What Is a Smart Home Appliance and Is It Worth Buying?
Smart home appliances — fridges, washing machines, air conditioners and dishwashers that connect to your Wi-Fi and can be controlled via a smartphone app — are increasingly common. But are they actually useful, or are they a gimmick you'll stop using after a week? Here's an honest look.
What Smart Appliances Can Do
Smart Fridges
- Send alerts if the door is left open
- Display internal cameras so you can check contents remotely
- Notify you when items are running low (some models)
- Show recipes based on what's inside
- Some Samsung models have touchscreen displays for notes, calendars and streaming
Smart Washing Machines
- Start or schedule a cycle remotely from your phone
- Send a notification when washing is done
- Diagnose faults and suggest fixes via the app (LG ThinQ, Samsung SmartThings)
- Automatically download and update wash programs
Smart Air Conditioners
- Control temperature and scheduling from anywhere
- Integrates with Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
- Monitor energy use in real time
- Can be turned on before you get home
Smart Dishwashers
- Monitor wash status remotely
- Alert you when cycle is done
- Some models automatically order rinse aid when running low (Bosch Home Connect)
Are Smart Appliances Worth It?
Yes, if you:
- Already use smart home devices (Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit)
- Have an irregular schedule and benefit from remote control
- Like data on your energy use
- Want to future-proof your home
Probably not, if you:
- Have a simple, predictable daily routine
- Prefer straightforward appliances without apps or complexity
- Have concerns about data privacy
- Find that app-based features add more friction than convenience
Our Recommendation
Smart features are genuinely useful in a few specific scenarios — especially for air conditioners (remote scheduling is very practical) and washing machines (remote monitoring saves trips to the laundry). For fridges, the smart features are often more novelty than necessity for most households.
When buying a smart appliance, choose a brand with a well-supported app: LG ThinQ, Samsung SmartThings and Bosch Home Connect are the most reliable platforms in Australia.
Shop Smart and Standard Appliances at Oceania
We stock both smart and standard appliances from leading brands. Our team can help you decide which features you'll actually use. Free delivery across Sydney, 3–6 month warranty on every appliance.
Call: 0450 220 436 | Shop: oceaniaappliances.com.au