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Smart Home Guides

Several Ecobee security products on a green background.

Is an Ecobee Smart Security subscription worth it?

Ecobee offers two different plans for its security systems. But which one is best for your home? Here's a look at both to help you decide.
Apple HomePod 2023

Echo Pop vs. HomePod (Gen 2): is the HomePod worth its added cost?

The Echo Dot Kids Owl and Dragon designs on a table.

Which Amazon Echo should you buy?

iRobot Roomba i3+ (3550) Robot Vacuum and Braava jet m6 (6113) Robot Mop bundle showing all three major elements in a hallway.

Cordless vs. robot vacuums: which one should you buy?

The Ring Outdoor Smart Plug installed outside.

Can smart plugs be used outside?

iRobot Roomba j7 plus 7550 robot vacuum in charging dock by entryway.

How often should you replace your robot vacuum?

Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus HEPA air purifier in living room.

Do air purifiers work?

Apple HomePod 2023

Alexa vs. HomeKit: Which smart home platform is best?

The Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet

The 5 weirdest smart home gadgets of 2023

The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni cleaning hardwood floors.

How to fix a robot vacuum that stops moving

The iRobot j9+ cleaning a floor and retracting its mop.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni vs. iRobot Roomba Combo j9+: Which premium robot vacuum is best?

spooky halloween lighting haunted house

How to create spooky Halloween effects with smart home lighting and sound

A person opening the Yale Assure Lock 2 with their Apple Watch.

Are keyless smart locks safe?

Keyless smart locks are incredibly safe, but they come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here's a closer look at these smart home gadgets.
Controlling smart blinds with a remote.

Are smart blinds worth it?

Smart blinds give you remote access to your window coverings, allowing you to schedule their performance and save money on your bills. But are they worth it?
Lockly lock installed on a door and person uses the smartphone app.

What is a smart lock and how does it work?

A smart lock brings added versatility to your door, letting you open it using a keypad or smartphone app. Here's everything you need to know about smart locks.
Amazon Echo Show 15 Smart Display on a wall.

The best Alexa skills to use on your Amazon Echo in 2023

Amazon Alexa has changed the way we live and play with tech. Here, we compiled some of the best and most useful skills that you can add to your Alexa today.
Blink Mini Indoor 1080p wireless security camera on a counter showing video capture on an Echo Show display.

How to save Blink videos to USB

If you don't want to pay for a Blink Plan, you can save videos locally to a USB drive. Here's how to get the cool feature working.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) on table.

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.
The Blink Outdoor Floodlight camera.

How to set Activity Zones on Blink cameras

Using Activity Zones on Blink cameras allows you to choose which areas of your property trigger motion alerts. Here's how to set them up.
Several images of the new Google Home app on a tan background.

How to fix the Google Home ‘Auth check failure on device’ error

Running into the Auth check failure on device error when using Google Home? Here's how to fix the error and get your system working properly.
The iRobot j9+ cleaning a floor and retracting its mop.

iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ vs. Roomba Combo j7+: which is the best robot vacuum?

The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is remarkably similar to the old Combo j7+, but are its minor changes worth the extra cash? Here's a closer look.
Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen.

8 Google Assistant settings you should disable or adjust

Google Assistant is a powerful tool, but it also comes with some privacy concerns. Here are a few settings you should adjust on your Google device right away.
Amazon Astro following a person through a door.

Amazon Astro: everything you need to know about this home robot

This is everything you need to know about Amazon's home robot, Astro, including its capabilities, price, and more.
The Blink Outdoor 4 installed on a fence

How to set up Privacy Zones on Blink cameras

Only a few Blink cameras support Privacy Zones, but setting them up is surprisingly easy. Here's how to get Privacy Zones working on your camera.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K.

Google TV vs. Roku TV: which is the better streaming OS?

In the war of streaming platforms, Google TV and Roku TV are top of the pack, but which operating system is truly best? Let us weigh in to help you decide.
An iRobot Roomba 694 next to a wall, vacuuming pet hair.

The best smart home devices for 2023

With so many smart home gadgets available, finding the best products can be tough. But we're here to help. Check out our favorite smart home devices of 2023.
Apple HomeKit app on smartphone.

What is Apple HomeKit?

Apple HomeKit is one of many smart home platforms available today, and it allows you to communicate with all the equipment in your house. Here's a closer look.
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro on wall.

How much does it cost to install security cameras?

If you're thinking about a home security cam, you may be wondering about extra installation costs, too. Let's break down what related expenses you could see.
Person installing Ring video doorbell

How long does a Ring Video Doorbell battery last?

Many Ring Doorbells are wireless models that use batteries so they can be placed anywhere. Here's how those batteries recharge and how long they will last.
A person holding the Apple TV remote infront of a screen.

How to set up Apple TV as a HomeKit hub

Apple TV makes a great HomeKit hub. Here's how to get it working with your smart home in just a few minutes.
Blink Mini camera on table.

How to use Live View on Blink cameras

Live View on Blink cameras allows you to access a live feed of your property. Here's how to access the feature, along with tips on why it might not be working.
Blink Outdoor cam wet from the rain.

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.
The Ecovacs T20 Omni docked in a living room.

Dyson 360 Vis Nav vs. Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni: which is the better robot vacuum?

Is the ultra-expensive Dyson 360 Vis Nav a better robot vacuum for your smart home than the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni? Here's a look at both to help you decide.
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat in stainless steel.

How to turn off Eco Mode on the Nest Thermostat

Once you know where to look, turning off Eco Mode on your Nest Thermostat is simple. Here's how to get it done in just a few steps.

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