Skip to main content

Smart Home Guides

The Pan-Tilt mounted on a wall.

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Wyze Cam Pan v3: Which is the better pan-tilt camera?

Should you pick up the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam or Wyze Cam Pan v3? Here's a look at these two versatile security cameras to help you decide.
Ring Video Doorbell 2nd gen on doorway

Google Nest Doorbell vs. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): which is better for your front door?

The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) and Google Nest Doorbell are two of the most popular video doorbells of 2024. But which is best for your front door?
The Ecovacs X2 Combo installed in a home.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo vs. Dreame X40 Ultra: Which robot vacuum is best for your smart home?

Both use rotating mops to clean floors and docking stations that wash the robot after each cycle. But which is better, the Ecovacs X2 Combo or Dreame X40 Ultra?
Amazon Alexa Map as seen on an iPhone.

How to connect Alexa to iPhone

The Alexa app is a smart home command center that anyone can wrap their head around. Here’s how to use the platform and voice assistant on your iPhone.
An Amazon Echo Show 8 sits on a wooden desk.

How to use the Echo Show as a security camera

The Amazon Echo Show can be used as a basic home security camera. You’ll just need to enable this home-monitoring feature in the Alexa app. Here’s how.
Coway Airmega IconS True HEPA air purifier in home

Is a smart air purifier a wise investment?

If you're worried about seasonal allergies, an air purifier is a good investment. But what about smart air purifiers? Are they a wise upgrade?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vacuuming.

How to clean the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is easy to clean, but there are a lot of steps to monitor. From brushes and mops to filters and more, here's what you need to know.
Schlage Encode Plus smart lock installed on a wooden door to a living room.

Should you buy a new smart lock or retrofit your existing deadbolt?

Smart locks can replace your hardware or fit over existing deadbolts. Both are viable options, but which is best for you? Here's what you need to know.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock installed on door.

Yale Assure Lock 2 vs. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: which is the better smart lock?

The Yale Assure Lock 2 and August Wi-Fi Smart Lock are both great options for your front door, but they differ in some key ways. Here's what to know.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Smart Lock Deadbolt keypad being used by someone.

How to remove a home from your Yale account Keychain

There are a few different ways to remove a lock or property from your Yale Keychain. Here's a look at how it works for both lock owners and guests.
The Arlo Pro 5S installed outside on a wall.

Arlo Pro 5S vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is the best premium security camera?

The Arlo Pro 5S 2K and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro are among the best security cameras of 2024, but which is best for your home?
The Wyze Cam v4 installed outside.

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Which is the better budget security camera?

If you're in the market for a budget security camera, the Blink Mini 2 and Wyze Cam v4 are great options. But which is best for your home?
The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam next to a smartphone.

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is better for your home?

The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is one of the best security cameras in the Ring lineup, but how does it compare to the newer (and cheaper) Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra model that hooks up to plumbing.

What to know before connecting the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra to your drainage system

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra can connect to your plumbing system for a fully automated home-cleaning experience. Here's what to know before the install.
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Max Ultra: Which is the better robot vacuum?

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Max Ultra are two of the best robot vacuums on the market. But which is better for your home? Here's what to know.
Narwal Freo X Ultra with dock in home.

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Narwal Freo X Ultra: Which is the best premium robot vacuum?

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Narwal Freo X Ultra are two of the best robot vacuums of 2024. But is the Roborock or Narwal product better for your home?
The Nanoleaf Skylight lighting up a room various shades of purple.

How to reset the Nanoleaf Skylight

You can perform a soft reset or factory reset on the Nanoleaf Skylight, and neither task should take more than a few minutes. Here's what you need to know.
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo: Which premium robot vacuum is best?

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo are two of the best robot vacuums of 2024. But which is better for your home?
Amazon Echo Show 10.

The most common Echo Show problems and how to fix them

Is your Echo Show giving you issues? Here the most common bugs that pop up with the Amazon smart display and several fixes you can try.
best google home compatible devices hands on 4652

The most common Google Home problems and how to fix them

Google Home and Nest devices are smart, but they aren't perfect: Here are the most common issues, and what solutions we've found work best to address them.
The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro on display the 2023 Amazon Fall Devices and Services event.

Blink Mini 2 vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is the best security camera?

Is the affordable Blink Mini 2 enough to protect your home, or should you get the expensive Ring Stick Up Cam Pro? Here's a closer look to help you decide.
The Tapo C120 out in the rain.

How to format the microSD card on Tapo security cameras

If you want to use local storage on your Tapo device, you'll need to figure out how to format your microSD card. Here's a look at how the process works.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Smart Lock Deadbolt keypad being used by someone.

How to fix a Yale Assure Lock 2 that won’t connect to Wi-Fi

If your Yale Assure Lock 2 is having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi, there's an easy way to fix the problem. Here's what you need to know.
Ring Doorbell mounted outside a front door.

How to save Ring Doorbell video without a subscription

You can record video with a Ring Doorbell, but to access it, you need a subscription. Here's what else you need to know about saving videos.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat hanging on wall.

How to fix an Amazon Smart Thermostat that’s unresponsive

If you're looking to fix an unresponsive Amazon Smart Thermostat, there are plenty of troubleshooting steps you can try. Here's what you need to know.
iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ with auto fill dock for Black Friday

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ vs. iRobot Roomba Combo Essential: Which is better for you?

The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is a highly autonomous robot vacuum, but how does it stack up to the more affordable (and newer) Roomba Combo Essential?
The Blink Mini installed in the Pan-Tilt Mount.

Does the Pan-Tilt Mount work with the Blink Mini 2?

The original Pan-Tilt Mount is not compatible with the Blink Mini 2. Here's a closer look at why that's the case, along with alternatives to consider.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro installed near a door.

Ring Battery Doorbell Pro vs. Aqara G4: Which is the better video doorbell?

The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is a great video doorbell, but how does it stack up to the affordable Aqara G4? Here's a closer look at these two unique devices.
Ecovacs X2 Combo under a bed.

How to clean the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo

There are a lot of moving pieces on the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo, but keeping it clean is surprisngly easy. Here's what you'll need to do.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni AIO robot vacuum and mop with dock sponsored

Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo vs. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni: what’s new on the X2 Combo?

The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo offers both a robot vacuum and cordless vacuum in one nifty package, but how does it stack up to the older Deebot X2 Omni?
The Blink Mini 2 on a bookshelf.

How to set up the Blink Mini 2 as a chime

The Blink Mini 2 can serve as a chime for your Blink Video Doorbell. Here's a look at how to sync the two together and get them working in just a few minutes.
The Nanoleaf Skylight lighting up a room various shades of purple.

How to fix the ‘unreachable’ error on Nanoleaf Skylight

Trying to fix the unreachable error on the Nanoleaf Skylight? The problem can be frustrating, but the good news is that it's easy to resolve.
The Blink Mini 2 placed on two books.

How to fix the most common Blink Mini 2 problems

Here's a look at how to fix the most common Blink Mini 2 problems, including poor video quality, inaccurate motion detection, and red indicator LED lights.
The Narwal Freo X Ultra working in a living room.

How to clean the Narwal Freo X Ultra

The Narwal Freo X Ultra doesn't require much maintenance, but you should still clean it at regular intervals. Here's a look at what that entails.