Is a Smart Smoke Alarm worth it?

Regular smoke alarms are dirt cheap. The cheapest models can be bought for about $5. The city I live in actually gives them away for free.

So why would anybody pay $100 or more for a single smoke detector? Well, because it’s a smart smoke detector.

I love connected devices. Heck, I created an entire website dedicated to them. However, I’m not entirely convinced that spending this kind of money is worth it.

There are low cost alternatives called smart listeners. In addition, there is one smart smoke alarm that’s fairly affordable.

Sensative Strips: The invisible (almost) smart home sensor

I remember reading about these sensors a couple years ago before they were released, but forgot about them. Luckily, someone from Sensative recently came across thesmartcave.com and offered to send me some sensors to play with. As usual, I received the products with no obligation and all opinions are my own.

I dislike the way most smart home sensors look. Whether they’re placed on doors or windows, if you can see them, I think they look kind of cheesy.

That’s why I prefer to buy sensors that can be mounted flush with the surface so that they essentially “disappear”. The problem with those is that you have to be handy with a drill or chisel to install them.

Or…

What if someone made sensors so small, they’re hardly noticeable?

DIY: How to make a smart garage heater

In this article, I’ll show you how to take a regular 5000W electric heater and turn it into a smart heater using a low-cost WiFi smart switch and a relay.

Review: TP-Link Smart Plugs And Lights

TP-Link smart devices are an easy way to get your feet wet in the smart home world. Smart plugs and smart bulbs are easy to install and easy to use. They’re also easy to uninstall and send back if they’re not what you’re looking for. Since there’s not much that can go wrong, there’s not much to fear.

15 Best Smart Home Blogs, And Other Awesome Resources

I try to provide awesome content but there’s tons of stuff I’m missing. I have a pretty good general knowledge of smart home stuff and some expert knowledge in a few areas. But, I can’t cover everything. So, here’s a list of other places that might have the answer to your question. I’ve provided links to sites with lots of great reviews, product comparisons, and smart home ideas.