From trend to the norm: smart homes have become an established part of everyday life

A study by reichelt elektronik shows that smart homes have become more suitable for everyday use and more affordable, but security concerns remain.

For many, smart devices have become a part of everyday life. This is demonstrated by a new study by reichelt elektronik, in which 63 per cent of the 5,000 consumers surveyed in Europe stated that they use at least one smart device. Multimedia devices such as smart TVs and smart music systems (60 per cent) are particularly popular, followed by voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home (43 per cent) and security solutions such as surveillance cameras, smoke detectors or smart door locks (32 per cent), and lighting controls (24 per cent).

By far the most frequently cited reason for purchasing smart products is the desire for greater comfort in one’s own home (45 per cent). This is followed by practical functions such as remote access or process automation (35 per cent), as well as the intention to save on energy and other costs through, for example, smart heating control (30 per cent). 26 per cent want to expand this area even further and control their home’s total energy consumption, as well as monitor solar panels. A further 26 per cent aims to increase security in their home, while a passion for technology drives one in four (25 per cent) to make a purchase.

Smart homes are worth it, but they’re not indispensable

A clear majority feels that the investment is worthwhile: 58 per cent of users report having saved money through smart devices, for example on heating or electricity bills. However, respondents cite greater convenience (49 per cent) as the biggest advantage – ahead even of the potential for savings (38 per cent). They also value greater efficiency in everyday life (36 per cent).

Although 66 per cent of respondents say that smart home technology makes their lives easier, many do not consider it indispensable: 47 per cent describe smart products as “a nice extra, but not essential”. Furthermore, 53 per cent do not want to become too dependent on smart devices.

Overall, the main drawbacks cited are dependence on an internet connection and power supply (34 per cent), high prices (34 per cent) and data privacy concerns (23 per cent). On a positive note, many of the obstacles mentioned so far have decreased significantly. For instance, in 2024, 53 per cent of respondents still cited high prices as a drawback of smart products; by 2026, this figure had fallen to just 34 per cent. Errors and failures are also perceived as a problem less frequently (37 per cent in 2024 versus 23 per cent in 2026).

This improvement is most apparent regarding incompatibility: whilst 24 per cent still criticised a lack of compatibility with other products or systems in 2024, the figure is now just 15 per cent. This could indicate that the interoperability of smart products has improved noticeably over the past years. Similarly, criticism of complicated installation (26 per cent in 2024 vs. 17 per cent in 2026) and complicated use (23 per cent in 2024 vs. 13 per cent in 2026) has declined significantly.

These figures show that, for many people, smart homes are no longer uncharted territory, but rather a natural part of everyday life, and using them has now become routine for many.

Wi-Fi dominates, whilst Matter and Zigbee remain largely unknown

When it comes to how smart devices communicate with one another, a clear picture emerges: well-known, everyday standards dominate, whilst specialised smart home protocols are still not very widespread. Wi-Fi is by far the most widely used connectivity standard: 85 per cent of respondents say they actively use it. Bluetooth follows in second place with 73 per cent active use.

These numbers stand in stark contrast to specific smart home protocols. Matter, the comparatively new, cross-manufacturer connectivity standard, is completely unknown to 63 per cent of respondents; only eight per cent actively use it. The situation is similar for Zigbee (also 65 per cent unaware, 7 per cent active usage) and Z-Wave (64 per cent unaware, 7 per cent active usage). Thread is slightly better known as many as 28 per cent have heard of it, even though only 12 per cent use the communication protocol.

Home Assistant is an exception: with 25 per cent active usage and an awareness rate of 70 per cent (known or used), the open-source platform is the most widely used among specific smart home solutions.

Security plays a central role

Respondents have high expectations when it comes to the security requirements for smart home products: 79 per cent attach great importance to regular security updates from manufacturers, 77 per cent to transparent data protection policies, and 74 per cent to encrypted data transmission between devices and servers. The option of local data processing without cloud storage (68 per cent), certifications from independent security organisations (72 per cent) and the ability to use devices offline (73 per cent) are also important to a clear majority.

At the same time, specific security concerns are holding many consumers back from purchasing further smart products: 35 per cent fear a cyberattack or unauthorised access to their devices, whilst 31 per cent are worried about data theft or the misuse of personal data. 30 per cent are concerned about system failures with security implications, whilst another 29 per cent are worried about a lack of transparency regarding how their data is used or shared. 25 per cent are concerned about potential eavesdropping functions in voice assistants.

Smart homes are becoming commonplace

Two-thirds of Europeans use smart devices, and more than half have demonstrably saved money as a result. At the same time, problems such as high prices, incompatibility with other products or difficult installation and use have become significantly less common. What remains is a clear expectation from consumers of the industry: greater security, greater transparency, greater trust.

Arno Doncks, Product Manager for Home Security & Smart Home at reichelt elektronik, says: “The study by reichelt elektronik shows that the smart home has moved beyond the hype phase and has become part of everyday life across Europe. The lower barriers in terms of price, compatibility and ease of use also demonstrate that the industry has made significant progress in recent years. The next task is clear. Anyone wishing to tap into remaining market potential must win consumers’ trust in data security and protection – as these remain the areas where reservations are greatest.”

Images: Adobe Stock, ©Infographic: reichelt elektronik