Smart technology is rapidly becoming a staple in modern homes, with 64% of respondents indicating they currently own at least one smart device. But what drives this adoption, and what are the concerns that still hold some people back? Let’s dive into the data from a comprehensive survey of 2,000 participants, conducted by Hisense UK.

Adoption and Prevalence of Smart Devices

A significant 64% of respondents have embraced smart technology in their homes, with the majority owning between 1 and 5 devices. Among these, convenience (53%), energy efficiency (39%), and security (34%) are the top reasons driving purchases. However, 33% of respondents have yet to incorporate smart tech in their homes, mainly due to mistrust of the technology (37%) and cost concerns (35%).

Generational Differences

Younger age groups are leading the adoption of smart technology, with 84% of 18-24-year-olds and 81% of 25-34-year-olds reporting they have smart tech in their homes. This enthusiasm decreases with age, as only 49% of those aged 55-64 and 65 and over have adopted smart technology. Interestingly, older adults are more likely to cite distrust in smart tech as a barrier, particularly those aged 55-64 and 45-54, with 47% and 42%, respectively, expressing concern. Cost is another significant hurdle, especially for younger adults; 48% of 18-24-year-olds and 46% of 25-34-year-olds find smart tech too expensive.

Regional Differences

London had the highest number of people owning smart tech, with 78% of respondents having a device in their home. The North East (71%) and Northern Ireland (70%) were the next highest regions. There wasn’t much to separate the regions with the least amount of people owning smart tech, as Scotland, the South West and South East had 56%, 57% and 58% respectively.

Households in the capital also had a high number of respondents saying they own multiple devices, with 44% owning 3-5 and 17% having 6-10 smart devices in their home – the joint highest alongside the North West.

Future Trends and Consumer Preferences

When looking ahead, energy efficiency management (36%) and advanced security features (33%) top the list of desired functionalities in future smart tech devices. Moreover, smart security systems (32%) and smart thermostats (17%) are the devices consumers are most willing to invest in. 

Regional Differences

Regionally, the North East valued energy efficiency management the most, with 46% citing that as the function they would like to see incorporated into smart tech in the next 5-10 years. In terms of adding advanced security, Scottish respondents were the most keen on adding this feature with 37% selecting that option. Northern Ireland proved to be the most health-conscious by some distance, as 38% cited “health monitoring and assistance” as the feature they would most like to see more of in smart devices.

Generational Differences

The younger demographics are particularly interested in the future of smart technology, with 36% of 18-24-year-olds eager to see more health monitoring and assistance features integrated into devices. On the other hand, older respondents (65 and over) are more focused on energy efficiency, with 39% highlighting this as their top priority for future smart tech advancements. Security remains a consistent priority across all age groups, though it resonates slightly more with those aged 25-34 (40%) and 35-44 (36%).

Security and Privacy Concerns

Security remains a significant concern, with 67% of respondents expressing some level of worry about privacy and security related to smart tech. This highlights the importance of designing future devices with robust security features to gain consumer trust.

Regional Differences

Londoners were the most worried about security in smart tech compared to any other area of the UK. 38% said they were “very concerned” and 48% answered “somewhat concerned” with their security and privacy around smart devices in their homes. On top of that, just 15% of the region said they were “not very concerned” – the lowest of any in the survey.  People living in the South East appeared to be the least concerned with privacy, with 39% of respondents selecting “not very concerned” and just 16% answering “very concerned” in what was almost a complete contrast to results in the capital.

Generational Differences

Perhaps surprisingly, it was the younger demographics most security-conscious around smart tech, with 34% of 25-34-year-olds and 25% of 18-24-year-olds citing that they are “very concerned” with their security and privacy around smart devices in their home. In contrast, the older age brackets appeared to be much less worried about their privacy as just 14% of 55-64-year-olds claimed to be “very concerned.” Despite these concerns, younger users are also the most willing to invest in advanced security features, reflecting their strong interest in protecting their digital privacy.

What's Next in Smart Technology

Consumers are eager to see more innovations in areas like security (37%) and cleaning (33%). Additionally, the demand for smart cooking (26%) and entertainment (24%) solutions suggests these could be the next big areas for smart tech development.

Regional Differences

Regionally, Northern Ireland respondents wanted to see security-focused devices more than any other, with 50% selecting that option. Cleaning (44%), cooking (40%) and entertainment (38%) were cited most by Londoners compared to other areas of the UK.

Generational Differences

Younger users, particularly those aged 18-24, are more enthusiastic about productivity-related features, with 40% expressing interest in technology that enhances their efficiency. This contrasts with older users, especially those aged 65 and over, who are more interested in tech that supports energy efficiency and basic functionality. Across all age groups, however, there is a shared expectation that smart technology will continue to evolve to meet diverse needs, from security enhancements to everyday convenience.

Methodology

Survey of 2,000 UK residents was conducted between 15th and 18th of August 2024.