If you're looking for gift ideas for Apple fans in your life, HomeKit accessories are one of the best options because of the way they work natively with your products, low cost, and multiple usage options. So, as you go shopping for the Apple fans in your life, here's a look at some of the best HomeKit accessories for Christmas.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything that has to do with the smart home frame from Apple.
August Lock
The only HomeKit accessory I use more than any other is my August Wi-Fi lock. I have automations set to unlock as we go up as we connect via Bluetooth. It's handy to use when you're out of town if you need to let someone in and out of the house. One of the things I appreciate is that it doesn't need to change the outside of your screw, it just replaces the inside.
For someone starting out with HomeKit, a smart home-activated door lock is a great place to start.
The Aqara Starter Kit is a great item to take for someone in your life for whom you can't find the right gift. Includes hub, door sensor and motion sensor. It's also incredibly inexpensive to add a drain sensor - which I highly recommend. I have one of them under each sink and in front of our major appliances that use water. The devices are not native to the HomeKit, but communicate via Zigbee with the Aqara hub, which can connect to the HomeKit.
Eve socket adapter with thread
A simple sock stuffing for an Apple fan is the Eve socket adapter with Thread holder. The socket adapter allows you to convert a traditional powered lamp or other device into a smart one. Eve is a top HomeKit provider, and the introduction of Thread support makes it even better. I firmly believe that Thread is an essential part of a stable and smart home for the next decade.
HomePod mini
HomePod mini is a great item to add to your HomeKit for two reasons.
- It acts as a Homehub to allow remote access to the HomeKit and automation
- Add a Thread Network Point to increase the power of the Thread Network.
HomeKit alarm
The home alarm has been in my house for almost two years and it was a fantastic addition. All devices are exposed in the HomeKit for use with automation. We have motion sensors, door sensors, glass break sensors and smoke sensors.
If you want to install a DYI security system, it will be difficult to find one that is easier to use than live with. Monthly monitoring includes internet-based and LTE base station communications.
Onvis motion sensor
A HomeKit motion sensor is a stocking stuffer for anyone with all the known Apple accessories on the market. For example, we use them to light the lamps around our house early in the morning, when people start to wake up. Because HomeKit unifies devices from different manufacturers, you can use an Onvis motion sensor to turn on a Hue LED, for example.
Homam HomeKit high-end room with local storage
There are several great HomeKit rooms. At the lower level, I like the Aqara, Eve, Onvis, etc. options. - but for the top HomeKit camera, check out the Homam camera. It's my newest HomeKit product and I have a full review in a few weeks, but it's the best premium HomeKit camera on the market.
Cameras that use HomeKit Secure Video use end-to-end encryption; you can be sure that no one but you can access the footage or stream. HomeKit also allows you to adjust the flow and recording according to the situation when people are not at home, so if you want to turn off the camera when you're at home, you can do this automatically.
The Homam camera also includes local recording if you want to avoid all the cloud storage on your cameras. Along with the recording, HomeKit cameras can be used as motion sensors to turn the lights on and off automatically.
HOBBS Homebridge in a box
If you have someone in your life who likes to play, the HOOBS hub would be a great product to get. It's a Homebridge server in a box, so you can start adding devices to the HomeKit that aren't usually supported. For example, you can connect a Ring camera, a eufy Door Bell, or even a Neato vacuum cleaner to the HomeKit, even if it doesn't support it natively.
A recent software update to version 4 has added some new features that make it an even better purchase. I've had one for over a year and it's been a lot of fun to bother with devices in my home that don't natively support HomeKit - my favorite is my eufy ringtone.
Starling Home Hub
For the technical person in your life who lives in both Apple and Google lifestyle, Starling Home Hub is a That's great addition. For just $ 89, you can connect all your Nest devices (thermostat, ringtone, cameras, and ringtones) and Google Home speakers to your HomeKit. The Nest screen is a fun device that you must have as an office accessory, and since I have my photos on Google Photos, I like to see them scrolling through the day. When Starling added AirPlay support to this device, it became even more useful. If you have Google Home mini speakers, you can pair them as stereo pairs and use them as AirPlay targets.
summary
This list includes some of my favorite HomeKit accessories. HomeKit is the best smart home platform for Apple fans, given its close integration and focus on security. You can start with a single socket adapter and work up to an entire product ecosystem, making it a great gift idea for Apple fans.
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