Sick of climbing that ladder every year to put your lights up? Consider a permanent set of smart lights. This weatherproof model from Govee scores an IP67 rating (IP65 for the control box) and can handle temperatures of –4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. They are designed to be up year-round. I (Simon) tested the 100-foot … Read more
Using an Eero mesh system without the Eero Plus subscription limits you to a basic set of options. You can schedule Wi-Fi downtime, set up a guest network, and use your Eero as a smart home hub. That might be enough for most, but here’s what you get if you subscribe. First, it’s worth noting … Read more
We have tested several other outdoor security cameras. These are the ones we like that just missed out on a place above. Imou Knight Spotlight Camera for $180 or £100: A smart design and solid feature set make this an attractive security camera for the right spot. It can record at up to 4K with … Read more
Some of our favorite security cameras also come equipped with floodlights. The Arlo Floodlight Outdoor Security Camera ($215) goes up to 3,000 lumens, enough to illuminate a driveway or garden, and doesn’t require electrical wiring, making it easy to install. The Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro ($150) is a more affordable option that also offers 3,000 … Read more
This feature-packed camera from Eufy is likely overkill for most folks, but it’s an impressively versatile device. It combines a regular camera with a 130-degree field of view that can go up to 4K with a 2K telephoto lens that provides 3x optical zoom. It also has 360-degree pan and 75-degree tilt controls, AI tracking … Read more
The temperature of your heating system can also probably run lower than you’d expect. With modern gas boilers and heat pumps in particular, the concept of “low and slow” can achieve significant energy savings. In a system that uses hot water to heat up radiators, for instance, this means you would ensure that this water … Read more
No other product I’ve tested has advanced as quickly as the humble robot vacuum. Just a few short years ago, they were mostly annoying, overpriced devices that fell off steps and got stuck on rugs. Now you can find robot vacs at every price point with an incredible array of features, including mapping capabilities, self-emptying … Read more
My progress toward a truly “smart” home has been painfully slow. I’m sick of unreliable voice commands, flaky smart switches, and poorly designed apps. Where’s the seamless experience that was promised? As my wife often points out, if it’s not easier than flicking the regular old switch or drawing the curtains yourself, it is not … Read more
We have tested some other routers we like and have several more in the queue. These aren’t as great as the picks above but could be worth considering for some folks. TP-Link Archer AXE75 for $200: While this tri-band router makes Wi-Fi 6E affordable, its performance was mixed. The 6-GHz band offers fast speeds at … Read more
The ideal smart home seamlessly anticipates your needs and instantly responds to commands. You shouldn’t have to open a specific app for each appliance or remember the precise voice command and voice assistant combination that starts the latest episode of your favorite podcast on the nearest speaker. Competing smart home standards make operating your devices … Read more