Skip to main content

Smart Home Features

The Google Nest Hub Max.

Why you should be using Google Home Routines

Wondering if setting up Google Home Routines is worth the trouble? It is! Here's what they can do for you and how to get started.
The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus dirt disposal unit.

Self-emptying robot vacuums: Do you really need one?

Digital Trends CES 2023 Tech For Change Award Winners Feature

Digital Trends’ Tech For Change CES 2023 Awards

Best of CES 2023 Awards Our Top Tech from the Show Feature

Digital Trends’ Top Tech of CES 2023 Awards

The futuristic Aska eVTOL quadcopter will take off and land vertically, like a drone.

What to expect at CES 2023, from mondo TVs to EVs

Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker sitting on a table.

The 8 best Alexa holiday commands

Kinsa Smart Thermometer

Here’s why you should consider upgrading to a smart thermometer

House buried in snow by blizzard.

The truth about outdoor smart home gadgets and extreme cold

Tineco Toasty One on counter with fresh toast.

Toasting … for dummies? Who really needs a smart toaster

Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector

How smart water management can protect against damage and save money

Twinkly smart lights set up around Christmas tree.

Smart ways to save on your utility bills during the holidays

Arlo Go 2

The Arlo Go 2 can go beyond Wi-Fi, and that’s really cool

nordstrom memorial day sale half year smart garden 3

This is how much it costs to run a smart garden, and how much it can save

Smart gardens are pitched as a way to cut down on produce costs, but are they really cost-efficient?
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro on wall.

Ring security camera buying guide

Ring's lineup of home security cameras is diverse and feature-rich, but what models are best for your property? We created this buying guide to help you decide.
The PuriCare AeroTower acts as a conversation piece in a room.

Turns out, sleep mode in smart fans isn’t just a gimmick

A lot of smart fans have a sleep mode. Turns out, it's not just a gimmicky feature -- it can actually help you sleep better.
Someone presses the Nest Video Doorbell in front of their home.

Is it worth upgrading to the new Google Nest wired doorbell?

Google unveiled the Nest Doorbell (wired) 2nd generation, but is it worth an upgrade?
The Yale Assure Lock 2 installed on the outside of a door.

Yale Assure Lock 2 hands-on review: tiny footprint, tremendous features

After going hands-on with the new Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Wi-Fi model for a week, it's clear that this is a premium smart lock that doesn't cut any corners.
The Google Pixel Table and the Speaker Dock.

Is the Pixel Tablet a competitor to the Echo Show 15?

Not much is known about the Google Pixel Tablet, but early looks suggest it just might be a competitor to the Echo Show 15.
Photo of a woman adjusting a Nest Thermostat.

Nest Renew could be the first step to a smarter electrical grid

Nest Renew will talk with your electrical service provider in order to access greener power to your home. That's a big step for the smart grid.
i replaced my fancy coffee machine with a smart tea kettle and love it

I replaced my fancy coffee machine with a smart tea kettle, and I love it

Can a smart tea kettle really replace the magic of a fancy coffee machine? Our reviewer puts it to the test to see if it's up to the task.
google fall event 2022 smart home predictions made by

What we want to see from Google’s fall event

Google is holding a big event on October 6. Here's a closer look at what smart home reveals have been confirmed, along with a few surprises we'd like to see.
Astro looking at a dog on a couch.

Despite its new features, Astro is still impractical for most people

Amazon's Astro is a nifty invention, but it's functionality is still limited. It's not the most practical purchase for the vast majority of people.
Amazon Astro in a build with Ring Virtual Security Guard on its screen.

Everything announced at Amazon’s 2022 Fall Event: new Echos, Fire TVs, Kindle Scribe, and more

Didn't get an invite to the 2022 Amazon device event? We've got you covered. Here's a recap of everything they announced.
A person loading the Amazon Astro with a snack.

What we want to see from Amazon’s fall event

Amazon's annual autumnal showcase is likely coming up quickly, and we have a lofty wishlist of everything we'd like to see at the event.
Amazon Astro Robot.

What to expect from Amazon’s September 28 event: Ring Always Home Cam, Amazon Astro, more

With Amazon's Devices & Services event in one week, here are all the details and rumors we know so far.
amazon smart oven review keypad

Are smart kitchen gadgets worth it?

So many gadgets are popping up with 'smart' in the name. But what does this really mean, and when it comes to smart kitchen appliances, is it worth it?
Matter CSA image.

Is it worth waiting for Matter to buy new smart products?

Matter is on the way, and it promises a faster, more seamless smart home. Is it worth holding out until it's live before buying your next smart light?
thermapros tempspike hands on thermaspike wireless meat thermometer

ThermoPro’s TempSpike: A wireless thermometer for the newbie in all of us

We got a sneak peek at the ThermoPro TempSpike wireless meat thermometer. Read on to see if it impressed as much as the TP25 four-prong one for grilling.
samsung artistic frame tv art mode

Smart gadgets need a face-lift. A lot of them are way too ugly.

It is high time design catches up with technology. Why can't our gadgets be beautiful and functional?
Bluetti's AC500 is the size of a large cooler and takes up a ton of space in a vehicle.

I tried to ruin a camping trip with 130 pounds of batteries

The Bluetti AC500 delivers 5,000 watts of power in a package you can toss in your trunk. But should you?
HGTV Smart Home 2022 in Wilmington, NC.

Big smart home growth predicted: These are the appliances and features we’d like to see

Smart home gadgets aren't going away. Recent studies show this market is booming. Here's what you need to know to plan your own smart home of the future.
Apple HomePod mini render vs Google Nest Audio on table

Everything we know about the HomePod 2 (which isn’t a whole lot)

The HomePod 2 didn't make an appearance at Apple's latest event, but there are a lot of rumors about it.
The Bites 2 Lite device mounted on a wall.

5 Alexa skills and features your pet will love

Our four-legged friends may not be able to use Alexa themselves, but with a little programming of our own, we can easily build Alexa into the lives of our pets.
Echo Dot (4th Gen) sits on a shelf in a kitchen.

5 unique and creative uses for Alexa’s Sound Detection feature

Alexa's Sound Detection feature allows you to build Routines around a number of different audio cues. Here are five ideas for some automations you can create.

Smart Home News

Smart Home Deals

Smart Home Reviews

Smart Home Guides