The guide to living smarter

The tech world is advancing faster than we can keep up, with new gadgets flooding every sector. From phones to computers to AI, there’s tech to cater to every need.

Perhaps the most helpful and the most underutilized is domestic tech, designed and built to make living easier. From cleaning robots that facilitate everyday chores to gadgets built to optimize your life, here’s how to live better… and smarter.

#1- A switch-pusher can turn any device into a smart one. Can’t be bothered to get up to turn the lights on? Or power up the coffee machine? Have Google Home or Alexa push the button for you, or control it through an app on your phone. The best part is that you don’t need the rest of your home to be smart to make this work.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Amazon and Jumia carry brands like SwitchBot, UanTii, Meross, Philips, and Zigbee.

PRICE: The price tag ranges from EGP 2k up to EGP 4k.

#2- Breathe easier with an air purifier. An air purifier filters out dust, pollen, and other pollutants from your home to give you cleaner, healthier air. This will particularly increase the quality of life for anyone with allergies.

WHERE TO FIND IT-Amazon, El Araby, Homzsmart, B.Tech, and Noon.

PRICE:You can find brands from Xiaomi to LG, ranging from a modest EGP 209 for a genericmodel, to EGP 66k for one from Dyson.

#3- A smart doorbell adds an extra layer of security, letting you see and talk to whoever's at your door from anywhere — whether you're on the couch or a different country. With motion-activated alerts and real-time video on your phone, you'll always know who's knocking.

WHERE TO FIND IT-Echotech, Amazon, and Teknetic carry brands like Reolink, Ring, Ezviz, Tapo, and Eufy.

PRICE:Prices range from EGP 4.8k for the Tuya Wireless Smart Doorbell Kit, to EGP 14k for the Eufy Security Video Doorbell Dual Camera.

#4- Smart home hubs will help you manage your household if you’ve already decked your home out with smart devices from different manufacturers. A smart home hub will act as the brain of your smart home, combining all the devices into one app, solving compatibility issues, and keeping your automations running — even if the internet goes down.

WHERE TO FIND IT-Teknetic, Echotech, and Amazon carry smart home hubs from brands like Broad Link, Aqara, Avatto, Sonoff, and Vera.

PRICE:Pricing starts from EGP 1.5k for the Broad Link RM4 Mini Universal, to up to EGP 20k for the Aqara Hub M3 Home Automation.

#5- Smart locks are the perfect solution to everyday inconveniences like getting locked out, forgetting to lock up, or dealing with lost keys.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find brands like August, Aqara and Eufy on Amazon.

PRICE:Prices start from EGP 16k for Aqara Smart Lock U100 up to EGP 34k for Yale SatinNickel Assure Lock.

#6- TV boxes are an upgrade for your entertainment setup. You can stream your favorite shows, access apps, and even play games — all from one compact device. You can even integrate it into your smart home routine — automatically locking the doors at night, adjusting your lights, and setting your thermostat with a simple command.

WHERE TO FIND IT-You can find Xiaomi and Apple TV on Amazon, Echotech, and Noon.

PRICE:Prices start from EGP 3k for Mi TV Stick 4K, up to EGP 12k for Apple TV 4K 3rdGeneration.

#7- Bring a big screen to anywhere you go with a projector — a better (and less expensive) alternative to a huge TV.

WHERE TO FIND IT-Amazon and Noon carry both generic devices or ones from BenQ.

PRICE:The price for a generic projector starts from EGP 1.3k, and reaches up to EGP 30k for the BenQ EX600 XGA Smart Projector.

#8- Smart lighting offers convenience, energy efficiency, and customization. You can control your lights from anywhere, set schedules, and adjust brightness and colors. Smart lighting can also save energy, making your home both eco-friendly and cost-effective.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: Amazon, Echotech, and Noon carry brands like Philips, Xiaomi, and Teknetic.

PRICE:Prices start from EGP 845 for the Xiaomi Mi Smart LED Bulb and can go up to EGP 10k for the Philips Hue Ellipse White and Colour Ambiance.

#9- Thermostats optimize your home's temperature, saving energy and money by learning your habits and adjusting automatically.

WHERE TO PURCHASE: You can find thermostats manufactured by Google, Becasmart, CaseBot, Sonoff and Tuya on Amazon.

PRICE:Prices start from EGP 2.6k for the CaseBot Wall Plate to EGP 13k for the Google NestThermostat.