HOME, SMART HOME

Wireless “smart” home products are here to make your life simpler. We’ve found four devices that can help you monitor everything from your garage door to your dinner with just a few taps of your smartphone. BY ROBIN STEVENSON

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1LIGHTING SYSTEM Be sure your wireless network—the backbone of all your “smart” devices—has one of the fastest offered by your Internet provider (budget permitting), and look for an unlimited data plan, too. A faster router (802.11ac instead of 802.11n) can also support more devices.

Turn on lights while you’re away from home and dim or turn them off from the comfort of your bed with this automated home-lighting kit. Setup is a breeze: Screw in the 60-watt-equivalent LED bulbs, plug the wireless gateway bridge into your Wi-Fi router and download the app (iOS and Android). Connected by TCP LED Lighting Control System, $80, available at Home Depot.

2SLOW COOKER A set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker is a handy appliance when life goes as planned. For less predictable days, this Crock-Pot allows you to remotely slow down or speed up cooking. Simply prep your meal, download the WeMo app (iOS and Android) and use your smartphone to adjust the cook time and temperature settings (high, warm, low) to suit your changing needs. Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker With WeMo, $160, available at Best Buy and Future Shop.

3SECURITY CAMERA The ability to view a live home-security feed via your computer, tablet or smartphone is handy if you want to see the kids get home from school or check in on pets. Plug in the camera and launch the app (iOS and Android) to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Camera features include an 8x optical zoom, night-vision technology and a built-in mike and speaker to remotely communicate with those at home. Choose to receive emails or push notifications when motion and sound are detected. Optional cloud recording subscriptions are also available. Dropcam Pro, $219, available at major tech retailers.

4GARAGE DOOR OPENER Never wonder if you’ve closed the garage door again thanks to this device that works with most door openers made after 1993. The device installs without wiring and works with your existing Wi-Fi, while the app (iOS and Android) allows you to operate your garage door from anywhere and sends alerts when your garage has been opened. Chamberlain MyQ Garage Smartphone Garage Door Controller, $130, available at Best Buy and Future Shop.

UPGRADE YOUR ROUTER. BY MARC SALTZMAN

FIND THE RIGHT SPOT. For a stronger connection, place your wireless router on the main floor of your home, not in the basement. Reception in larger homes can be improved with an inexpensive wireless repeater or range extender.

PROTECT WITH A PASSWORD. Secure your wireless network with a strong password that’s at least seven characters long and consists of letters, numbers and symbols. As an extra layer of defence, use a password that’s different from those used for other online accounts.