Connected homes and smart gadgets are quickly becoming the norm - from security to lighting to using the bathroom.

Touchless technology is all the rage since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020. The less contact with high-touch areas the better.

Voice assistants have been around since the early 2010s, but today are trending to be more personalized, able to recognize who in the house is talking and create a unique, tailored experience.

Like most things, it starts at the door. Even before the pandemic, video doorbells and home security cameras were already catching on with the rise of online ordering and home delivery. Easy to install, they feature live views allowing users to see and speak to people at their door from virtually anywhere. Motion sensors can trigger an alarm or phone notification to alert authorities.

Even cooler in the security milieu – fingerprint and facial recognitions locks, keeping unwanted folks from entering. This tech can be synced with a phone app or Bluetooth to remotely lock and unlock for people you DO want to get in, as well.

Also great for vacation security are smart lightbulbs, which can be programmed to make it look like you’re home when you’re not. For aesthetics, voice commands can dim the lights or change colors to suit your mood or conveniently turn off all the lights with a single voice command.

For extreme security measures, consider indoor/outdoor drones which can circle the perimeter and interior of your home, either doing random searches for illicit activity, or following a pre-programmed map.

Touchless technology is also being applied in the bathroom, one of a home’s most germ-ridden locations. Touchless toilets feature self-opening and closing lids, heated seats, and automated digital bidets with temperature-controlled water. Some even come with an air dryer and deodorizer.

Speaking of warming trends, analysts say heating and cooling costs account for half of the average home utility bill. The mission of a smart thermostat is to slash those costs. This isn’t your father’s heat-sensitive thermostat. Within one week of installation, this tech will learn to modify temperatures based on your family’s household activities. track daily and monthly usage and adjust temperatures accordingly based on the season.