Nov 12, 2026 • Last Updated: Nov 13, 2026 • Guides and FAQs
From smart TVs and video doorbells to energy-efficient heating and intelligent lighting, new UK research and CEDIA industry data reveal how connected technology is becoming part of everyday life.
Smart home technology is becoming an increasingly familiar feature of British households. From smart TVs and voice assistants to connected heating, intelligent lighting and home security, homeowners are finding new ways to make everyday life more convenient, comfortable and connected.
According to Mintel's UK Future of Tech in the Home 2026 report, 84% of UK consumers own at least one smart home device, demonstrating how widely connected technology has entered everyday life.
However, the research also highlights an important distinction between owning smart technology and making the most of it. While entertainment devices remain popular, cost, privacy and understanding the practical benefits of connected products continue to influence purchasing decisions.
Meanwhile, CEDIA's 2026 UK Professional Smart Home Market Analysis values the UK professional residential technology industry at approximately £2.2 billion, with 67% of businesses expecting revenue growth over the next 12 months.
Together, these findings offer insight into how British households are adopting smart technology and the professional industry helping homeowners create more connected living environments.
Entertainment, convenience and security continue to feature prominently in British smart homes.
Research published by Aviva on smart technology in UK households in 2025 identified smart speakers, energy-efficient appliances, video doorbells and security cameras among the connected technologies owned by consumers.
Smart home technology already owned by UK adults
The findings illustrate how smart technology extends beyond entertainment and into heating, security, lighting and household appliances.
Separate research from Ofcom's Media Nations 2025 report found that 40% of UK households had a smart speaker in early 2025, highlighting the established role of voice-controlled technology.
For homeowners exploring different technologies, CEDIA's guide to smart home systems provides a starting point for understanding how connected devices can support everyday living.
Although many UK households already own connected devices, consumer research suggests there is continued interest in expanding smart home technology.
Aviva's 2025 research found that 20% of UK adults planned to purchase energy-efficient appliances within the following 12 months, while 19% were considering smart doorbells.
Smart plugs (18%), security cameras (17%) and smart thermostats (16%) also featured among planned purchases.
These findings suggest homeowners are considering technologies that provide practical benefits, including greater convenience, property security and improved control over household energy consumption.
The interest in energy-related products is particularly relevant as British households continue to consider the cost of heating, electricity and everyday living.
While consumer research reveals which devices British households are purchasing, CEDIA's 2026 UK Professional Smart Home Market Analysis provides insight into the professional industry supporting more sophisticated installations.
The research values the UK residential technology integration market at approximately £2.2 billion, with 67% of businesses expecting revenue growth over the following 12 months.
Lighting and shading represent an estimated £393 million of the market, while home networking accounts for £293 million and security systems £170 million.
CEDIA also found that 89% of surveyed businesses installed home networking systems during the previous year, while 82% installed lighting and shading systems.
These figures highlight the importance of reliable connectivity and integrated technology in professionally designed smart homes.
The findings suggest that professional smart home installations involve considerably more than individual connected devices.
Home networking provides the foundation for many integrated systems, while lighting, shading, security and climate control can be designed to work together around the needs of a household.
Proposed CEDIA expert commentary — subject to approval
"The growing presence of smart technology in British homes shows how connected living is becoming part of everyday life. However, the real value of a smart home isn't simply the number of devices installed.
"It's about creating a home where lighting, heating, security and entertainment work together reliably and intuitively. Good design, dependable connectivity and an understanding of how people use their homes are essential to making that possible."
Suggested commentary for review by a CEDIA technical expert. This is not an approved or attributed quotation.
Energy management is an important consideration for British homeowners, particularly when it comes to heating, lighting and electricity consumption.
According to the UK Government's Summer 2026 Public Attitudes Tracker, 93% of respondents were aware of smart appliances, while 53% said they would be likely to choose one when replacing a major household appliance.
Connected thermostats, automated lighting, motorised blinds and home energy monitoring systems can help households understand and manage their energy use.
For example, smart heating controls can adjust temperatures according to household schedules, while automated shading can help manage solar gain and indoor comfort throughout the year.
Some smart appliances and EV chargers can also be scheduled to operate during lower-cost electricity periods where compatible tariffs are available.
These technologies can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption when used appropriately, although savings depend on the property, system configuration and household behaviour.
Homeowners can find further advice in CEDIA's smart heating and cooling FAQs.
Connected technology can also help households support older relatives, family members with accessibility requirements and people who wish to remain independent in their homes.
Smart lighting, connected sensors, automated blinds and voice-controlled systems can make everyday activities easier to manage.
For example, motion-activated lighting can illuminate hallways at night, while automated controls can reduce the need to reach switches or operate individual devices.
Connected monitoring systems may also provide notifications when assistance is required, depending on the equipment and configuration.
These applications demonstrate how smart home technology can support comfort, accessibility and independent living.
However, monitoring and emergency alert technologies should complement appropriate care arrangements rather than replace them.
Security is another area influencing smart home adoption.
Aviva's research found that 29% of UK adults owned smart doorbells and the same proportion owned security cameras.
These technologies allow homeowners to monitor entrances, receive notifications and check certain areas of their properties remotely.
More advanced systems can also bring together smart locks, connected cameras, lighting and access controls.
However, increased connectivity also introduces important considerations around cybersecurity and privacy.
Mintel's 2026 research identifies privacy, data security and concerns about losing control as barriers to wider smart home adoption.
Homeowners should consider how their devices collect and store information, whether software updates are available and how securely their home networks are configured.
Owning connected technology does not necessarily mean households are using it to its full potential.
Research from Censuswide's Consumer Tech Confidence study highlights a gap between technology ownership and consumers' confidence in using their devices.
This raises an important consideration for homeowners: is their smart technology making everyday life easier, or creating additional complexity?
Different products may require separate applications, accounts and controls. Without careful planning, connected devices can become difficult to manage or fail to work together as intended.
Rather than focusing solely on purchasing additional products, homeowners may benefit from considering how existing and future technologies could operate as part of a more coordinated system.
An individual smart device typically performs a particular function, such as adjusting a thermostat, controlling a light or monitoring a front door.
An integrated smart home connects different technologies so they can work together through shared controls, schedules or automated routines.
For example, a single evening setting could dim lighting, close motorised blinds and prepare an entertainment system without requiring separate commands for each device.
This approach can make technology more convenient and intuitive, particularly in homes with multiple connected systems.
As households introduce more connected technology, planning, installation and ongoing support become increasingly important.
Professional smart home integrators can help homeowners select compatible products, design reliable networks and create systems that are straightforward to operate.
They can also consider how a property may need to adapt over time, whether through additional lighting controls, improved connectivity or more advanced automation.
CEDIA supports the professional smart home industry through education, certification, standards and research, helping promote the expertise involved in residential technology integration.
For homeowners considering a larger installation, working with a qualified professional can help ensure their technology is designed around their home, lifestyle and long-term requirements.
From entertainment and home security to energy management and family wellbeing, smart home technology is becoming part of an increasingly broad range of everyday activities.
UK consumer research highlights widespread ownership of connected devices, while CEDIA's 2026 market analysis demonstrates the scale of the professional industry supporting more sophisticated installations.
The future of connected living may be less about how many smart devices a household owns and more about how effectively those technologies work together.
For British homeowners, the opportunity is to create living environments that offer greater comfort, convenience, efficiency and confidence, with technology designed around the people who use it.
Mintel's 2026 research found that 84% of UK consumers owned at least one smart home device. The figure reflects Mintel's definition of smart home technology, which includes widely owned entertainment devices.
Smart TVs, smart speakers, video doorbells, security cameras and connected heating controls are among the most widely adopted technologies. Aviva's 2025 survey found smart speakers were owned by 45% of UK adults, followed by energy-efficient appliances at 30%.
Smart heating, lighting controls and energy monitoring can help households manage consumption and reduce unnecessary energy use. Actual savings depend on the property, equipment, energy tariff and how the technology is configured.
Professional installation can be valuable when connecting multiple systems, improving home networking or planning more sophisticated automation. A qualified integrator can help homeowners select compatible technology and design a system suited to their needs.
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