Smart home devices

Smart smoke alarms are pricey, but unlike traditional ones, they can alert you to a problem even when you’re not home. The Google Nest Protect is our pick.

HomeKit is a straightforward smart-home system for anyone who uses Apple devices. Here’s how it works and our pick of the best compatible smart devices.

Worry that your smart-home devices may be acting sneaky? So do we. Our reviews dig into privacy and security so you can feel better about our recommendations.

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and Google Nest Hub Max are the best smart displays. They have big screens for video chat, TV, or recipes, and great speakers, too.

The Google Nest line of smart speakers makes it easy to access music, audio, trivia, and in some cases video, all by voice commands to Google Assistant.

Here are some of the most popular home and lifestyle Wirecutter picks from 2023.

A balky clock radio was killing our morning wake-up mojo. An Echo Dot with a clock was the replacement that solved our woes.

Nest thermostats are the gateway to smart-home life.

Smart delivery boxes keep packages safe and alert you when they arrive. But in our testing, we found that they’re useful only if the delivery person uses them.

More than any other smart device, a smart smoke detector is so much better than a regular one, and it’s so important, we think they belong in every home.

Amazon’s latest announcements regarding Alexa and the smart home are giving us all the feelings.

These tiny robots motorize your curtains so that you can open or close them on a schedule or on command, using an app or a voice speaker.

Getting a home security camera is great, but it’s only the first step. To make it effective, you’ll need to adjust these settings.

Get the most out of your Google Assistant speaker with these smart-home devices designed to work with it.

You probably spend plenty on subscriptions already, but if you plan to have a home security camera, we think paying for a cloud storage plan is essential.

The White House has the best of intentions with its new cybersecurity plan. But until more details are clarified we’re unsure it can actually pull it off.

If you’re buying or selling a home with smart devices installed, take these steps to preserve your safety, security, and privacy.

Amazon Echo’s built-in ultrasonic motion sensor lets you easily automate lights and fans with Alexa routines, without buying anything else.

Finding lost items can be a little easier with a few smart tricks.

If someone in your home thwarts your smart lighting by flipping them off using wall switches, find peace by using wireless smart switches.

No one really enjoys waking up, but using smart-home devices can certainly help you rise, shine, and streamline your morning routine.

Apple’s second-gen HomePod sounds good and works well, but its high price and Apple-exclusive constraints give it more-limited appeal than other smart speakers.

Smart devices can make any backyard easier to maintain, more functional, and simply more fun.

This week’s advice column helps a reader with safety, security, and smart locks.

Smart lights, doorbell cameras, sensors, and speakers can all work together to give your Halloween guests the chills.

Amazon announced several new smart devices, including an upgraded Echo Dot, new Fire TV QLED TVs, and cameras from Ring and Blink.

Apple’s cloud service for security cameras has many great features, including the price—but we don’t recommend it for most people.

Smart-home devices are easier than ever to set up and use, but you should take a couple extra minutes to ensure they’re properly secured. Here’s how.

Whole-home energy monitors can help you save on electrical bills—but you may find that there are simpler alternatives.

Controlling devices with a smartphone is helpful. But if you want a home that’s automated, turn on geofencing.

Smart-home devices, game consoles, and other small connected gadgets all have their own privacy and security settings to review and adjust.

A smart Wi-Fi thermostat puts your climate-control system on autopilot, making it easier to manage and saving some cash for many homeowners.

Smart-home sensors can detect leaks, frozen pipes, and open doors so that small problems don’t turn into big expenses.

The temperature of your bedroom plays a major role in the quality of your sleep. A smart thermostat ensures you find that sweet spot.

Smart-home devices are a great gift—unless you run into tech troubles. Rest easy: Here are the solutions to the most common issues we’ve encountered.

A consortium of smart-home companies is launching Matter, a standard that should make smart-home devices work better and be more secure.

The best smart-home devices are easy to use, inexpensive, and expandable. Here are our tried-and-true favorites to get started.

There’s more to smart lighting than basic bulbs and wall switches. These design-centric smart lights are easy to install and will enhance your living space.

Both smart displays and digital photo frames offer an easy way to bring a stream of photos into your daily life. Here’s how to choose which one is right for you.

Depending on your heating and cooling system, a smart thermostat can slash energy use and your bills. But for some people, they may only provide convenience.

Mesh networks can give your home’s Wi-Fi a much needed boost—but can sometimes create problems for some smart-home devices, too.

Amazon let fly this week with a catalog’s worth of new devices and services, some here, some coming soon. Here are the ones we’re most excited to get our hands on.

One in 50 homes suffers water damage every year. These smart devices will alert you to leaks before they get bad—and can even prevent damage from occurring.

Unlike central air, which cools rooms, ceiling fans cool people directly. And a ceiling fan with smart-home controls is even more efficient and convenient.

Amazon’s new Sidewalk service may make your smart devices smarter—but at the cost of privacy. Here’s what you need to know and how to opt out if you prefer.

You can do way more with a smart lock than just control it with an app. Here are a few of our favorite skills to make the most of this essential smart device.

Your smart speaker is amazingly capable—once you get the hang of it. Here’s a cheat sheet for communicating with Alexa.

Smart bulbs and plugs can do so much more than just turn on and off with an app. Here are a few easy tips to get the most of smart lighting.

A smart garage-door controller is an essential convenience—and it can do so much more than just make your garage door remote-controllable.

Smart home starter kits are a quick and budget-friendly way to get started with—or expand—a smart home system that will just work.

Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant make listening to radio, controlling smart devices, and creating reminders as simple as asking for it. Here’s how to pick.