Product Categories

Audio Component Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved residential audio product that originates, amplifies, switches, reproduces, and/or decodes audio content. Entries may include analog or digital devices and could include audio receivers, amplifiers, processors, sources and other audio-specific products, including digital, tube or solid-state components used to power loudspeakers and subwoofers, or amplify and manage source components such as streaming media players, servers and disc players. Potentially, multiple winners will be named for this category based on price and product type.

Automated Shade Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved residential shading solution, either motorized or manual, battery-powered or hardwired, and interior or exterior. Entries may include solutions for window treatments, including blinds, drapes, Roman shades, honeycomb and others. Entries can also include insect motorized screens, pergolas, awnings, and other motorized shade solutions. 

Automation Technology of the Year 

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved automation device for the home. Entries in this category provide stand‐alone or integrated automation enhancements and protection to the home. Examples include sensors, communicating door locks, flood protection, vehicle detection, communicating thermostats, indoor air quality, mobile apps, keypads, touch panels, handheld remotes, gesture controls, voice and speech recognition, facial recognition, switches, and other specialty automation devices. The winning product should embody state‐of‐the‐art ergonomics, coupled with cutting‐edge technology to make the human interface intuitive and functional.

Best Support or Education Program

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved education or support program. Programs can be live, online, in print or in any other media. Entries are evaluated based on the direct benefit to the professional installer. Entries are expected to cover common training and support opportunities including, but not limited to, revenue opportunities; sales/marketing; professionalism; product knowledge; industry standards; best business practices; and adherence to national, state and local installation code.

Emerging Home Technologies

This award recognizes the best Internet of Things (IoT) product and/or solution in emerging technology categories such as virtual reality / augmented reality, voice control, connected appliances, alternative energy, energy monitoring/management, facial recognition, or thermal imaging. This award also recognizes the product that has disrupted an existing product channel the most. Products entered in this category may include products entered into other product categories and should embody ease of use and installation that have shifted the way the existing market operates. This award also recognizes the best new and/or improved home technology enhancements including smart appliances, central vacuum systems, gaming systems, and home furnishings such as home theater seats, massage chairs, IR extenders or furniture. Potentially, multiple winners will be named for this category type.

Energy Management Product of the Year

This award recognizes a residential product that focuses on sustainability and improving the environment. Submitted products should be environmentally friendly and empower a homeowner to reduce energy consumption, emissions and/or natural resources. Eligible products include engineering designs with an exceptionally low current draw, as well as devices that monitor, log or control energy consumption, including smart thermostats, smart HVAC registers, electric vehicle chargers, generators, battery back-up, renewables, occupancy sensors and more. 

Lighting Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved residential lighting product or system. The winning solution should provide tangible benefits to the homeowner, including ease of use, convenience, integration capabilities and energy savings. Entries may include distributed wireless products, hardwired or wireless lighting products or systems, scene control devices, unique control designs, controlling techniques, fixtures, LED fixtures, wellness lighting, smart bulbs, and/or a manufacturer's communication protocol.

Speakers and Subwoofers - Indoor

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved speakers, including, but not limited to, freestanding, in‐ceiling, in‐wall, invisible, wired, wireless, and subwoofers designed for use in a home entertainment or distributed audio/video system. The winning speaker should have an aesthetically pleasing design, smart installation features, and display exceptional innovation and/or sound quality. Potentially, multiple winners will be named for this category based on price and speaker type.

Outdoor Living Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved outdoor technologies, which enhance the outdoor living and entertaining experience. These include, but are not limited to, outdoor speakers (both in-ground and above ground), outdoor amplification, landscape lighting, outdoor projectors and screens, outdoor wireless access points and networking gear, waterproof touch panels and interfaces, pool control, automated irrigation control, outdoor motorized shading systems, and outdoor TV displays, mounts and soundbars. Potentially, multiple winners will be named for this category.

Soundbar of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved soundbar speakers, designed for use in a home entertainment or distributed audio/video system. The winning speaker should have an aesthetically pleasing design, smart installation features, and display exceptional innovation and/or sound quality. 

Audio/Video Distribution Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved product in the distributed audio and/or video content category, including A/V-over-IP products. Entries may include HDMI cabling, HDBaseT cabling, switchers, wireless, or hardwired multi‐room distribution products. The winning product should embody performance and ease of use.

Networking Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved IP hardwired or wireless computer networking product and structured wiring solution that provides solutions for networking PCs, handheld devices, security systems, cybersecurity protection, or media distribution.  Entries may include products that support multiple communication platforms as related to the cabling and infrastructure and wireless network within today's digital home. The winning product in this category should enhance wireless, twisted‐ pair, fiber optic, IP, communications, and/or the distribution of audio/video voice data content.

Rack or Mount Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved rack or mount used to install products typical of a new or existing audio/video or home automation system. Entries for this category may also include motorized interior or exterior automated window treatments, lifts or swivels, including floor or cabinet solutions. The winning product should combine aesthetics and an enhanced user experience with precise functionality and guaranteed long‐term operation. The winning product should also demonstrate efficient installation, aesthetic enhancements, and enhanced user interface.

Security Product of the Year: Residential Access Control & Intrusion

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved security targeted for the residential space. Entries in this category may include wired, wireless, digital and/or analog‐based products designed to secure or enhance the security of, residential properties such as video doorbells, smart door locks, biometric entry systems, motion sensors, control panels, glassbreak detectors, door and window contacts, interfaces, security lighting, perimeter detection, and miscellaneous subsystems. The winning product should demonstrate integration features with other subsystems, including ease of use, energy management and security enhancements that ensure peace of mind for the homeowner.

Security Product of the Year: Video Surveillance

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved video surveillance systems targeted for the residential space. Entries in this category may include products such as fixed and PTZ analog and IP/network-based cameras, megapixel and 4K Ultra HD cameras, thermal and IR cameras, video management and analytics systems, DVRs/NVRs or cloud storage systems engineered specifically for surveillance, and miscellaneous surveillance products including housings, mounts, lenses, displays, wireless components, switches, etc.

Video Projection Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved residential projection product that displays video content. Entries may include projectors and other video display specific products including long-throw, ultra short throw, conventional, laser, 4K, 8K and micro projectors. May also include retractable, fixed, curved, perforated, micro perforated, outdoor and other types of screens.

Video Product of the Year: Flat Screen/Direct View Display

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved residential video display product. Entries may include flat panel, LED, QLED, OLED, Smart TVs, 4K Ultra High-Definition, and DVLED and MicroLED video walls. 

Wellness Product of the Year

This award acknowledges products designed to support wellness. Entries can include, but not be limited to, human-centric lighting controls and fixtures, astronomic clock shade control, indoor air quality monitors and filters, aroma infusers, massage chairs, smart bedding and other sleep tech, nature-related soundscape source devices, nature-related digital media and video products, water quality monitoring and management systems, immersive fitness equipment, digital art, active aging technology and more.

Whole-house Control / System Management Product of the Year

This award recognizes the best new and/or improved integrated home control product as well as new and/or improved hardware and/or software tool used to install and/or service products typical of a new or existing home technology system.. Products must interface with a variety of IP, wireless, proprietary and/or open communication standards. The winning product should combine seamless integration with numerous residential subsystems providing a homeowner with complete home control.

Please contact Kelsi Fizer with any questions - kelsi.fizer@emeraldx.com