We may earn a commission from the links on this page.
Every year around this time, I get to work opening up my patio for spring. Take out the chair cushions, dust them off, open the umbrellas, and plant all the hanging baskets. Of course, you'll need to clean the outdoor grill and keep the lawn neat and trimmed. The market is full of smart technology, especially for the outdoors, so anything new I add this year will be smart.
Make your outdoor space weatherproof
I've been dreaming of a pergola for years. You can create shade between the heat domes and keep out rain and snow during the winter. Patio covers with louvers that open and close aren't new, but automating them using an app is.smart pergola and cabana They are now a reality and are getting smarter and smarter. The app can control the louvers and can also respond to rain and wind sensors. Shades on the sides of pergolas can also be automated, and by the end of summer the company Struxure, which makes these pergolas, will be able to install lights, fans, heaters, misters – whatever goes on top of the pergola (right now it's just the louvers). These pergolas are not cheap. According to a seller in Indiana, prices for 10×10 pergolas start at $20,000 and go up quickly from there. Cabana X is available as a more discreet version. It has a 10 x 10 footprint, can be configured online, and can be expanded to as large a footprint as needed. Prices for Cabana X start at $7,497, and both Pergola X and Cabana X are available from Struxture's website. Connecting Please contact your local dealer.
A more practical option is the Above Height series of smart umbrellas. There's no app experience, but you can open and close this patio umbrella with a remote control, and a wind sensor automatically opens and closes it when it's a bit windy.
brighten up your patio
Illuminating a space isn't just about creating ambience, it's also a safety issue. Keeping your patio well-lit at night will prevent them from stumbling around and falling over can ruin your party. Additionally, lighting is another architectural detail that can be used to highlight and transform a space at night. Being able to discreetly turn on or change these lights with the push of a button on your phone is essential for hosts. There are three ways to achieve outdoor smart lighting: smart outdoor plugs, smart plug-in lighting, or smart solar lighting.
Ring introduced smart solar path lights, and frankly, I had very low expectations for them. Solar stake lights tend to be flimsy and rarely last all year. However, the ring light is a thick and sturdy light, so even my Doberman has not been able to take it out yet. You can automate it to your schedule or simply turn it on when it senses activity. I was very impressed with how the lights would turn on each other in turn as my dog trotted past at night. Even in partial shade, they receive enough sunlight to recharge for the day.
Smart plug-in lights are getting a lot of attention. Last week, I gave the new Nanoleaf outdoor string lights a mostly positive review. I've tried several smart outdoor plugs over the past few years, and I'm happy to say they're becoming more and more reliable. I've been using the GE Cync Outdoor Plug for the past few months and it definitely delivers.I'm looking forward to future releases. eve outdoor outletcompletely eliminates the need for outdoor smart plugs.
fill the space with sound
I continue to be impressed by the small portable speakers produced over the past five years, from the Wonderboom to the JBL Flip. They do an exceptional job of delivering big sound with impressive bass in a small package. But there's no denying Sonos' position in the market. I prefer listening to music over Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth, where notifications and calls don't interrupt the beats. Many people, myself included, have found workarounds to take regular Sonos speakers outdoors, and now they offer outdoor speakers as well as portables. This means that when people come indoors from outdoors, they get consistent sound.
Smart technology lets you spend less time standing on the grill
Every major grill brand now has a way to offer smart technology as part of the experience, whether it's baked into the grill like Masterbuilt or a bolt-on device like Weber . Even if you don’t have a smart grill. combustion You can keep an eye on the meat while relaxing around the fire pit.
keep plants alive
Buying plants and flowers for your patio is rarely a problem. The trick is to keep them healthy and looking great all summer long. A smart water system can help reduce one point of care. Of all the units I tested, I thought: Rakio If I bought it through Amazon instead of through Rachio, it would have been great for a smart hose valve (trying to return a defective unit was a pain). Connect to basic tubing and emitters and you'll be able to keep watering all summer long.
