What is a smart home?

January 13 2026

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The concept of ‘smart’ has become increasingly important in the home. Devices no longer simply exist on their own; instead, they can function as one and make it easier to organise a living space.

In this guide, ADT’s security experts will take you through what exactly a ‘smart home’ is, and the benefits it can bring. If you want to explore smart opportunities in your own home, get in touch with our team.

Smart homes explained

Like the name suggests, a smart home is a whole house (or residence) that contains a variety of connected devices that can work together. This generally includes appliances (kettles/ alarm clocks/ toasters), security systems (CCTV, alarms), locks and thermostats.

Whilst the interconnected nature of smart homes is a core component, individual devices can also be enhanced. A smart thermostat is a good example; you can control your thermostat via an app, leveraging smartphone technology to make controlling it more convenient.

How do smart homes work?

Smart homes let you control your home from anywhere, usually through a mobile app (or in some cases, you’ll receive a remote or ‘hub’). Typically it works by connecting to home devices via Wi-Fi, which then allows the user to control and schedule different appliances. No forgetting to set your alarm or prepare your coffee machine; smart technology enables these things to start functioning right when you need them.

When connected to your security system, smart homes also allow you to monitor your home remotely, improving peace of mind. You can set alarms, turn on lights and warn any potential intruders.

Benefits of a smart home

Smart homes offer a variety of benefits:

• Security – a smart-enhanced security setup can send notifications to your phone when a camera or video doorbell detects possible intruders
• Convenience – you can control your setup when away from home, creating routines or simply monitoring them all from one device
• Finances – because you can monitor things like smart meters and thermostats more easily, smart homes are useful for keeping on top of energy spending and potentially saving money in the long run
• Versatility – smart homes can suit a variety of people, from younger homeowners who want to leverage smart technology to older residents with mobility concerns. For the latter, smart homes often feature devices that can be controlled via voice, rather than having to physically move around

Types of smart home technology

We live in a world where most devices in the home are ‘smart’. Here are some such examples of smart-enhanced technology:

• Thermostats – as we’ve touched on, smart thermostats can be monitored and controlled via Wi-Fi to adjust heating. Some can even learn your routine and automatically adjust settings without the user’s input
• Cameras – many cameras, such as our own at ADT, can be linked up to a smart app so you receive a notification when anything suspicious is detected
• Plugs – a smart plug can transform many appliances and allow for remote controlling, even if the device isn’t inherently ‘smart’ by design
• Lights – within a smart home, lights can be turned on or off from a central device like your phone. They can also be set to turn on whenever you like; useful during dark nights to make potential burglars think you’re at home

Conclusion

Whilst not essential for every homeowner, smart technology can make daily chores and tasks significantly easier. Take a look through our additional guides on smart devices, such as our deep dive on how smart plugs work.