5 unnecessary smart home devices

Smart home devices can really make our lives more efficient. But that doesn't mean they're all worth it. Still, here are five unnecessary smart home devices.

1. Smart refrigerator

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Are smart fridges worth buying? Probably not. There may come a time when smart fridges are all we have options for. But until then, stick with your regular fridge.

Smart refrigerators allow you to control certain aspects of your fridge remotely, such as adjusting the temperature or viewing the contents without opening the door. But these features come at a high price and are probably not worth the investment. Save money on the initial purchase and avoid potential problems later if the software fails.

2. Automatic pet feeder

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There are a lot of smart home devices for pets these days, from security cameras to smart water dispensers and self-cleaning litter boxes. While many people use these devices for their cats, an automatic pet feeder is still something to consider.

This idea sounds very convenient, especially if you are away from home a lot, but there is still a chance that the device could malfunction. All technology breaks down, and if that happens, you definitely don't want your pet to go hungry until you return. So until safer smart pet feeders are released, stick to a regular feeding schedule and bowl.

3. Smart toaster

Some smart home gadgets sound pretty cool. But smart toasters are not something we recommend. These devices let you choose your preferred toasting level from your smartphone, offer faster toasting speeds in some cases, and even let you toast two slices of bread at different levels.

And while these are useful features, the biggest problem with smart toasters is their price. Not everyone can or wants to spend several hundred dollars on a device that basically just toasts bread. And most people don't need the kind of advanced features these devices offer unless they're extremely picky about their toast. For the average person, a basic toaster will do the job just fine.

4. Smart washer and dryer

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You may already know what smart washers and dryers are and what they can do, but are they worth the money? For some, the answer is yes. These devices allow users to start and manage cycles when they're not home, and check on progress remotely. Plus, some of these devices can also be more energy efficient than conventional machines.

While the ability to remotely manage your laundry is great, do you really need it right now, especially when you still have to load and unload laundry by hand? Plus, smart washers and dryers can be expensive, and don't forget that repairs can be expensive down the road. At least for now, a simpler appliance is better.

5. Smart toilet

One of the smart bathroom gadgets that you should not invest in is a smart toilet. They come with a lot of features, from automatic flushing to heated seats and sometimes even health tracking features.

But they tend to be expensive, and installation can be complicated (you may also have to pay a pretty penny for an installer). You also won't be comfortable with the amount of data you'll need to share with some smart toilets. A simple, non-tech toilet can still serve you reliably for years.

Not every gadget needs to be smart. When it comes to these types of devices, simple technology is probably better.

Kareem Winters

Update 06 September 2024