In Back to the Future II, Lea Thompson uses a futuristic microwave to turn a mini pizza into a full pie in a matter of seconds. In Blade Runner 2049, Officer K has a holographic AI at home. And in Total Recall, Arnie's Doug has access to a touchscreen fridge. 

It turns out cinematic predictions can come pretty close to the real thing. Smart homes are now available beyond the silver screen. Ready to turn your home "smart"? Here are 4 ways you can achieve it.

Perhaps your most important decision on your smart journey: the Amazon Echo or Google Home? It's not an easy choice, especially considering both devices are rock solid and come in at a very affordable price point. These points may help you decide: 

• Google speakers are better. It's a generalization, but Google's speakers tend to have higher built-in quality. Amazon devices, however, can easily be hooked up to third-party speakers. Most people tend to do this anyway.
• Design. The Amazon Echo wins here, mainly due to the sheer amount of options. You can use removable fabric, allowing you to choose according to your home decor. 
• Voice control. We think Google wins here, particularly for those of you who like to ask random questions. Alexa often heads straight to Wikipedia, whereas Google Home will scour the web for the best answer. 

Ultimately, it’s down to you and personal preference. If you're knee-deep in Google's ecosystem already, the Google Home may be the easiest choice. More of an Amazon Prime person? Just say "Alexa" and you"ll be on your way.

Unfortunately, going smart isn't just about the cool and the exciting. With crime rates still higher than they should be, investing in your home security is a good idea. Even if you're in a relatively safe neighborhood, it's better to have peace of mind: 

• Smart Security Floodlights. Thieves like operating in the shadows, the darkness. They don't want witnesses, which is why many tend to operate at night. With smart security lighting, you'll be equipping your home with next-level security. These operate remotely, using an app, there's voice control, the works. You can even use third-party services like IFTTT to fine-tune your device. 

Smart lights can be turned on off by voice command or through a smartphone app. You can set the mood using millions of palettes. Set your lights to dim slowly as it gets dark, getting your body ready to go to bed. Turn your lights on automatically while you're away from home. 

Or if you're looking for a nice welcome when you get back, just say "Alexa, I'm home" and your lighting will turn on according to your preference (of course, you can also do this with Google!). 

Tired of overspending on your heating or air conditioning? Enter smart thermostats. Our recommended device is Google's Nest, but there are other brands that do similar things. 

The Nest allows you to set the heating and cooling systems of your home in whatever way you want. You can control the device when you're away. For example, set the heating to come on as you're driving back from work. It also shows you the time and temperature when it's idle. The energy savings will pay for the device in less than two years.