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Smart home comparisons

Updated

Two options side by side: what really changes, and which one fits which home.

Smart living room

ComparisonMotorized shades vs retrofit blind motorsComparisonSmart plugs or a smart power strip: which suits a living room

Smart home office

ComparisonEthernet or Wi-Fi for a home office: which connection to use

Smart garage

ComparisonRetrofit garage door controller vs a new smart garage door opener

Laundry, basement and utility rooms

ComparisonDehumidifier with a bucket or a continuous drain (hose or pump)ComparisonWater leak sensors or a whole-home flow monitor

Smart home for older adults

ComparisonSmart lock or key lockbox for caregivers and family access

Smart home for new parents

ComparisonWi-Fi vs non-Wi-Fi baby monitor

Privacy and local control

ComparisonCloud-connected vs local-control smart home devices

Energy saving with smart devices

ComparisonEnergy-monitoring plugs vs a whole-home energy monitor

Smart home basics

ComparisonSmart display vs smart speaker: screen, camera and hub

Accessible smart home

ComparisonVoice control or physical smart buttons for easier access

Matter and Thread

ComparisonMatter vs Zigbee: what changes for your smart homeComparisonMatter over Thread vs Matter over Wi-FiComparisonDedicated smart home hub vs smart speaker or display as your controller

Alexa smart home

ComparisonAlexa vs Google Home: which ecosystem fits your household

Apple Home (HomeKit)

ComparisonApple Home vs Google Home: iPhone, Android, hubs and cameras

Home Assistant

ComparisonHome Assistant vs SmartThingsComparisonZigbee hub vs USB Zigbee coordinator: which one fits your home

SmartThings

ComparisonZigbee vs Z-Wave for a US smart home

Smart lighting

ComparisonSmart bulbs vs smart switches: cost, wiring and useComparisonWi-Fi smart bulbs vs hub-based bulbs (Zigbee and Thread)ComparisonSmart dimmer or smart switch: choosing for each light

Smart plugs and outlets

ComparisonSmart plug vs in-wall smart outletComparisonWi-Fi vs Zigbee smart plugs: which type to buy

Smart thermostats

ComparisonSmart thermostat vs programmable thermostat: is the upgrade worth it?

Smart locks

ComparisonRetrofit or full-replacement smart lock: how to chooseComparisonKeypad or fingerprint smart lock: which fits your householdComparisonSmart lock or keypad deadbolt without an appComparisonBluetooth or Wi-Fi smart lock?

Video doorbells

ComparisonWired vs battery video doorbell: what changesComparisonVideo doorbell vs peephole camera: which fits an apartmentComparisonVideo doorbell or a camera aimed at your front door?

Home security cameras

ComparisonPoE vs Wi-Fi security camerasComparisonBattery vs wired security camerasComparisonFloodlight camera or standard outdoor camera?ComparisonLocal or cloud storage for security camera video?

Sensors and alarms

ComparisonDIY vs professionally monitored home security: costs and trade-offsComparisonmmWave presence sensor vs PIR motion sensor: which one fitsComparisonSmart smoke alarm vs smoke alarm listenerComparisonHardwired vs sealed 10-year battery smoke alarms: what fits your homeComparisonPhotoelectric vs ionization smoke alarms: how they differ and what to buy

Wi-Fi and networking

ComparisonMesh Wi-Fi vs range extender for dead zonesComparisonWi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7 router for a smart homeComparisonMoCA vs powerline adapters: choosing a wired backhaul for your Wi-Fi

Indoor air quality

ComparisonPortable air purifier vs MERV 13 furnace filter

Robot vacuums and mops

ComparisonRobot vacuum vs cordless stick vacuum: what each does wellComparisonLidar vs camera robot vacuums: how each one navigatesComparisonSelf-emptying dock or manual bin: which robot vacuum fits you?