Smart Home

Smart home gear should make your house quieter, not add another thing to manage. We focus on devices that are straightforward to set up, work reliably without a subscription in most cases, and play well with the ecosystem you already use.
What to look for:

Check compatibility with your existing ecosystem (Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa) before buying.
Wi-Fi devices are simplest to start with; Zigbee/Thread devices are more efficient once you own more than a handful.
Look for local/offline functionality — some automations shouldn’t depend on an internet connection.
Factor in any required subscription costs, not just the upfront device price.

New to this category? Start with our no-nonsense smart home starter guide or read whether you actually need a hub.