Kim Wetzel
Former Smart Home Editor
Author/Co-Author of 107 articles
Before joining Digital Trends as Home Editor, Kim was an adjunct journalism professor at Linfield College and high school journalism and English teacher. She spent several years writing for several publications, including U.S. News and World Report. She enjoys camping, running, and just about anything outdoors.
4 small appliances that have changed the way we cook food (for the better)
Ever heard of a sous vide machine? How about an air fryer? These are exciting times for home cooks seeking to advance or simplify their technique in the kitchen. That’s thanks in part to four small appliances that have made a splash over the past few years. Here’s why you should consider buying them.
Ring Stick-Up Cam Battery review
Doesn’t it feel good to be detached from the wires in your life? You can be with Ring’s Stick Up Cam Battery, a smart home security camera that you can put literally plop anywhere. We got the chance to review the device, and it helped us catch some strange activity in our yard.
Hate poop? Then $500 may not be too much to pay for this toilet-cleaning robot
Which is better for cleaning your toilet: A good, old-fashioned toilet cleaning brush or a $500 robot toilet cleaner? We decided to take the Giddel robot by Altan Robotics for a couple of test runs to see whether the device is actually worth the cost. Here’s how things went.
Living in a pipe doesn’t sound so bad with this amazing design
We’ve seen tiny homes with retractable roofs, ones that run on coffee grounds, and even ones decked out with smart home products. Now, a single mom has designed a tiny home built inside of a 16-feet-long concrete storm drainage pipe. It’s surprisingly functional for just 100 square feet of living space.
Can Aibo replace Fido? I fostered Sony’s robot dog for a week to find out
Can a robot dog replace a real dog? I set out to find the answer to that question by “fostering” Aibo, Sony’s robot dog. I came away from the experience with more questions than answers. While robot dogs are not for me, Sony sure did a great job of making just about the cutest artificially intelligent pup there is.
Google Nest Hub review: A refreshing take on the smart display
What’s small, simple, cute, and lacks a camera? The Google Nest Hub is the latest smart display (a smart speaker with a screen) to hit the market.
From sharks to Shaq: Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff’s unusual road to success
In 2013, CEO and founder of Ring security Jamie Siminoff walked away with nothing after pitching his video doorbell on the show Shark Tank. Now, after selling his DIY home security company to Amazon for more than $1 billion. he’s returning to Shark Tank as a guest judge. He tells us his story of how it all began in a garage building explosives.
Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) Review
With smart displays powered by Google now in play, the pressure was on for Amazon to make a better Echo Show device. There's no denying Amazon did it.
I ran into LG’s Cloi robot at the airport in South Korea. Here’s what happened
After running into LG’s Cloi the airport robot in South Korea, the experience was entrancing, yet unfulfilling. Does a rolling, talking computer screen with blinking eyes have a purpose other than to entertain?
How LG built its Signature appliances to solve problems you didn’t know you had
Ever look at your appliance and marvel over how manufacturers thought of including a certain feature or look? We got a behind-the-scenes look at LG Appliances in South Korea, where we learned about how LG’s Signature line was created. The ideas didn’t come from engineers, but from people like you.
Sun Basket meal kits make sophisticated food simple
In our quest to find the perfect meal kit, we tested out Sun Basket, which boasts interesting flavor profiles and simple-to-follow instructions. SoCal Fish Tacos with Avocado, Cabbage Slaw, and Lime Yogurt anyone? Here’s how it stacked up against other Meal Kits we’ve tried. Get cooking!
HelloFresh delivers on delicious for fans of American fare
What's for dinner? It's a daily question that doesn't always have an answer. Meal kits, while not necessarily saving time or money in the kitchen, provide ingredients and guided instruction on what to cook. Here are our thoughts on HelloFresh.
How Amazon’s robot warehouses swing into action the moment you press ‘buy’
If you’re like us, you probably spend a little too much time on Amazon buying stuff you may or may not need. But what happens after you click the “buy” button? How does Amazon get you your stuff so quickly? We toured a fulfillment center to find out.
As Amazon and Google keep bickering, consumers are the ones who lose
Google and Amazon are in a smart home war over YouTube and Nest. Would you two stop it already! It’s making me crazy.
Blink XT One Camera System review
With a two-year battery life and a strong app, Blink’s XT outdoor camera could be the introductory home security system you’re looking for. And with more Amazon Alexa integration and activity zones, the camera is smarter than ever. Read our review to find out more.
Best smart home product of 2017
With the intelligence of Google Assistant, the Google Home Mini is Digital Trends' best smart home product of the year.
I’d rather have porch pirates steal my sponges than let Amazon in my house
Amazon Key will soon allow Prime account holders to choose whether to allow delivery couriers into your home to deliver packages. I'll pass.
Philips Hue White Ambiance Starter Kit review
Philips Hue has been around for awhile, and are the gold standard for smart lighting. We decided to take a fresh look at a Philips Hue starter kit to see if they're still the best, comparing them to the new contenders in smart home lighting. As it turns out, the Philips Hue still competes.
Monolith BBQ Guru Edition Classic review
Take a whiff: can you smell it? It’s almost barbecue season, so it’s no surprise you’re looking for a high-tech grill. We tested out the Monolith BBQ Guru Edition with CyberQ Cloud to see if a traditional Kamado-style grill with a modern temperature probe and control base can live together in harmony.
Amazon has an even dozen new smart devices. Here’s how to order
Amazon's hardware announcement was in September which meant a whole bunch of new Amazon Alexa devices. Digital Trends attended the event, and will be updating you here as we learn more about the devices. From a microwave to stereo equipment, the number of new gadgets could total as many as eight.
Chamberlain garage door opener protects your Amazon packages from porch pirates
Tired of porch pirates swiping packages off your property? Chamberlain's B181 garage door opener works with Key by Amazon, letting you get your Amazon packages delivered directly inside your garage. The opener has lots of other great features, as well as one flaw that can be frustrating.
I ordered tea from Amazon, but got a box from Walmart. What happened?
When we order items from Amazon, we expect them to come from Amazon. That's not what happened to me. I ordered chai tea from Amazon and got a box from Walmart instead. I did a little detective work to find out exactly what had happened and ran into what is referred to as retail arbitrage.
Grow it, cook it, smoke it: Marijuana tech gadgets for your home and kitchen
Do you take your weed seriously? Then we have the marijuana tech and devices for your home. When you love cooking, growing, or just enjoying, you'll find cool cannabis devices on our list to help make your experience even better. Take a look and find the perfect addition to your home.
Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen) review
Amazon’s second-generation Echo Plus speaker is the loudest, bassiest speaker in the Echo fleet. While featuring a smart hub with only Zigbee connectivity, other upgrades make this device a worthy smart speaker. We took the device for a whirl around the smart home to see how it fares against other speakers in the space.
Alexa-enabled Kenmore fridges and washing machines are ready to listen to you
Bypass a trip to a brick-and-mortar Sears store and buy an Alexa-enabled Kenmore appliance on Amazon with the click of a button.
From cameras to locks, smart home security is the name of the game at CES
More and more companies are debuting smart home security devices such as cameras, doorbells, locks, motion detectors, and more.
Google Home Mini review: Smart home, smart price
The Google Home Mini is an AI assistant that’s far more capable than its small size would suggest. With Voice Match capabilities and smarter than the Echo Dot, you'll like this impressive little speaker. Here are some other things we like about the device, and a few things we don't like.
Yale Assure Lock SL review
Go keyless and elegant with this lock, which is compact, stylish, and slim. Our Yale Assure Lock SL review outlines the features of this device.
Ring Video Doorbell review
Along with the door itself, the doorbell is one of the first items most visitors will interact with when entering your home. The Ring Video Doorbell can show you who's at the door, whether they've actually rung the doorbell or not. Here's how it stacks up to the competition.
Ring Spotlight Cam Solar review
If you’re like us, you like the idea of wireless home security cameras, but dread the low-battery warning that inevitably comes with them. We tested the Ring Spotlight Cam Solar to see if it was the answer to our dead-battery prayers. Read our review to find out how it went.
Ring Alarm Security Kit review
Ring first made waves with its video doorbell, and now the Amazon-owned company is moving on to total home security with the Ring Alarm Security Kit. You can install the sensors and keypads yourself, then have Ring professionally monitor it from afar for $10 a month.
Ring Stick Up Cam Wired Review
Ring’s latest home security camera offers more versatility than ever before, with the ability to mount it, set it on a table, or put it inside or outside. With 1080p high definition display, the Stick Up Cam is one of Ring’s best offerings to date. Here’s what we learned through testing.
Five smart home trends we expect to see at CES this year
CES 2019 is finally here. So what smart home trends can we expect to see this year? Whether you're looking to find that beautiful Amazon Alexa-enabled toilet or that perfect home security system with bells and whistles, chances are you'll find it on the floor at CES 2019. Here are our predictions.
Genius or extraneous? We tried out a laundry-folding machine at CES to find out
It's CES 2019, which means lots of crazy gadgets. We got the chance to try out Foldimate, an automatic laundry-folding machine. After using the device, we came away both impressed and underwhelmed with the appliance, which will be available for $960 at the end of 2019. Here are some of our thoughts.