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Smart Home Guides

Roomba in dock.

How to fix a Roomba that can’t return to its docking base

How to fix a Roomba that can’t return to its docking base

Is your Roomba struggling to return to its home base to recharge? Here is what may be going wrong and the solutions to help it find its way home again.
iRobot Roomba 692 on a hardwood floor negotiating a mat.

Troubleshooting a noisy Roomba: 6 fixes to keep your bot quiet

Troubleshooting a noisy Roomba: 6 fixes to keep your bot quiet

Is your Roomba making loud noises while it works? That's annoying when you want some quiet, and it can scare pets: Here's how to keep your robot vacuum silent.
google assistant mobile.

Best Google Assistant settings to update right now

Best Google Assistant settings to update right now

Want to make your Google Assistant work better for you? Check out these settings to improve your experience or fix issues you have with the voice assistant.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) on table.

What an Alexa red ring means and how to fix it

What an Alexa red ring means and how to fix it

Is your Alexa device showing a red ring that doesn't seem to go away? Don't worry -- it's usually something that's easy to fix. Here's what you should know.
Smart home app use.

7 ways to prep your smart home before you go on vacation

7 ways to prep your smart home before you go on vacation

Smart devices have vacation modes and other settings to help keep your home safe while you're away for long periods. Here's what to do before your next trip.
Ring Doorbell mounted outside a front door.

How to save Ring Doorbell video without a subscription

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.

How to convert your window blinds into smart blinds

How to convert your window blinds into smart blinds

Smart blinds can be prohibitively expensive, but DIY conversion kits can save money and provide all of the same benefits.
A person using WhatsApp Messenger on his Android smartphone.

How do I remove an account from Google Smart Lock?

How do I remove an account from Google Smart Lock?

Google Smart Lock makes logging into your Google products easy, but sometimes things change. Here's how to remove an account from Google Smart Lock safely.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 on a wooden door.

How to cancel your Ring account

How to cancel your Ring account

There are two ways to cancel your Ring account. Find out which one is easiest for you.
Roomba near a sofa.

How to stop your robot vacuum from going under furniture

How to stop your robot vacuum from going under furniture

Robot vacuums can do a lot to keep your floors clean, but homeowners may have concerns about them getting stuck under furniture. Here's how to prevent it.
Blink Outdoor cam wet from the rain.

Can you use a Blink Outdoor Camera without a subscription?

Can you use a Blink Outdoor Camera without a subscription?

Blink's outdoor camera is affordable and has great battery life, but do you absolutely need a subscription to use it? Our guide will cover the key details.
iRobot Roomba i3 Plus cleaning a wooden floor.

Why does my Roomba robot vacuum keep going in circles?

Why does my Roomba robot vacuum keep going in circles?

Does your Roomba get trapped going in circles? Here's what could be causing the problem and the best solutions that can get the Roomba working again.
Echo Dot on an entryway table.

How to use Alexa to play radio stations

How to use Alexa to play radio stations

Did you know Alexa can access tens of thousands of local, national, and international radio stations? Here’s how to get Alexa to play your favorite broadcasts.
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 beside a door.

How to connect your Ring camera or doorbell to Wi-Fi

How to connect your Ring camera or doorbell to Wi-Fi

Whether your Ring doorbell lost its Internet connection or you've reset your entire network, here's how to connect (or reconnect) your Ring product to Wi-Fi.
A Dyson HEPA Filter.

What are HEPA filters, and can you clean them?

What are HEPA filters, and can you clean them?

HEPA filters are excellent at trapping particles in vacuums, but they can get clogged easily as a result: Here's how to clean and care for them the right way.
Ring Video Doorbell 3

How to charge a Ring Video Doorbell

How to charge a Ring Video Doorbell

Charging the battery for a Ring Video Doorbell is a straightforward process that doesn't require many tools. Here's how to recharge it in a few simple steps.
Dog next to robot vacuum.

Ultimate pet tech buying guide

Ultimate pet tech buying guide

What smart pet tech is right for your pet? Let's talk about what devices to look for, what to be careful of, and which features provide the most value.
teforia, smart infuser, tea

How to use a tea infuser

How to use a tea infuser

Looking to make better tea? While there's nothing wrong with basic infusing, it is possible to add technology and take your tea to the next level.
Rachio IRO smart sprinkler installed on wall.

Can a smart sprinkler system help you use less water?

Can a smart sprinkler system help you use less water?

Saving water is crucial in a shifting climate. Can smart sprinkler systems ensure you're only using as much as you need?
An image showing RingCentral in use on a smartphone.

How does RingCentral work? Everything you need to know

How does RingCentral work? Everything you need to know

RingCentral provides essential VoIP services to businesses large and small -- but what exactly is it, and how does it work? Here's everything you need to know.
URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser.

Can you run an air purifier and essential oil diffuser at the same time?

Can you run an air purifier and essential oil diffuser at the same time?

Do an air purifier and an essential oil diffuser cancel each other out? Can you use them both at the same time, or is it not worth it? Here's what to know.
The Coway Airmega purifier.

How long do I run my air purifier?

How long do I run my air purifier?

Air purifiers use a variety of filters to clean a home's air -- but how long do they need to do their jobs? Here's how long to run your air purifier.
irobot roomba spraying water on wood floor with vacuum Roomba in dock behind it.

How often should you use your robot mop

How often should you use your robot mop

We break down how often you should mop your floors with your new robot mop, especially if you have pets or children.
The myQ Garage Door Opener control with app.

How to connect MyQ Garage with Alexa

How to connect MyQ Garage with Alexa

If you have a MyQ smart garage system, you can make it even smarter! Learn how to connect Alexa to your smart garage via IFTTT and issue voice commands.
A finger touching the Arlo Video Doorbell, mounted on a house wall.

How to install an Arlo doorbell

How to install an Arlo doorbell

Follow these easy steps to install an Arlo doorbell, one of the best home video doorbell options on the market.
iRobot Roomba 694 at Best Buy - WiFi connected robot vacuum

Why is my Roomba side brush not spinning?

Why is my Roomba side brush not spinning?

Roomba brushes require some maintenance from time to time. Here are tips and a step-by-step process to fix the issue of when it decides to stop spinning.
how to dispose of lightbulbs

How to dispose of light bulbs

How to dispose of light bulbs

Are you throwing your old light bulbs in the trash? You may want to rethink that strategy. Read our guide on how to deal with various types of light bulbs.
Woman using Shark Ninja Rocket vacuum.

How to reduce high pitch noise of Shark vacuums

How to reduce high pitch noise of Shark vacuums

Is your Shark vac starting to make annoying noises? That's an important sign to do some maintenance. Here's how to handle it and what to check.
Instant Pot Duo Plus on a kitchen countertop surrounded by food.

What is a pressure cooker, and how do you use it?

What is a pressure cooker, and how do you use it?

We've broken down exactly what a pressure cooker is, how to use one, and what you can make with one of these great time-saving devices.
Instant air purifier with pet.

5 health benefits of smart air purifiers, according to science

5 health benefits of smart air purifiers, according to science

Interested in an air purifier but want to make sure it works? Here's how air purifiers can help (and what they can't do), according to scientific research.
Google Nest Cam NC2400ES Outdoor Security Camera 2-pack

How to hide security camera wires outside your home

How to hide security camera wires outside your home

Unsightly wires got you down? Here is a list of 5 different ways you can hide the cords that come from your outdoor security cameras.
iRobot Roomba j7+ on hardwood floor.

Why does my Roomba keep cleaning the same area?

Why does my Roomba keep cleaning the same area?

Roombas may malfunction and go over the same area multiple times. Here are some tips to help fix that behavior.
Underside and brushes of iRobot Roomba j7+.

How to connect a Roomba to Wi-Fi

How to connect a Roomba to Wi-Fi

Roombas are incredibly smart robot vacuums, but you'll need to connect them to your Wi-Fi network to enable the best features. Here's what you need to do.
The Amazon Echo 4 on a counter.

How to play Sirius XM on your Amazon Echo

How to play Sirius XM on your Amazon Echo

Love SiriusXM and have an Echo device? Now you can play your SiriusXM stations on an Echo thanks to Alexa compatibility. Here's how to set it up.