CES went virtual this year thanks to the ongoing pandemic, and while there was less news than normal we still got a good look at where the smart home is headed in 2021 and beyond. We saw new ways of thinking about the smart home when it comes to touchless tech, home security and virtual assistance around the house.
Not everything was reasonably priced or even out of the concept phase, but hey, that’s what CES is all about — the weird, wacky and wholly unaffordable tech of the future. Here are the highlights from the smart home category at CES 2021.
The touchless trend
Going touchless was a clear trend for CES 2021, with several companies demoing products that either reduce or remove touch interactions. Alarm.com’s touchless doorbell is one good example. Kohler also expanded its line of touchless faucets and toilets (and rolled out a $16,000 bathtub).
We also saw plenty of tech with cleanliness in mind. Air purifiers were seemingly everywhere, with two portable models, the Luftqi Luft Duo and the FrescheAir Portable HEPA Air Purifier/Deodorizer among them. The biggest is question of course is whether any of these are effective at cleaning the air and eliminating viral contaminants. We look forward to testing them out.
Google was absent from CES this year, leaving a two-story, slide-shaped hole in our tech journalist hearts. Amazon didn’t make any direct announcements, with Ring’s end-to-end encryption update for its video doorbells and cameras the only tangential exception. Apple held a news event unrelated to CES, announcing a new tech education campus in Atlanta and a developer academy in Michigan, as part of its $100 million racial equity and justice initiative.
This year’s CES was quieter for big brands and that was also true for these smart home giants. Both companies released plenty of new products last fall, so a quiet CES doesn’t really indicate that the brands are taking any less of an interest in new smart home tech. It’s likely there will be more news from Google and Amazon later in the year.
Our top smart home tech from CES 2021
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Kitchen upgrades
Smart kitchen technology didn’t make leaps and bounds this year, but we did see a few interesting (and expensive) products that could change the way you interact with one of the most important places in your home.
Samsung debuted US availability for its Bespoke line of refrigerators . We saw these modular, colorful fridges at IFA 2019 in Berlin, but at the time they weren’t expected to cross the pond. Now, US customers will be able to customize their fridge in a multitude of colors and arrangements with the Bespoke’s modern design.
Samsung also announced updates to its Family Hub software. The 6.0 iteration adds a new SmartThings cooking platform and boasts Alexa integration in a space previously occupied solely by Samsung’s in-house assistant, Bixby.
The InstaView Range LG highlighted includes an “air sous vide” mode, intended for low and slow cooking inside vacuum-sealed bags (sold separately, of course). It’s also the first range from LG to feature the knock-twice-to-view signature InstaView feature that lights up the interior of the appliance.
The newest InstaView refrigerator comes with a few new features, as well. A UV sanitizer activates every hour to kill 99.99% of bacteria found in the water dispenser. The InstaView panel got larger, and more interesting, while LG unveiled refrigerator doors that can open via voice command.
This one’s just for fun. Everyone on our team was enamored with the Sigma Phase ColdSnap. This countertop appliance takes a Keurig-style approach to dessert with single-serve ice cream pods ready in 60 to 90 seconds.
Pods will cost $2 to $3 each and there are nondairy options, as well as frozen beverages and smoothies. Weighty at 50 pounds and likely in the $500-$1,000 price range, the ColdSnap won’t be for everyone.
ColdSnap makes ice cream from pods in less than 2 minutes
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Robots
It wouldn’t be CES if there weren’t robots buzzing around promising superior smarts and helpfulness in our future homes.
Samsung introduced multiple robots this year, some more ready for market than others. The Bot Handy is the most eye-catching one: It’s nearly human-sized and equipped to help with household tasks.
Though still in the concept phase, Samsung said the Bot Handy can analyze the weight, material and size of items in order to pick them up without damage. The robot would be able to help with things like loading a dishwasher, putting toys away or pouring a drink.
Samsung also showed off the JetBot 90 AI, a robot vacuum that empties its own bin and uses lidar to navigate and a camera to identify objects potentially hazardous to the bot.
From the cuddly to the imposing to the absolutely giant, these are the robots of the all-virtual CES 2021. Whether it’s the cute Moflin, the C-3PO-like Bot Handy or the poop-avoiding JetBot (above) these are the best robots from the show so far.
Like an ’80s sci-fi movie, this menacing robot monitors the halls of darkened workplaces — but in the case of the Cloi UV-C, it’s stamping out germs.
Samsung has a bumper crop of robots at CES, including the 2021 version of R2-D2 and C-3PO: Bot Care (left) and Bot Handy. The Bot Care is a “personal assistant robot” while the Bot Care is a bit more “hands-on.”
What you really want is a robot butler. This dream of the future is closest to being realized by the Bot Handy. This robot can put dirty dishes in a dishwasher or pour a bottle of wine. Hopefully, just one glass at a time or I’m gonna need bigger glassware.
Could this be the first robot with a dedicated poop sensor? The JetBot avoids robotic peril by avoiding the “wet messes” Rover leaves when he’s annoyed at you. The JetBot will be available in the US in the first half of the year.
Some of those inferior robots have only one arm, but not the ITRI Dual Arm Robot System! It can play a piano and serve you a delicious soda! All in the convenience of a single room!
Broom broom, here comes the Moorebot Scout! This palm-sized, $179 autonomous robot patrols your home with its off-roading wheels. It doesn’t really do much just yet, apart from monitor with its 1080p camera, but it is programmable for STEM-based learning.
Less a robot and more a combine harvester with the best cruise control mode you can imagine, this is the John Deere X Series. It has grain tank cameras, computer vision, autonomous driving and in-field machine-to-machine communication.
I’m not the first person to make a Star Trek reference with the $400 Moflin and I won’t be the last. But unlike the pesky Tribbles the Moflin doesn’t reproduce exponentially — it just sits on your lap, snuggles in and purrs.
Studio Ghibli fans: What do you get when cross Totoro and the Cat Bus? I’d wager it would end up something like the Petit Qoobo, perhaps with more teeth. Not that this robot pet needs to be any creepier — it’s basically a furry whoopee cushion with a tail. It’s a little brother to last year’s larger Qoobo.
The new Roborock S7 robot vacuum cleans hard floors and wet mops all in one go. Read more about the Roborock S7.
11/11 SLIDES
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi Alliance began certifying Wi-Fi 6E devices last week, paving the way for all sorts of new gadgets at CES that can transmit in the much wider 6GHz band. We saw several brands jump on the Wi-Fi 6E train with new, smarter routers, including Netgear, TP-Link and Linksys.
Wi-Fi 6 can support seven 160MHz channels at once, making the 6GHz band much wider than the 2.4 and 5GHz bands we’re used to. That means it’ll act as sort of an exclusive superhighway for the latest devices equipped to take advantage. Of course, much of that will depend on individual device makers.
Smart home devices are always a mainstay of CES. This year, with so many spending people so much time at home, this category has come into particular focus. From fancy robot vacuums, innovative and/or expensive kitchen and bathroom appliances to powerful networking gear and even cool tech for pets, CES 2021 doesn’t disappoint.
This 6.3 cu. ft. range from LG integrates the InstaView ability found in some of its fridges. A double tap on the range’s oven window turns its interior light on to provide a view of what’s cooking. Read more about the LG InstaView range.
The Nobi is no ordinary lamp. Packed with sensors, this light fixture is designed to give some peace of mind to seniors and their care givers. It keeps an eye out for potential trouble like falls or irregular motions. Read more about the Nobi smart lamp.
If you love listening to music or podcasts in the shower, then this gadget is for you. The Ampere Bluetooth Shower Speaker plays wireless audio from your phone or other compatible device. It also uses the flow of water through to the shower head as its power source. Read more about the Ampere Bluetooth Shower Speaker.
The Wellness Toilet from Toto is just a concept product for now, but it’s certainly timely. This high-tech commode analyzes your waste, along with other bodily metrics, to provide personalized health recommendations. Read more about the Toto Wellness Toilet.
The newest mesh router from Linksys Velop will support Wi-Fi 6E connections on the 6GHz band — and it’ll alert you if it detects motion in your home, too. Read more about the Linksys Velop router.
Samsung’s Bot Handy can put dirty dishes in a dishwasher or pour a bottle of wine. It can also pick up around the house by manipulating other solid objects. Read more about Samsung’s new Bot robots.
Made for installation on sliding or swing-style doors, the Lockly Guard is long, slender, and available in multiple finishes. And when paired with the Secure Link Wi-Fi Hub accessory, sold by Lockly for $80, the lock works with Alexa and Google Assistant. Read more about the Lockly Guard.
The new Roborock S7 robot vacuum cleans hard floors and wet mops all in one go. Read more about the Roborock S7.
Meet the ColdSnap, an ice-cream-making gadget unveiled by Sigma Phase at CES 2021. The ColdSnap works similarly to a Keurig appliance, but instead of dishing out coffee, it makes single-serve pod-dispensed ice cream and other tasty frozen treats. Read more about the ColdSnap.
The Lutron Outdoor Plug is an $80 smart outlet that’s built to connect wirelessly with your phone while withstanding the elements. Just plug it into power and pair it with the Lutron Bridge using Lutron’s app on your Android or iOS device, then plug whatever you like in behind it — patio lights, holiday lights, water pumps, you name it. From there, you’ll be able to use an app to turn the plug on and off remotely, or to automate it to turn on and off automatically at specific times. Read more about the Lutron Outdoor Plug.
LG’s line of InstaView refrigerators have always had a glass window on the door that lights up to reveal what’s inside whenever you knock on it. Now, for CES 2021, the South Korean retailer has a couple of new tricks up the InstaView’s sleeve. That includes a door that opens via voice command and a water dispenser that uses UV light to sanitize your drink. Read more about LG’s latest InstaView refrigerators.
The Wellness Toilet from Toto is just a concept product for now, but it’s certainly timely. This high-tech commode analyzes your waste, along with other bodily metrics, to provide personalized health recommendations. Read more about the Toto Wellness Toilet.
At CES 2021 Panasonic introduced a new entry in its Nanoe hair dryer line, the Nanoe EH-NA67-W. This new Nanoe promises to “reduce hair damage from everyday brushing” thanks to its “Nanoe technology.” According to Panasonic, the Nanoe tech pulls moisture from the air to dry your hair, without drying out your hair. Read more about the Panasonic Nanoe.
Chinese TV manufacturer Konka introduced affordable OLED TVs at last year’s CES. Now the team is back with 10 smart home products, hoping to stake a claim in the growing industry. On the list is everything from an LED floodlight camera to video doorbells, smart plugs, power strips, and more.
If you’ve been around the smart home space in recent years, you’re probably familiar with MyQ and its smart garage products. The folks at MyQ brought a new smart door to CES 2021. The MyQ Pet Door is aimed at pet owners who want to automate their daily routines. Read more about the MyQ Pet Portal.
Samsung’s JetBot 90 AI Plus smart vacuum cleaner can identify objects, empties itself and has a camera that lets it act as a home monitoring device. Read more about the Samsung JetBot 90 AI Plus.
TP-Link just introduced six new smart home products at CES 2021. The devices include three new cameras, specifically a doorbell, an outdoor camera and a pan/tilt camera, as well as two light switches and an outdoor plug. Here’s the complete list of all the newly unveiled products.
Kohler is ringing in 2021 with a host of new smart kitchen and bath products ranging from a smart water monitor to a $16,000 tub. Here’s all of the company’s fancy bathroom designs just unveiled for this year.
Making its debut at this year’s all-virtual CES tech showcase is the Netgear RAXE500 wireless router. It uses the same spaceship-like design from last year’s Nighthawk models that hide antennas inside a pair of wing-like fins, Expected to ship by the end of January, Netgear’s new router will cost $600 and provide 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E. Read more about the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500.
Meet the new LG CordZero ThinQ A9 Kompressor. Announced virtually at CES 2021, it’s a cordless vacuum cleaner that, thanks to a fancy charging stand, can empty its own dustbin. The stand also serves as a storage center for the vacuum’s many attachments. Read more about the LG CordZero ThinQ A9 Kompressor.
Origin wants to do away with large, multidevice home security systems. Its latest offering — Hex Home — relies on just two pieces of hardware: a Hex Command and a Hex Sense. The Hex Command is the hub of the system, while the plug-in Hex Sense device has a built-in siren and monitors motion. Read more about the Origin Hex Home security system.
22/22 SLIDES
Home security
Home security didn’t give us any ground-breaking new devices to look forward to (perhaps because everyone’s home all the time) but there were a few interesting items at the virtual show. In addition to Alarm.com’s touchless doorbell, Chinese TV manufacturer Konka launched 10 smart home products, several of which were smart security cameras. The affordable brand could be competition for brands such as Wyze and Blink.
We also saw an interesting security monitoring system called the Origin Hex Home security system, which claims to monitor motion in your home via Wi-Fi waves for up to 1,500 square feet with just two devices.
If you’re concerned about the safety of aging loved ones, the Nobi, a ceiling-mounted smart light packed with sensors, can watch over them. This AI-powered light uses sensors to detect motion and know if a person is lying in bed or has fallen onto the floor. A speaker and microphone can check on the resident and call for help.
The peace of mind it offers won’t come cheap. The Nobi will be available for professional installations in places like nursing homes first with a subscription cost of $119 a month, including hardware.
Meanwhile, MyQ showed off a $2,999 smart dog door that promises to be secure for your home and safe for your pet. With its two-way cameras and audio, companion app and Bluetooth collar charm for your dog, the MyQ Pet Portal could replace your entire door.
![Alarm.com's new touchless doorbell reflects the focus of some CES 2021 products. Alarm.com](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"45","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMObn.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMObn.img?h=352&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMObn.img?h=352&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a person standing next to a sink: Kohler](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cAj1Q.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cAj1Q.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cAj1Q.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a desktop computer sitting on top of a counter: Samsung's Bot Handy can do put dirty dishes in a dishwasher or pour a bottle of wine.](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"45","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cJhnD.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cJhnD.img?h=351&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cJhnD.img?h=351&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a kitchen with a wood floor: Samsung's Bespoke fridges will come in multiple colors and configurations. Samsung](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cuumh.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cuumh.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cuumh.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a person standing in front of an oven: LG adds InstaView to its newest range. LG Appliances](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cH2nX.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cH2nX.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cH2nX.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![A UV light cleans the water dispenser of this LG InstaView fridge. LG](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"80","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cGyMD.img?h=799&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"62","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cGyMD.img?h=624&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"62","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cGyMD.img?h=624&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a kitchen with a sink and a window: The ColdSnap is a Keurig-style ice cream maker. ColdSnap](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cF62t.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cF62t.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cF62t.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a desktop computer sitting on top of a counter: Bot Handy is a concept robot that could help your load the dishwasher. Samsung](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"45","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMIdp.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMIdp.img?h=352&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMIdp.img?h=352&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a small room: The JetBot 90 AI empties its own bin. Samsung](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"60","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMObx.img?h=600&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMObx.img?h=468&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cMObx.img?h=468&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a laptop computer sitting on top of a table: Netgear](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"59","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cEEhD.img?h=592&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"46","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cEEhD.img?h=463&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"46","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cEEhD.img?h=463&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a bedroom with a large bed sitting in a room: Nobi watches over your loved ones from above. Nobi](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cGJ21.img?h=532&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cGJ21.img?h=415&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cGJ21.img?h=415&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")
![a dog standing on the floor: The MyQ Pet Portal automates Fido's bathroom breaks. Liftmaster/MyQ](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/from-touchless-to-high-tech-the-smart-home-at-ces-2021-reflected-the-times/"default":"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cEhhS.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size3column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cEhhS.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f","size2column":"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1cEhhS.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f")