Blog
Guides, comparisons, and smart home explainers
Independent writing on the gear that goes in your house.
Best Govee Lights Alternatives in 2026: Smarter Smart Lighting Options
Looking for Govee lights alternatives in 2026? We ranked Philips Hue, LIFX, Nanoleaf, and more by ecosystem compatibility, Matter support, and value for money.
Best Home Security Systems in 2026: Cameras, Alarms & Video Doorbells Ranked
The best home security systems of 2026 compared — cameras, video doorbells, and alarm systems from Ring, Eufy, Arlo, Wyze, and more. Find the right setup for your home.
Best Nest Thermostat of 2026: Which Should You Buy?
Best Nest thermostat review for 2026. Compare the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen vs Ecobee and find out which smart thermostat is right for your home.
Best Outdoor Smart Cameras of 2026
The best outdoor smart cameras of 2026 ranked by video quality, night vision, and AI detection. Top picks for wire-free and wired outdoor security setups.
Best SimpliSafe Alternatives in 2026: DIY Home Security Without the Monthly Fees
Looking for SimpliSafe alternatives in 2026? We ranked the best DIY home security cameras and systems — from Ring to Arlo — that protect your home for less.
Best Smart Garage Door Openers in 2026
The best smart garage door openers of 2026 — Matter-ready controllers with phone alerts and Alexa, Google, and HomeKit support, with links to each.
Best Smart Home Devices for Renters of 2026
Best smart home devices for renters in 2026 — no drilling, no permanent changes required. Renter-safe smart locks, bulbs, plugs, and cameras compared.
Best Smart Home Devices in 2026: Top Picks Across Every Category
The best smart home devices of 2026 ranked by category — thermostats, robot vacuums, smart locks, cameras, and more. Find the top-rated devices for your setup.
Best Smart Light Bulbs of 2026
Best smart light bulbs of 2026 — Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, LIFX, and Lutron ranked for brightness, Matter support, color accuracy, and value.
Best Smart Switches in 2026: Smart Light Switches & Dimmers Ranked
The best smart switches and dimmers of 2026 ranked — Lutron Caseta, Leviton, Kasa, and more compared on reliability, no-neutral-wire support, and Matter compatibility.
Building the Best Smart Bed Setup in 2026
A 2026 guide to building the best smart bed setup, what to look for in a smart bed plus the sleep and bedroom devices that make it work. Read more.
Ecobee vs Nest: Which Smart Thermostat Should You Buy in 2026?
Ecobee vs Nest compared for 2026: air quality sensing, learning schedules, Matter support, HomeKit and price. A clear verdict for each type of home.
myQ vs Tailwind: Which Smart Garage Controller Should You Buy in 2026?
myQ vs Tailwind compared for 2026: multi-door support, geofencing, HomeKit, local control and integration restrictions. Which garage controller to buy.
Ring Doorbell Alternatives 2026: Best Video Doorbells to Use Instead
Looking for Ring doorbell alternatives in 2026? Compare Eufy, Arlo, Wyze, and Google Nest on video quality, local storage, subscription cost, and HomeKit support.
Ring vs Eufy: Which Security Camera Brand Should You Buy in 2026?
Ring vs Eufy compared for 2026: subscription costs, local storage, video quality and ecosystem support. Which security camera brand actually fits your home.
Schlage vs August: Which Smart Lock Should You Buy in 2026?
Schlage vs August compared for 2026: retrofit versus replacement, Apple Home Key, Matter support and install effort. Which smart lock fits your door.
SimpliSafe vs ADT 2026: Full Comparison and Which to Choose
SimpliSafe vs ADT in 2026 — compare contracts, monitoring cost, equipment price, DIY installation, and which home security system is right for renters and homeowners.
SimpliSafe vs Vivint: Which Home Security System Wins in 2026?
SimpliSafe vs Vivint compared for 2026: upfront cost, contracts, professional monitoring, DIY install and smart home integration. Which one fits your home.
The Best 55 Inch Smart TVs of 2026
Hunting for the best 55 inch smart TV in 2026? We compare OLED and Mini LED 55 inch sets on picture, gaming, smart platform and value. See the picks.
The Best Alternatives to myQ in 2026
Looking for alternatives to myQ? Five smart garage controllers with Matter support, local control and no restricted integrations, compared for 2026.
The Best Alternatives to Vivint in 2026
Alternatives to Vivint without the multi-year contract. Six DIY security setups for 2026 with no monitoring fees, local storage and Matter support.
The Best Budget Smart Home Devices in 2026
The best budget smart home devices for 2026, all under $60. Matter support, hub requirements, and real prices for 8 picks. See the list.
The Best Fingerprint Door Lock in 2026
The best fingerprint door lock for 2026, ranked. Biometric deadbolts with Matter, Apple Home Key and palm vein scanning compared on speed and accuracy.
The Best Keypad Door Lock in 2026
The best keypad door lock for 2026, ranked. Matter support, Apple Home Key, backlit keypads and guest codes compared across six smart deadbolts.