Smart yard, porch and outdoors
Updated
Outdoor lighting, weatherproof plugs, sprinkler controllers, hose timers, cameras and HOA rules: what holds up outside and what to check first.
Outdoor devices need two things indoor ones do not: a weather rating that matches where they will sit, and power that is safe outside. Outdoor outlets should be GFCI-protected and covered; extension cords and plugs must be rated for outdoor use.
The payoff is real: a smart sprinkler controller that skips watering after rain, a hose timer for the garden, porch lights on a sunset schedule. If you live in an HOA, read the rules on cameras, lighting and visible equipment before drilling.
Kits 3
KitBackyard smart kit: lights, watering, power and a cameraTwo outdoor smart plugs, a hose timer, wet-rated lighting and a camera: a shopping list for a smarter yard, with realistic prices, safety checks…KitOutdoor PoE camera system kit for a houseFour wired cameras, a recorder, a hard drive and weatherproof cabling: the shopping list for a no-subscription outdoor camera system, with…KitDetached garage and shed monitoring kit: connectivity, alerts and a fire alarmA weatherproof Wi-Fi link, door sensors, a camera, a motion light and a heat alarm: the shopping list to watch a detached garage, workshop or shed…
Guides 12
GuideOutdoor smart lighting: what to buy for the porch, path and yardChoose fixtures rated for wet locations, decide between line-voltage and 12 V landscape lighting, then add schedules and motion triggers that…GuideOutdoor smart plugs: weatherproof ratings, GFCI and safe loadsAn indoor smart plug is not an outdoor smart plug. Here is how to read the weather rating, protect the outlet, stay within the load limit and keep…GuideHoliday lights on a smart timer: sunset schedules, loads and tripped GFCIsPut holiday lights on a smart plug or outdoor timer so they switch on at sunset and off at bedtime. Check the load, use outdoor-rated gear and…GuideIs a smart sprinkler controller worth it? Savings, wiring and setupA smart sprinkler controller can cut outdoor water use by adjusting to weather or soil. Learn what EPA WaterSense says it saves, how to check your…GuideSmart hose timer: watering the yard without a sprinkler systemA smart hose timer screws onto the spigot and waters on a schedule. Learn Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi, battery life, flow, multiple outlets, drip lines and…GuideHOA rules for security cameras, video doorbells and outdoor smart devicesBefore you mount a camera or doorbell in an HOA community, read the CC&Rs, ask in writing and know what the FCC antenna rule does and does not…GuideSmart lock for a sliding glass door: your optionsSliding patio doors have no deadbolt, so standard smart locks do not fit. You can add a smart latch, a sensor or a bar. Here is what each option…GuideWhere to place home security camerasCover the front door, back door, garage and ground-floor windows first, mount at 8 to 10 feet, angle down and avoid glare. Here is a room-by-room…GuideSecurity cameras and neighbors: what the law allowsFilming your own property is generally fine, but pointing a camera into a neighbor’s windows or recording conversations can cause trouble. Learn…GuideSolar-powered security cameras: does solar really work?A solar panel can keep a battery camera charged, but only if the panel gets enough direct sun and the camera does not trigger all day. Check…GuideWhich security camera for your driveway?A driveway camera has to cover distance, darkness and weather. Match its field of view, light and power source to your driveway length before you…GuideWhich low-voltage landscape lighting transformer size should you buyAdd up the watts of every fixture, leave headroom, then match wire gauge to run length. Worked examples for path lights, spotlights and a smart…