Top 10 Household Devices You Can Control With Your Voice
Top 10 Household Devices You Can Control With Your Voice
If you've ever struggled with tiny buttons, hard-to-reach switches, or confusing smartphone apps, you're not alone. Millions of Americans—especially seniors and people with arthritis, limited mobility, or vision challenges—want the convenience of voice control without the headache of complicated technology.
The good news? There are many home appliances that allow you to operate them without needing a control panel, touchscreen, buttons, or a remote control. The future is voice control and there are many ways in which it is used. Household devices use voice control through apps, Alexa, Google Assistant, specialized software, and so on. Then, there is SmartVoice, a new generation of offline voice-controlled devices that works the moment you plug them in—no apps, no Wi-Fi setup, no accounts to create.
Let's explore the top 10 most common household devices you can now control with just your voice, making daily life easier, safer, and more independent.
Learn more about the difference between local and cloud processing here.
What Is Offline Voice Control?
Before we dive into the devices, let's clarify what makes offline voice control different—and better for many users.
Traditional Smart Devices (Alexa, Google Home):
- Require smartphone app download
- Need Wi-Fi network connection
- Require account creation with passwords
- Send your voice to company servers
- Stop working when internet goes down
- Need regular software updates
Offline Voice Control (Like SmartVoice):
- Plug in and start talking—that's it
- No internet connection needed
- No apps or accounts required
- Your voice stays private (processed on the device)
- Works during power outages (with backup power)
- Never needs updates or maintenance
For seniors, people with disabilities, or anyone who finds technology frustrating, offline voice control is a game-changer.
Learn more about what offline voice control is here.
The Top 10 Voice-Controlled Household Devices
1. Smart Plugs (Wall Outlets)
What they do: Turn any lamp, fan, heater, or appliance voice-controlled by plugging it into a smart outlet.
How they work: Say "turn on" or "turn off" and the plug controls whatever's connected to it.
Perfect for:
- Bedside lamps (no fumbling for switches in the dark)
- Holiday lights (control from your chair)
- Space heaters (turn off without bending down)
- Fans (adjust without getting up)
- Coffee makers (start brewing from bed)
Examples of voice commands commonly used for smart plugs: "Turn on," "Turn off," "Set timer for 30 minutes," "Wake in 2 hours"
Learn more about data and privacy protection in SmartVoice here.
2. Tower Fans
What they do: Provide cooling with hands-free control of power, speed, oscillation, and timers.
How they work: Say voice commands like "turn on the fan," "low speed," or "rotate on" to control airflow without touching buttons.
Perfect for:
- Bedrooms (adjust comfort without getting up)
- Living rooms (control from your recliner)
- Home offices (stay cool while working)
- Anyone with limited mobility
Why voice control matters:
Traditional fans have tiny buttons on the top or back that require bending, reaching, or reading small labels. Voice control eliminates all that frustration.
Examples of voice commands commonly used for tower fans: "Turn on," "Low speed," "Rotation on," "Rotation off," "Sleep in 2 hours"
Learn more about the Emerson SmartVoice Tower Fans here.
3. Space Heaters
What they do: Provide warmth with voice-controlled temperature, oscillation, and safety features.
How they work: Say "turn on the heater," "high heat," or "rotation on" to stay warm without bending down to floor-level controls.
Perfect for:
- Cold bedrooms (warm up before getting out of bed)
- Home offices (adjust temperature while working)
- Living rooms (control from your seat)
- Seniors who shouldn't bend to floor level
Safety advantage:
Voice control means you can turn off heaters from across the room—no risk of burns from touching hot surfaces or tripping over cords to reach controls.
Examples of voice commands commonly used for space heaters: "Turn on," "High heat," "Low heat," "Rotation on," "Sleep in 4 hours," "Turn off"
Learn more about the Emerson SmartVoice Tower Heaters here.
4. Air Fryers
What they do: Cook food with voice-controlled temperature, time, and cooking presets.
How they work: Say "preheat to 400 degrees," "air fry for 15 minutes," or "shake reminder" to cook hands-free.
Perfect for:
- Seniors who love cooking but struggle with small digital controls
- People with vision impairment (no reading tiny displays)
- Anyone with arthritis (no pressing small buttons)
- Multitaskers who want to cook while doing other things
Why this matters:
Traditional air fryers have tiny touchscreens and confusing button combinations. Voice control makes cooking simple again—just say what you want.
Examples of voice commands commonly used for air fryers: "Preheat 400," "Air fry 15 minutes," "Bake 350 degrees," "Add 5 minutes," "Shake reminder," "Turn off"
Learn more about the Emerson SmartVoice Air Fryers here.
5. Coffee Makers
What they do: Start brewing coffee with a voice command (when plugged into a smart outlet).
How they work: Plug your coffee maker into a voice-controlled smart plug, prep it the night before, and say "turn on" in the morning.
Perfect for:
- Morning routines (start coffee from bed)
- People with limited mobility (no walking to kitchen first thing)
- Anyone who wants coffee ready when they wake up
Setup tip:
Use a coffee maker with a mechanical switch (stays "on" when plugged in). Prep the night before, and your voice command starts brewing instantly.
6. Table Lamps and Floor Lamps
What they do: Turn lights on and off with voice commands via smart plugs, virtual assistants, or offline voice control.
How they work: Plug any lamp into a voice-controlled outlet and control it hands-free. Some lamps need to be connected to Alexa via an app. Other lamps operate through voice control once they are plugged in and powered on.
Perfect for:
- Bedside lamps (no fumbling in the dark)
- Reading lamps (turn on without reaching)
- Hallway lighting (illuminate path at night)
- Anyone with mobility challenges
Safety benefit:
Voice-controlled lighting reduces fall risks by eliminating the need to navigate dark rooms to find switches.
7. Electric Blankets
What they do: Turn heated blankets on and off with voice commands (via smart plugs).
How they work: Plug your electric blanket into a voice-controlled outlet and control it from bed.
Perfect for:
- Cold winter nights (warm bed before getting in)
- People with arthritis (no reaching for controls)
- Seniors who want comfort without effort
Safety note:
Use with blankets that have automatic shut-off features for safety.
8. Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
What they do: Control room humidity levels with voice commands via smart plugs or virtual assistants.
How they work: Plug your humidifiers/dehumidifiers into a voice-controlled outlet and turn it on/off by voice. Other humidifiers/dehumidifiers need to be connected to Alexa via an app.
Perfect for:
- Dry winter air (add moisture for comfort)
- Allergy sufferers (maintain optimal humidity)
- Anyone with respiratory issues
9. Televisions and Entertainment Systems
What they do: Turn TVs and sound systems on/off with voice commands via smart plugs or virtual assistants.
How they work: Plug entertainment devices into voice-controlled outlets for hands-free power control or use the built-in Alexa or Google Assistant voice control.
Perfect for:
- Seniors who lose remotes frequently
- People with vision impairment (no searching for tiny buttons)
- Anyone who wants simple on/off control
10. Charging Stations
What they do: Control power to phone/tablet charging with voice commands.
How they work: Use smart plugs with USB ports to charge devices and control power by voice.
Perfect for:
- Bedside charging (turn off charging light at night)
- Energy saving (stop phantom power drain)
- Scheduled charging (protect battery health)
Learn more about the Emerson SmartVoice Wall Plugs here.
How to Get Started: 3 Simple Steps
A lot of home devices require several steps to start using voice control. When it comes to SmartVoice, you can start controlling the appliance in just three simple steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Priority Device
Start with the device that would make the biggest difference in your daily life:
- Mobility challenges? Start with bedside lamp (smart plug)
- Arthritis in hands? Start with fan or heater
- Love cooking? Start with air fryer
- Want overall convenience? Start with smart plugs (control multiple devices)
Step 2: Plug It In
Literally, that's it. No apps to download, no Wi-Fi to configure, no accounts to create.
For SmartVoice devices:
- Unbox the device
- Plug it into a wall outlet
- Start talking
Setup time: 30 seconds
Step 3: Learn the Basic Commands
Most devices respond to simple, natural commands:
- "Turn on"
- "Turn off"
- "Set timer for [X] minutes"
- "Speed 1/2/3" (for fans)
- "High heat" / "Low heat" (for heaters)
The device will confirm what it heard, so you know it's working.
Technology Should Serve You, Not Frustrate You
For too long, "smart home" technology has meant complicated apps, confusing setup, and constant troubleshooting. That's not smart—that's stressful.
Offline voice control brings the promise of smart homes back to what it should be: making your life easier, safer, and more comfortable—without the headaches.
Whether you're a senior wanting to maintain independence, someone with arthritis or mobility challenges, or simply someone who's tired of complicated technology, voice-controlled household devices offer a better way.
Start with one device. See how it changes your daily routine. Then, add more as you discover how much easier life becomes when you can control your home with just your voice.
Shop for an Emerson SmartVoice Tower Fan to get hands-free cooling today.
The Emerson SmartVoice 23” Tower Heater is now also available at Walmart.com.
👉 Shop at Walmart today
