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Latest by Simon Sage

Wyze Bulb Color Wyze app.

How do smart lights work?

There's a lot going on inside a smart light bulb. We're going to dig into the science of LEDs, the wireless protocols used, and the wide range of designs.
Ring Smart Bulb being installed in light fixture.

Do smart lights save money?

If you're looking to save money on your electric bill, try upgrading your lights. We're run through the best energy-saving light bulbs.
Anker PowerHouse II battery pack charging various devices.

Anker PowerHouse II 800 review: A camper’s best friend for the great outdoors

The Anker PowerHouse II 800 is a big battery pack that you may want to toss in the trunk on your next camping trip.
switchmate magnetically attaches to make light switches smart switch

Guide to smart light switches

Add intelligence to your lamps with a smart light switch! By swapping out your old switches, you can command home lighting from your phone or with your voice.
Elecjet Apollo Ultra

Two years and a pandemic later, fast-charging graphene batteries are hitting shelves

After years of research, products leveraging the amazing properties of graphene are finally available for batteries. What do we get from this new tech?
Smartthings Energy App

Samsung SmartThings can now monitor your home’s entire energy consumption

Samsung has expanded the SmartThings family to include three new partners that are dedicated to home energy monitoring and management.
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How to use motion sensors for smart lights outdoors

Outdoor light motion sensors can add a healthy level of security to your home. Here's how to set them up.
Philips Hue sync box.

Smart light bulb buying guide

Let us help you navigate the waters of smart light bulb shopping. Which is the best smart bulb? How expensive are they? What can you even do with them?
Tiny Home

5 smart products for tiny spaces

We have some of the best multi-use products for your tiny home. Save on space and the need for extra appliances.
Phyn smart water assistant installed outside home.

Stop leaky faucets with Phyn’s new, more affordable smart water leak monitor

Phyn has released the second generation of their smart water monitor, which is both cheaper and smaller.
how to install a smart thermostat ecobee 4 wiring

How to check smart thermostat compatibility in your home

The biggest hurdle for seeing if a smart thermostat is compatible with your home is the presence of a c-wire. Here's how to find it.
instant pot pro plus pressure cooking mobile app lifestyle

Instant Pot Pro Plus lets you pressure cook with confidence using a mobile app

The Instant Pot Pro Plus has just been announced. It includes Wi-Fi connectivity so you can transfer cooking information wirelessly to the pressure cooker.
Philips Hue Appear Outdoor smart light.

How to easily automate smart lights

Learn how to get your smart lights working for you We show you how to automate Philips Hue, Wyze and LIFX bulbs.
Dreame H11 Max Vacuum

Dreame H11 Max Wet and Dry Vacuum review: Slick design with modern conveniences

The Dreame H11 Max Wet and Dry Vacuum is a good-looking piece of hardware with enough power to handle larger homes.
Photo of a woman adjusting a Nest Thermostat.

How to use your smart thermostat when you’re away for the holidays

Schedule your smart thermostat properly while you're away for the holidays. Whether it's winter or summer, you can optimize your AC's settings.
Google Home icon on home screen.

How to use Device Speed Test on the Google Home app

Google Home lets you check how fast (or slow) your internet connection is on your smart devices. Here's how to do it, and some ways to fix slow speeds.
The Mila Smart Air Purifier.

How to know when to change your smart air purifier’s filter

Air purifiers need filter replacements at regular intervals. Find out how often you need to be swapping yours.
Wyze Smart thermostat installed on wall being adjusted.

How much will a smart thermostat really save on energy costs?

Those looking to get the most energy savings in their home may be looking at smart thermostats. How much do they really save?
You can reset your nest thermostat easily.

How to factory reset a Nest smart thermostat

Reset your Nest Thermostat with these easy steps. We show you how to get back to factory settings with minimal fuss.
70mai Power Station Tera 1000

Power Station Tera 1000 promises to recharge in two hours flat

The Power Station Tera 1000 is the latest from 70mai. It offers 10 different plugs to charge your gadgets at the campsite.
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Do air purifiers help with allergies?

Learn how air purifiers help with allergies by capturing pollen via HEPA and other types of filters.
Google Nest Thermostat (2020)

Best smart thermostats settings

These are the recommended thermostat settings for your Ecobee or Nest smart thermostat.
Philips Hue sync box.

Philips Hue vs. Philips WiZ Smart Light Bulbs

Philips Hue and Philips WiZ are easy to mix up since they're both smart light bulbs, but they aren't interoperable. Here's how to pick between one or the other.
Reviewing Nest thermostat power savings.

Nest Renew brings renewable energy closer to your smart thermostat

Nest Renew will keep tabs on the best times to tap into abundant renewable energy on your grid.
Photo of a woman adjusting a Nest Thermostat.

Sustainable with Google 2021: Nest Renew, traffic light efficiency, and more

Google has made a series of updates to encourage sustainable choices across its products.
Google Sustainability Logo.

Google is using A.I. to reduce idling time at traffic intersections

A new research project from Google has been able to reduce gas emissions and wait times at intersections by 10% to 20%.
Ring app halloween settings.

Ring is helping your video doorbell get spooky for Halloween

Ring has released new faceplates, chimes, and greetings for the Halloween season.
haxson airfan smart fan now on kickstarter hero

Haxson’s bladeless AirFan blasts cool air and music from your headboard

A Kickstarter campaign has launched for a new fan that includes a Bluetooth speaker, LED light, and air purifier for only $199.
floor tile powers smart home with footsteps wood electrical generator r

New floor tile tech could help power smart homes with footsteps

A recent research project shows how specially treated wood and a bit of wiring can convert the force of your footstep into enough power for a light bulb.
Amazon Astro Robot in living room.

Amazon’s new Astro robot can keep an eye on your home while you’re away

The Amazon Astro robot can cruise around your house to offer a remote view while you're away, thanks to a telescoping camera.
Google Home Mini

How to fix the ‘Could Not Communicate With Your Google Home Mini’ error message

Are you encountering the error message "Could Not Communicate With Your Google Home Mini?" We have solutions to help troubleshoot that issue.
Eufy RoboVac X8 robot vacuum cleaner on grey floor.

Twin turbines help Eufy RoboVac X8 robot vacuum series suck up dirt

The Eufy RoboVac X8 boasts two turbines that each produce 2,000 pascals of suction. It also boasts new mapping features and an optional mopping mechanism.
gosun new portable power stations gets you through outages power550 hero

GoSun’s new portable power stations use the sun’s ray to charge devices

The new GoSun Power 550 and Power 1,100 offer a full range of power outputs and beefy power supplies, including solar charging.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 is a 1000 W portable power station.

Is a portable home battery worth it?

You want to have some extra security with your power supply. Is a portable home battery the answer? Dig in to see if they're worth the money.