Smart Home
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Reviews
Vactidy Nimble T8 review: Good price, bad performance
This budget robot vacuum and mop combo spends more time charging than cleaning.
Reviews
Philips Hue Secure contact sensor review: Hue goes there?
With its contact sensor for doors and windows, Philips Hue looks to shore up its budding line of home security products. Does it succeed?
News
Google Home for web adds camera history, clip downloads
The web-based version of Google Home now boasts a “full camera experience,” complete with an event timeline and the ability to download recorded clips.
News
Roku hackers hijack 15,000 accounts using an old trick
Hackers took control of thousands of Roku accounts and ran up credit card bills with fraudulent purchases, using a tried-and-true method.
Reviews
Dyson V15s Detect Submarine review: One vac is all you need
The V15s Detect Submarine adds a wet roller head to the V15 Detect to create a wet and dry vacuum you can use on any type of floor.
News
Airbnb to hosts: No more indoor security cams, period
In a global policy change, Airbnb has banned the use of all indoor security cameras, including in common spaces.
Reviews
Vactidy Blitz V8 Pro review: Convenient cordless cleaning
This cordless vacuum is nimble to use and, thanks to a self-standing design, easy to store.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Roku's forced arbitration update leaves users fuming
Friendly reminder from Roku: You don't exactly own your smart TV.
News
Nest Aware now part of Google One plans in U.K., not U.S. yet
Google One users in the U.K. just learned that their plans now offer Nest Aware benefits, but there’s no word when U.S. users will be included in the offering.
Reviews
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro review: A marvelous front-door sentinel
Ring brings its 3D motion detection and Bird’s Eye View features to its most powerful battery-powered video doorbell, and it expects to fetch a pretty price for it.
Reviews
Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth review
You'll get Apple HomeKit support with this capable smart lock, but not Apple's "home key" NFC tech, and adding Wi-Fi costs extra.
Reviews
Dreame X30 Ultra review: Tops in truly hands-free floor cleaning
This robot vacuum and mop combo delivers exceptional results and requires little supervision.
News
Ikea’s long-awaited Matter update just went into beta
After a lengthy delay, Ikea's promised Matter update for its Dirigera smart hub is finally poised to arrive.
News
Own this video doorbell? Take it down now
In a blockbuster report, Consumer Reports pinpoints a series of cheap video doorbells that are wide open to attack.
Reviews
Tapo D230S1 video doorbell review: Feature-rich and easy-to-use
The TP-link Tapo D230S1 video doorbell allows you to see and talk to the person on your porch.
News
DRM remains a stumbling block for DVRs embracing ATSC 3.0
Broadcasters tout a new spec for ATSC 3.0 DVR, but DRM concerns linger.
News
LIFX is back with new outdoor smart lights
The once-troubled, now Feit Electric-owned LIFX brand returns with a quartet of outdoor lights, including string lights, a spotlight, and a flexible "rope" light.
Reviews
Rabbit Air MinusA2 review: High performance, higher price tag
You can make an artistic statement with this unique air scrubber.
News
HomePod with screen is still a year away (at least)
A screen-equipped HomePod won't see the light of day this year, according to the latest chatter.
News
Juggling multiple Philips Hue hubs is about to get easier
Soon you'll be able to sign into multiple Hue Bridges using a single Hue account, perfect for Hue users with more than 50 lights.
Reviews
Aqara Smart Light Switch review: Zigbee lighting control for less
While this attractive in-wall on/off lighting control is compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit, it can't operate without one of Aqara's smart home hubs.
Reviews
Xumo Stream Box review: Good, but not best in class
The Xumo Stream Box combines streaming and cable into one interface, with mixed results.
Opinion
Wyze plays blame game as camera breach fallout continues
Even as it apologies for yet another privacy breach, Wyze is blaming third parties for Friday's calamitous events.
Reviews
Aqara Smart Plug review: A good choice for Aqara’s Zigbee hubs
High prices and outdated designs are reasons to avoid proprietary smart home hubs. But if you want to keep using your Aqara hub, this is a good smart plug.
Reviews
Alen BreatheSmart 75i review: Powerful purifier gets app update
The BreatheSmart 75i comes with an improved app that makes it easier to dive into air quality data.
Updated
Wyze cams suffer major service outage, security breach
Following an hours-long service outage, Wyze admitted that some Wyze users could see thumbnail images of video events from strangers.
Reviews
SwitchBot Curtain 3 review: 3rd-gen curtain controller gets it right
A massive motor upgrade gives this smart window treatment operator enough torque to handle the heaviest drapes, with a 33-pound weight limit.
News
Nest Aware may soon be part of your Google One subscription
Code buried in the Google Home app hints that Nest Aware might be making its way to Google’s all-in-one Google One bundles.
Reviews
Linxura Smart Controller review: An intriguing work in progress
This pocket-size device offers quick access to your most common smart home functions, but wait for the bugs to get squashed before you buy one.
News
Latest Kasa Smart device controls a ceiling fan and the fan’s light
TP-Link’s new Kasa Smart KS240 in-wall controller can adjust both a ceiling fan’s speed and dim its integrated lights.
Reviews
Aqara Hub M2 review: A walled garden with some open windows
It seems contradictory, but Aqara’s Zigbee smart home hub controls only Aqara products, yet it’s compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, and some other ecosystems.
News
Amazon's Echo Connect will stop making calls this month
An Amazon accessory that allows Alexa to place phone calls on your landline, the Echo Connect will be useless in a matter of weeks.
Reviews
Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini review: Just the basics
Meross's bare-bones but inexpensive Matter smart plug did its duty, following a rocky setup process.
News
Ring's Protect Basic plan gets another price hike
Subscribers to Ring's most affordable subscription plan will soon be paying more to keep their security footage in the cloud.
News
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro delivers wire-free radar detection
Ring's latest consumer flagship doorbell doesn't require hardwired power to deliver a birds-eye view of who's on your porch—and how they got there.
News
SharePlay music control coming to Apple HomePods, Apple TV
Soon, you'll be able to allow others to take charge of music playback on your HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV.
Best Picks
Best indoor air quality monitors 2024: Healthy home, happy home
You don't have to suffer from allergies or asthma to benefit from knowing everything about your indoor environment. These devices will give you insight into the air you're breathing.
Reviews
SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ review: Compact cleaning
Half the size of its competitors, the K10+ vacuums as well as conventionally sized robots, but its mopping system falls short.
News
Samsung yanks Google Assistant from its smart TVs
Starting March 1, Alexa and Bixby will be the only voice assistant options on Samsung smart TVs.
Reviews
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd gen) review: Now with a privacy shield
The latest version of Ring's wired indoor camera add a manually operated physical privacy cover.
News
The new Abode Lock converts your deadbolt into a smart lock
Abode Systems' retrofit smart lock and keypad bundle promises to make it easier and less expensive to add the convenience of keyless entry to your home.
Reviews
Roomba j9+ review: This Roomba prioritizes your dirtiest rooms
With its navigating smarts and superb cleaning abilities, the self-emptying Roomba j9+ delivers a truly automated cleaning experience that should be welcome in any household.
News
Arlo hikes single-camera subscription prices by 60%
A year after hiking the prices of its subscription plans, Arlo is raising prices again for Arlo Secure users with just a single camera.
News
Manage family schedules on the massive Skylight Calendar Max
Skylight says its 27-inch touchscreen smart calendar makes it easy to keep track of an entire family’s activities, ranging from appointments and holidays to chores and meal planning.
News
Amazon scoots away from iRobot acquisition plan
Looks like Amazon won't be getting into the robot vacuum business after all.
Reviews
Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor review: Mitigating water damage
This addition to Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro security systems alerts you to water leaks, giving you a chance to act before you need high-cost home repairs.
Reviews
Arlo Essential Indoor review: The Arlo experience at a lower price
The second generation of Arlo's entry-level indoor security camera delivers everything we like about the Arlo experience at a more approachable price point.
News
Police can no longer use Ring’s Neighbors app to get video clips
The latest updates to Ring's Neighbors app bars emergency agencies from asking for and receiving video footage from Ring video doorbells and cameras.
Reviews
Roborock Q8 Max+ review: Laser navigation for less
An incremental upgrade to its predecessor, the Roborock Q8 Max+ boasts LiDAR navigation and a self-emptying bin without breaking the bank.
News