Site map
Updated
Topics
- Smart kitchen
- Smart living room
- Smart bedroom
- Smart bathroom
- Smart home office
- Front door and entryway
- Smart garage
- Smart yard, porch and outdoors
- Laundry, basement and utility rooms
- Smart home for renters
- Smart home for older adults
- Smart home for new parents
- Smart home for pet owners
- Smart home without monthly fees
- Privacy and local control
- Energy saving with smart devices
- Away from home and vacation
- Smart home basics
- Accessible smart home
- Matter and Thread
- Alexa smart home
- Google Home smart home
- Apple Home (HomeKit)
- Home Assistant
- SmartThings
- Smart lighting
- Smart plugs and outlets
- Smart thermostats
- Smart locks
- Video doorbells
- Home security cameras
- Sensors and alarms
- Wi-Fi and networking
- Indoor air quality
- Robot vacuums and mops
Calculators
- Device energy cost calculator
- Smart plug standby savings calculator
- Smart thermostat savings estimate
- LED bulb savings calculator
- Space heater cost calculator
- Air purifier room size calculator (CADR)
- Video doorbell transformer check
- Security camera storage calculator
- UPS runtime calculator: how long will it run your router?
- How many mesh Wi-Fi nodes do you need?
Kits
- Water leak protection kit for a house
- Energy-saving smart home kit
- Allergy season air quality kit
- Backyard smart kit: lights, watering, power and a camera
- Smart garage kit: opener controller, sensors and alerts
- Front door security kit for a house or apartment
- Package theft protection kit for a front porch
- No-subscription home security kit
- Vacation home monitoring kit
- Smart smoke and CO alarm kit for a 3-bedroom home
- Power outage backup kit: keep your smart home and Wi-Fi going
- Home office smart kit for reliable work from home
- Local-only smart home kit
- Smart home starter kit under $100
- Smart home kit under $300 for a first apartment or rental
- Smart home kit under $500: thermostat, lock, doorbell, lights
- Smart home kit under $1,000 for a house
- Smart nursery kit for new parents
- Pet owner smart home kit
- Apple Home starter kit
- Google Home starter kit
- Home Assistant starter kit
- Alexa smart home starter kit
- Aging in place smart home kit
- Voice control kit for limited mobility
- Renter no-drill smart home kit
- Dorm room smart kit
- Visual and vibrating alert kit for deaf and hard of hearing
- Smart kitchen kit
- Smart bedroom sleep kit
- Smart lighting kit under $100
- Smart thermostat installation kit: tools, parts and the thermostat
- Outdoor PoE camera system kit for a house
- Security kit for the first week in a new home
- Smart home network upgrade kit: a Wi-Fi setup that keeps devices online
- Detached garage and shed monitoring kit: connectivity, alerts and a fire alarm
- Laundry room smart kit
- Robot vacuum upkeep kit
- Matter and Thread starter kit
- SmartThings starter kit
- Living room smart kit: lighting, TV power and one-touch scenes
- Toddler-proofing alerts kit for crawlers and walkers
Guides
- Smart thermostat without a C-wire: your real options
- Smart lock for renters: options that leave no trace
- Energy-monitoring smart plugs: what the numbers mean
- Which devices use the most standby power at home
- What temperature to set your thermostat to save money
- Smart thermostat rebates and free thermostat offers from utilities
- Smart plug and space heater: is it safe?
- Smart thermostat for a heat pump: what to check
- Time-of-use rates: automating your home around peak hours
- Whole-home energy monitor: what it shows and whether to buy
- Smart control for an electric water heater
- How to make a window air conditioner smart
- How to make a ceiling fan smart
- Smart control for a ductless mini-split
- Thermostat wire colors explained
- Smart thermostat for electric baseboard heat
- Are smart vents worth it?
- One room too hot or cold? Using remote room sensors
- Smart thermostat for landlords: limits and tenant control
- Indoor air quality monitors: what PM2.5, CO2 and VOC mean
- Smart humidity control: humidifiers and dehumidifiers
- Wildfire smoke: keeping indoor air cleaner
- How to choose smart bulbs
- Smart switch without a neutral wire
- Smart dimmer with LED bulbs: fixing flicker and buzz
- Smart 3-way switch: how it works and what to buy
- How to install a smart light switch safely
- Why smart bulbs turn on after a power outage
- Smart lighting without rewiring
- Smart under-cabinet lighting for the kitchen
- Outdoor smart lighting: what to buy for the porch, path and yard
- Outdoor smart plugs: weatherproof ratings, GFCI and safe loads
- Holiday lights on a smart timer: sunset schedules, loads and tripped GFCIs
- Is a smart sprinkler controller worth it? Savings, wiring and setup
- Smart hose timer: watering the yard without a sprinkler system
- Make your garage door opener smart: retrofit controllers and safety
- HOA rules for security cameras, video doorbells and outdoor smart devices
- Will a smart lock fit your door? The measurements that decide
- Smart lock battery dead: how to get in and how to avoid it
- Are smart locks safe? What the real risks are
- Smart lock for a sliding glass door: your options
- Smart home setup for Airbnb and short-term rental hosts
- Video doorbell without existing wiring: what works
- Video doorbell and your existing chime: what works
- How high to mount a video doorbell, and at what angle
- Video doorbell without a subscription: what works
- Smart apartment intercom: what you can change and what you cannot
- Security cameras with no monthly fee
- Where to place home security cameras
- Security cameras and neighbors: what the law allows
- Solar-powered security cameras: does solar really work?
- Security camera night vision: infrared vs color
- Can you put a camera outside your apartment door?
- Door and window sensors: 10 automations that are worth setting up
- Where to place motion sensors: height, angle and heat sources to avoid
- Motion sensors and pets: how to avoid false alarms
- Smart home insurance discounts: which devices count and what to ask
- Wireless interconnected smoke alarms: what to know before buying
- Where to place carbon monoxide detectors
- Smoke alarm near the kitchen: stopping false alarms
- Smart water shutoff valve: actuator or inline valve
- Sump pump alarm and backup options
- Freeze alerts for pipes: sensors that warn you early
- Washer and dryer done notification: 4 ways to set it up
- Refrigerator and freezer temperature alarms
- Smart home checklist before a vacation
- Remote monitoring for a cabin without internet
- Geofencing in a smart home: setup and fixes
- Does your smart home work without internet?
- Temperature alerts for pets home alone
- Smart devices keep going offline: how to fix it
- How many smart devices can your Wi-Fi router handle?
- Extending Wi-Fi to the garage, yard or a detached building
- Smart plug or device won’t connect to Wi-Fi: fixes that work
- Putting smart devices on a separate network
- Zigbee and Wi-Fi interference: how to choose channels
- Smart speaker privacy settings to change
- Turn off smart TV tracking (ACR)
- The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark explained
- Amazon Sidewalk explained: should you turn it off?
- Indoor cameras and privacy at home
- Moving out: what to do with your smart home devices
- Share smart home access with family and guests
- How to start a smart home: a four-week plan
- Do you need a smart home hub? It depends on the radio
- Smart home routine ideas that earn their keep
- A smart home without a smartphone: buttons, voice and automation
- Nursery temperature and humidity monitoring
- Cordless and smart shades for child safety
- How to secure a Wi-Fi baby monitor or nursery camera
- Pet camera features that matter, and whether a treat dispenser is worth it
- Smart pet feeders: what to check before you buy
- Robot vacuum for pet hair: what to look for
- Robot vacuum for thick carpet and rugs: what to check
- Robot vacuum for a small apartment: size, noise and dock
- Robot vacuum cameras and privacy: settings to check
- Robot mops on hardwood floors: what to check first
- Bathroom fan humidity sensor switch: types, sizing, wiring
- Motion night lights for the bathroom and hallway
- Sunrise wake-up lighting: how to set it up with smart bulbs
- What is Matter? A plain-English guide
- Thread border router: what it does and whether you need one
- Matter multi-admin: one device, several apps
- Matter bridges: use your Zigbee devices with Matter
- Matter device won’t pair: step-by-step fixes
- Z-Wave explained for US homes
- Switching smart home ecosystems without starting over
- Alexa without a hub: which smart home devices connect
- Alexa and Matter: Echo devices, Thread and what you can add
- Google Home Matter hubs: which devices work and which add Thread
- Google Home presence sensing: how “home” and “away” work
- Apple Home hub requirements: HomePod, Apple TV and Thread
- HomeKit Secure Video: how it works, what it needs and its limits
- Is Home Assistant worth it for your home?
- Setting up a Zigbee coordinator for Home Assistant
- Home Assistant remote access, done safely
- Do you need a SmartThings hub?
- Local voice control without the cloud
- How to check on an elderly parent living alone, without a camera
- Fall detection at home: what the devices do and where they fall short
- Medication reminders with a smart speaker and other smart devices
- Smart speakers and displays for older adults: what helps and what to switch off
- Automatic stove shutoff devices: what exists and what needs a professional
- Automatic door openers for home accessibility and wheelchair access
- Renters with disabilities: reasonable modifications for smart home access
- Can renters install smart devices? What your lease allows
- Smart home for blind or low-vision users
- Lighting for video calls at home
- Smart bulbs for recessed lights: sizes, fixtures and options
- Lumens and color temperature by room for smart bulbs
- Which smart thermostat fits your HVAC system
- Which appliances can go on a smart plug, and which cannot
- Which security camera for your driveway?
- Which video doorbell for brick, stucco or vinyl siding?
- Which smart lock for kids, guests and cleaners?
- Which security camera resolution do you need?
- Which router should you buy for a smart home: the features that matter
- What size portable power station do you need for a router, fridge and smart home?
- Heat alarm or smoke alarm for the garage: which one fits
- Which low-voltage landscape lighting transformer size should you buy
- Which robot vacuum for a multi-floor home?
- Which dehumidifier size do you need for a basement?
- Which air purifier is right for a bedroom?
- Which smart plug for kitchen appliances like a coffee maker or kettle?
- Which smart plug should you buy for Apple Home?
- Which smart home hub works with no subscription?
- Which smart thermostat works with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home?
- Which door, motion and leak sensors for Home Assistant or SmartThings?
- Which smart lighting to choose for your living room
- UPS or surge protector: which one your home office needs
- Which smart pet door suits your home and your pet
- Which smart home gift for whom: a decision guide
Comparisons
- Matter vs Zigbee: what changes for your smart home
- Smart thermostat vs programmable thermostat: is the upgrade worth it?
- Smart bulbs vs smart switches: cost, wiring and use
- Smart plug vs in-wall smart outlet
- Retrofit or full-replacement smart lock: how to choose
- Keypad or fingerprint smart lock: which fits your household
- Smart lock or keypad deadbolt without an app
- Wired vs battery video doorbell: what changes
- Video doorbell vs peephole camera: which fits an apartment
- PoE vs Wi-Fi security cameras
- Battery vs wired security cameras
- DIY vs professionally monitored home security: costs and trade-offs
- mmWave presence sensor vs PIR motion sensor: which one fits
- Smart smoke alarm vs smoke alarm listener
- Mesh Wi-Fi vs range extender for dead zones
- Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7 router for a smart home
- Smart display vs smart speaker: screen, camera and hub
- Wi-Fi vs non-Wi-Fi baby monitor
- Robot vacuum vs cordless stick vacuum: what each does well
- Lidar vs camera robot vacuums: how each one navigates
- Matter over Thread vs Matter over Wi-Fi
- Zigbee vs Z-Wave for a US smart home
- Alexa vs Google Home: which ecosystem fits your household
- Apple Home vs Google Home: iPhone, Android, hubs and cameras
- Home Assistant vs SmartThings
- Motorized shades vs retrofit blind motors
- Wi-Fi smart bulbs vs hub-based bulbs (Zigbee and Thread)
- Smart dimmer or smart switch: choosing for each light
- Smart plugs or a smart power strip: which suits a living room
- Energy-monitoring plugs vs a whole-home energy monitor
- Floodlight camera or standard outdoor camera?
- Local or cloud storage for security camera video?
- Video doorbell or a camera aimed at your front door?
- Bluetooth or Wi-Fi smart lock?
- Hardwired vs sealed 10-year battery smoke alarms: what fits your home
- Photoelectric vs ionization smoke alarms: how they differ and what to buy
- Retrofit garage door controller vs a new smart garage door opener
- MoCA vs powerline adapters: choosing a wired backhaul for your Wi-Fi
- Self-emptying dock or manual bin: which robot vacuum fits you?
- Portable air purifier vs MERV 13 furnace filter
- Dehumidifier with a bucket or a continuous drain (hose or pump)
- Water leak sensors or a whole-home flow monitor
- Dedicated smart home hub vs smart speaker or display as your controller
- Zigbee hub vs USB Zigbee coordinator: which one fits your home
- Cloud-connected vs local-control smart home devices
- Wi-Fi vs Zigbee smart plugs: which type to buy
- Smart lock or key lockbox for caregivers and family access
- Voice control or physical smart buttons for easier access
- Ethernet or Wi-Fi for a home office: which connection to use