A new nationwide study commissioned by Argos has uncovered the device trends driving the UK’s smart home boom, highlighting which technologies are already mainstream and where consumer demand is accelerating fastest.
The UK’s Smartest Homes Index explores how the nation is embracing connected living by region, generation and lifestyle. It combines a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults who use smart home tech with search trend analysis and official third-party data, including gigabit broadband availability, smart meter coverage and electricity unit rates.
Key device trend insights:
- Smart speakers and TVs dominate modern British homes: Smart speakers are the UK’s most-owned smart devices (cited by 74% of respondents), closely followed by smart TVs or streaming gadgets (73%), making entertainment and voice-controlled tech the backbone of connected living.
- Security is becoming a major smart-tech driver: With 58% of users owning smart security devices, tools that help homeowners feel in control have become one of the fastest-growing categories.
- Heating and energy control are where demand is rising fastest: Searches for “smart thermostat” have surged 311% and “smart heating” is up 173% in the last three months alone, as households look for more efficient ways to stay warm. Smart thermostats and heating systems are already owned by 35% of smart-tech users.
- Smart lighting continues its steady rise: Now owned by 27% of smart-tech users, lighting remains one of the UK’s most accessible entry points for those beginning their smart-home journey.
- The UK’s most influential adopters are those aged 35-44: Nearly eight in ten (78%) in this age group own three or more smart devices, with 56% using them daily, making them a key driver of product demand and ecosystem growth.
- The next wave of demand is highly practical: When asked what they would want to make “smart” next, UK consumers prioritised:
- Cleaning and maintenance (20%)
- Home security and door solutions (15%)
- Heating and energy control (13%)
“Our Smartest Homes Index shows just how quickly the UK is moving towards connected living. Customers are not just bringing devices into their homes anymore, they’re building ecosystems that work together behind the scenes. From tech that helps optimise energy use to tools that support comfort and wellbeing, the next generation of smart living is already emerging. We want to give customers the confidence to choose smart tech that’s reliable, effective and tailored to their needs – whether that’s established solutions or the latest market trends,” said Will Jones, Argos head of buying – technology.
