Anyone who thinks of a smart home or home automation often fears the high costs that are necessary for the implementation. However, residents do not necessarily have to invest a lot of savings to enter the smart home world. We give examples of what areas users in their home can also turn into a smart home at low cost.

Conclusion on an affordable smart home
A smart home promises a lot of comfort and relief in everyday life. But before the start, numerous people suspect a large investment of time and money. Depending on the budget, however, 200 euros can suffice for a DIY smart home and a weekend project is also sufficient for home automation .

Inexpensive smart home - practical and affordable entry with Echo Flex
In order to avoid a popular mistake by smart home beginners , we decide on a smart home solution based on the voice assistant Alexa . It is important that all of our examples are compatible with Amazon's voice control - if this is not the case, integrated devices do not respond to the word.

An Echo speaker should serve as the heart of the affordable smart home . The small Echo Flex is best for our project at a low price of around 30 euros (as of: 04/2020). Echo Flex has all the advantages of its bigger brothers: integrated speaker, Alexa integration and supports numerous practical Alexa skills .

Inexpensive smart home - low cost, much illumination
Controlling the lights is a popular factor for home automation. We give examples of how users can properly illuminate the smart home in various ways. Our tips all take into account a low budget.

Echo Flex night light - falling asleep and safe ways in the dark
Since our examples are based on the Echo Flex loudspeaker, our first recommendation as a compatible accessory is the small night light for 15 euros. Users can easily connect it to the Echo Flex via USB. The little ones get a sleep aid. Because installed near the door, the offspring no longer have to be afraid of the dark. The brightness of the dimmable LEDs can be varied via Alexa voice command and a selection of different bright colors is possible.

Practical Alexa routines are also available . Using the Alexa app, users can, for example, have Echo Flex play their preferred radio station as an alarm clock in the morning and the night light shines brightly at 100 percent. But the small night light is also a cheap investment for adults: at night it acts as a signpost and nobody has to stumble in the dark.

TP-Link socket HS110 - retrofit lamps and electronic devices smartly
Smart home does not mean that new devices must be purchased. Some alternatives allow users to smartly retrofit existing components in their home. Our next recommendation is therefore the TP-Link HS110 socket for around 35 euros (status 04/2020). Connected to Echo Flex, connected devices listen to their word. The floor lamp in the living room switches on or off on command, but also other numerous connected devices. This saves annoying journeys, but also electricity. Also practical: switching times can be created via the app or the power consumption can be tracked. In this way, users can recoup the costs invested by saving electricity.

Philips Hue starter set & Philips Hue Go - mood lights for indoors and outdoors
The Philips Hue lighting system is one of the most popular solutions and the market leader. However, users do not have to do without tried-and-tested products in order to set up a smart lighting system for the smart home cheaply. With practical starter packs, the investment costs can also be kept low here. Our next recommendation is a Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Set, which consists of two LED lights and the necessary Philips Hue Bridge and is available for less than 100 euros (status: 04/2020).

The bridge is imperative to enjoy the full range of functions of the LED lights and, for example, to be able to match the 16 million colors with music. Also practical: once users have the Philips Hue Bridge, the Philips Hue lighting system can be expanded as required. If you want to save money, you can use cheap LED lights from IKEA TRÅDFRI . Because both lighting systems support the ZigBee radio standard and can therefore be combined.

Philips Hue Go - portable mood light for the terrace
As a portable lamp, the Philips Hue Go offers all the advantages that the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance LED lights have. It can shine in 16 million different colors and is dimmable. It also has another advantage over the permanently screwed LED version: Smart home beginners do not need a Philips Hue Bridge. So there is further savings potential here. For spring and summer days, Philips Hue Go is great on the terrace or when camping. The Signify design lamp lasts 20 hours depending on the load. A worthwhile investment for around 60 euros. Also as a mood light or night lamp.

Smart home also means entertainment
With the Echo Flex, bargain hunters already have a loudspeaker in their own four walls and can enjoy music streaming services such as Spotify or Amazon Music Unlimited without any problems. However, due to the compact size, users should not expect a sound miracle. We therefore recommend the Alexa-compatible Bluetooth speaker Tronsmart T6 Mini for around 30 euros. According to the manufacturer, the mini speaker lasts for 24 hours and is a great way to enjoy music anywhere. Users can stream music with the particularly affordable Tronsmart T6 mini speaker, play music via a micro SD card or connect it to a computer or mini projector via a cable AUX input.

Learn more:
Burglaries: 12 ways to secure your home when you go on holiday
Smart Home: A smart apartment for tenants

Home automation at the service of your digital entertainment

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