One in six Americans now own a smart speaker according to new research from NPR and Edison Research. The Smart Audio Report reports that number is up 127% from January 2017. According to the survey, “42 percent of users say their device is now ‘essential’ to their everyday life and 65 percent wouldn’t go back to life without one.” Whether you are one of the sixteen percent of Americans who already own a smart speaker or are simply looking to start simplifying your life with automated technology, here are five reasons to start investing in smart home technology.