HGTV just dropped the 2026 Smart Home. Poolside paradise in Orlando. $1.3 million. Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt designed it. Sounds like a vacation, right?
I know what you’re thinking. Another HGTV giveaway home. Big deal. But stick with me here, because the tech setup is actually worth talking about.
See, the HGTV Smart Home has always been a snapshot of where smart home tech is heading. And this year’s lineup in Florida? It’s different. Previous years gave you a smart thermostat here, a connected lock there. This year feels more… intentional.
Here are the 10 features worth knowing about.
1. SimpliSafe Security System. The Full Package
Security is the headline, and HGTV went all in. The 2026 Smart Home comes with SimpliSafe’s security setup, including:
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Glass break sensors
- Water sensors for leak detection
- Smart keypad for keyless entry
Here’s the thing about water sensors in a Florida home. Humidity and water damage are basically best friends in this state. SimpliSafe’s Water Sensor alerts you to leaks and flooding, whether your system is armed or not. You’ll know before your floorboards start doing weird things.
One Reddit user described using a water sensor in their AC drain line pump bin. When the pump failed, the overflow triggered the sensor before any real damage happened.
Oh, and the winner gets $100,000 cash on top of the house. Taxes and then some.
2. Resort Pool With Swim-Up Bar and Outdoor Projector
This isn’t your basic backyard setup. The outdoor space at HGTV Smart Home 2026 features a swim-up bar, outdoor projector, putting green, and gourmet grill station.
Florida evenings are something else. Outdoor projectors have gotten seriously good. ZDNET’s testing found the Samsung Freestyle 2 delivers vivid picture quality and portability. CNET recommends projectors with high brightness for outdoor settings because standard room projectors wash out once there’s ambient light.
Picture floating in the pool while the game streams overhead. That’s not aspirational marketing speak. That’s just good sense.
Trex Company handled the decking and pergola. Materials that laugh at Florida humidity instead of slowly destroying themselves.
3. Multi-Sport Simulator in the Game Room
The upstairs game room has a multi-sport simulator. Golf, baseball, soccer. Practice without leaving the house.
These things have gotten seriously good. A 2026 golf simulator cost breakdown shows quality builds ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for higher-end setups. About Golf’s systems start at $17,500 and go well past $35,000 for commercial-grade setups.
The fact that HGTV included this tells you they’re not messing around with entertainment here.
4. Multi-Screen Lounge for Game Day
The downstairs lounge has a multi-screen experience perfect for game day and movie nights.
Multiple screens. Watch several games at once. Or have the main game on one and your fantasy stats on another. For sports fans, this is the dream. No more “what channel is the game on?” arguments.
5. Indoor-Outdoor Living With Smart Climate Control
Florida heat is no joke. The home’s design emphasizes seamless indoor-outdoor flow, but that only works if your AC keeps up. Smart climate systems adjust cooling based on outdoor temperature, humidity, and whether doors are open.
The open-concept spaces look great. The smart HVAC behind them is what makes Florida indoor-outdoor living comfortable instead of just Instagram-worthy.
6. Smart Water Leak Detection
Beyond the SimpliSafe water sensors, leak detection is basically essential in any Florida home. Some systems pair with smart water valves that shut off your main line automatically when a leak hits.
The HGTV home includes water sensors as part of the security package. Given how much this house pushes outdoor living, that’s a genuinely smart inclusion.
7. Smart Irrigation for Florida Landscaping
Orlando’s year-round growing season means your lawn doesn’t take breaks. Smart irrigation systems use weather data and soil moisture sensors to figure out when your sprinklers should run.
Rachio, a leading smart irrigation brand, says smart controllers save at least 20% more water than conventional systems. Home Depot data shows homeowners can see 30% to 50% savings on monthly water bills with smart irrigation.
The home sits on a resort-inspired property. Smart irrigation means you’re not watering your lawn during a rainstorm. In a state where water conservation actually matters, that’s the kind of tech that saves you money without you thinking about it.
8. Smart Lighting Throughout
HGTV worked with HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams for interior and exterior paint. But lighting is what makes the whole look actually work.
Lighting remains the most popular entry point for the smart home, and Forbes notes that Matter is smoothing out device compatibility in 2026. Modern smart lighting works with voice assistants. Dimmable overheads, accent lights that highlight architectural details, and outdoor lighting that makes the pool area glow at night.
9. Smart Outdoor Kitchen
The gourmet grill station goes beyond “nice propane setup.” Today’s smart grills do more than just cook.
Traeger’s WiFIRE app lets you adjust grill temperature, monitor food temps, and set alerts directly from your phone. Weber’s Connect smart grilling technology tracks temperature and alerts users when food drops below the target temperature.
Orlando’s climate means outdoor cooking is a year-round thing, not a summer-only hobby. A smart grill makes the most of that.
10. Smart Garage and EV Readiness
The home includes a garage with some serious design attention. Homes at this price point in 2026 basically come with EV charging readiness at this point.
Smart garages that integrate with vehicle charging, home energy storage, and AI-driven monitoring are hot features buyers want in 2026. EV charging is increasingly a non-negotiable for new home buyers.
Smart garage systems alert you if the door stays open. They let you give delivery people temporary access without leaving a spare key under a flower pot. They tie into your security system. The garage getting this kind of thought tells me this wasn’t a rushed build.
What This Tells Us About Smart Homes in 2026
Previous HGTV Smart Homes felt like a checklist. Smart thermostat. Check. Smart lock. Check. This year feels different. The security system handles multiple hazard types. The entertainment assumes you’ll actually use the outdoor space. The climate control knows Florida is basically a different climate zone.
The mature smart home vision is finally arriving in a mainstream giveaway home.
Enter to Win
Entries open April 21, 2026, at 9 am ET and run through June 19, 2026. You can enter daily at HGTV.com/Smart.
There’s a one-hour special on April 24, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET on HGTV. Full tour before you decide whether to enter.
$1.3 million for the house and land. $100,000 cash for taxes and moving. Even if you don’t win, watching what HGTV chose to include here tells you something about where smart home tech actually is in 2026.
