Smart home appliances become new darlings of young consumers

智能家电成年轻消费者新宠儿

Smart home appliances are rapidly becoming the new darlings of young consumers, thanks to the accelerated application of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in the home appliance industry.

智能家电正迅速成为年轻消费者的新宠，这得益于人工智能（AI）、大数据和物联网（IoT）等技术在家电行业的加速发展与融合。

A buyer learns about a smart refrigerator of Hisense at the 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

一位采购商在中国南方广东省广州市举行的第135届中国进出口商品交易会（也称为广交会）上了解有关海信的智能冰箱。（新华社/卢汉新摄）

According to international data forecasts, the shipment volume of smart home appliances in the Chinese market is expected to reach 281 million units by 2025, representing a 7.8 percent year-on-year increase.

根据国际数据预测，到2025年，中国市场智能家电出货量预计将达到2.81亿台，同比增长7.8%。

At an electronics store in Beijing's Chaoyang district, a young couple born after 2000 found themselves captivated by a smart robot vacuum cleaner.

在北京朝阳区的一家电器商场里，一对00后的年轻夫妇发现自己被一台智能扫地机器人吸尘器深深迷住。

A salesperson explained that the device responds to voice commands and features an efficient cleaning engine that precisely designs routes to quickly clean an entire home. Using 3D multi-dimensional obstacle avoidance technology, it navigates without bumping into furniture.

销售人员介绍，该设备配备语音指令设置，并具有高效的清洁引擎，可以智能规划路线，快速完成全屋清扫。采用3D多维避障技术，灵活穿梭不碰倒家具。

The couple were satisfied with the vacuum cleaner, as it looked impressive and could actually understand human commands, which would help ease their burden of cleaning significantly.

小两口对该机器人很满意，颜值在线不说，还能够听懂人类的命令，以后打扫卫生可就方便多啦。

A shopping guide at the store said that network-connected home appliances with a reservation mode and remote-control capabilities are top sellers, particularly among young consumers. "Today's young people prioritize convenience, multi-functionality, and technological sophistication when purchasing home appliances. They're highly receptive to smart home appliances," the shopping guide said.

该店的一位导购表示，具有预约模式和远程控制功能的联网家电最畅销，尤其受年轻消费者青睐。“现在的年轻人在选购家电时，优先考虑的是便利性、多功能性、科技感，他们对智能家电的接受度很高”，导购表示。

As "digital natives" who grew up immersed in the internet and digital devices, young consumers are becoming the main buyers of smart appliances. Survey data shows that over 90 percent of China's smart appliance consumers are under 40 years old.

作为沉浸在互联网和数字设备中长大的“数字原住民”，年轻消费者正在成为购买智能家电的主力军。调查数据显示，超过90%的中国智能家电消费者年龄在40岁以下。

A 29-year-old woman surnamed Wang who purchased a new apartment last year chose to outfit her entire home with smart appliances.

29岁的王女士去年购置新房，为新家全屋配置智能家电。

"Through my smartphone app, I can control my air conditioner, air purifier, water heater, washing machine, and other home appliances. I can remotely operate my washer and dryer or turn on the air conditioning before I arrive home. When I get home, I just say 'I'm home' to my smart speaker, which automatically turns on lights in the living room and plays music," Wang said.

“通过手机APP，我可以远程控制我的空调、空气净化器、热水器、洗衣机和其他家用电器。下班路上提前开启洗衣机烘干功能，或者打开空调加热。当我到家时，我只需对我的智能音箱说‘我在家’，它就会自动打开客厅的灯并播放音乐，”王女士说。

A staff member introduces a smart home appliance of a company in Ningxiang, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

湖南省宁乡市某公司工作人员正在介绍某款智能家电。（新华社/陈泽国）

These smart devices have saved her considerable time and energy, making her life more convenient and efficient.

这些智能设备为她节省了相当多的时间和精力，让她的生活更加便捷高效。

During the 2024 "618" shopping festival, the transaction volume for smart wall-mounted toilets, smart leather beds, smart shower systems, and energy-efficient flat-screen TVs on Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com increased by over 100 percent year on year.

2024年“618”购物节期间，京东平台智能壁挂式马桶、智能皮床、智能淋浴系统、节能平板电视的交易量同比增长超过100%。

Young consumers are a crucial driving force behind the development of smart home appliances, said Hong Yong, an associate researcher at the e-commerce research institute of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce.

商务部中国国际贸易经济合作研究院电子商务研究所副研究员洪勇表示，年轻消费者是智能家电发展的重要推动力。

Hong added that smart appliances have quickly integrated into young people's daily lives, becoming assistants in their pursuit of a better lifestyle.

洪勇补充道，智能家电已经迅速融入年轻人的日常生活，成为他们追求品质生活的得力助手。

Smart home appliances simplify household chores and improve efficiency, aligning with young people's pursuit of convenience.

智能家电简化家务流程，提高了效率，契合了年轻人对便捷的追求。

According to the 2024 China Youth Consumption Trends Report, smart home appliances saw their transaction volume increase by several times last year. Young consumers particularly favor robot vacuum cleaners, smart washing machines, and intelligent kitchen equipment, which ease the burden of household chores and give them more time to spend with family and pursue their interests.

据《2024中国青年消费趋势报告》显示，去年智能家电的交易额增长数倍。年轻消费者尤其青睐机器人吸尘器、智能洗衣机、智能厨房设备，这些家具不仅缓解家庭家务负担，让他们有更多时间陪家人，还能追求自己兴趣。

Home appliance industry analyst Liang Zhenpeng explained that the "lazy economy" is flourishing and smart home appliances are becoming increasingly diverse and affordable. Many young people hope to leverage technological advances to reduce the time they spend on household chores.

家电行业分析师梁振鹏解释说，“懒人经济”蓬勃发展，智能家电产品日渐多元化且价格亲民。许多年轻人希望利用技术进步来减少家务时间投入。

In addition, the technological and innovative features of smart home appliances are major draws for tech-savvy youth who readily embrace new technologies.

此外，智能家电的技术和创新功能对乐衷尝试新技术的年轻人来说是一个巨大的吸引力。

The energy-saving and environmentally friendly attributes of smart home appliances resonate with young consumers' green consumption concepts. According to a report on Gen Z's home appliance consumption, when purchasing home appliances, 99.25 percent of Gen Z users focus on the energy consumption and carbon emission levels of devices, with nearly 70 percent prioritizing low-energy products.

智能家电的节能环保属性高度契合年轻消费者的绿色消费理念。根据Z世代家电消费报告，在购买家电时，99.25%的Z世代用户关注设备的能耗和碳排放水平，近70%的用户优先考虑低能耗产品。

Smart home appliances are becoming symbols of a new lifestyle for young consumers, not only bringing convenience but also reflecting their pursuit of advanced technology and a personalized, green lifestyle.

智能家电正在成为年轻消费者新生活方式的符号--它们不仅意味着生活便利，更承载着对先进科技和个性化、绿色生活方式的追求。

While the evolution of consumer demands and technological advancements drive the upgrade of smart home appliances, firms in the home appliance industry are adjusting their product strategies according to young people's preferences to launch home appliances that better match their personalities and pace of life.

在消费需求演变和技术进步推动智能家电升级的双重驱动下，家电行业企业也在根据年轻人的喜好调整产品策略，推出更契合他们个性和生活节奏的家电产品。

Meanwhile, many home appliance brands are actively offering solutions for whole-house smart home appliances by targeting young consumers' pursuit of intelligent living.

与此同时，众多家电品牌瞄准年轻消费者对智能生活的追求，积极推出全屋智能家电解决方案。

In the future, home appliances will become more intelligent and energy-saving thanks to the widespread application of AI, IoT, and environmental protection technologies, Hong said, adding that a sound system of whole-house smart home appliances will provide better user experiences.

洪先生表示，未来，由于人工智能、物联网和环保技术的广泛应用，家用电器将变得更加智能和节能，他特别强调，全屋智能家电将提供极致的的用户体验。