Savant, the Cadillac of home automation providers, just launched a ‘budget’ package

By Drew Prindle February 27, 2014

savant cadillac home automation providers just launched budget package blueray landscape main — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In an effort to stay relevant and competitive amid a deluge of DIY home automation devices, high-end home automation provider Savant has just announced that it will soon be offering a new “budget” starter package for just $1,599. The new product runs on a Linux-based home server that acts as a control system for your lights, sound system, thermostat, and pretty much any other smart home devices you have connected to your home Wi-Fi network.

The system is comprised of three main parts: a central hub/controller, an array of different sensors and accessories that connect to it, and a self-configuring Wi-Fi universal remote. The system can also be controlled via a mobile app for Android or iOS. Just by itself, the hub will put you back $799, and all of the accessories add to that cost, bringing the total package to $1.6K. The only problem, however, is that you need to install one hub for each room that you want to automate, so it gets astronomically more expensive if you’re looking to outfit your entire house.

Savant is arguably the biggest name in the high-end automation market, and while this new package is definitely the company’s most affordable offering to date, it still needs to step up its game if it’s going to compete with the growing swarm of cheap, easy-to-install DIY home automation options. If you don’t mind doing a bit of the install yourself, you can pick up a full home automation system like Iris or SmartThings for around $300- or even cheaper if you’re only looking to smarten up a couple rooms.

The main selling point of Savant’s new Smart Series system seems to bet that they’ll send out a crew to come do all the hard programming you’d otherwise have to do yourself. But truth be told, if you pick up the right gear, a do-it-yourself automation setup isn’t really all that difficult in the first place.

That being said, if you’d rather not do all the legwork, Savant’s Smart Series products are available to order now, and installations through Savant integrators will begin March 17, 2014. Find out more here.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Internet of Things (IoT)

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…

Smart Home

How to turn your old phone into a security camera

If you're like most people, you've probably amassed a drawer of unused electronics over the years. Many of these are probably smartphones -- after all, carriers offer great promotions nowadays, giving you a chance to upgrade your device every two years without paying hefty fees. However, instead of letting your old smartphones collect dust (or worse, throwing them away), consider turning them into a makeshift security camera.

There are plenty of great iOS and Android apps available that help turn your old smartphone into a security camera. These work by using your old smartphone's built-in cameras to provide a live stream to your new smartphone. Best of all, many of these are affordable (or free) and work with just about any phone you might have purchased over the last decade.

Smart Home

The 4 best smart thermostats in 2024

A person operating the Google Nest thermostat.

A lot of folks may feel that a smart thermostat device is just a gimmick for the lazy that lets you control it remotely, but there are actually quite a lot of good things when it comes to smart thermostats. Depending on which model you buy and how much money you spend, there can be some significant savings, especially if you spring for the kind that learns your patterns and adjusts the temperature to eat up less electricity. Some thermostats even know what time of day electricity is expensive and adjust to use less of it to help bring your costs down.

As such, if you rely heavily on your HVAC, then having a smart thermostat can save you money and add a ton of convenience, even if you don't go for one of the smarter ones. Just knowing your energy usage over time can help you adjust and spend less money while also being a bit more eco-friendly. While there are a ton of options, we've collected four of our favorites below across various budgets and features, so be sure to check things out thoroughly and be sure a smart thermostat supports your HVAC system before taking the plunge.
The Best Smart Thermostats in 2024

Smart Home

The 5 best floodlight cameras for home security in 2024

A person adjusting the Wyze Cam Floodlight v2.

Whether you're living somewhere very rural with low lighting or just need to be extra sure to scare away (or record) any potential intruders, a floodlight camera is an excellent security tool for your home. And while there is a very large variety of floodlight cameras you can pick from, there are a couple of well-known brands that have risen to the top, and you're likely quite familiar with a few of them. As such, we've collected our favorites in various categories and gone into their specs and why you should consider grabbing them, so be sure to check each one thoroughly before taking the plunge.
The Best Floodlight Cameras in 2024

Buy the if you want the best overall floodlight camera
Buy the if you want the best premium floodlight camera
Buy the if you want the Best budget floodlight camera
Buy the if you want the best floodlight camera for Google users