2025
9
US Future of Tech in the Home Market Report 2025
2025-12-03T14:01:57+00:00
REP146C7085_D7DE_4330_8B28_70D270BFE83C
3695
189317
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Report
en_GB
The smart home market stands at a pivotal moment, shaped by two contrasting forces. On one side, economic uncertainty is prompting consumers to scale back on non-essential tech spending. On…
US
Technology
simple

US Future of Tech in the Home Market Report 2025

"The smart home industry's success depends on bridging the gap between innovation and everyday practicality."

Haley Ferrini, Research Analyst, US Reports

Haley Ferrini, Research Analyst, US Reports

Market Intelligence ReportsTechnologyUS

US Smart Home Industry – Future Trends and Insights

  • The smart home market stands at a pivotal moment, shaped by two contrasting forces. On one side, economic uncertainty is prompting consumers to scale back on non-essential tech spending. On the other, there is a growing appetite for the convenience and security provided by AI-enhanced devices.
  • Adoption of smart home technology is relatively widespread, with 79% of consumers owning at least one smart home device. However, many are not leveraging these technologies to their full potential, with 58% of users avoiding features they find too complex.
  • The outlook for the US smart home industry remains promising. A notable 66% of consumers believe that smart technology will be a standard feature in newly built homes by 2026, underscoring its increasing importance in modern living.
  • Consumers continue to prioritize safer homes, lower energy costs, and simpler controls, but trust in data privacy is paramount. Brands that focus on interoperability, predictive maintenance, and localized data processing will gain a competitive edge.
  • As AI accelerates energy demand and strains the grid, smart home technology will play a critical role in distributed energy management and virtual power plant strategies. To thrive, brands must align with consumer needs by delivering accessible, practical solutions that provide transparent security, reliable support, and meaningful everyday value.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Smart home adoption and purchase intent
  • Consumer outlook on intuitive home technology
  • How consumers control and interact with smart devices
  • What consumers want automated
  • Key areas of the home for smart tech integration
  • Expanding the smart home ecosystem: vehicles, outdoor security, and pet care
  • Consumer expectations and priorities for smart home technology
  • Barriers to adoption
Collapse All

  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for tech in the home
    • Opportunities
    • Use smart TVs as the gateway to the connected home
    • Reframe smart home technology as practical and accessible
    • Position AI-driven devices as tools to free up time for users

  2. THE MARKET

    • Market context
    • As housing affordability continues to fall, homeownership rates in the US decline
    • Graph 1: Housing Affordability Index (HAI), 2019-25
    • Graph 2: homeownership rate, 2019-25
    • Trump’s tariffs force the industry to rethink costs
    • Legislation could require manufacturers to disclose device lifespans
    • Smart home solutions could offset the growing energy demands of AI data centers

  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Smart home adoption and consumer interest
    • Smart TVs lead the pack in home tech adoption
    • Expand smart home appeal through the power of smart TVs
    • Graph 3: smart home device ownership, 2025
    • Men embrace niche tech, potential to broaden adoption
    • Graph 4: smart home device ownership, by gender, 2025
    • Consumers gravitate towards affordable smart home devices
    • Intuitive and reactive smart home systems
    • Homes of the future will be designed to think and respond intuitively
    • Consumers are optimistic about reactive technology, though 55+ consumers may need some convincing
    • Graph 5: positive outlook towards future scenarios related to automated adjustments, by age, 2025
    • Apple’s approach to intuitive and emotionally aware home tech
    • Highlight the dependability and user-focused design of new device management solutions
    • Graph 6: positive outlook towards future scenarios related to device management, by age, 2025
    • Position smarter control methods as a way to reduce smartphone dependency
    • Graph 7: how consumers control their smart home devices, by age, 2025
    • Empower parents with hands-free solutions
    • Graph 8: how consumers control their smart home devices, moms vs dads, 2025
    • Unlocking greater autonomy through advanced smart home solutions
    • Task automation preferences
    • Consumers 18-54 see potential in home automation
    • Graph 9: positive outlook towards future scenarios related to task automation, by age, 2025
    • Bathroom cleaning tops the list of dreaded tasks
    • Older consumers want relief from physically demanding chores
    • Graph 10: most disliked household chores [NET any rank], by age, 2025
    • Turning chore aversion into automation opportunities
    • Graph 11: chores consumers would most like to see automated, by age, 2025
    • One size doesn’t fit all: customize automation for every consumer
    • Household robots are becoming a reality
    • Despite a relatively positive outlook, consumers are cautious about over-reliance
    • Expanding smart tech across the home and beyond
    • Consumers prioritize smart tech for living rooms and kitchens…
    • Graph 12: areas consumers would most like smart home tech added, by age, 2025
    • …although consumer priorities vary
    • As homeownership declines tech devices must evolve to meet renter demands
    • Graph 13: areas consumers would most like smart home tech added (select), by residence status, 2025
    • Position vehicles as part of the home ecosystem
    • Leverage consumer demand for security to expand smart tech outdoors
    • Tailor AI-powered security systems to fit the unique needs of urban and rural consumers
    • Graph 14: positive outlook towards AI-powered security systems that detect human movement and differentiate between regular activity (eg mail delivery, runners) and potential threats (eg break-ins, package theft), by area, 2025
    • Position smart home tech as a solution for pet owners’ needs
    • Graph 15: positive outlook on advanced algorithms based on machine learning that can evaluate voice patterns and give accurate appraisal of pet emotions, by age, 2025
    • What consumers want from technology
    • Align smart home features with consumer expectations
    • Graph 16: factors considered most important to the widespread adoption of smart home devices, by age, 2025
    • Recognize that drivers of adoption are nuanced
    • Demonstrate how smart home tech pays off in the long run
    • Predictive maintenance is essential for the next generation of homeowners
    • Graph 17: positive outlook on smart home appliances with predictive maintenance (eg monitor usage patterns, detect issues before they become problems and even schedule their own maintenance), by age and residence status, 2025
    • Locally owned data solutions can build trust with consumers
    • Appeal to men 35-54 with AI that feels more human
    • Barriers to adoption
    • While the future of smart homes looks promising, the industry still has a long way to go
    • Reframe devices as practical, not luxurious
    • Graph 18: barriers to adoption attitudes (% agree), by age, 2025
    • Widespread adoption hinges on competitive functionality
    • Smart devices can make homes more accessible
    • Smart homes can help consumers age in place
    • Knowledge gaps deter even the most capable smart home shoppers
    • Graph 19: “I’d be more interested in purchasing smart home products if I could hire someone to help with setup or fixes” (% agree), by financial situation, 2025
    • Sometimes the smartest tech is the simplest

  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Ring unveils AI tool to find lost pets
    • Google devices get a conversational AI upgrade
    • Say goodbye to keys and hello to facial recognition for unlocking your door
    • Laundry technology moves closer to automation
    • Samsung aims to redefine what a refrigerator can do
    • Amazon Astro strives to be the all-in-one smart home assistant
    • Arlo brings AI to security cameras to streamline user experience

  5. APPENDIX

    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Consumer qualitative research methodology
    • Generations
    • Abbreviations and terms

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