In recent years, there has been a surge in smart home technology that aims to make daily household tasks easier and more convenient. The kitchen is one area of the home that has seen rapid innovation, with new “smart” appliances and gadgets that connect to the internet and can be controlled remotely. These new products introduce automation, voice control, and other futuristic features into the average kitchen. Ultimately, this technology aims to save time, enhance efficiency, and turn the kitchen into a more enjoyable place.
Overview of Smart Kitchen Products
Some of the most popular categories of new smart kitchen products include:
Smart Refrigerators
Smart fridges connect to WiFi and allow you to do things like check what’s inside without opening the door. Features include:
- Digital touchscreens with apps and voice control
- Internal cameras so you can see inside from your phone
- Integration with other smart products like Alexa or Google Assistant
- Alerts if doors are left open or temperature changes
- Inventory management and expiration date tracking
Smart Ovens
Smart ovens are internet-connected and can be controlled via smartphone. Capabilities include:
- Preheating before you’re home via remote start
- Monitoring cook times and temperatures
- Sending alerts to your device
- Using voice commands to set modes, change settings
- Following recipes step-by-step through the oven interface
Smart Coffee Makers
Smart coffee makers allow you to brew from bed and offer optimizations like:
- Scheduling brew times
- Customizable brew strength
- Real-time monitoring via app
- Notifications when coffee is ready
- Integration with voice assistants like Alexa
- Automatic re-ordering of supplies
Smart Microwaves
Smart microwaves let you adjust settings and cook without being in the kitchen. Features include:
- Remote operation from your smartphone
- Voice commands via digital assistants
- Scanning barcodes on food packages for ideal cook settings
- Sending alerts when cooking is finished
- Ability to set and monitor cook times, power levels, etc. from the app
Smart Dishwashers
Smart dishwashers have WiFi connectivity and app integration for conveniences like:
- Getting notifications when cycles are complete
- Scheduling wash cycles for later
- Monitoring cycle progress remotely
- Adjusting settings like water temperature from your phone
- Troubleshooting issues and understanding fault codes
Benefits of Smart Kitchen Products
There are many practical benefits that come with incorporating smart technology into your kitchen.
Added Convenience
With smart kitchen gadgets, it’s easier than ever to streamline cooking and cleaning tasks. You can preheat the oven from the couch, brew coffee before getting out of bed, or start the dishwasher from the office. This adds convenience and saves time.
Remote Access and Monitoring
Checking in on your kitchen appliances remotely gives you more control. With a smart fridge you can peek inside without opening the door. And you can see if you remembered to turn off the oven using a smartphone app. Remote access provides peace of mind.
Automated and Optimized Performance
Smart kitchen products use Internet connectivity to optimize performance. Smart ovens can automatically adjust temperature and cook times. Smart coffee makers customize brew strength and schedule morning coffee. This automation means your appliances give you optimal results with less effort.
Advanced Cooking Assistance
Connected appliances like smart ovens assist you through each step of recipes. They can also detect what type of food you’re cooking and suggest ideal cook times and methods. For novice cooks, this kind of assistance can build confidence in the kitchen.
Energy Efficiency
Many smart appliances offer eco-friendly benefits. Smart fridges alert you when doors are left open, avoiding energy waste. Smart ovens efficiently preheat to the right temperature without overheating. And smart dishwashers use optimal water temperatures and drying techniques.
Personalized Performance
With connected kitchen appliances, settings and preferences are customized to your usage patterns and favorites. Smart coffee makers will learn to brew coffee just the way you like it. Smart ovens will suggest your go-to cooking temperatures and modes. Customization makes appliances less generic.
Popular Smart Kitchen Brands
Many recognizable home appliance and technology companies now offer smart kitchen product lines. Here are some of the major brands in this space:
- Samsung: Samsung’s Family Hub smart refrigerator has a touchscreen, app integration, voice control, and internal cameras. They also offer smart ranges, ovens and dishwashers.
- LG: LG makes internet connected refrigerators, ovens that pair with smartphones, and the LG SmartThinQ app that controls appliances via voice.
- GE Appliances: GE’s offerings include WiFi-enabled ovens, smart dishwashers with leak sensors, and customizable coffee makers. Their products work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Whirlpool: Whirlpool’s WIFI enabled smart appliances allow remote preheating, app notifications, and voice control. Options include smart refrigerators, ovens, washers, dryers, and more.
- Bosch: Bosch has Home Connect smart ovens and hoods that guide you through recipes. They also offer connected washers and dryers with troubleshooting via app.
- Miele: Miele’s smart appliances connect for remote monitoring and control. Options include ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and more.
- Nespresso: Nespresso makes smart coffee and espresso makers that allow you to customize brews and order supplies with their app.
- June Intelligent Oven: June is a smart oven startup that uses HD cameras and machine learning to identify foods and automatically cook them.
What Makes These Appliances “Smart”?
Smart kitchen appliances distinguish themselves from traditional devices by offering:
- Internet connectivity – Smart appliances connect to home WiFi networks to enable remote access and control. This allows them to send data to the cloud and your connected devices.
- App integration – Companies like Samsung and Bosch offer smartphone apps that interface with their smart appliances. This allows you to control, monitor, and customize from your iOS or Android device.
- Voice control – Most smart kitchen gadgets integrate with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for hands-free voice commands.
- Automation and optimization – Smart appliances use Internet connectivity and computer intelligence to automatically adjust settings for an optimal outcome, like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
- Notifications and alerts – Get notifications on your phone from the oven that dinner is ready or from the fridge if the door is left open. Smart appliances keep you informed.
- Easy software updates – Smart products can receive over-the-air firmware and software updates to add new capabilities. So your smart fridge gets smarter over time.
- Data collection – Smart kitchen gadgets collect data on usage patterns and performance metrics and upload it to company servers. This data helps companies optimize functionality.
Smart Kitchen Products Coming Soon
Smart kitchen technology is still evolving, and newer appliance categories are becoming “connected” each year. Some innovations that may go mainstream soon include:
Smart Countertop Ovens
Countertop smart ovens by companies like Tovala not only cook food optimally, they also use cameras to identify what you’re cooking and automatically choose the right settings. Some also stream video so you can watch food cook from your smartphone.
Smart Kitchen Knives
Smart knives are connected to apps that provide cutting guides, recipes instructions, and usage data to improve your chopping skills. Options include the Mikto knife and Normal smart knife.
Smart Multicookers
Led by the Instant Pot, smart multicookers prepare recipes via app and customize cooking duration, temperature, and pressure. They may include cameras in the future to identify ingredients.
Smart Kitchen Faucets
Moen, Delta, and Kohler offer voice-activated kitchen faucets. Expect more automation in the future, like faucets that automatically turn on when you bring food or dirty dishes near.
Smart Storage Containers
Companies like PantryOn are making wifi-connected storage containers that track expiration dates, send spoilage alerts, and may even automatically order grocery staples when low.
Which Smart Kitchen Products Are Worth Buying Now?
With so many new gadgets hitting the market, deciding which ones to buy can be tough. Here are some of the smart kitchen products that seem worth investing in for their useful functionality:
- Smart ovens – For features like remote preheating, cooking assistance, and optimized baking. Brands like June Intelligent Oven, Bosch, GE, and LG offer solid options.
- Smart refrigerators – The ability to peek inside, get alerts, and optimize cooling make connected fridges handy. Good options come from Samsung and LG.
- Smart coffee makers – For custom brews and morning coffee ready when you wake. Look at Nespresso, Smarter, and Braun.
- Smart dishwashers – Get alerts when the wash is done, or start a cycle from your phone on the go. Bosch, GE, and Thermador have dishwasher options.
- Smart microwaves – Remotely starting microwaves and customizing cook times can provide more convenience. Countertop models from GE, LG, and Toshiba are good choices.
For other smart kitchen gadgets, it may be worth waiting a bit longer for technology to mature and prices to decrease. But the products above seem to offer some of the most useful functionality for the investment.
voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for hands-free voice commands.
- Automation and optimization – Smart appliances use Internet connectivity and computer intelligence to automatically adjust settings for an optimal outcome, like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
- Notifications and alerts – Get notifications on your phone from the oven that dinner is ready or from the fridge if the door is left open. Smart appliances keep you informed.
- Easy software updates – Smart products can receive over-the-air firmware and software updates to add new capabilities. So your smart fridge gets smarter over time.
- Data collection – Smart kitchen gadgets collect data on usage patterns and performance metrics and upload it to company servers. This data helps companies optimize functionality.
Smart Kitchen Products Coming Soon
Smart kitchen technology is still evolving, and newer appliance categories are becoming “connected” each year. Some innovations that may go mainstream soon include:
Smart Countertop Ovens
Countertop smart ovens by companies like Tovala not only cook food optimally, they also use cameras to identify what you’re cooking and automatically choose the right settings. Some also stream video so you can watch food cook from your smartphone.
Smart Kitchen Knives
Smart knives are connected to apps that provide cutting guides, recipes instructions, and usage data to improve your chopping skills. Options include the Mikto knife and Normal smart knife.
Smart Multicookers
Led by the Instant Pot, smart multicookers prepare recipes via app and customize cooking duration, temperature, and pressure. They may include cameras in the future to identify ingredients.
Smart Kitchen Faucets
Moen, Delta, and Kohler offer voice-activated kitchen faucets. Expect more automation in the future, like faucets that automatically turn on when you bring food or dirty dishes near.
Smart Storage Containers
Companies like PantryOn are making wifi-connected storage containers that track expiration dates, send spoilage alerts, and may even automatically order grocery staples when low.
Which Smart Kitchen Products Are Worth Buying Now?
With so many new gadgets hitting the market, deciding which ones to buy can be tough. Here are some of the smart kitchen products that seem worth investing in for their useful functionality:
- Smart ovens – For features like remote preheating, cooking assistance, and optimized baking. Brands like June Intelligent Oven, Bosch, GE, and LG offer solid options.
- Smart refrigerators – The ability to peek inside, get alerts, and optimize cooling make connected fridges handy. Good options come from Samsung and LG.
- Smart coffee makers – For custom brews and morning coffee ready when you wake. Look at Nespresso, Smarter, and Braun.
- Smart dishwashers – Get alerts when the wash is done, or start a cycle from your phone on the go. Bosch, GE, and Thermador have dishwasher options.
- Smart microwaves – Remotely starting microwaves and customizing cook times can provide more convenience. Countertop models from GE, LG, and Toshiba are good choices.
For other smart kitchen gadgets, it may be worth waiting a bit longer for technology to mature and prices to decrease. But the products above seem to offer some of the most useful functionality for the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Kitchen Products
- What are some of the most high-tech smart kitchen appliances? Some of the most advanced smart kitchen appliances include:
- June Intelligent Oven – Uses HD cameras and food identification technology to automatically choose perfect cook settings.
- LG Smart Refrigerators – Have built-in touchscreens to control settings, play music, and more.
- Tovala Smart Oven – Scans package barcodes and automatically cooks foods perfectly using built-in meal plans.
- Samsung Family Hub – Has interior cameras, app integration, and can sync with grocery delivery services.
- Nespresso Vertuo – Brews customized coffee and espresso drinks automatically based on barcode scans.
- Do smart appliances require a subscription? Some smart appliance brands like June Oven, Tovala smart oven, and PantryOn storage containers require an ongoing subscription for full functionality. Subscriptions provide access to software updates and food identification databases. Most major brands like Samsung, LG, and GE do not require subscriptions at this time. But subscriptions for appliance brands may become more common in the future.
- Are smart kitchen appliances expensive? Smart kitchen appliances currently come at a premium cost compared to traditional models. For example, a Samsung smart refrigerator may cost $1000+ more than a regular Samsung fridge. The June Oven is priced at $599 compared to about $130 for a basic toaster oven. As the technology matures, smart appliance prices are expected to decrease over time.
- Can smart appliances be controlled without a smartphone? Most smart kitchen appliances can still be used manually like traditional models if desired. However, you often need a smartphone or voice assistant to control smart features like preheating an oven remotely or monitoring your cook from an app. Some smart appliances have touchscreens built-in for controlling some functions without a phone.
- Are smart kitchen gadgets worth buying yet? The smart kitchen category is still developing, but some products seem worth buying today while others may still be in the early adopter phase. Smart refrigerators, ovens, coffee makers and dishwashers arguably have the most worthwhile features currently. Products like smart kitchen knives and storage containers may take time to incrementally improve. Ultimately it depends on your budget and how eager you are to own the latest kitchen tech.
- What smart appliance brands are considered the best? Some of the brands with the best reputations for smart kitchen appliances include Samsung, LG, GE, Bosch, Nespresso, June Oven, and Miele. These companies offer high-quality products with advanced smart functionality. Startup companies are also introducing new smart kitchen gadgets but may have less of an established reputation.
Conclusion
The kitchen is rapidly becoming a more connected, automated, and futuristic space thanks to Internet-enabled “smart” appliances. From refrigerators that let you check their contents remotely to ovens you can preheat from the couch, smart products aim to enhance convenience while also optimizing cooking and cleaning performance. Key benefits of smart kitchen gadgets include remote access and control, personalized performance through artificial intelligence, useful notifications and alerts, and sleek high-tech interfaces.
Major appliance brands like Samsung, LG, and GE now offer smart kitchen product lines. And tech startups are also introducing innovative products to the space like countertop ovens that use food identification cameras and automatically choose settings. Some smart kitchen products seem worth purchasing now, like smart refrigerators, ovens, and coffee makers that provide practical functionality for daily life. However other gadgets may still be in the early stages. As the technology improves and prices drop, smart kitchen appliances should continue revolutionizing the ways home cooks get meals on the table.
