It’s getting dark and spooky outside and the ghosts and goblins will soon descend to trick or treat at your door. If you’re a tech person, it’s time to step up your game beyond window decals and pictures of black cats. I’ve rounded up 10 easy gadgets that will help kick your Halloween decor up a notch.
- Phillps Hue – This is a fun customizable way to light up your home. Phillips has starter kits that include LED color bulbs and the Hue Bridge. You can use light strips and even motion detector sensors to trigger your spooky Halloween scenes. Use the Phillips Halloween scenes or get the mobile app to crate and fine tune your own scenes and light schedules.
- Wyze Sense + Smart Plug
If you know the Wyze name, it’s because they are the company who has $20 home security cameras. But the company has expanded to some smart plugs, lights and sensors. Use the Wyze Sense kit and the Wyze Plug, you can use the motion sensor to turn the plug on and off, triggering anything…something to turn on, laugh, jump out, or even a bullhorn if you’re feeling truly evil. - Sonos Speakers
Spooky music or sounds always give me goosebumps. Sonos speakers sound amazing and integrate with other steaming devices (which all now have Halloween inspired sons and horror sound effects). Any Sonos will do, but some are small enough to hide right around the corner and are discrete like the One SL. - Ring’s Addams Family Chime
Originally released to promote the “The Addams Family,” movie last year the Addams Family chime works on any of Ring’s video cameras or doorbells. Set it up and when the cameras detect motion or when someone rings your doorbell you can have it sound like the bell in the Addams Family. You can also choose to use the two-way audio feature on the Ring cameras to scare people as they walk past. You know, if you’re into that kind of thing. - NanoLeaf
The Nanoleaf arranges for light panels in creative patters to be on the wall. Fine tune the colors or use voice control like Alexa, Siri, or Google assistant to turn them on or off. - Ultimate Ears Wonderboom2
A rugged, portable speaker that can be left outside. Best of all, it can fit into a pumpkin and is waterproof with a 13-hour battery life. Buy two and work in stereo or just use on to steam spooky sounds or the Monster Mash! - Samsung SmartThings Wifi Smart Plug
Plug in lights, a speaker, animatronics or whatever you want! This product integrates with the rest of the SmartThings Platform without a hub. You can set timers, schedules and control the plug via the app. - LIFX color lighting
These bulbs feature tiles that are similar to the Nanoleaf, along with colored bulbs that work much like the Phillips Huge- but don’t require a bridge! There is also a mini colored light bulb that will set you back $34.99! - Nest Hello
You can sit and watch “The Shining”, or “The Exorcist” confident to when your next trick or treater is on their way with the Nest Hello. Just ask Google to show your front door and a live feed from the doorbell will appear. This product will also keep an eye on decorations and pumpkins after you have gone to bed…no toilet papering of your house! - Anker Nebula Capsule Projector
Blast your favorite horror flicks on your garage door for all to watch using the Nebula Capsule projector. The $299.99 Nebula Capsule runs Android, connects via Wi-Fi and will stream directly from Netflix or YouTube. It will project an image up to 100 inches and is built for outdoor use. If you have a collection of movies you want to play, you can connect a computer to it using USB or HDMI.
The best part about using smart home products to spice up your Halloween décor is that you don’ have to buy these items and use them once. You can use these year round for all of your holiday fun, or just to create a get together or party atmosphere.