If you're into your smart home tech like me, you might find yourself in a similar quandary when it comes to bringing it into your space — a lot of it just doesn't look great. So while some people will spend hours reading and re-reading reviews to find out which piece of tech has the top spec features, I say it's just as valid to base your decisions on which devices are the most aesthetic, too.
Thankfully, lots of modern tech brands are delivering the best of both worlds. As an interior stylist, I've worked with a number brands, from Amazon to Sonos, from smart speakers to home security systems, to make sure their products are as attractive to interiors-minded people as possible, and we're seeing sleek shapes and more enticing finishes come through in new releases, especially with premium products.
With that in mind, I've curated some of my favorite, design-focused smart home tech that you can buy this year, from video doorbells to smart coffee makers — and they're all popular devices with great reviews, as well as great design credentials.
What's the best looking home tech right now?
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I own a lot of smart tech, but never at the expense of my home's design scheme. The majority of home tech these days is sleek and modern, so what sets the best-looking among it apart from the rest?
There are two schools of thought. The first is that your smart tech should fade into the background of your home, so it should be super minimal and plain. However, there's also a take on aesthetically-pleasing home tech that embraces beautiful materials, that make a design statement in itself.
My rule of thumb? Avoid plain white or black devices where you can — these are your basic offerings, and who wants to be basic? Here are the 9 devices I've got my eye on as best in class right now.
Price: $899
Material: Pearl-blasted aluminum, natural oak and woven textile
Yes, this Beosound is a serious investment, but you're not just paying out for beautiful materials (including textiles from a design favorite, Kvadrat). Bang & Olufsen devices are known for their crystal clear sound, brilliant bass, and features like Active Room Compensation, which acoustically optimises the sound of your speaker based on the room it's in.
Price: $449
Color: Olive
I'll be honest, I'm a Sonos super-fan, and comparing the Sonos Roam vs Move, the latter is definitely my smart speaker of choice in terms of balancing sound quality and design. I own it in a sleek black, but I wish I'd picked it up in this brilliant olive green
Price: $149.99
While it might not be the most ubiquitous smart doorbell (that honor goes to Ring), the Google Nest is arguably a much more aesthetic product that stacks up to Amazon's doorbell offering in performance too. There's a few colors available, this this Linen shade is the best — and it's probably the best video doorbell if you want one that blends in with your home's exterior more.
Price; $129.99
Google wins out again in the good looks department when it comes to smart thermostats, and my specific choice is the Sand colorway of the Google Nest. It's the sleekest, most minimalist design out there by a mile, and as the many thousand of 5-star reviews will attest, it's a good smart thermostat functionally, too.
Price: $719
Now this one's up for debate. Some people think the best coffee makers look like behind the counter at Starbucks — I prefer mine a little more minimalist. The one coffee machine I've been itching to get my hands on is this one from xBloom — and not just because it's the best looking one. It's got some great smart features for a pour over coffee maker, and it can be paired with the app too for even more creativity with your brew.
Price: $599.99
Now, this isn't the projector that you're going to use for a cinema room in your home — but if you like a projector for impromptu movie nights in bedrooms, or even your backyard, you won't find one wrapped up in such a neat little package as this one from Samsung. Yes it looks great, but it's reviews do boast great sound and picture quality, especially given its size, too.
Price: $140
If you're looking for cool-looking charging tech, modern brand Courant should be your first port of call. The brand has a few wireless charging options that look much better than the basic offering out there, and this leather-style catchall charger is my favorite for a nightstand or console.
Price: $199.99
For me, a wake up alarm clock is an indispensable bit of home tech, but some designs out their are lacking in style. Hatch's Restore 2 is the most minimalist, while still being packed with functions. One thing to know, however, is that to unlock it's full potential, you'll need to subscribe to a $4.99 a month service.
Price: $119.99
Yes, another entry for Google Nest, but with an exclusive to the Google store maple wood base finish, you'll struggle to find an indoor camera that looks as good as this one. For the best looking package overall, Nest is my pick, but it's getting easier than ever to mix and match different systems if you want to pick your favorite designs from across different brands.
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