Argos index reveals UK surge in smart home adoption

Argos has published findings from a nationwide study on smart home adoption, pointing to strong ownership of entertainment devices and rising interest in heating, energy and home security products.

The company's UK Smartest Homes Index draws on a survey of 2,000 UK adults who use smart home technology, alongside search trend analysis and third-party data. That external data includes gigabit broadband availability, smart meter coverage and electricity unit rates.

The results show that smart speakers and smart TVs sit at the centre of connected living for many households. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they owned a smart speaker. A similar share said they owned a smart TV or a streaming device.

Argos also reported higher adoption of security devices and a sharp rise in searches connected with smart heating controls. It framed those shifts against consumer interest in upgrading their homes with additional connected devices over the next year.

Entertainment leads

Smart speakers ranked as the most owned smart device among respondents. Argos said 74% of smart home users in the survey cited ownership of a smart speaker.

Smart TVs and streaming devices followed closely. Argos put ownership at 73% among respondents. The figures indicate that entertainment and voice interaction remain the most common entry point for smart home technology in the UK.

Smart lighting also featured as a widely adopted category, though at a lower level than speakers and TVs. Argos said 27% of smart home users owned smart lighting products, describing the segment as an accessible starting point for consumers building connected setups.

Security focus

The study also pointed to security as a significant driver of smart home spending and interest. Argos reported that 58% of respondents owned smart security devices.

The company grouped security products under devices that provide home monitoring and control. It described the category as one of the fastest-growing areas of smart home technology among UK consumers.

The research also explored what consumers say they want to add next. When asked what people wanted to upgrade their homes with in 2026, 15% prioritised home security and door solutions, according to the study.

Energy attention

Argos highlighted heating and energy control as a segment with fast-rising demand. It said searches for "smart thermostat" increased 311% over the last three months. It said searches for "smart heating" rose 173% over the same period.

The company linked that interest to households looking for more efficient ways to manage warmth at home. It reported that 35% of smart home users already owned smart thermostats or smart heating systems.

In the list of areas consumers said they wanted to upgrade in 2026, heating and energy control ranked third at 13%. Argos placed that behind cleaning and maintenance at 20%, and ahead of kitchen and cooking at 11%.

The index also incorporated third-party indicators tied to household energy infrastructure, including smart meter coverage and electricity unit rates. It also included gigabit broadband availability, which can influence the experience of running multiple connected devices in a home.

Who adopts

Argos identified consumers aged 35 to 44 as a key smart home cohort in its survey. It said 78% of respondents in that age group owned three or more smart devices.

The company also reported a strong frequency of use among that segment. It said 56% of respondents aged 35 to 44 used their smart devices daily.

Argos described the study as an indicator that consumers increasingly view smart devices as part of broader home systems, rather than stand-alone products.

"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, Head of Buying - Technology, Argos.

Argos said cleaning and maintenance ranked highest among the categories consumers want for future upgrades, at 20%. It said lighting and ambience, and kitchen and cooking each drew 11%.

The company positioned the index as a snapshot of smart home behaviour by region, generation and lifestyle, with a view to tracking which device categories have reached mainstream ownership and which show signs of faster growth in demand.