Build a HomeKit smart home in one fell swoop with these Black Friday buys
Make your home smarter with this shopping list.
If you're reading iMore on Black Friday, there's a good chance you're as techy as we are. And yet, if there's one thing that's not easy to put together, even for those of us who are tech-minded, it's a smart home setup.
Between Google, Amazon, Apple, and plenty more, it's been a struggle to find pieces of a smart home setup that talk to each other and don't cost the Earth - although the new compatibility standard, Matter, certainly helps tie many of them together.
If you're looking to smarten up your home, or want to get a loved one's abode kitted out, Amazon's Black Friday deals are offering some fantastic deals - notably on Matter-supported Aqara products.
It all starts with the Aqara Smart Hub M2, which is just $41.99 - a drop of 34% from the MSRP. Think of that as the brains of the operation.
Where to find the best smart home Black Friday deals
- Amazon — Save on hubs, Nest, and Alexa tech
- Best Buy — Echo Dot and more reduced
- Walmart — Google Nest Mini from $36.95
Once you've set up your hub, you'll want something to connect it to, and Amazon has plenty to offer in that regard.
The Aqara 2K indoor security camera, for example, isn't reduced but is reasonably priced at $59.99.
Also on the same lines of security is the Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2, which you can get for $20.99 - reduced from $29.99.
Finally, you can grab an Aqara LED Strip T1 for $39.99 - more than 25% off the MSRP.
Save big on smart home tech this Black Friday
Aqara Smart Hub M2 | $63.99 $41.99 at Amazon
This smart hub is an ideal starting point for your smart home project.
Price check: Unavailable at Best Buy | Unavailable at Target
Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2 | $29.99 $20.99 at Amazon
These clever sensors can not only help with security, but automation, too - like triggering certain shortcuts when you get home or leave.
Price check: Unavailable at Best Buy | Unavailable at Target
Aqara LED Strip T1 | $54.99 $39.99 at Amazon
This smart lighting strip is ideal for mood lighting when placed behind your TV, desk, or bookshelf.
Price check: Unavailable at Best Buy | Unavailable at Target
For what it's worth, my home setup is starting to take shape and my favorite part is my light strip that sits behind a bookshelf with displayed knick-knacks on it - and it's nice to be able to get it to switch on and off by asking Alexa.
Grab bargains on Apple devices this Black Friday
If you're looking for the best Black Friday Apple deals as the annual sales season kicks off, we've got you covered. From now right through to Cyber Monday on November 27, we'll be serving up the best offers on iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch, iPad, HomeKit smart home devices and more. Save a small fortune by checking back on our daily deals coverage.
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Lloyd Coombes is a freelance writer with a specialism in Apple tech. From his first, hand-me-down iMac, he’s been working with Apple products for over a decade, and while he loves his iPhone and Mac, the iPad will always have his heart for reasons he still can’t quite fathom. Since moving from blogging to writing professionally, Lloyd’s work can be found at TechRadar, Macworld, TechAdvisor and plenty more. He’s also the Editor in Chief at GGRecon.com, and on the rare occasion he’s not writing you’ll find him spending time with his son, or working hard at the gym (while wearing an Apple Watch, naturally). You can find him on Twitter @lloydcoombes.