As Singapore embraces digital transformation, our #SmartNation vision is becoming a reality with smart towns and homes. The good news? Building a smart home doesn’t have to break the bank. With affordable tech solutions like CCTV cameras and Google Home, you can enhance security, convenience, and efficiency without overspending. Read on to discover how you can create a smarter, safer home for just a few hundred dollars!
Digital Door Lock
No more fiddling around with keys and you don’t have to worry about forgetting where you placed them! Possibly one of the best investments for your home, basic digital locks cost a couple of hundred dollars and come with various modes of access such as passcodes, fingerprints or RFID cards.
A digital door lock will also give your home an added layer of security as most of them come with fire alarms and anti-theft alarms that will sound if someone tries to tamper with it.
#TiqOurWord Did you know Tiq’s comprehensive home insurance has a 24-hour Emergency Home Assistance hotline that you can call in case of home emergencies such as locksmith, plumbing, electricity, and pest control issues? Learn more here.
CCTV Cameras
Home security is essential, and a smart CCTV camera is one of the best ways to protect your home. Budget-friendly options now offer features like motion detection, night vision, and cloud storage at competitive prices. A few smart variations include:
- Wi-Fi CCTV Cameras – Allow remote access via a mobile app
- Motion-Activated CCTV – Records only when movement is detected to save storage
- Cloud-Based CCTV Systems – Store footage securely online for easy retrieval
#TiqOurWord Since many modern security cameras run on Wi-Fi or other networks, your data could be at risk of cyber threats. Protect yourself online with Tiq’s Personal Cyber Insurance, available as an add-on to Tiq Home Insurance. Learn more here.
Smart Speaker
A great introduction to smart home, smart speakers do more than just put on your Spotify playlist or tell you the weather forecast. They can also control other smart home devices such as your lights or coffee machine so that one trigger word from you shall set your usual routine into motion. How convenient!
The more popular smart speakers in the market are Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod and Google Nest (previously called Google Home). You can buy a smart speaker for less than S$100!
#TiqOurWord Protect your home contents with a reliable insurance that can also cover accidental damages to your electrical and electronic appliances. Learn more here.
IoT Devices
The Internet of Things (IoT) is making HDB homes smarter by automating everyday tasks effortlessly. These gadgets not only make life more convenient but also help you save energy. Here are some budget-friendly IoT upgrades to consider:
- Smart Plugs – Convert standard appliances into smart devices
- Smart Light Bulbs – Control brightness and colour via mobile apps
- Smart Sensors – Detect motion, temperature changes, or leaks to prevent damage
Smart Kitchen Appliances
While a fancy fridge with a screen and built-in cameras or a smart full surface induction hob with flexible cooking zones can transform your kitchen into an atas-looking showroom, there are other more affordable smart home appliances that you can adapt to make your life easier and even help to elevate you to domestic goddess status.
Smart kitchen appliances such as a smart microwave can reduce cooking time by half and they are also energy efficient. Some smart microwaves even feature an anti-bacterial interior, which makes cleaning it so easy!
#TiqOurWord Consider the multi-appliances home protector add-on with Tiq Home Insurance! It provides coverage for home appliance repairs due to mechanical and/or electrical failure, limited to S$700 per callout repair service and up to 2 times per year. Learn more here.
Protection for your smart home
These smart home gadgets provide convenience, security and also perhaps improve your quality of life. Try to consider your needs and practicality – just as how you would with any insurance premium. Tiq Home Insurance by Etiqa Insurance gives you the flexibility to choose your cover to suit your needs, starting from just S$28/year! Terms apply.
[End]
Information is accurate as at 25 November 2020. This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K).
This article was updated on 2 June 2025.
Tiq by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd.
A digital insurance channel that embraces changes to provide simple and convenient protection, Tiq’s mission is to make insurance transparent and accessible, inspiring you today to be prepared for life’s surprises and inevitabilities, while empowering you to “Live Unlimited” and take control of your tomorrow.
With a shared vision to change the paradigm of insurance and reshape customer experience, Etiqa created the strong foundation for Tiq. Because life never stops changing, Etiqa never stops progressing. A licensed life and general insurance company registered in the Republic of Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Etiqa is governed by the Insurance Act and has been providing insurance solutions since 1961. It is 69% owned by Maybank, Southeast Asia’s fourth largest banking group, with more than 22 million customers in 20 countries; and 31% owned by Ageas, an international insurance group with 33 million customers across 16 countries.
Discover the full range of Tiq online insurance plans here.
