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Tutorial on Smart Home Products



Jeff has had high hopes for creating a smart home for quite some time now and we decided to hold out for some Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials to finally make the leap! I have been enjoying the hunt for the best deals this season and I am happy to share with you what I have found, plus give you a little background on how you can get started at your home!


If you shop from these links below, I earn a very small commission that helps support my blog. 

 Google Nest Hub  | Google Nest Mini | Google Nest Hello Video DoorbellGoogle Nest Audio Smart SpeakerGoogle Nest Thermostat  | Smart Dimmer Switch Smart Light Bulbs | Smart Plugs | Google Nest Hub Max 

As you know, smart devices such as "Google Assistant" and "Alexa" have been out for a number of years now. These products essentially are all tied to and were created to build off these devices. While many of these smart products interact with both Google and Amazon devices, it might be a good idea to choose one and work from there.

Jeff and I decided to go with Google. We had gotten the Google Nest Mini  and Smart Light Bulbs last year, which allowed us to play music, get the weather, turn on/off lights with voice commands, etc. This is the easiest and most cost effective way to begin making your home a smart home.

This year since we now have multiple levels of living, we decided to upgrade to the Google Nest Hub Max for our main floor and use the Google Nest Mini  for the second and third floor. They are all connected, but act as the voice activation so that you are not screaming from floor to floor. You can also turn on/off lights, music, etc from your phone anywhere in your home if you choose not to invest in one nest for each level. Jeff has enjoyed turning the lights off and blasting music I don't particularly like while on a different level of our home just for fun. Men. :) 

Same ways you can be more cost effective is to use the smaller version of the  Google Nest Hub  . The main difference between the smaller  Google Nest Hub  and the Google Nest Hub Max is that max includes a bigger and better quality screen, as well as a camera for video calls, etc. They both however allow you to get the weather, look up recipes, check your commute before you leave, etc. 



If you have things in your home that you want to turn on and off with voice activation that don't necessarily have a lightbulb, the Smart Plugs are a great option. They work with their respective app if you're looking to turn it on and off with the click of a button. The voice activation however needs the Google Nest Mini , the Google Nest Hub, or Google Nest Hub Max . Many smart plugs also work with Amazon products if that's the direction you moved in!

We haven't quite gotten the chance to set up the Smart Dimmer Switches  yet, however our goal is to try to use them in the dining room or anywhere we have a decorative light/chandelier that doesn't have just one bulb or may have a bulb model that doesn't come in smart options just yet. You can of course use voice activation to turn on/off the lights, as well as dim them to your needs. 

We haven't pulled the trigger on the Google Nest Thermostat  since we have two zones and would need two thermostats. Plus we currently have two thermostats that currently work- we have a hard time justifying the need to replace things that still work. The Google Nest Thermostat is however a great energy efficient way to heat/cool your home. So much so that energy companies are offering *amazing* deals on the thermostat for their clients. For example, our company is offering a Google Nest Thermostat  for $150 compared to the "$199" special many stores are offering. What is cool about this smart product is that it gets to know "your home." It adjusts the temp automatically throughout the day based on when it senses where you are in your home and when you may leave throughout the day. You may want to check that out if it's something you need!



The Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell is a great way to begin creating a safe and secure home for you and your family. We actually already have a Ring and are in the process of trying to figure out how to link them, which seems to be tricky but I'm hopeful is doable!

Many of these products have great holiday sales so if you're looking to make the leap, now is definitely a time to go for it! Take it easy by doing a few products at a time or go all in!

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