The connected home is increasingly appealing to French households. By 2024, nearly 60% of French people owned at least one connected device at home, according to a study by the GfK Institute. The home automation market is experiencing continuous growth, with over €2 billion in revenue in France and an annual increase of nearly 15%. Lighting, security, heating, comfort: smart devices are now integrated into daily routines. But which ones are actually the most used daily in our homes?
Thanks to easy-to-use smart devices, we can control our environment more easily, save time, conserve energy, and improve our comfort. But which devices are actually used every day in a connected home? Here’s a selection of 10 essential everyday items, tested and adopted by French households.
Smart light bulbs for customized lighting
They are often where it all begins. Connected light bulbs (Philips Hue, IKEA Tradfri, Wiz…) allow you to manage the light in each room from a smartphone or by voice.
Daily use:
- Automatic activation at nightfall
- Wake up gently with a gradual light
- Creating an atmosphere (reading, cinema, evening…)
Advantage: energy savings + visual comfort
Smart plugs for controlling standard appliances
Smart plugs transform any electrical appliance into a smart device. They are ideal for automating everyday tasks.
Frequent use:
- Turn off a lamp or coffee maker remotely
- Program a power outlet to switch off at a set time.
- Monitor the energy consumption of a device
Tip: very useful for devices in standby mode (TV box, computer, etc.)
The voice assistant is the conductor of your home
Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple Siri can be installed in a smart speaker. They allow you to control your home by voice, without needing to take out your phone.
Used daily for:
- Turn the lights on or off
- Asking for the weather, the time, and a kitchen timer
- Start a playlist, a radio station, or a morning routine
Bonus: kids love using it too!
The smart thermostat for managing your heating without having to think about it
Controlling your heating daily is essential for comfort and savings. Thermostats like Netatmo, Tado°, or Nest allow you to automatically regulate the temperature according to your habits.
Daily use:
- Automatic adjustment based on time and presence
- Remote control when leaving or returning
- Consumption tracking
Impact: up to 20% savings on heating bills
The connected security camera keeps an eye on things even when you’re away
Discreet but widely used, the connected camera is one of the objects that we consult daily, especially via our smartphone.
Typical use:
- Check that everything is alright at home
- Be alerted in case of suspicious movement
- Control the arrival of children or deliveries
Popular models: Blink, Arlo, Netatmo Welcome
The robot vacuum cleaner for effortlessly keeping your floors clean
The connected robot vacuum cleaner has become an ally for busy households. It often operates every day or several times a week.
Automatic use:
- Daily programming at a specific time
- Remote control via the app
- Targeted or complete cleaning
The result: a clean house without lifting a finger.
The connected video intercom to know who’s at the door
Very useful odaily the connected video intercom (like Ring or Netatmo Doorbell) allows you to answer the door even when you are not there.
Frequent use
- See who’s ringing
- Talk to the delivery driver
- Receive an alert on your smartphone
Comfort: no more running to the door, even from the sofa
The connected smoke detector for 24/7 safety
It is not the object that we actively use, but it is one of the pieces of equipment that we monitor every day in the background.
Useful application:
- Sending smoke alerts, even remotely
- Regular self-testing to verify its proper functioning
- Low battery warning
Popular model: Nest Protect
The smart lock for keyless access
With a smart lock, opening and closing the door becomes an everyday gesture… but in version 2.0.
Common uses:
- Open the door with your phone
- Share temporary access with a guest or nanny
- Check that the door is properly closed.
Popular models: Nuki, Igloohome, Yale
The connected weather station for better environmental management
Often installed in the entrance or on the balcony, a connected weather station provides daily information on air quality, humidity, temperature, nd weather forecasts.
Daily use:
- Prepare your outfit or activities
- Control the indoor ventilation
- Monitor pollution or heat spikes
Netatmo Weather Station
Smart devices have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, but far from being mere gadgets, they truly simplify things. It’s these small, everyday automations (lighting, heating, cleaning, security, etc.) that make all the difference. Far from being a high-tech luxury, the smart home is now within everyone’s reach, accessible, scalable, and focused on comfort.
With more than one in two French households equipped with at least one connected object, the smart connected home is no longer a luxury, but an everyday reality.
The success of even the simplest connected devices— light bulbs, thermostats, cameras—demonstrates that technology has become more accessible. And if the market continues to grow by more than 10% annually, there’s no doubt that these devices will become as essential as refrigerators or Wi-Fi. It’s up to you to choose the ones that will best transform your daily life.