Smart plugs, bulbs, video doorbells and home automation gadgets — tested buying guides.
Matter is a shared smart home standard that lets one device work with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and SmartThings at the same time, with more local control. Here is how it works, what Thread has to do with it, and whether to buy Matter devices now.
Smart bulbs work in most lamps with the right base size, but dimmer switches, enclosed fixtures, touch lamps and some outdoor lights cause problems. Here is a quick checklist to make sure your smart bulb fits and works.
Yes, smart bulbs draw a small amount of standby power when “off” so they can listen for commands, typically well under a watt each. Here is what that costs per year, how it compares with the LED savings, and how to minimize it.
Wi-Fi smart bulbs are cheaper and easier to start with; Zigbee bulbs respond faster, use less power and scale better across a whole home but need a hub. Here is a side-by-side comparison and a simple rule for choosing.
Most modern smart bulbs don’t need a hub: Wi-Fi and many Matter bulbs connect straight to your network. Zigbee and Thread bulbs do need a hub or compatible Echo. Here is how to tell which is which, and when a hub is worth it.
The best smart bulbs without a hub are the Kasa KL125 multicolor 4-pack: full color, wide white range, Alexa and Google support. Here are 5 hub-free Wi-Fi bulbs compared for color, value and setup.
Video doorbells work in winter, but cold drains lithium-ion batteries fast and can stop charging below freezing. Here is what temperatures to expect, which doorbells cope best, and 7 tips to keep yours running.
Local storage saves camera footage on a microSD card or base station with no monthly fee; cloud storage keeps it on remote servers for a subscription. Here is how they compare on cost, privacy, reliability and theft.
You don’t need doorbell wiring to install a video doorbell. Here is the step-by-step method for battery doorbells, including no-drill options for renters, the right mounting height, and how to get a chime indoors.
Battery doorbells install in minutes and suit renters; wired doorbells never need charging, react faster and ring your existing chime. Here is how to choose, plus why hybrid doorbells are often the best answer.
Almost every smart video doorbell needs Wi-Fi for alerts, live view and two-way talk. Here is what still works offline, which alternatives exist, and how to get a strong signal to your front door.
The best video doorbell without a subscription is the aosu 5MP, with 60 days of built-in local storage and no monthly fee. Here are 5 no-fee doorbells compared, from budget microSD models to long-battery picks.