It's not so long ago that internet connectivity was a rarity. These days, there are a multitude of products equipped with wireless network capabilities. These products are loosely-termed Internet of Things (IoT) devices; gadgets capable of connecting to the internet.
These products form the foundation of our smart homes, enable seamless integration between hardware, and make data easier to capture and record. If you're looking to get started, here are the most exciting Internet of Things devices you can buy right now.
For many around the world, the summer months are becoming drier, leading to water shortages at home. As the effects of climate change will become more pronounced over the next years, it makes sense to optimize your water usage to get the most from your supply. The Phyn Plus is a smart water assistant for your home that can detect leaks and monitor your use.
The unit measures the water pressure 240 times per second. If it detects a leak, you'll get an alert on your smartphone, and the Phyn Plus will automatically shut off your supply to prevent flooding and damage to your home. To function, you just need to install it on your main water line and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. Fortunately, the device is also compatible with Alexa so that you can interact with the Phyn Plus with a voice command to any Alexa-enabled device.
- Aluminum housing to protect internal components
- Easy installation
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Brand: Phyn
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Integrations: Alexa
- Color: Black/Blue
- Material: Aluminum
- Battery: None, mains-powered
- Weight: 7.3 pounds
- Alexa-compatible
- Auto shutoff in the event of a leak
- View historic water usage in the app
- Needs to be close to the router for a reliable connection
- AI-based system takes some time to learn typical water usage
Air pollution is a significant problem due to the health issues caused by poor air quality. While it's (mostly) out of our control to reduce overall pollution, we can reduce our personal exposure to it. Many air quality monitors are static, designed to sit in a fixed location inside your home. However, the Plume Labs Flow 2 is a portable air quality monitor that can analyze the air around you to make informed decisions no matter where you are.
The device is capable of measuring PM1, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and VOC particles. Although the data syncs via Bluetooth to the companion smartphone app, you can also get a quick overview by pressing the capacitive button on the monitor's front. Colored LEDs will then light up to signify the local air quality, based on a traffic light-style system. To learn more about the device, check out our review of the Plume Labs Flow 2.
- Up to 24 hours of battery life
- Full data can be viewed in the companion smartphone app
- Small and portable for regular use
- Brand: Plume Labs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Integrations: N/A
- Alerts: Yes
- Sensors: NO2, VOC, Particulate Matter
- LEDs offer a quick way to assess your exposure without looking at your phone
- Charging dock is a convenient way to store the Flow 2 at home
- Traffic light lighting system is easy to understand
- Lacks integration with other smart home devices
One of the most significant benefits of IoT devices is the ability to access them remotely. If you aren't in the same physical space or connected to the same network, you can still interact with the device. That's also true of the Chipolo ONE smart tracker. The small device attaches to your keys, bag, or other portable belongings and can help you keep track of your valuables. The tracker connects to your phone via Bluetooth.
The smartphone app allows you to trigger an alert on the ONE while in Bluetooth range so you can quickly hunt out your belongings. However, should you leave them behind and break the connection, marking your items as lost in the Chipolo app enables other Chipolo users to automatically record the lost tracker's location as they pass by. As a result, you can efficiently reclaim your forgotten items. If this sounds like it'd be right for you, take a look at our review of the Chipolo ONE Ocean Edition.
- IPX5-rated for water resistance
- Two-year battery life
- Bluetooth connection compatible with Android and iOS
- Brand: Chipolo
- Material: Plastic
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Battery: 2 years (replaceable)
- Range: 200 feet
- Water Resistance: IPX5
- Active Users: Unknown
- Affordable way to keep track of important belongings
- Community-based location reporting
- iPhone users must have the app open in the App Switcher to enable functionality
4. FitBark 2
Although it doesn't connect directly to the internet, the FitBark 2 clips to your dog's collar then syncs via Bluetooth to your smartphone before eventually sending the resulting data to the cloud. The device itself is, in essence, a Fitbit for dogs, although with a few adjustments. That said, the companies are not affiliated, but there is a companion Fitbit smartwatch app so you can monitor your dog's activity from your Fitbit wearable. You can also link your Fitbit and FitBark accounts.
Notably, the FitBark 2 does not monitor steps---simultaneously tracking four paws moving is far more challenging than monitoring human steps. Instead, the dog-based wearable uses a range of sensors and algorithms to assess your companion's daily activity and sleep. Thankfully, the tracker is waterproof and fits collars up to 1.5 inches wide. US-based users get some added benefits, like geofencing capabilities and real-time location tracking via an embedded Verizon LTE service.
- Activity monitoring based on sensor data
- Sleep tracking
- Six-month battery life
- Fits collars up to 1.5 inches
- Brand: FitBark
- Heart Rate Monitor: No
- Color Screen: No
- Notification Support: No
- Battery Life: Six months
- Integrations: Fitbit
- Integrates with Fitbit and there's a FitBark app for Fitbit smartwatches
- US-based users get real-time location trackign and geofencing
- Waterproof
- Requires manual sync in the smartphone app
5. PLOTT CARTA
The best smart devices solve a problem or make a specific task easier or more convenient. That's certainly the case with the PLOTT CARTA, a connected measuring wheel. Home improvement projects, especially those that require precision measurements and planning, can be incredibly stressful if the details are even slightly out. The PLOTT CARTA measuring wheel captures your data and syncs it to your smartphone in real-time.
By default, the measurements are stored in a 2D image. You have the option of adding a background so that you can overlay the plot onto a map or photo of a room. While measuring, you can press the Mark button on the app to add a digital marker for a specific point, allowing you to note where an object might be placed, or work needs to be done. The resulting data, known as a Plott, can be shared with others via the app.
- IP54-rated for water resistance
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Data stored in shareable 2D Plotts
- Brand: PLOTT
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Integrations: None
- Color: White/Black
- Material: Plastic
- Battery: 3x AA
- Weight: 9.08 pounds
- Smartphone app allows you to Mark important locations
- Overlay measurements onto a background for easy visualization
- Not great value if you only need to do the occassional measurement
Most home security cameras are variations on a theme. Many offer water-resistance, Wi-Fi support, HD or even 4K recording, and some form of cloud storage. The Ucam Private HD Home Security Camera is different, though. Alongside some of these now-standard features, the camera offers on-device recording to a microSD card (up to 64GB) or encrypted cloud storage. Far too many security cameras put your digital security at risk, offering little protection against hackers and snoopers, so this is a welcome addition.
However, the privacy-focused will also be interested in knowing Ucam's integration with IoTeX's blockchain-based authentication. Although the term is often added to products for purely marketing reasons, the blockchain integration here has been thought through and is a useful and interesting addition to the camera. If you're interested in this take on home security, be sure to check out our review of the Ucam Private HD Home Security Camera.
- Blockchain-based authentication
- End-to-end encryption
- Recordings stored on a microSD card or in the cloud
- Brand: Tenvis
- Resolution: 1080p
- Connectivity: 2.4Ghz wireless, Ethernet
- App Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Night Vision: Yes, 36 feet
- Internal or External: Internal
- Power Source: Micro-USB, 5V
- Axis Control: 360 degrees, pan and tilt
- Easy to set up
- Feature-packed app
- Affordable, encrypted cloud storage
- Connectivity can be inconsistent
- microSD port hard to access
7. OLYTHE OCIGO
Over the past few decades, there has been a heavy emphasis on the dangers of drink-driving. However, many people still underestimate their impairment before getting behind the wheel. As a result, they could be breaking the law and cause a collision, injuring themselves and others. Breathalyzers used to be the preserve of law enforcement, but the OLYTHE OCIGO makes this critical analysis available to everyone.
The unit measures your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) using infrared sensors. The results of each test are displayed on the OCIGO's built-in OLED screen. In this on-device mode, the monitor should be able to perform up to 75 tests before a recharge. However, you can also switch the OCIGO into Connected mode and sync your test data to the companion smartphone app. In the US, legal limits change depending on which state you are in, and the OCIGO will automatically adjust limits based on your location.
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Can be used in Standalone mode without smartphone
- Battery lasts for up to 75 tests
- Brand: OLYTHE
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Integrations: None
- Color: Black
- Material: Plastic
- Battery: 860mAh
- Weight: 0.125 pounds
- Measures Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
- Adjusts to current state's limits
- You shouldn't only rely on the measurements when determining suitability to drive
FAQ
Q: Why Is it Called the Internet of Things?
In the early days of the internet, you had to use a specific device to access the web. The technology was new and expensive, and internet access was slow and required you to log in.
Nowadays, it's common to leave your Wi-Fi network on all day, and most of your devices connected to the internet. As the connection is stable, and the cost of wireless technology and sensors has reduced, it's possible to add internet connectivity to a whole range of products.
From household items like TVs, washing machines, and speakers, to gadgets like smart home security cameras and pet trackers, there are more items connected to the internet than ever before. This expansion of connectivity from computers to all electronics has been termed the Internet of Things (IoT).
Q: Is the Amazon Echo an IoT Device?
Broadly speaking, any item with an internet connection could be considered part of the Internet of Things. However, the term is more commonly applied to household devices and smart home products. As the Amazon Echo is a speaker with internet connectivity, it is an IoT device.
Q: How Many Devices Are Connected to Your Wi-Fi Router?
Generally, you'll be aware of the products you connect to your Wi-Fi network. However, it's easy to forget devices like, say, your printer. Similarly, there's a possibility that you're unaware of how many devices are connected, potentially allowing an unauthorized person onto your network.
You can check how many devices are connected by logging onto your router through a web browser. Similarly, you could use a smartphone app like Fing to analyze your network connections.