I lived in a smart home for a week, so you don't have to

When my friend, a tech entrepreneur, asked if I wanted to house-sit her smart home for a week, I jumped at the chance. She was heading off on a work trip, and I thought it would be fun to experience life in a fully automated home. Her house was packed with the latest gadgets—everything from smart lights and voice assistants to a fridge that could order groceries. As someone who loves technology, I couldn’t wait to try it all.

At first, the house felt like something out of a science fiction movie. I was amazed at how seamlessly everything worked—at least initially. I could turn on the lights just by saying, "Alexa, turn on the living room lights," or adjust the temperature from my phone while still in bed. The novelty of asking a smart speaker to play music or seeing the robot vacuum whizz around the house never got old. It felt futuristic, and I enjoyed the convenience.

However, my excitement quickly turned into frustration. While the gadgets were impressive, they didn’t always work the way I wanted. One night, I tried to turn off the bedroom lights, but Alexa misunderstood me and started playing an 80s playlist instead. The smart thermostat seemed to have a mind of its own, setting the house to freezing temperatures at random times. Even the fridge wasn’t as clever as it seemed—it sent a notification suggesting I order milk, even though the shelves were still full. I spent hours fiddling with settings and watching YouTube tutorials to make everything work properly.

Another issue that began to bother me was privacy. To make the house function, it needed to collect a lot of data about me. The voice assistants recorded everything I said, the security cameras monitored every room, and even the fridge knew what I was eating. Although I didn’t think I had much to hide, it was unsettling to know that so much personal information was being collected. Who was this data being shared with? Could it ever be hacked? These questions nagged at me, making it hard to relax.

By the end of the week, I was relieved to leave the smart home behind. While the technology was fascinating, it didn’t always feel like it made life easier. Instead, I found myself missing the simplicity of traditional devices—like turning off a light with a good old-fashioned switch. I also left with a greater awareness of how much technology intrudes on our privacy, even when it seems harmless.

Smart homes have potential, but they aren’t for everyone. If you’re willing to put up with the glitches and take steps to protect your privacy, they can be an exciting way to experience the future of living. But for now, I’m happy to stick with my “dumb” home, where the only thing that listens to me is my cat.