IFA 2023 is still in full swing in Berlin. And the show is busy as ever with product announcements from a host of companies.
We’re highlighting the best new smart home products from IFA.
Philips Hue Secure Cameras
www.philips-hue.com/newlaunches.
Well-known for its lineup of popular smart lights, Philips Hue isbranching out with smart home security products. The highlight of the company’s IFA announcements were a trio of new Philips Hue Secure Cameras. Designed to work indoors or outside, two cameras offer 1080p resolution with night vision. There is also a microphone and speaker, so you can hear what’s happening and talk to anyone within range of the camera.
With a subscription option, the cameras can notify you if a person, package, or pet triggers the notification. The cameras also offer end-to-end encryption for additional privacy. All of the settings and videos will be available to view through the new Secure Center in the Philips Hue app.
The wired and battery version of the camera will arrive in fall 2023 for $199.99 and $249.99, respectively. An outdoor floodlight camera will land in Q1 of 2024 and retail for $349.99. Along with the camera, there is also a new Philips Hue Secure contact sensor arriving in fall 2023.
Dreame Technology L20 Robotic Vacuum
The Dreame Technology L20 Robotic Vacuum does double-duty with a mop and vacuum in a single package. On the vacuum side, it offers 7,000 Pa of suction power while the liftable brush makes it easy to detangle hair. But the real star of the show is the dual mop. Special Mop-Extend technology identifies corners and edges. It will then extend the mop outward and as closely to the edge as possible.
The L20 dock station will automatically empty dust from the vacuum while drying the mopping pads to prevent odor and bacteria. It also features a dirty and clean water tank. Unlike many other robot mops, you can also use cleaning solution in the water.
you’re able to preorder the L20 now, and it will officially hit the market on August 09, 2025. It will retail for $1499.99. While that’s a premium price, the powerful vacuum and unique mop look to be a perfect way to ensure every inch of your floors are clean without needing to lift a finger.
JBL Authentics 500
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can work together on the JBL Authentics 500. Some other speakers offer both assistants, but you can only use one option without needing to change assistants in a companion app. That’s not the case with the JBL smart speaker as you can communicate with either one simultaneously. And that’s far from all with the speaker.
Along with a retro design, the speaker sports three 1-inch tweeters, three 2.75-inch midrange woofers, and a 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer for maximum bass. The 270-watt speaker also supports Dolby Atmos playback. For the best possible sound in every room, the speaker will automatically self-tune whenever it’s switched on. you may connect the Authentics 500 using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Alexa Multi-Room Music, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast.
The speaker will be available on July 29, 2025 with a retail price of $699.99.
Bring your classic audio equipment into the modern age with Eve Play. While Eve is known for its lineup of smart home products, this is the first audio device from the company. The device can add Apple AirPlay 2 streaming capabilities to existing amplifiers, active speakers, or soundbars. It can also synchronize the older equipment in multi-room audio set ups or with other AirPlay 2 speakers like Apple’s HomePod. Along with Wi-Fi, it also sports an Ethernet plug. The compact device offers RCA connectors along with an optical and coaxial digital output for audio equipment.
Eve Play will arrive on August 20, 2025 and retail for $149.95.
Aqara Ceiling Light T1M
There’s more than meets the eye with Aqura’s Ceiling Light T1M. The main light is a little less than 20 inches in diameter and can show a number of white hues and up to 16 million colors to set the mood for almost any occasion. But on the outside border of the main light is an independent RGB ring for gradient lighting effects and smart home integration. So you could possibly have the ring change color when something is detected like an open door or water leak. In tandem with the optional bridge from the company, the light offers full Matter support.
No price or availability information was announced.
Yeelight Beam RGBIC Light Bar
Yeelight was also busy with announcementsat IFA. One of its new smart lighting products, the Beam RGBIC Light Bar, is another fun option to brighten up your home. Designed to be placed on a desktop, the bar offers a pair of lights. The Beam is compatible with the Matter smart home protocol making it easy to integrate with all smart home platforms. The company’s companion smart home app is also getting some great upgrades with AI-powered learning and generated light effects.
No pricing or availability was announced for the Beam.
SwitchBot S10
Auto-empty stations have made robotic vacuums much more automated. Instead of having to manually empty a dust bin each time it is full, all of that debris is sent into a bag inside the dock. After a few months, all you need to do is throw away the bag and replace it. But using a combination vacuum and mop is still much more hands-on. In most models, you’ll need to still load clean water and empty dirty water after every couple of passes.
But the SwitchBot S10 is the first robot vacuum mop with an auto refill and drain system. After installing the included hardware on your plumbing, the robot will head to the auto refill station to add clean water and drain dirty water. While working, the roller mop will wash and scrub itself more than 300 times per second to prevent spreading dirt and more around the home. Whenever carpet is detected, the roller will retract into the robot. The vacuum features 6,500 Pa of suction power and will empty in another station.
No price was announced, but the S10 will hit Kickstarter on June 27, 2025.
Smart Home Technology Abounds at IFA 2023
This year’s IFA was full of great new smart home technology. From security cameras to smart lights and more, it’s an exciting time to build the perfect smart home for you.
