’ll adjust the lighting in whatever way you want, according to your needs.

Aside from the practical benefits of never having to trot around the house, switching on a multitude of lights and lamps at various times of the day and then switching them off again, smart lighting routines also prove to be a great addition to your smart home security set up. Because lighting that regularly changes, going on and off at different times surely means that someone's home, right? 

Practical benefits

Unless you have a dimmer fitted to your standard light switches, you can’t control your lighting as quickly or as easily as you would if you had lights connected to a smart system. 

What’s more, with smart lighting you can add on a motion sensor to allow lights to turn on when you enter a room - perfect for dim lighting in a hallway or bathroom at night time. 

It’s super handy to be able to switch your lights on by voice command when you have your hands full. Plus many systems can follow the circadian rhythms of the day, e.g. turning lights on when it’s dark, and off again when it’s bright enough.

Link it up

Depending on how much other smart home tech you’ve invested in, all of your smart devices can ‘talk’ to each other and there’s strength in numbers. Sync them all together into one smart home ecosystem and your lights can pulse in your bedroom when a timer in the kitchen has alerted. 

Or if you want to keep noise to a minimum, you can make your lights flash when someone has rung the video doorbell. Link them to a smart thermostat and your lights can dim in the evening when your heating goes on. The options are almost endless, all you need is a little imagination.

What is smart lighting?

At its core, the best smart lighting is just a special lightbulb with built-in software. This can connect to and control from a smartphone or voice assistant.

'Conventional light bulbs work by flipping a switch on and off,' explains Giuliano Ghidini, UK&I Consumer Commercial Leader at Signify. 'Sometimes they are hardwired into a dimmer switch, allowing you to dim or brighten the lights. However, this is generally the extent of the functionality of traditional home lighting.'

'Smart lighting on the other hand,' continues Giuliano, 'gives you far more control over your lights. They are still connected to your home's mains power, but each smart bulb and LED-integrated fixture allows you to control it wirelessly with your phone, tablet or smart assistant, such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Apple Home.'

Smart lighting is connected in a variety of ways. While some are connected directly via Bluetooth, other smart lighting systems require something called a bridge. This is basically a separate, central hub from which you link lots of lights or bulbs together via Wi-Fi. This in turn is connected to your smart home system.

'There are simply different ways of connecting your bulbs,' explains Giuliano. 'Philips Hue uses a protocol called Zigbee that connects with the Hue bridge. Zigbee bulbs work on a mesh network principle, with each product acting as a repeater. The more products you have connected, the stronger the signal will be.'

'With Hue specifically, all new products are both Bluetooth and Bridge compatible – the only differences are the amount of accessories you can have on your system (50 lights and no accessories for Bluetooth, 50 lights and up to 12 accessories for Hue per Bridge), the use of different rooms and the use of additional features such as automation and routines.'

'Meanwhile,' adds Giuliano, 'Philips Smart LED bulbs with WiZ Connected work over WiFi. They have a Bluetooth functionality to ensure a seamless pairing with the app at the time of installation. No bridge is required for our Philips Smart LED range, and the WiZ platform can support up to 200 smart light points in a home.'

What are the benefits of smart lighting?

A smart light can produce a vast amount of colours (literally, millions). But smart lighting doesn’t stop there. It gives you the option of instantly adjusting the brightness of your living room, bedroom or kitchen lighting, as well as choosing from the specific warmth of the light.

It’s super convenient too if you have a wide array of lights set up in a room. Instead of having to switch on every single light source in your home each evening, you can program all of your living room lighting ideas to turn on automatically in a single action.

There’s also the option of scheduling them with specific routines. For example, you can set them to dim gradually as you drift off to sleep and build up in brightness to wake you up gently each morning.

The majority of smart lights are LED, too, which uses a lot less energy and lasts a whole lot longer than traditional lightbulbs. 'Smart LED bulbs last much longer and generate less heat than incandescent or CFL light bulbs, thus using less energy,' explains Giuliano.

'LED lighting saves up to 90% energy compared to a traditional bulb,' he continues. 'When coupled with controls, lighting can be used as per need. For example, if there is no movement detected by the motion sensor, the lights can be programmed to switch off automatically. With this, users can save money on energy bills, depending on use.'

What types of smart lighting are there?

You can invest in a single lightbulb, or branch out into a whole load of smart lighting devices. Philips Hue, the first and arguably most established smart lighting brand in the world, has a wide range of smart lighting for the home. These range from from bulbs and pendants to lamps and outdoor lights. They can be paired with special wireless motion sensors so that the light switches on when any movement is detected.

'You can install smart accessories like dimmer switches to control your lights, suggest Giuliano. 'You can also link specific smart lights, like Philips Hue or Philips Smart LED with WiZ Connected, to partners like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home Kit through Bluetooth.'

Smart strip lighting (try Innr or WiZ) is great for lighting architectural details and backlighting shelving, or even zhushing up a teen’s bedroom. Nanoleaf goes the decorative route with its art-inspired smart lighting. Wall-hung panels join together to create a striking focal point that is completely controlled via your smartphone.

Gardens can be lit with a whole host of outdoor lighting ideas, weatherproof smart lights. Choose from uplights and lanterns to handsome exterior wall lights. Come Christmas time, Twinkly’s ingenious smart tree lights come in many shapes and sizes. They can even pulse to the beat of any music playing.

How difficult is it to set up smart lighting?

It's a pretty straightforward process provided you follow the instructions. As Giuliano explains: 'Smart lights replace your existing incandescent bulbs. They eliminate the need to rewire your home or hire an electrician to get things going. Simply screw the bulbs into your existing light fittings and connect to WiFi or Bluetooth. Next, install a Hub or Bridge by plugging it into your WiFi router (if required), download the smart app, and enjoy!'

Investing in a new lock is possibly the most important new decision you can make for your home, and truthfully, I had no intention of entrusting my home security to an app or keypad until I went to the launch event of the Ultion Nuki, which is a new development in the era of smart home security.

Slick and user-friendly from the inside, it's incredibly discreet to passers-by. I threw just about every excuse to not trust a smart lock at the (very patient) reps from Ultion, so any hesitation you may be feeling about switching to a smart lock - trust me, I felt the same way. 

The Ultion Nuki is compatible with the majority of UK doors, and although Ultion sent a professional to install mine, you don't need this. Installation takes about 20 minutes, and while the kit comes with an internal door handle, you don't need to use this if (like me) you've got an outdated front door with a latch instead of a handle. The main downside is that it's one of the most expensive smart locks on the market, but a lock isn't something to cheap out on, so you may not see this as a problem. 

If you are someone who has a regular dog walker or cleaner, you can also set time-limited codes as opposed to giving out spare keys. With the ability to control the lock remotely and monitor my door's activity from the NUKI app, I've now got a lot more trust in my home's security.

Ultion Nuki smart lock review

Specifications

• Dimensions: 110 x 60 x 60 mm
• Weight: 580 g
• Power supply: 4 x AA (rechargeable) 
• Power lifespan: 4 months or more
• Connection: Bluetooth, as well as smart home compatibility
• App compatibility: iOS, Android, Huawei AppGallery
• Colours: black/stainless steel
• Price: Starts at £259

How I tested

Unboxing and first impressions

As I mentioned, Ultion very kindly sent someone to install the smart lock for me. This also allowed me to interrogate the locksmith about how the lock works, as well as the specifics of the Ultion Nuki Plus. As my door has no handle, I have to unlock the door from the inside by either pressing the button at the centre of the fob or twisting the outer circle to manually unlock. The kit I was sent does come with a handle though, so it's compatible with a lot of different types of doors. 

In terms of looks, the lock is high-tech and modern without feeling overly complicated. It comes in black and white, with a stainless steel exterior. I opted for white. It does protrude from the inside of the door quite significantly, which means it bumps against my interior wall when I throw the door open. If you have the handle though, this won't be a problem. 

Although it's high-tech from the inside, the exterior of my door is unassuming as ever. This was definitely my preference, because I was worried that an expensive-looking lock might draw attention from passers-by and potential intruders. It also makes the key a suitable addition to listed or rented properties. There's more to like than just the smart features with this lock, though. I was also chuffed to be installing a 3-star PLUS Ultion lock which has the highest AV security rating.  As the locksmith rather convincingly said to me, it's better to know that your door is as safe as possible from intrusions than simply opt for a camera doorbell, which gives you a little heads-up when someone does successfully intrude. 

Set up and app controls

A big part of the setup is pairing your lock with the Nuki app. The app is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi operated, and you can set it up to automatically unlock when you walk towards your door or simply swipe from the homepage of the app to lock and unlock manually. When you enable location services on your app, you can also receive notifications if you forget to lock your door, although I set mine up to automatically re-lock itself 30 seconds after I've unlocked it. 

Another element of the app is that you can access an activity log to see when your door has been locked and unlocked, which is particularly useful if you add temporary users onto your keypad and want to monitor them. 

I have an Alexa smart speaker in my kitchen, so when I heard you could set your Amazon speakers up to unlock your door on voice command, I was a bit concerned that this could pose a security risk. I had images of someone shouting "Alexa, unlock my door" through the letterbox. In reality, you set a secure passcode that you use to access this function every time you use Alexa, so unless people overhear you shouting this code at your speaker in the flat next door, it's a secure system. With that being said, I don't use this function that much because it's so easy to use the one-touch button to automatically unlock your door. 

Performance

So, alongside my new set of (much sturdier) keys for my front door, I was left with four new ways of entry after installation. The one I use more than any other is my app, because my phone battery runs quite low when I leave location services on. My partner, on the other hand, almost never has to reach for the app. He makes good use of the auto unlock function, which detects when you're approaching your front door and unlocks it in time for you to enter. Ideal for when he's carrying groceries or his phone is buried in a pocket somewhere. 

Auto unlock only works when it identifies you've left the vicinity of your front door and approached it once more, so once you're in your house the door will stay locked until you leave again. Once we're both home from work, we're reliably in bed by 10.30 pm, so we enabled Night Mode between 11 pm and 6 am to double lock our door when we're away and set the lock to power-saving mode. 

The lock is quite noisy, which I think has pros and cons. My flat is small, so I can hear it from my bed. This means I have the comfort of knowing that if anyone was to somehow force entry, I'd be able to hear it. I can also hear when my partner is approaching the front door and rush to help him if he has groceries to unload. The automatic re-locking is reliable, but it gives some peace of mind that I can hear it happening. If you've got anxious pets who will bark at a mechanical whirring noise at the front door, I would expect that it would be a little annoying. And if you live in a house with a lot of people coming and going, you could well be hearing said whirring repeatedly throughout the day. I personally have no issue with the noise, but it could be a concern for some. 

Battery life

One of the main concerns I had when setting up that app was the battery life, but it took over three months for the app to even prompt me to recharge. When the battery was down to 20%, the lock automatically flashed red to remind me to power up the battery pack once more. Doing this took a couple of hours, so I just put it on to recharge while working from home and was ready to re-install the battery pack when the time came to leave the house.

Our area has experienced a frankly bizarre number of power cuts since we moved here, and the lock is thankfully unaffected by this. If you depend on smart home capabilities to make use of your lock, this will be impacted, but the rest of your options depend on Bluetooth. Failing this, you can always go old school and use an actual key.

Verdict

If you were walking through my estate, you'd never have known I invested in a smart lock. From the inside though, my home is smart-enabled and more secure than it was a year ago. I have three complaints with the Ultion Nuki Plus. The first is aesthetic. Its profile on the inside of my door is a little bulky, and when the door is thrown open a little too hard it bangs into my interior wall. I have quite an old-fashioned door though, which means I don't have a handle to prevent this from happening. It likely won't be an issue for most people.

On the opposite side of the scale, the noise created by this lock is higher than many would like. Personally, I find it reassuring that I can hear when my door is opened and closed, but if you have pets or simply would find the noise disturbing, it's something to keep in mind. 

Finally, the price is a little steep, starting at £259 for the entry-level Ultion Nuki without Wi-Fi and £379 for the Ultion Nuki Plus. On top of this, adding on the key fob and fingerprint keypad will cost as much as £425 all-in. This won't be necessary for everyone, but if your reason for investing in a smart lock is because you want to grant remote access to a cleaner or caregiver, it would be a shame not to get the extra £200 of functionality your lock is capable of. 

Aside from the noise and internal size being two small downsides, and the cost being a limiting factor for some people, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Ultion Nuki Plus after a prolonged period of testing it in my own home. The 3-star plus Ultion cylinder gives it the best bones in the business, and a pairing with the high-tech Nuki system makes it a seamless and secure experience that places user-friendly design at its core. If you're a smart lock sceptic, I have a feeling this lock could convert you. 

They can be described a few ways - smart, AI, virtual or voice assistants - or perhaps you might know them simply by their popular name, like Siri or Alexa. But if you own a device with a built-in voice assistant, the chances are you’re barely scraping the surface of its capabilities. 

The beating heart of a smart home, their most popular uses include asking for the local weather, setting timers or alarms and playing music. But the thing is, a smart assistant has a huge variety of uses, making daily tasks quicker and helping you become more organised at home. 

What are voice assistants?

In a nutshell, a smart or virtual assistant is an AI programme integrated into a device that is designed to perform tasks or answer questions. 

It could be built into a smart speaker or hub, a kettle, a voice-activated coffee machine, a smartphone, tablet, TV and so on. There are numerous assistants available but the three that dominate the market are Amazon's Alexa, Google's Assistant and Apple's Siri.

They’re controlled by your voice and are usually alerted by their specific ‘wake’ words, e.g. ‘OK (or Hey) Google’, ‘Alexa’ or ‘Hey Siri’. Order it to do a task or ask it a question and it will reciprocate.

What can they 'control'?

Aside from the most popular tasks listed above, a smart assistant’s capacity can be quite extensive when integrated with a variety of smart home devices. 

Link it to smart lighting and you can ask the assistant to switch your lights on and off, and dim or brighten them whenever you choose. 

Pair your assistant with a smart thermostat and you can ask it to turn your heating on and off on cue, reduce the temperature by a few degrees, or isolate the heating in a certain room, turning it on off or up or down a few degrees if you have additional smart radiator valves. 

You can ask it to show you the view of your front door on your TV screen via a video doorbell or similarly that of a security camera if you have a smart home security system set up. 

Electrical items that have been plugged into a smart plug can also be activated or switched off by asking. These can all be set on timers (also called routines or automations) which can be adjusted, as and when you choose simply by asking.

What else can they do?

You can ask it to start a shopping list, place an order for something online, put a reminder in your diary, call someone or create and send a text message… the practical options are pretty extensive once you start experimenting. 

You can use it as a search engine - as well as replying to any general questions you may have, a voice assistant can also produce visual answers for an online search when linked to a screen. 

Google Assistant can be a virtual language interpreter, providing spoken (and - if using on a hub - on screen, written) translations into numerous languages.

Some assistants have collaborated with other companies to offer more specialised content. For example, Amazon’s Alexa can give you NHS-accredited health information by voice search.

What's the best way to ask?

While voice assistants are undoubtedly clever, they are sticklers for specificity - so if you don’t ask for something in the right way, it may get confused. 

For instance, if you want help with translating something in Italian on your Google device, you need to ask ‘Hey Google, be my Italian interpreter’. 

The best way to find out exactly what you can do and how to do it is via each brand’s ‘help’ pages. The Google assistant FAQ page will explain how and what it is capable of, while Amazon's Alexa advice page details what 'she' can do for you at home, from helping your kids' with their homework to ordering items on Amazon, quickly and easily. Apple's Siri help page will explain how to use Siri on any Apple device and more.

Did you get Amazon’s voice AI service under the Christmas tree? Or did you finally treat yourself to it? Either way, getting used to Alexa can be quite the adjustment, which includes knowing what exactly Alexa can do. Which is why we compiled a list of the best Alexa voice commands for you.

Amazon’s Alexa is one of the most popular smart home ideas and it’s great for controlling your home handsfree with nothing other than your voice. But knowing precisely how to use your voice is crucial to a successful cohabitation with Alexa.

So without further ado, this is Alexa’s smart home voice control explained. While some are essential, some are less known, others will just amuse. And that’s fine.

Best Amazon Alexa voice commands

In order to get hold of Alexa, you must purchase an Amazon Echo device, which there are many of. People often use the terms Alexa and Echo interchangeably but the main difference between the two is that Alexa is the AI voice service, while Amazon Echo is the physical product itself.

Some of our favourite Amazon Echo products:

Once you get your Echo product set up, simply say ‘Alexa’ to wake up your device. And from there, you can say any of the below.

Alexa, what can you do?

Firstly, if you’re feeling completely lost, you can always ask Alexa herself what she can do and help you with. This voice command comes highly recommended for beginners by Amazon itself.

Alexa, stop

Unlike most people, Alexa doesn’t particularly mind if you’re being rude and tell her to ‘stop’. 

‘Useful when the smart speaker is going on too long or starts replying to an accidental command,’ says Hamish Hector, staff writer at TechRadar.

Alexa, how do I spell…

Alexa is a fountain of knowledge and you can ask her anything from how to spell words to mathematical constants.

‘You can ask Alexa to help you spell odd words, or define them. You can also just ask it for interesting facts or what Pi is and it will go for a while before giving up, I think about 40 digits or so,’ Hamish explains.

Alexa, ping my phone

‘One of the best things about the Apple ecosystem is the ability to ping your iPhone using “Find My” from another Apple device, allowing you to echo-locate your phone when you've misplaced it around the house (invariably, mine is always somewhere within the depths of my sofa),’ says Peter Wolinski, how to and cameras editor at Tom's Guide. 

‘But this relies on you having another Apple device at hand, which isn't always the case. Aside from timers, my most-used Alexa command is "Alexa, ping my phone", which essentially just calls the phone number associated with your Alexa account. It isn't perfect — if your phone is on silent, for example, you may not hear it — but it still gives me another way to track down my iPhone when I don't have my Apple Watch or iPad at hand.’

Alexa, turn on/off the lights

You can utilise Alexa to create a larger smart home ecosystem within your house where multiple smart devices are connected, making your life easier.

‘If you have more smart home gadgets like smart bulbs you can connect them to Alexa to control them,’ Hamish says.

Alexa, play tic-tac-toe

If you’re bored and home alone, Alexa is always willing to play a game with you.

‘You can play games with Alexa, including rock, paper, scissors; tic-tac-toe; and black jack among many others,’ Hamish notes.

Alexa, change your wake word

In case you’re not particularly fond of the name Alexa or grow tired of it, there is an option to change it.

‘You can change the name your Alexa responds to, with the other options being Amazon, Computer, Echo, and Ziggy,’ Hamish reveals.

Alexa, self-destruct

Amazon clearly has a sense of humour as Alexa features several amusing commands that not many know about. Self-destruction is one of them. But don’t worry, there will be no explosions or any other forms of destruction happening.

‘Alexa has a lot of hidden joke commands, but my favourite is asking it to self-destruct. Alexa does some amusing voice lines (like starting a countdown) but nothing happens to the device,’ Hamish explains. ‘You can also get it to talk like Yoda, make Pikachu noises, and go "Super Alexa mode" if you know the classic Konami code.’

If you know, you know.

Many of the Ideal Home team wear many hats, our Ideal Home Editor in Chief Heather Young is a perfect example of this. An Editor, DIY attempt-er and Mum she finds herself lots spinning lots of plates, with keeping her house and family safe a worry that’s always on her mind. 

She can’t be super-mum everywhere at one, watching what’s going on in the house, whilst navigating work meetings. Or can she? After testing out EE’s smart home security system, Heather found that looking out for home, kids and dog Lyra has become so much easier. 

Simplifying smart home security 

Setting up a full smart home security can feel quite overwhelming for many people. Even our Editor admits she doesn’t always feel up to speed with the latest smart tech.

‘I'm reasonably tech-savvy but I find a lot of smart tech confusing, and connecting it all up together seems scarily complicated,’ admits Heather.  ‘But “EE Smart Home Security, powered by Verisure” does sound pretty cool.’

EE smart home security has simplified the whole process of choosing everything you need to protect your home. It offers four different packages, all with 24/7 monitoring, ranging from the essentials that includes everything you need to start off your smart home security set up to the full-works which includes external cameras and a video doorbells.

Setting up a smart home security system for the first time 

To see how easy the EE smart home security system is, Ideal Home Editor in Chief, Heather tried using EE’s security products all in one place a few weeks ago.

‘There’s products I’ve definitely heard of – the Arlo doorbell from Verisure,’ she says. ‘ I hadn’t even thought about a monitored Smoke Detector that can alert emergency services as soon as it detects a fire – which makes more sense than my old smoke alarm.’

You can choose the package that’s right for you. Heather opted for the Full Works that includes spotlights, shock sensors and night vision video. That way she can keep an eye on the house  (and the dog)  through an app on her phone whether she is out at work or visiting friends and family. 

IKEA may be best known for their flat-pack furniture and delicious meatballs, but in the new year, the Swedish brand will be launching into home security and maintenance via their soon-to-be-released smart sensors.

They might not be the first retailer that springs to mind when it comes to smart technology, but IKEA have been branching out into the world of smart tech in recent years – for example, via their smart home hub, and even things like smart blinds.

Now, shoppers will soon be able to look forward to their smart home sensors, designed to detect intruders and to prevent damage to the home. Here's everything you need to know about them...

IKEA's new smart sensors

In a couple of months, IKEA will be adding three new products to their smart home range; the PARASOLL, VALLHORN and BADRING smart sensors.

Both PARASOLL and VALLHORN are designed to add an extra layer of security to your home, acting as motion sensors to easily alert you to any unwanted attention your property may receive.

The VALLHORN is essentially a wireless motion sensor that is designed to capture any movement, and can be placed either indoors or outdoors depending on your needs. But don't panic; you won't hear a piercing or disruptive sound if motion is detected. Instead, it will emit an alert light beam, which can be customised for both colour and intensity.

This may be a handy deterrent for front or back gardens, or even within your home if you are going to be away from the property for a couple of hours, days or weeks. 

The PARASOLL smart sensor is also a motion detector, but is designed for mounting onto doors and windows, in order to deter intruders from entering. If either of these areas are breached, you'll receive a notification altering you.

You can pair up these new smart sensors to IKEA's smart home hub DIRIGERA for a fully integrated system, or you can set the alert to come up on another device instead, be it your mobile phone or iPad, for example.

Finally, IKEA will also soon release the BADRING, which is different to the other smart sensors, in that it is designed to sense leaks. The device should be placed near areas where water might leak, such as under sinks, near pipes, close to kitchen appliances such as dishwasher or washing machines, or in basements.

If it does in fact detect a water leak, it is designed to emit an alarm sound, and will also notify you, either via your smart phone or the DIRIGERA home hub.

When it comes to the design of the sensors, we were pleasantly surprised to see that they are discreet, sleek, and dare we say it, stylish (for home sensors, anyway). They're pretty inconspicuous so shouldn't be noticed by yourself, guests or, thankfully, intruders, and come in a simple white colour to allow them to blend seamlessly into your home.

It's not yet clear how the VALLHORN, PARASOLL, or the BADRING will stick to vertical surfaces, but we'd imagine there to be something like a sticky back that will secure them into place.

Both the PARASOLL and the VALLHORN are set to be launched in January 2024, though the BADRING's release is delayed a little further, until April 2024 – so sadly there's a little longer to wait for your water sensor needs.

IKEA haven't yet confirmed UK pricing for the smart sensors either, but if the US pricing of $10 each is anything to go by, there are set to be incredibly affordable, and likely available for under £10.

As soon as we have more information available about these new smart sensors, we'll let you know right here.

We know the first thing going in our basket come January/April next year!

Home security is important all year round, whether you’re off on a blissful summer holiday, or away from home a lot over Christmas, visiting friends and family. And if those dark, winter nights make you crave peace of mind, you’re not alone. Thankfully, with today’s tech it’s a lot easier to get the right level of protection for your home in no time at all.

Over the last few years there has been an explosion in smart home security measures – and it’s easy to see why. Traditional wired alarm systems can be complicated to install – but with smart home security, you can use your home Wi-Fi to connect devices like video doorbells, cameras and shock sensors for ultimate peace of mind, and without the hassle.

So how do you find the system that’s right for you – whether you live in a flat or a house – and get it all installed and armed quickly and easily? 

How to get started

EE smart home security powered by Verisure offers a flexible range of smart home security packages – so not only can you choose the devices that best suit your home, but they’ll install your devices professionally too, taking away the effort of connecting everything up yourself.

When looking for the right tech, you should first consider what you want protected. It could be that you are looking to secure outdoor areas like bicycle storage or sheds, or perhaps weak spots like older doors and windows. You could also think about how much time you spend away from home – and whether you’d be able to respond quickly in an emergency.

The good news is, because of the choice of tech on the market, making these decisions has become a lot easier. For example, the essentials package from EE includes shock sensors and an internal camera, all linked to a main hub that connects to your Wi-Fi (and is backed up by 4G or 5G). Alerts are sent to your phone, as well as the Alarm Receiving Centre, which is professionally monitored 24/7.

Do more for your home

If you want to go even further to protect your home, you can also choose a package that includes a video doorbell – one of the most popular pieces of smart home security out there. The Arlo video doorbell is fully wireless and provides a 180-degree viewing angle – a great way to see what parcels are turning up each day. And because you want to protect what you love, there are even bundles that include outdoor cameras, as well as smoke detectors – so you’re covered from all angles.  

Security with a difference 

One of the big reasons for the rise of smart home security is how it works around you. So whether you want to keep an eye on your pets, protect the most vulnerable entry points to your home, or just have an alarm system that’s simple to maintain, there’s always a plan that’s right for you.

The growth of online shopping and home delivery services has made snooping on our own front steps a truly modern pastime – even when you’re in, but just too busy (or lazy) to go and answer the door in person. And because we’re increasingly using smartphone apps to manage different aspects of our homes – from living room speakers to heating controls – it makes perfect sense to monitor your home in confidence from a device that’s always to hand.

Tech you can trust 

When you are looking after your wallet, it’s important to find the tech that offers the best value. And with EE’s trusted partner Verisure you get just that. 

Unlike going the DIY route, if your alarm is triggered, Verisure will review the situation with an emergency response time of 60 seconds. So you won’t have to call the police in the event of a break in – whether you’re at home or hundreds of miles away, without a mobile phone signal. If you’d like the added security that a professional service is looking out for your home 24/7, it is worth going for.

To get peace of mind 24/7 from EE and its trusted partner Verisure, from £25 a month, visit ee.co.uk/security

Whether you’re going on holiday, travelling for work, or simply heading out on the school run, you can utilise smart security to protect your family and your home. But what is smart security? And how does it differ from traditional burglar alarms and CCTV cameras?

Of course, you don’t have to look too hard to find the best video doorbells and the best wireless security cameras. Big brands such as Ring, Yale, Eufy, and Nest all offer a wealth of smart security options for your home's interior and exterior, but there’s no doubt about the fact that all of these offerings can be overwhelming.

To clarify things, we’ve put together the ultimate guide on smart security, including what smart security is, the various devices to choose from, the features to look out for, and how much smart security will set you back.

What is smart security?

'With smartphone functionality, smart security gadgets offer complete freedom to monitor, control and capture live footage of inside and outside of your home wherever, whenever,’ explains Kevin Spencer, Product Manager at Yale UK. ‘In short, smart security products have all the benefits of traditional security systems, alongside the benefit of convenience and peace of mind.'

But how does smart security work, really? Well, it’s typically a set of internet-connected security cameras, motion sensors, door locks, window/door sensors and even sirens that connect wirelessly together.

The majority of systems are driven by a ‘hub’, which is usually a small, nondescript box connected directly to your broadband router. The hub sends information wirelessly from each element of the system to and from your smartphone.

Once all are connected, you will receive an alert on your phone if someone opens a window or door or walks past a sensor. If they stray into the camera's field of vision, you'll receive either a picture or a short video clip.

Some systems can then sound an alarm or contact the emergency services, and most also enable you to talk through the camera. The latter is ideal if you say ‘hi’ to the kids who’ve just returned from school or shout at the dog to get off the sofa.

After all, smart home security doesn't just have to be about keeping potential burglars away. Sachin Surti, Hardware and Fixings Buyer at Homebase, says, ‘Smart security is the ability to have complete and instant control over your home and property by being able to fully customise and monitor your systems and preferences at a moment’s notice.

'This gives the homeowner full authority of the activity inside and outside the home.’ And for some people, this is enough to prove that home security systems are worth it.

And with today’s innovations in smart security, key fobs, smartphone GPS, and even facial recognition software can help keep an eye on the kids or an elderly relative, letting you know when they get home safely or if they leave the house unexpectedly.

This differs from traditional burglar alarms and CCTV cameras, as this gives you the option to monitor and control your home security wherever you are in the world. And it’s this smart technology that makes it such a popular choice for the modern-day homeowner.

The best smart security devices

One of the biggest advantages of smart security is that you can either choose to buy it in a pack (to secure both the inside and outside of your home) or buy the products separately. And there are many options to choose from:

• Cameras: All systems will include cameras. Ideally, a combination of indoor and outdoor ones works best. These cameras offer coverage of the garden and living space and are a visual deterrent. Look for models with multiple sensors - motion and heat, for instance - that help reduce the number of false alerts.
• Motion detectors: If you don’t want a camera in every room, motion detectors (at least in the hallways) can do the job almost as well, sending alerts and setting off an alarm when triggered. Built-in sirens are often a given on whole-home systems, but these are often also available on indoor and outdoor cameras.
• Video doorbells: If you're not sure which device to start your smart security set up with, probably the easiest and most practical is a video doorbell. Having the freedom to answer your door and see and speak to callers via your smartphone is a huge bonus when you’re not home.
• Wired or wireless: You can also choose between wired and wireless devices. Wireless devices are great because you won’t need to worry about recharging a battery, while battery-powered versions are ideal for renters who might wish to take their tech with them when they move on.

The best smart security features to look out for

• Smart AI: Sachin says, ‘Camera systems now come with smart artificial intelligence powered detections to distinguish between human, vehicle, and pets’ presence within your camera's view to provide top level accuracy.’
• Built-in floodlights: Some smart security cameras have built-in security floodlights that switch on when the motion sensors are activated, deterring intruders and alerting you to their presence. However, this can also be pretty handy for general day-to-day life.
• Sirens: The more expansive systems can trigger a loud siren if they detect someone trying to break in. Others can even call the police on your behalf, which is a great feature if you’re away from home or on holiday.
• Lens covers: Many of the latest models now come with lens covers, too. This offers you added privacy, so you can block the camera without having to turn it off completely. This can also make it look less conspicuous, too.
• Lighting compatibility: Relatively new to the home security system market is Philips Hue. While they have dominated the smart lighting market for years, the brand has expanded to include smart security cameras too so you can link your lighting and cameras together and control them from one system.
• Recording: ‘Many cameras allow 24/7 continuous recording, so you can record all day and night and ensure you don't miss any important footage,’ explains Sachin. However, some smart security companies save the best features - like recording - for those who sign up for a subscription. So, you may have to pay more for this.

How much smart security costs

For around £200, you can buy a basic smart security system with a camera, hub and maybe a door/window sensor. But if you need to cover your whole house, you'll need multiple sensors and cameras. These cost from around £30 each, with cameras at around £150. Just make sure you don't forget to incorporate how much electricity a home security system uses, too.

It’s also best to stick to the same brand for a whole home system, so if you already own a Nest doorbell or a Ring camera, choose a similarly branded security system for ease of use. Linking your security devices up to a smart home network means you can then control them all via your smart speaker.

Google Nest and the Amazon-owned Ring products are obvious choices, but most devices will be able to connect to Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant.

As a general guide, you should expect to pay between £350 and £500 for a whole home system covering a three-bedroom house. Always make sure you check the fine print before buying a smart home security system, though, as some companies require a subscription to take advantage of certain features.

So, decide what you need your smart home security for before weighing up the pros and cons of subscription-based smart security. In many cases, a one-off purchase should be enough to protect the inside and outside of your home.

FAQs

Are smart home security systems worth it?

In a world full of smartphones and apps, smart home security systems are definitely worth it. They allow you to control your whole house - and protect your family and your belongings - from a single device, even when you’re not at home.

Not only that, but smart home security systems are much more affordable and way more efficient than old-school burglar alarms and CCTV cameras. The advanced technology means that your house will be safer than ever, and can offer you peace of mind when you go on holiday.

Sachin Surti from Homebase echoes this, saying, ‘Home security systems are a great investment for your home, not only to offer specific and varying levels of protection and security to your home, but for peace of mind. Smart systems and security are a great way to deter thieves and keep your valuables protected, as well as being simple to use at the touch of a button.’

Is smart home security safe?

As with all technology, there are privacy concerns regarding smart security as there’s always the chance that the system could be hacked. However, this is extremely rare, and something that happens once in a blue moon.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep your smart security safe:

• Protect your Wi-Fi network.
• Keep your smart security system and your phone updated regularly.
• Use two-factor identification where possible.
• Delete unnecessary information or footage.
• Use unique passwords.

So, will you be using smart security to protect your home and family?

You may have heard the words 'Sky Live' mentioned on the TV. You may already be a Sky subscriber and received emails or details through the post about it. But what exactly is Sky Live? And how can it make your home a smart home?

In a nutshell, Sky Live is the brand's latest gadget, exclusive to its award winning Sky Glass TV. It's an interactive camera with motion control, all housed inside a small box, measuring around H3xW14xD4cm in size and designed to sit on the top of a Sky Glass. 

It doesn't look too dissimilar to the (now discontinued) Facebook Portal and shares some of its functionality, but Sky has added extra functionality and as it it pairs with with the brand's TV, it is much easier to control.

Inside this compact package, the Sky Live houses a lot of clever tech. The 4K 12MP camera has an extra wide field of view. It features a built-in microphone with noise cancellation and an ambient light sensor so it automatically dims the screen to match the light in the room.

Sky Live has four main functions, and all are controlled either via remote or voice control on a Sky Glass.

Sky Live - what does it do?

1. Video call

While the mere mention of Zoom parties may make most shudder with memories of being crowded around a laptop during lockdown, there's still plenty of value in speaking to people face-to-face, even virtually. 

These days we tend to do most of our social video calling using our smartphones or tablets. Video calling on a smartphone is never a great experience - the camera always seems to capture you at an unflattering angle, and the tendency for someone (invariably the very young or old) putting their fingers on the microphone and having muffled conversations is just far too common.

Tablets are less complicated but conversations can become discombobulating if the person you're speaking to moves their tablet around, or worse still, moves from room-to-room.

Video calling via Sky Live ensures your hands are freed up from holding a screen when on a video call. What's more, the clever wide-angled AI-powered camera lens will also detect the people in the call and automatically zoom in or pan out to keep everyone in the frame.

You can speak to anyone who has the Zoom app either on their phone, tablet or on a computer (or indeed, anyone else with a Sky Live). And if you're on a call but need to move to another room? Provided you have have the same Zoom profile on your phone as you do on Sky Live and you're signed into both, you can easily switch from the TV screen to your phone (and visa versa) without dropping the call.

2. Watch together

Ever heard of 'Event TV'? The term applies to those best TV shows that are hotly anticipated, the big ticket football matches or cultural 'live on TV' events that you know you simply can't miss. Now, with Sky Live you can share the experience of watching these events together with friends or family, even if they live miles away.

Called a 'Watch Party', you and up to 12 other Sky households can watch anything you like on the TV at exactly the same time with no delay or lag. Alongside the screen you will all see smaller squares showing everyone else on the call and you can all hear each other's reactions (though these can be muted if you'd rather focus on the action on the TV). 

The caveat again here is that you can only do this with existing Sky customers who own a Sky Glass and Sky Live device. 

3. Workout

Together with fitness app Mvmnt, Sky Live's capabilities have been expanded further, with hundreds of workouts available, from strength and cardio, to balance and meditation.

The clever body tracking tech in the Sky Live maps and monitors your form, while the Mvmnt instructor suggest ways in which you can improve it as you go along, much like you would get in a real life gym class.

There are groups of classes that are tailored to different needs, like a collection dedicated to small living room ideas, or those that focus on low impact exercise, to name a few. 

4. Play

Finally, Play is - you've guessed it - games. Except these games make use of the AI-tech that maps your form and detects motion so your physical actions power the games as you play. It's a little like a handsfree Nintendo Wii, if you ever played that back in the naughties.

Have a go at Fruit Ninja, where you karate chop flying pieces of fruit for points; or try moving your hands and body to the beat of a host of popular pop tunes in Starri. Kids will inevitably love this and adults will look ridiculous playing it (making kids love it even more). 

When I first heard about the Ember mug and its magical ability to keep a coffee or tea warm for up to an hour and a half, my initial reaction was – I need it in my life! I love a clever little gadget. But then I was faced with the smart home gadget’s price, which stunned me a little. And I wasn’t alone in this sentiment. Most of the Ideal Home team is with me on this one.

But that didn’t stop some of us from testing it out. So, while I am left still longing for my self-heating Ember mug, others have thoughts after experiencing theirs and they’re not afraid to share them. Tread carefully as this one is dividing the office.

Is the self-heating Ember mug worth it?

The benefits are obvious. Your tea or coffee stays at your desired temperature for a prolonged amount of time, perfect for anyone that’s either a slow drinker or a busy one, whether you’re a mum tending to your children or have lots of work to do. It also saves energy as you refrain from making more tea or coffee once you discover that the initial cup has gone cold, running that kettle or coffee machine once again. Or some warm up their first cup in the microwave

But this baby’s price varies depending on its size and design, which there are multiple of at this point. But the £130 mark is an average price point for this smart home idea and trend.

On one hand, the idea of spending this much money on a mug seems insane. But on the other hand, if we view it as an appliance (which it essentially is), then the price tag doesn’t look so ridiculous anymore. Because you would probably spend that much on a coffee machine that made that cup of coffee. So why not spend it on something that keeps its perfect temperature for 90 minutes?

Ideal Home’s Head of Reviews, Millie Fender, who’s tested the Ember mug, agrees. ‘The Ember Mug is far from a must-have, but it's a cool and classy bit of kit that will perfectly complement a true coffee lover's lifestyle. When you've spent ten minutes making the perfect shot of coffee, it's a shame not to enjoy your entire drink at its optimal temperature. And sure, you could chug it, but when I sit down for a day of work, I often find myself so distracted by my inbox that I completely forget about my hot drinks – and nobody likes lukewarm tea or coffee.’

Controlled by an app installed on your phone, the mug is fitted with a patented, battery-powered technology at the base of the cup that’s responsible for keeping your hot drink at the desired temperature. The mug comes with a matching coaster responsible for its recharging. And several reviewers online have complained of the mug’s short battery life.

One Amazon review reads, ‘The reviews about battery life are true. I'm glad I bought this while on sale, because I would've been very disappointed had it been full price. The battery life of the mug while off of the charging coaster is maybe 30 minutes, 40 minutes tops! But when charged and while charging, it certainly keeps my coffee at the perfect temperature I desire. I'd say it's a good gift or person purchase if it's on sale.’

Available in matte black and white, as well as a range of metallic finishes (copper is my personal favourite), the design is very sleek and minimalist, which appeals to some (myself included) but puts others off. Including Ideal Home’s Assistant Editor, Thea Babbington-Stitt.

‘While the Ember Mug is undoubtedly a cool idea and looks pretty sleek, it’s just not one for me. I had one a few years ago and although I adored the concept, I found I only ever used it a handful of times because while it’s very practical, I just love my pretty, eclectic assortment of patterned ceramic mugs too much.’ 

‘For me, half the joy of making a cup of tea is selecting which comforting vessel to use – a cup of peppermint in the late afternoon? Got to be a Burleigh teacup. To bring back to bed on a chilly weekend morning? Give me that cosy Emma Bridgewater. So if you’re a minimalist, an Ember might be just the ticket, but I’ll stick with my ever-growing collection instead,’ she concludes. 

Who can blame her for that? I too love my varied mug collection. But this is not a cosy weekend kind of mug. This tool seems like the perfect solution for a specific kind of day – those long work days when one gets distracted by the never-ending to-do list. And forgets to drink their coffee quickly enough.

So even after hearing all of this, I’m not discouraged from wanting this mug. I’m hooked. Is that crazy? But if you're not willing to spend £130 on the Ember mug (I'm still contemplating it), then there are some drink-warming alternatives that won't break the bank.

How much would you be willing to pay for an air filter that not only looks good but does good for the planet too? That was the main question that kept coming up when I first spotted the Briiv air filter. 

The Briiv specialises in just one product, its recyclable air filter which it claims to be the most sustainable air filter in the world. It uses fully biodegradable filters and uses a tiny amount of electricity to run, that's before we get to how good it looks which let's be honest is the true main attraction here. I have never seen an air purifier illicit so many cries of 'Ooo she's pretty!' But all that comes with one quite significant drawback - the price. 

Yes, you can get all this in one beautiful air filter package, but it will cost you £329. Coming in at over £100 more than the top-rated appliance in our best air purifiers guide. So I decided to take the Briiv for a test drive in my small London flat for a couple of months to see if it delivered on all its promises to justify the extra expense.

Briiv air filter: Key Specs

• Filter: Moss, coconut, activated charcoal
• Noise: 60 Decibels on highest setting
• Power: 5V
• Room size: Suitable for room size up to 28m²
• Dimensions: 6m x 6m room

Unboxing

The Briiv prides itself on its eco-friendly credentials and the packaging reflects that arriving in all cardboard. The body of the air filter was packed with cardboard strips and the moss filter was kept in a hessian bag held inside the glass cloche.

Inside the box were the air filter body, a bag of moss that requires changing once a year, and three cardboard matrix filters that last three months each. Inside the box, you also receive a voucher offering 10% off an order of charcoal filters when your supply runs out. 

When it came to instructions the Briiv has minimal ones included inside the box, but it does have a scannable QR code that will take you to an online portal to help with troubleshooting any particular issues. 

The setup is very straightforward. The glass lid can be lifted off the body of the air filter to change the charcoal filter, however, the first one is already set up for you. All you need to do is arrange the reindeer moss on top of the coconut layer and you're good to go. 

The Briiv needs to be plugged into to work and comes with a 140cm black USB cable and an adaptor plug. However, a huge perk of the Briiv is that it can be run via a power bank if you want to use it somewhere without an easily accessible plug. 

First impressions

The design is a huge part of the appeal of the Briiv, if looks very similar to a terrarium blending into the interior design of the room in the same way that a houseplant does. 

In fact, the comparison with a houseplant is what Briiv largely leans into, comparing the purifying ability of the Briiv to that of a standard houseplant. However, it is hard to check its claim that the filter is as powerful as 3,043 houseplants.

It is about the size of a kettle and is definitely not an air filter that has been designed to be tucked away out of sight. I get lots of compliments from houseguests on how good it looks on a sideboard or on a bedside table. 

Briiv air filter - Performance

Controls

To keep the look of the Briiv sleek the controls on the front are all powered via a light-up screen that illuminates when you wave your hand. The designers have taken it a step beyond a touch screen with the Briiv responding simply to your hand being held in front of the speed and button you want to press. The controls are simple offering the boost setting for the hour to clean the air in the whole room or setting one of 4 speeds to run continuously. 

However, if you are able to set up the app for the Briiv then it opens up a whole new range of control where you can set a schedule for each day with different speeds. I must admit I found the controls on the Briiv itself very tricky to use, they take a little patience to get used to as the controls don't react instantly to your touch.

I found the app helpful when it came to day-to-day use. Connecting up the Briiv app was a mission that took a lot of patience. But once I was connected I was able to easily set an air purifying schedule for it to run a boost an hour before I usually went to bed to clear the air, and then drop it to run on the quietest 25% mode during the night, before turning off while I was at work to save money. 

Air quality

The Briiv air filter is unique in that its three layers of filtration are biodegradable. It uses a fan to pull the air through these, with each layer working on smaller and smaller particles. 

The moss layer removes particles as small as 10 micrometres including dust, pet dander and pollen. The second layer is a coconut filter which removes particles as small as 5 micrometres including smoke particles. The final filter is a activated carbon nano matrix which filters PM2.5 particles from the air which pulls odours and VOCs out of the air.

Briiv claims that the air filter can deliver 53 cubic feet per minute of purified, clean air on the maximum setting. In a room that is 6m x 6m, it would take 60 minutes for the Briiv to filter all the air.

But what does all that mean in reality? The comparison to houseplants gives this away a little, this device isn't one for the heavy lifting removal of cooking smells etc. I used it in the living room while dinner was being cooked. While it didn't completely eliminate the cooking smells it definitely helped clear them up more quickly post-dinner when using the level 3 recommended for use while cooking. 

However, if you're looking to refresh the air in your home it does that amazingly well. After testing the Briiv on the boost setting in my bedroom with the door closed I was amazed by how fresh the room smelt. It was like the window had been open all day.

To visually see how effectively the Briiv pulled air through the filtration system I blew a candle out in my bedroom while it was running. The trail of smoke was drawn immediately into the Briiv. Pulling it away from being dispersed into the air or marking the walls. 

Noise levels

If there is one thing I can't fault the Briiv on it is noise levels. At its loudest on the Boost setting, it is about as loud as a games console, around 60 Decibels, below that the level 3 setting sounds like the hum of a fridge. The lowest setting noise level is 32 Decibels, which is comparable to a whisper.

Cost to run

Where the Briiv really stands out is the low cost to run. While the initial cost of the Briiv is high compared to other air filters or air purifiers it only needs 5V of energy to run. This means it would only cost £3.60 a year to run. However, bear in mind that you will need to purchase the yearly filters which will come to £34.99.

Customer reviews

Customer reviews of the Briiv are a little divided with the app and controls being called out as tricky to use. On the John Lewis website, it has 3.4 stars out of 5 from an average of 10 reviews.  

One reviewer said it was particularly great for allergies and much quieter than the Dyson version they'd previously used. However, a handful of customers awarded it 2 stars saying while it did look great and improve air quality the controls were unreliable and became unresponsive frequently, and that the app schedule would need resetting every few days. 

Briiv did respond to customer concerns over the app saying that there was a known fault on the older versions of the Briiv causing issues with the new app. I had some similar issues with my own app, but Briiv were very helpful in sorting them out. However, I can understand how this could be frustrating when taking the hefty price tag into account.

Comparison to other models

I know I have alluded to it throughout this review, but I want to directly address the elephant in the room when it comes to the Briiv. It is at the top end of the price range when it comes to the air purifiers we have tested and is over £100 more expensive than our top-rated Blueair Blue 3210 air purifier.

This does feel like a lot considering the cheaper Blueair model promises to change the air in a room five times in an hour. It also lacked any air quality monitoring features to demonstrate visually how it was removing pollutants. 

However, where it compares favourably to other versions is the aesthetic, cost to run and the environmentally friendly credentials. It uses a minimal amount of electricity and is made from over 90% natural and biodegradable materials. 

Verdict

I really wanted to love the Briiv, it looked amazing on a shelf, had all the eco-credentials I wanted in an appliance and made my home smell amazing. 

However, it fell short on ease of use. Despite the controls appearing simple, they were fiddly and sometimes unreliable, I got away with leaving the Briiv consistently on the lowest setting when I was struggling and putting it on boost manually once a day. Still, I couldn't help feeling a little shortchanged by this considering the initial upfront cost. 

If you're looking for an air purifier you're happy to leave humming along in the background, which looks good and treads lightly on the planet, the Briiv is for you. However, if you're looking for ease of use and simply to purify the air you might be more suited to a more affordable air purifier. 

It takes a lot for a radio to wow tech-savvy consumers and interior experts alike. If you look at most guides to the best wireless speakers, you'll see a lot of mesh-coated black boxes that are both high in tech and low in style. I'll hold my hands up: it's why I don't have a speaker in my midcentury-style living room. 

Enter the Ruark R1S, a pimped-up version of Ruark's R1 radio series. It features DAB+, internet radio, and Bluetooth connectivity, and also comes with built-in streaming from Amazon Music and Spotify, all housed within quite an unassuming, contemporary body. 

Having tested this speaker for a few months now, I can absolutely see why it's amassed such a loyal following. The sound quality is second to none, and it's small and chic enough to work in any room of the house. 

Ruark R1S review

Specifications

• Type: Smart radio & streaming speaker
• RRP: £299
• Dimensions:  W130 x D135 x H175mm
• Weight:  1.4kg 
• Input: Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C, MP3 playback port, headphone output, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music and Deezer
• Wireless? Yes
• Portable? Yes, if you buy an optional add-on

How I tested

First impressions

The Ruark R1S came securely packaged in cardboard, meaning I could pop any waste straight in the recycling. It's backed by a decent three-year warranty, and the company is based in the UK. 

This radio is also equipped with a lot of the features you'll find in your typical smart or wireless speaker. It's technically a streaming speaker, not a smart speaker, because there's no voice assistance. Instead, you can pair your speaker with an app to control the input, and this allows you to scroll through internet radio stations from around the world, as well as play audio via Bluetooth with your Spotify or Amazon Music account.

I love the look of this speaker. It'd be great in a bedroom or in a kitchen corner. I popped it right on top of my midcentury console in the living room, and the walnut wood finish meant it fit right into place. Other models in the Ruark R1 line come with different-coloured exteriors such as Espresso or Light Cream. The R1s is only available in Mid Grey, and it would be nice to see it available in some more fun pops of colour to rival the likes of Roberts.

Audio

The Ruark R1S is capable of creating a lot of noise. I tested it all the way through to 31, its upper volume setting, and it's safe to say that I'd never need a speaker to be that loud again! Nonetheless, it's better to have too much power than not enough, and it was also pretty impressive to see just how capable this small speaker really is. 

I was happy with the sound quality across most genres: crisp and clean, with some good depth. I predominantly listen to pop and indie rock, and my go-ro radio station is Radio 1. I had no complaints when listening to this on the Ruark R1S, and I'd happily have it on in the background while working from home or cooking in the kitchen.

I found that things got a little foggier when I switched to Classic FM, especially on a lower volume. When comparing Holst's Saturn from The Planet Suite, I did prefer the quality of sound I got from my Apple Homepod, which retails for about the same price as the Ruark R1S. 

Controls

Connecting to Spotify was seamless. I was able to do this on the Spotify app, or through the OKTIV app which is designed to work with the Ruark directly. One thing I appreciated was that reconnecting to the speaker was always easy. A lot of my Bluetooth speakers I've tested can create a bit of a drama when disconnecting and reconnecting, but the Ruark R1S was always available and ready to connect to any input source thanks to the in-built WiFi. 

On-board controls are also pretty good. The rotary dial on top of the speaker has a button for setting alarms, choosing your source input and presets, and toggling through the menu. And of course, you can play, pause, skip forward or rewind, as well as control the volume using the central dial.

The Ruark R1S also comes with a USB port at the rear of the speaker which allows you to play music through memory sticks or USBs. While it costs an extra £69, you can also buy a BackPack 3 to adhere to the back of the speaker. This turns it into a rechargeable portable speaker. The final add-on you can buy is the £14.99 compact remote, which will be handy for those who'd prefer to control the speaker without an app. It's a shame that the brand doesn't include these add-ons by default, but it does keep costs a little lower for those who wouldn't make the most of them. 

Alarms

Should you choose to use the Ruark R1S as an alarm clock, you'll need to set it up using on-board controls. There are two alarms to choose from, and you can set the source so you're woken up by your radio station of choice each morning or default to your last-listened channel. 

Although it never kept me up when I tested the Ruark R1S in my bedroom, one online review mentions that the always-on display makes it hard to get to sleep for those who are especially sensitive to light in the bedroom. This could limit how useful the Ruark R1S is as an alarm clock for some users, so keep that in mind when shopping. 

Verdict

Should you buy the Ruark R1S? 

The Ruark R1S is a serious all-rounder. I love the look, the ease of use, and most importantly, the sound quality. I did note that other speakers handled some classical music with more clarity than the Ruark, particularly at lower volumes, but this is the only minor critique I have of its audio quality. 

Compared to many speakers on the market, the connectivity on the Ruark R1S is always consistently strong. It also comes with a range of quality add-on features that can transform it to a portable speaker, or allow you to control it remotely without the use of an app. 

If you plan on using the Ruark R1S as an alarm clock, I'd recommend thinking about whether the always-on display would bother you. It's no brighter than your average alarm clock, but it could be disruptive if you're sensitive to light. 

Ring doorbells are ever-popular buys for helping to keep homes across the country secure, which is why we put one to the test, namely the Ring Video Doorbell 4, to see how easy one is to install and run. 

As one of the best video doorbells on the market, the Ring 4 has all of the features that you'd expect of a camera of this calibre, including high-res video, motion detection and an app packed with functionality. It's also renter-friendly, with the option to just rely on the battery pack and use adhesives to secure, rather than fiddling with wiring.

If you're debating installing a Ring doorbell for peace of mind then we've looked at every feature that you need to know about and tried the process ourselves from unboxing to everyday use, so that you can suss out whether you should invest.

Ring Doorbell 4 specs

• Dimensions: 12.8 cm x 6.2 cm x 2.8 cm
• Field of view: 160° horizontal, 84° vertical
• Video: 1080p HD Video 
• Wifi connectivity: 2.4GHz or 5GHz
• RRP: £139.99 
• In the box: Ring Video Doorbell 4, Rechargeable Quick-Release Battery Pack, Satin Nickel Faceplate, Choice of additional Faceplate, Corner Kit, Installation Tools and Screws, USB charging cable, Quick Start Guide, Security Sticker

Set up & first impressions

When taking it out of the box, I found the Ring 4 was a little larger than I had expected (12.8 cm x 6.2 cm x 2.8 cm). If you're used to usual single-button non-smart doorbells, you'll feel there's a definite increase in the surface area needed on your door. 

It's a sleek design though, with a minimal look that hides all of the mechanisms inside. The only things protruding on the doorbell are the central button, which is illuminated by a ring of blue and the camera element, which is encased at black at the top. In the box, you'll also find a sticker that lets neighbours or visitors know that they are being recorded, which can accompany the doorbell. 

Once out of the box, setting up the doorbell itself was easy thanks to the aid of the Ring app. If you're technologically inclined, it really will only take you minutes to do the initial set-up. First pop the battery pack into the doorbell, then connect up your model via the app, and then move onto the mounting process and click the faceplate into place. 

As a renter, I opted for the adhesive option for securing the Ring 4, which meant I could avoid drilling (and therefore annoying my landlord). The no-drill mounting place was easy to fit to the side of my door, but if yours is at a trickier angle there's also a corner plate included to straighten the view out of the camera. 

It also means that if you need to take the camera off when moving or doing repairs, then you don't have to take the screws out. For homeowners, the option to drill the Ring 4 in will probably provide more security, but I was glad of the versatility for renters too. 

Using the Ring doorbell and app

Once you're all set up, you can choose from a range of settings within the app to customise your doorbell. Each Ring comes with a 30-day free trial of Ring Protect, so at first you'll have access to every setting possible, and be able to scope out if you want to sign up for the full service (£8 a month at the time of writing). 

This means that at first, motion detection will be turned on at all times for your Ring so that you're able to see anyone approaching your door and receive alerts when that happens. You'll also be able to playback footage.

Those in detached houses will probably get the full benefit of this feature, but as I live in a building with various flats using the same door I turned it off fairly quickly and set alerts and video to come through only when my doorbell was rung to avoid invading anyone's privacy.

As I didn't have a doorbell wiring system in place (our old doorbell is broken), I also decided to invest in the accompanying Chime for my Ring doorbell in order to move beyond just relying on the app for notifications. You can buy the Ring 4 with a Chime initially for a great bundle price, but I paid £30 for mine on Amazon.

The Chime was just as easy to set up as the doorbell itself. All I needed to do was plug it in at the wall, connect it to Wi-Fi and then program it on the Ring app, where it synchronised with the doorbell downstairs. You can change the tone and volume of the ring and buy multiple if you need to be able to hear the Chime throughout your home.

The video quality on the Ring app is pretty faultless - you can see exactly who is at your door and use the two-way speak function to tell someone what to do with your deliveries remotely, too.  

Another feature I loved was the ability to set auto-responses via the app. Your doorbell can tell a visitor to leave a message or leave a parcel in a hidden place if there's no answer to the door within 15 seconds, for example. This is very handy for avoiding getting those annoying 'you missed your parcel' slips through the letterbox!

The battery life on the Ring 4 can last for up to six months, although I found in the initial testing phase that it needed a boost within about three months. This is probably due to the fact that I had motion detection turned on for a chunk of that time, which is a battery drainer. 

In any case, recharging the battery itself doesn't take long at all (about a working day), and slotting it back into the body of the doorbell is very easy. For those with wireless headphones and other devices, it might feel tiresome to have another device to charge, but for the smart features available I can see why it's a sacrifice worth making. 

Should you buy the Ring 4 Video Doorbell?

The Ring 4 is a video doorbell equipped with everything I'm looking for when it comes to home security and pure convenience. It has made receiving parcels at my home much easier, and it's great for peace of mind when assessing who is at my front door.

There's so much to like about the set-up process and Ring app, all of which I could operate and use pretty much daily without a hitch. I would say that the Chime add-on is pretty much essential, so opt for the Ring 4 doorbell bundle with that included if you can. 

Price-wise, the Ring 4 is a fairly expensive buy, with an RRP of £179.99, and once you add the monthly subscription needed for Ring Protect, the costs do start to stack up. If you're going to make use of all of the features and detection the Ring 4 has available, then it's a small cost to pay for security, but if you want a stripped-back video doorbell, then it might be worth shopping around. 

There are so many positives associated with revamping your living space to include an entertainment hub at home that can accommodate everyone's needs. 

Firstly, spending your money on something tangible like a quality home entertainment system with a cinematic viewing experience that you can enjoy year after year in a variety of different ways is the perfect investment. 

Besides money saving, a simple room makeover is made easy and achievable by choosing a projector over a traditional TV, giving you far greater flexibility in the way you use the space. 

This, in turn, makes it much easier to redecorate the room on a budget whenever you choose. Here, we explain the must-haves to effortlessly create an entertainment hub at home.

Start with a screen in any spot

Today, your average home will feature a TV with a modest to limited screen size, with all the sofas and armchairs pointing to face it. When not in use, this unsightly black rectangle tends to visually dominate the space, which can detract from a room's decor.

Projectors, on the other hand, are screenless TV alternatives, simply requiring a blank wall on which to direct their image - and only when they’re in use. This means you can enjoy a much larger, screenless image that you could normally go for, giving you a truly cinema-style experience in the comfort of your own home.  

Installing a projector not only gives you far more flexibility but also elevates the overall entertainment experience at home. The ultra-large screen size brings better immersion and also allows all family members to comfortably gather, to share hobbies and participate in favourite activities, like watching TV shows and sports or playing video games, etc.

ViewSonic has a wide range of LED and laser projectors for homes of all shapes and sizes, both the brand’s X series and M series feature enhanced smart features. The premium X series provides versatile throw ratios models to deliver higher brightness and detailed visuals for building your perfect home cinemas, regardless the space’s size. For instance, an ultra short throw projectors can project 100-inch super sharp visuals from as little as 23cm away.

Plus, if you’re not keen on being stuck indoors all summer long, you could invest in the portable M series for entertainment on the go, allowing you to host movie nights out into the garden. What’s more, their use of reflective light helps reduce any possible eyestrain, protecting everyone's eye health while enjoying viewing time together. 

Because of their screen size and compact build, projectors take up very little space in a living room, instantly reducing visual clutter. They can be paired wirelessly to your mobile device to stream shows or easily linked to gaming consoles, laptops or Google TV via a USB-C dongle. The ease at which they're connected and the lack of a jumble of wiring is such a welcome change to a standard TV set up.

Consider quality audio

Together with a stunning screen, you’ll need some quality audio to give you a cinema-worthy sound. It may be worth spending on a soundbar, which can be backed up with a subwoofer for added ‘oomph’. 

ViewSonic’s latest smart LED projectors feature built-in sound created by audio expert Harman Kardon, so there’s no need to buy anything extra, as it’s all effortlessly integrated into one device. Users can indulge in immersive and cinematic audiovisuals from the cozy confines of their own homes.  

Don't forget your furniture

Last but not least, that furniture that may have once pointed at the large black screen, can now take a more flexible approach. 

Practical, modular seating can now move according to what you’re using the room for, the number of people,  and whether you’re watching a movie, playing a games console, or just relaxing with a book. 

Plus, the projectors deliver a screenless experience that creates an altogether far more adaptable space for entertaining, that flexes with family use, all the while remaining streamline and clutter-free.

Don’t just take our word for it - check out this real life experience here.

Find out more

Discover the wide range of LED and laser projectors to find the ideal model to help you Reimagine Your Space.

Knowing how to make the internet faster at home is a must in a modern home. From video doorbells and smart lighting to tablets, smartphones and more, our smart homes are pushing our broadband connections and wireless networks to the limit, making them work harder than ever before to keep up with the demand. 

According to Gary Newson, Regional Director for Netgear : 'Most UK households own an average of 30 networked devices, with some smart homes even equipped with more than 60 devices connected to the Internet.' 

All these connected gadgets put pressure on your home network and there’s nothing more frustrating than having invested in app-controlled convenience if it doesn’t work when you need it to. 

So what can you do if your broadband or Wi-Fi aren’t working as they should? Before investing in a device that can boost a weak signal, there are a few simple fixes that you can try that can stop any interference and clear your Wi-Fi for optimum use. 

How to make the internet faster - 13 ways to boost your broadband and Wi-Fi signals at home

1. Start by turning it off...

Yes, it’s that age old cliché - as with most tech, the first thing you should try is to reboot your router by unplugging it, waiting a minute, then plugging it back in again. In fact, regular rebooting can even improve the router's performance.

2. Test your signal strength

Next, you should check that the signal that you’re receiving is the one that you’re paying for. First check what you’ve been promised in your contract. Next, run a speed test (try Broadband.co.uk ,  Broadband Compared or broadbandchoices. Next, check your broadband plan and if you're not getting the speeds your provider is promising, give them a a call.

If your speeds are coming in consistently lower than what you’ve been promised, then contact your provider. They’ll likely run a test on the line. If the issue is their fault and they don’t (or won’t) fix it within a month, they must let you leave your contract without having to pay an early exit fee.

3. Clear the space around your router

There are a surprisingly large amount of items that can interfere with a router's performance and where you have it in your home can make a difference. It needs to be connected to the master socket where the phone line enters the building. It should never be placed on the floor, either. 

Dan Clifford, Home Communications Expert at broadbandchoices, says: 'If you can, try and position the device somewhere near the centre of your home – that way, its antennas stand a better chance of reaching your PC with few obstructions.'

It should ideally be on a high shelf, out of the way of other electrical items. TVs, cordless telephones, wireless mice, baby monitors and even best microwaves can all interfere with a router’s signal strength. 

Thick walls, ceramic tiles, mirrors, bodies of water like fish tanks and anything metallic like radiators tend to mess with the signal too, so keep your router far from any of these wherever possible.

This issue could also lie with the router itself - contact your internet provider and check that you have the latest model, as older models tend not to work as effectively.

If you don’t notice any improvements, you could get a smart router that automatically adjusts for interference and can be bought from major providers like BT and Virgin Media.

4. Keep your router switched on - always!

While we're often told that switching items that are on standby is a great way to save energy, this isn't advisable for a router. 

If you do this on a regular basis regularly (for instance, every evening before you turn in for the night , your broadband can slow down. This is because your local telephone exchange will think that your phone line is unstable and can’t cope with high speeds.

Having said that, rebooting your router as previously mentioned may be the kick-start that your Wi-Fi needs. 'Just like a computers, the components inside your router can overheat and harbour nasty bugs and viruses,' explains Dan from broadbandchoices. 'By turning the device off, you're giving all those components a chance to reboot and fix any problems.'

5. Check your web browser for upgrades

Whether you use Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer or Firefox. they will need to be updated to ensure they're running efficiently. 

Check to see that you're running the most up to date version on laptops and computers. Smartphones and tablets should do this automatically if you have auto updates set up.

6. Access your router’s advanced settings

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will tell you how to do this in the help section of their websites, but it’s simple enough.  

Using a computer or tablet that’s connected to your home network, type in the given web address (see box below), then log in. You'll be able to access various settings that you can change to make your router more efficient.

7. Change your network name & password

The SSID is your network’s name and this defaults to something like ‘BT12345’ or 'VM12345'. By changing it to a more memorable name, such as ‘Family Network’ or 'Smith Family' that'll make it easier to pick out when you're connecting your smart TV, Chromecast, and so on. 

You can do this by accessing the settings (see point 6) and entering the new name in the field marked ‘SSID’ or ‘Network Name’. Don’t forget that anyone in range of your Wi-Fi will be able to see it, so avoid anything that might upset the neighbours!

Next, secure the network by learning how to change your Wi-Fi password. This will stop neighbours from piggy-backing off your broadband signal and slowing it down. 

Your router might already have a default Wi-Fi password, but you can find and change it to something more memorable, again by going into your router settings. 

8. Invest in a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system

Your internet service provider should be able to offer affordable Wi-Fi extenders to help boost the signal around your home. Wifi extenders plug into your sockets and ‘carry’ your internet connection through your wiring, bringing it to parts of the house your existing wifi signal might not reach due to beams or thick stone walls. ‘Hotspot’ versions create extra wifi hotspots, while standard extenders let you create a wired connection with an Ethernet cable.

If all else has failed and you have a large house full of kids that are constantly online and you want to ensure a strong signal throughout, investing in a mesh system is probably the best solution, as they ensure maximum speeds for as many as 200 connected products. 

With one main router and several satellite hubs placed in various areas around your home, mesh systems provide you with a strong, reliable Wi-Fi network in every room. They’re not cheap though, with prices starting from around £100 right up to £900 (the more expensive they are the more they can handle). They work with all internet service providers. 

9. Change your Wi-Fi channel

Much like walkie-talkies, your router can broadcast on different channels. If you have a neighbour who is using the same channel as you, this can interfere with your signal, so you might be able to improve your connection by changing it.

From the online settings screen, experiment with different channels until you find one that gives you fast speeds – if you have a dual-band router, you’ll need to change each band separately. Take a note of the original channel(s) first, in case you decide to switch back.

10. Clean up your computer

You might not realise it, but all those apps you keep forgetting to close could be to blame for your endless buffering. 'Media pop-ups and Windows updates are some of the worst culprits,' explains Dan from broadbandchoices. 

Make sure any applications you don't use are turned off, or the services you no longer want are removed from your computer.

If you have a PC, you can manage your apps by hitting ALT + CTRL + DEL and clicking task manager. This will show all the programmes that are running, so you can close any you aren't using. As a bonus tip, it all won't hurt to clear any old files and deleting your browser history completely. Wi-Fi likes a tidy computer.

11. Turn off Wi-Fi on devices you're not using

If you have a number of devices connected your Wi-Fi (and you don't have a mesh system installed to support them), it could be slowing your internet down. 

Ofcom recommends checking that the Wi-Fi is turned off on all tablets and smartphones that you're not using, as these are often always running in the background.

12. Connect using a ethernet cable

You might recognise these cables from the days before wireless signals. Wherever possible, you should try to connect devices like TVs, games consoles, smart lighting bridges and set top boxes directly to your router using an ethernet cable to reduce the demand on your Wi-Fi signal.

13. Switch broadband providers

If you've tried everything and you still can't buy a best sofa because the checkout page is taking too long to load, it might be time to switch broadband providers. If that's too big a step, perhaps look into a faster package.

There are plenty of helpful comparison websites out there like GoCompare  that will help you look for a better deal. 

Dyson products are now coveted in every area of the home, with the brand finding solutions to improve the performance of the best air puirifers and the best vacuum cleaners alike. 

The Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact is no exception. This hybrid innovation is a mix of what the best fans can offer alongside the power of an air purifier. In simple terms, it's kitted out to help to improve the air quality in your home, with a 360 H13 HEPA filter, an advanced carbon filter and a range of sensors. 

The catch? It comes in at a price of £449.99, which is more than most of us are looking to spend of anything, even in the clutches of a heatwave. That said, if you check out Dyson discount codes you may be able to find a deal to make it more within your price range.

I tried this fan out at home for several months to see if it had an impact on my day-to-day experience of the air around me. It's been a total game-changer when it comes to getting a good night's sleep despite the heat, and reassures me of the quality of the air inside my flat, especially given that I live next to a busy motorway. Here's how I got on with the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact.

Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact specs

• Filter: HEPA 13 filter, activated carbon filter
• Noise: 30-60 dB(A)
• Power: 6-40W
• Room size: tested in a room 81 m2
• Dimensions: H105 x W20.4 x D12 cm
• Weight: 1.04kg

Who tested the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact?

Unboxing and first impressions

As with every Dyson product I've encountered, unboxing and setting up the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact was a very swish, straightforward process. Much like unboxing a new iPhone, everything has been thought of with the set up process, and the end product looks absolutely fantastic. 

The box it comes in is cardboard and therefore recyclable, but some of the internal parts and the purifier itself came wrapped in plastic. This might be in order to keep the filters and parts cleaned and sealed but does make the whole process less sustainable. 

This is definitely the biggest air purifier or fan I've ever encountered. At 41cm it stands about as tall as my desk, but it has a slim look that means it fits conveniently into different corners of my flat. It's modern and minimalistic, which is a huge plus for the design-savvy out there. You definitely won't mind having it on display when you've got guests over. 

The hard work of setting up is essentially done for you with this purifier, meaning all that you need to do to assemble it is to attach the two filters that cover the base, and then plug it in. 

On the front you'll find a small LCD screen. This is where you can check on the quality of the air inside of your home at any time, with real-time updates. When the time comes that you need to replace the filters, you'll have an alert flash up on this screen too, which is really handy.

On first setting up this Dyson, I was so happy to find out that it can swivel almost all the way around (it has 350 degree coverage), so that two parts of your room can benefit from cooler air. Last summer in London's heatwave when there were two of us working from home in one room, we would have definitely benefited from the far range of this fan. Using the Airflow direction button (which is the one with the little illustration of the fan and an arrow), you can also change the direction of airflow from back to front. 

Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact: performance

Using the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact couldn't be easier, because they've thankfully kept things basic and included a remote. Halleluiah! After testing a good few appliances recently, I was so happy to be saved from the process of having to download a separate app or plug in a hub in order to just get this fan working. 

Instead, the controls are all operated from a small silver remote, which you can place on top of the fan into a magnetic groove, or into your bedside drawer as I do.

The fan has 10 power settings, and you can see which level you're on via the small LCD screen as you make adjustments. As you might imagine, speed 10 is pretty loud (definitely at the top end of the readings I took at 60dB), but you can still feel effectively cooled at a much lower and quieter level.

Other metrics available to see on the screen as you scroll through include a graph that illustrates the air quality in the last 12 seconds, the PM10 (microscopic particles up to 10 microns in size like dust, mould and pollen), the indoor humidity and level of VOCs (odours that can be harmful, like in cleaning products). 

I've found the best way to use the air purifying function with this model is to use the Auto button, which assesses the air quality and takes the reigns from there. Perfect for those who are taken down by summer allergies, the air purifier will then switch off when things have returned to a normal level, and turn back on if there's an uptick in dust, mould or pollen. 

I've taken to using the Night mode on this purifier every single night recently, which dials down the fan and air purifier to its quietest settings, and sets the LCD screen to dim (essential for protecting your circadian rhythm!). It's been a total lifesaver for humid nights when sleeping on my new slightly hotter-than-usual mattress and has undoubtedly improved my sleep quality. It's only spring, so I can imagine this fan is going to be on every single night as the summer hots up. 

I've tested the Shark Air Purifier before, but it's pretty hefty, and not really convenient to position next to the bed at night. With the Dyson, it's convenient to have it out next to the bed to sleep and then to slot it away in the daytime. My flat is only small, so the space-saving design goes a long way. 

Another thing that I absolutely love about the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact is that it's a very hands-off appliance. Unlike one of the best dehumidifiers I've tried, you basically don't need to service this appliance at all. Once a year you'll likely need to replace the filters, at a cost of £65.00 from Dyson, but other than that, you'll just be able to stay cool and fight off allergens. 

In terms of results, I find that this air purifier takes far less than an hour on the normal setting to remove particulate matter from the air, making it feel noticeably easier to breathe. The Auto button is definitely the best way to achieve optimal air quality, as it requires no input from you. 

Should you buy the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact?

I know that £449.99 is a lot of money, no matter how hot it might get in the summer, and the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact is a mega-investment regardless of just how good it is. Thankfully, it is just as slick to use as it looks, and it performs flawlessly. There are so many options with how to control this fan purifier combo, plus the fact that it's so user friendly. The fan element means that there's no way that you won't get your use out of it, and you'll be conveniently purifying your air at the same time.

Those who suffer with allergies or are worried about the effects of damp won't fail to be impressed with the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact, but at such a premium price, there is a much smaller chance that lots of people are going to be able to use it. If your budget does stretch this far, I'm sure that you'll be as thankful for the existence of this easy-to-use game changer as I am. 

How we tested the Dyson Purifier Cool AutoReact

As part of our commitment to how we test products we recommend at Ideal Home, Molly tested this air purifier for two months in her London home before coming to the conclusions in this review.