Are Your Appliances Smarter than You?

It can be tough to know when to buy, when to hold off, and when to save your money altogether. So, what is worth the investment right now—and what’s worth waiting on?

The Utility room, well, this hardworking space may be small, but it’s ripe for smarter tech and Wi-Fi-enabled shortcuts.

Washer and dryer

Pros: You can start and stop cycles remotely, get notified when the laundry is done, and receive reminders when your appliance needs maintenance (such as filter changes or tub cleaning).

Cons: Upgrading from your current washer and dryer is a $1,000-plus investment, which is rather costly.

Bottom line: The notifications are convenient, and if you need a new washer and dryer anyhow, many of the newest options have standard smart features. But if your current laundry machines work fine, there’s no need to upgrade—just use Alexa or Google to set a timer instead.

Robot vacuum

Pros: While plenty of robot vacuums clean floors, some advanced models come with Wi-Fi, so you can start a cleaning cycle with Alexa and get alerted when the vacuum is stuck or needs its bin emptied. Some can even map your house for more reliable cleaning.

Cons: Wi-Fi-connected models aren’t always as cheap as serviceable competitors, and only some models can do things like clean a specific room on demand.

Bottom line: Robot vacuums are a godsend, especially if you have kids or pets—and the extra utility you get from the app and voice commands is quite useful when you’re running out the door.

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