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Simon Sage

Simon Sage

Contributor

Simon has been publishing in tech since before the first iPhone was released. When he's not busy lighting a candle for the bygone BlackBerry glory days, he's digging deep into how to upgrade the smart home to be greener. Follow him for news on battery tech, solar, LED lighting, and smart thermostats.

A Goal Zero Skylight shining LEDs lights into a darkened hallway.

Goal Zero’s new Skylight is an LED palm tree for emergencies

The Goal Zero Skylight is built for quick deployment outdoors so you can see where you're going around the site.
The Bluetti AC180 power station connecting to solar panels on a lawn.

Bluetti AC180 review: high capacity on the go

The Bluetti AC180 has loads of power capacity, but not quite enough to make it the perfect outdoors companion.
Arlo Pro 3 Flood Light on white house

Best smart outdoor floodlights

Get the best lighting for your yard with these smart outdoor floodlights.
A stack of ten-dollar bills.

6 smart home devices that can save you hundreds per year

A smart home isn't only convenient, it can also save you money in the long run with energy efficiency improvements.
Electrical power lines cast against a blue sky.

Can EVs be clean on a dirty electric grid?

Electric vehicles are a big part of the future, but electrical grids need to keep up. Are EVs still worth it while we're getting our power from coal?
Rachio IRO smart sprinkler installed on wall.

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?
biolite basecharge 1500 review 1

BioLite BaseCharge 1500 review: my new blackout buddy

The BioLite BaseCharge 1500 has proven to be a great battery backup when the lights go out.
A Nest Learning Thermostat installed on a wall corner next to the kitchen.

Are smart thermostats worth it? Pros and cons of connected thermostats

Are smart thermostats worth it? Between the cost, the hassle of installation, and having to learn a whole new system, there's a lot to invest.
Nest Smart Thermostat on wall.

The best smart thermostats for Alexa

Get a smart thermostat that plays nice with Alexa and you can adjust your home temperature with a few commands to the nearest Echo speaker.
Lucid Air electric car

Are EVs safe? From battery fires to autopilot, here are the facts

Electric vehicles are the wave of the future, but are they as safe as they should be? What are the facts behind the recent focus on EV safety?
BMW X5 PHEV charge port

EV vs. PHEV vs. hybrid: What’s the difference?

There's a wide range of different kinds of electric vehicles. It can be challenging figuring out the difference between them.
runhood rallye 600 pro review hero

Runhood Rallye 600 Pro review: a battery mothership with mini batteries to-go

The Rallye 600 Pro power bank has hot-swappable battery packs. It's a neat trick, but do you need it?
Philips Hue bulb on a bleached wood plank.

How to reset Philips Hue bulbs

Philips Hue bulbs are easy to reset. Learn how to return your smart lights to their factory settings with or without the bridge accessory.
GE Cync lights set up in gaming room.

Best smart lights for Google Home

The Google ecosystem can help you manage your home lighting seamlessly and smoothly. Here's a look at the best smart lights for Google Home in 2023.
Ikea Starkvind air purifier

10 tips to make the most of your air purifier

If you're learning how to use a smart air purifier, we have tips and answers to commonly asked questions to help you get the cleanest air at home.
ecoflow river 2 pro review hero

EcoFlow River 2 Pro Review: A fast-charging power station with lots of polish

The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is a great power station that charges up really quickly. Is that speed really necessary, though?
Tesla Model S driving down a road.

What EV tax credits and rebates are available in my state?

We rounded up all the rebates, tax credits, rate incentives, and freebies available to EV buyers and owners, from state and federal authorities to power companies.
Ecobee smart thermostat installed on wall next to woman walking down staircase.

How do smart thermostats work?

If you've been wondering how a smart thermostat works, we explain all the features and mechanisms at play.
Eufy Floodlight Camera 2 Pro turned on and installed on side of building.

Best options for outdoor lighting at home

You want to keep the exterior of your home well-lit at night, right? These are the best smart outdoor lighting options available.
Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector

How smart water management can protect against damage and save money

Smart water management systems help you keep an eye on leaky pipes. They can save you money before flooding does damage and keep water heating bills down.
Twinkly smart lights set up around Christmas tree.

Smart ways to save on your utility bills during the holidays

Learn how to save a few bucks on your utility bills this holiday season by tweaking your smart home's behavior.
Nanoleaf lights design.

Best smart lights for Apple HomeKit

You're all-in with Apple, and you want the best smart lights available. Here are our top picks for HomeKit-compatible smart lights.
Smart Christmas Tree with app.

The best smart Christmas trees

Pre-lit Christmas trees are much better when you can control and customize them with an app. Here are the top smart trees in every style for the holidays.
The Runhood Rallye 600 power station set on a table outdoors having a battery pack removed.

With swappable battery packs, this power station lets you take your juice to go

The Runhood Rallye 600 is a new power station with modular battery packs that can be removed and taken with you.
Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC backup battery stored in backpack, charging a phone.

This $300 battery pack was a godsend on my trip to Comic Con

I took the latest generation of the Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC battery pack for a road trip, and it saved the day.
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights strung up on a house at night for Halloween.

Govee unveils new outdoor lights in time for spooky season

Looking to get your home ready for Haloween? Govee has a new batch of smart lights that can live on your house year-round.
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.
The Tesla Bot, Optimus, on a stage.

Tesla AI Day 2022: Optimus, self driving cars, and everything else announced

Tesla AI Day 2022 is here, and we're poring through the heaps of technical information for the stuff that matters to you.
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?
dish smartphone repairs iphone repair feature 1

Big Tech’s superficial support is undermining the right-to-repair movement

Big names like Google, Samsung, and Apple are all starting to get on board with right to repair, but how substantial are their latest programs?
A BioLite stove and Goal Zero solar panels set up beside tents, and charging devices.

I ditched the grid for a week and embraced portable power. Here’s how it went

If you're heading off to the woods, but have a lot of gadgets to keep alive, there are a few power sources you'll want to consider.
Front three quarter view of the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge electric car.

Are EVs more expensive than gas cars? It’s complicated

Sticker shock may send some buyers running from EVs, but maintenance, fuel and insurance all make the cost equation more complex than it seems.
EV battery

What’s the environmental impact of EV battery manufacturing and recycling?

Like anything, making an electric vehicle has an environmental cost. Let's find out how an EV battery is made and where it goes when it dies.
A solar panel affixed to the rear of a backpack.

Skip tiny solar on your next camping trip. There is a better, easier way

Solar power is great, but it's not worth spending a long time babysitting a tiny panel just to get a decent charge.