How I wasted $52,000 in my Dream Smart Home

Imported Pokéball-shaped wireless chargers for $150, but nobody wanted to use them.

Better solution than wireless chargers, with two covering everyone's needs and a magnetic base that is easy for anyone to use.

67W wall charger with built-in retractable cable that he finds insanely useful around the house.

Bought for parties they never hosted, so it got removed.

Their top model was loud, slow and had an abysmal interface, so he replaced it.

Same price as the Miele but far more intuitive, especially for guests.

Simple piece of engineering that stops tea foaming over so you can leave it on high heat.

Heats and froths milk drinks to 80°C and gives very frothy results.

One of the kitchen buys they got right first time.

Seriously fast blender that was instantly amazing, with a ready-to-go smoothie bottle and no drips.

Has earned its place permanently and he credits it for about half his weight loss.

Self-watering pots mean watering about once a month, and now every plant in the house uses them.

Replaced dotty LED strips under the kitchen island and gives well-diffused light.

A $4,000 hassle to pour and light, producing little more than a big candle flame.

Gas fire pit that lights in 30 seconds, has a four times bigger fire and extras like LED, speaker and wireless chargers.

Over-specified smart whiteboard that offered nothing a normal whiteboard didn't and was too heavy to use.

The final missing piece of his mouse setup, lifting the wrist to reduce strain.

An extreme purchase, but customisable look, sound and feel make it worthwhile for him.

More affordable, smoother and higher resistance than any other high-end under-desk elliptical he has tried.

Extremely comfortable motorised chair with heating, ventilation and massage, but he is still undecided about another gadget to charge.

Expensive full-fit acoustic treatment that makes the office feel like a library.

Zero regrets splurging on them as they feel a cut above other gyms.

A great punching bag first, with useful tech tracking punch speed and power and guided workouts.

Used in hallways to control AC, blinds and lights, but he prefers repurposing iPhones for in-room control.

Wall-mounted TV controlled from the repurposed iPhone remote.

They have fallen in love with these masks, which use red and blue light to clear skin.

Scalp massagers that give tingles across the body in the best way.

Kept in the cinema room wellness section for football injuries.

The $22,000 outdoor-designed LED sofas were uncomfortable, had dim LEDs and cable clutter, and were the worst buy of the house.