We have made it to the era of ultimate convenience. Why waste time turning on lights or adjusting the volume of your music when you could be doing something much more valuable like checking your social media?

There is no denying that home automation is quickly headed towards primetime. But is it ready? The idea has caught on so quickly that thousands of products have already entered the market before much standardization has been set in place. It can be overwhelming to try to sort through all of the options and decide what is the best fit for your lifestyle. The easiest way to get started is to not overthink it, and just dive in. Rather than analyzing every product and trying to match up their compatibility, the first step is choosing a protocol and a controller.

Network Protocols

In layman’s terms, a network protocol is just the way different devices “talk” to each other. You are already familiar with protocols like WiFi and Bluetooth, and many automated systems can be controlled by either of these common wireless networks. However, WiFi devices can quickly use up a lot of energy and bandwidth and Bluetooth has a limited reach, so it is a good idea to get a separate protocol for your home automation. Let’s take a look at a few of the options:

The Cheapskate: X10

This power-line based protocol has been around since the 70s and has recently introduced wireless support. Service can be spotty, but the price is nice and low.

The First Class: Insteon

The benefit of this network is that it combines both wired and wireless protocols into a mesh for superb communication between devices.

The Best of Both: Z Wave and ZigBee

These wireless protocols have become somewhat of a standard in the industry, so it will be easy to find compatible products.

Controllers and Hubs

The next step is to choose how you want to control your home, and this really is the deciding factor for every other product you will buy if you want to create a coherent system. Even then, you can’t really go wrong. There are plenty of products out there and many more being made every day, so once you decide on the how, the what will fall into place. If you like voice controls, Amazon Echo has quickly jumped to the forefront, if you would prefer old school manual controls, Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home is a good way to go. Besides that, there are endless apps for your phone, smartwatch, or tablet that can do the trick if you would rather keep things simple. Even if your ideal controller isn’t compatible with your chosen protocol (for instance, the Echo only works with WiFi or Bluetooth) there are plenty of hubs that can act as a middle man.

Security and Devices

The only other consideration is security. Studies show that many home automation devices are open to the public. However, many security companies like Frontpoint and Vivint are transitioning into smart homes, so you can counteract the threats with an easy all-in-one system.

And now you’re off, the options are endless. You can find smart lights, clocks, doors, windows, thermostats, appliances, and much more. Z Wave and ZigBee even offer starter packs with some of the basics.