The hottest home tech for 2018 is totally life-changing

Google Home Mini

This miniature voice-controlled smart speaker will get your feet wet in smart homes. It's a music player, virtual assistant (ask it anything you'd ask Google) and timer. It can read the news, weather, and traffic updates; and control smart devices, like lights.

Google Home Mini, $80, store.google.com.

Nokia Sleep

Place this rectangular pad underneath your mattress to track sleeping patterns, including heart rate and snoring. Coordinate other smart home gear with rest time, like setting triggers so the thermostat drops a few degrees as soon as you fall asleep, or the lights turn off once you turn in for the night.

Nokia Sleep, $99 US, health.nokia.com.

Apple HomePod

Hopefully we won't have to wait too much longer in Canada to see this smart speaker, which just launched in the U.S. As Apple's answer to Google Home and Amazon Echo, you can use it to assist in everyday tasks, including music playback from Apple Music (with a subscription), and smart home device control with compatible Apple HomeKit gear. It intelligently learns your music habits and likes, and can even answer questions about songs.

Apple HomePod, $349 US; Canadian availability TBA, apple.com.

Ring Video Doorbell Pro

See who's at the door from anywhere in the home (or remotely), and even talk to them via two-way communication. Let a delivery person know to leave a package on the porch, or scare away an intruder.

Video Doorbell Pro, $249, shop.ring.com.

Sonos One Speaker

Get whole-home audio with Amazon Alexa (support coming early 2018) and Google Assistant for voice control. Place multiple speakers in different rooms and enjoy music throughout the home, or different tunes in different rooms.

Sonos One Speaker, $250, sonos.com.

NutriBullet Balance

The NutriBullet Balance is able to track nutritional information of ingredients when they're added to the blender cup. The machine syncs with its app to send to your phone nutritional information (including calorie count) of your smoothie as well as recipe suggestions based on desired ingredients, dietary restrictions and wellness goals. 


NutriBullet Balance, $179 US, nutribulletbalance.com.

Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat

Adjust the temperature using your voice, remotely from the app, or via the unit's touchscreen.

Ecobee 4 Smart Thermostat, $329, ecobee.com/ecobee4.

Nespresso Expert Coffeemaker

Brew perfect java, selecting a desired cup size, temperature and recipe, right from your phone, manually or on a schedule. $379, or $449 for the version that comes with an Aeroccino milk frother.

Expert Coffeemaker, starting at $379, nespresso.com.

 

Dyson 360 Eye Robot Vacuum

Sit back, with your feet up and a glass of wine in hand, and relax as this robotic vacuum scoots across the floors, vacuuming your floors for you. Or, set it on a schedule to clean every Friday afternoon so you return home from work to pristine floors in time for the weekend.

360 Eye Robot Vacuum, $1299, dysoncanada.ca.

Sony Xperia Touch Projector

This handy mini projector sits flat or upright and displays an image up to 80" in size on a wall or other flat surface. The projected image responds to physical touch as well as gesture controls. Kids can watch movies or play games at the cottage, or project a recipe on the kitchen counter and follow it without dirtying your phone's screen.

Sony Xperia Touch Projector, $2000, bell.ca.

Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Plug

Make any device smart, from a lamp to a fan, by plugging it into this gadget. Control a light remotely from your phone, or set your coffee machine to turn on at 7:30 a.m. every weekday morning so its ready to brew your morning caffeine fix.

WeMo Mini Smart Plug, $49, bestbuy.ca.
 

Vitamix E310 Explorian Series Blender

For those living alone, living in a small space and/or on a budget, justifying the purchase of a Vitamix has become totally doable. The company just launched the "Explorian," which features a smaller container (hello more counter space!) and is the lowest-priced machine Vitamix has offered in Canada so far.
 
Vitamix E310 Explorian Series Blender, $419.95,  Vitamix.com.

Ellia Diffuser

Essential oils and diffusers are all the rage, but this one's extra special. It comes in a variety of designs, like the $130 Gather that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Enjoy soothing yet subtle natural aromas to help reduce stress, awaken your senses or bring on the calm.

Ellia Ultrasonic Diffuser, $130, homemedics.ca.
 

LG InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator

Time to update that kitchen! This high-tech fridge has a separate front compartment with a glass panel that you can tap on twice to see what's inside. Now, cold air won't escape every time you want to check what snacks or drinks you have stocked.

LG InstaView Refrigerator, starting at $4399, lg.com.

Samsung The Frame TV

It's not just a television, it's an artistic centerpiece for the living room, displaying artwork that looks like paintings when you're not watching television. 55" ($2,700) or 65" ($3,800); $27/piece of artwork or $8/mo. for rentals. Grab the $800 tripod stand for a studio look, and upgrade to the walnut or oak finish for $250-$300 more. Learn about how to create a stunning gallery wall with The Frame here.

Samsung The Frame, starting at $2700, samsung.com.