How to Shop for a Smart Lock (2024)

You might already have a smart home hub if you have certain smart speakers like an Amazon Echo (4th Gen) ($100) or smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) ($150). If you’re an Apple HomeKit user, you might have a HomePod or Apple TV to act as your home’s hub, but HomeKit […]

I’m a New Homeowner, and Here’s How to BYO Smart Home

I was surprised how many smart home products were included. My builder gave us the option to install even more devices during the building process, which would’ve cost almost $2,000 for a handful of door sensors, two motion sensors, a siren, and two control panels. We opted out. I figured I could easily rig those […]

How to protect your smart home from hackers

Thanks to the boom in “smart home” devices, we now live with vastly more connected gadgets: internet-linked TVs; camera-equipped doorbells; online thermostats, door locks and lightbulbs; web security cameras; and even refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens with Wi-Fi. Each online link provides a tempting target for a hacker. The problem isn’t simply that somebody can hack […]

How to Deter Thieves and Improve Your Smart Home Security

Some of our favorite security cameras also come equipped with floodlights. The Arlo Floodlight Outdoor Security Camera ($215) goes up to 3,000 lumens, enough to illuminate a driveway or garden, and doesn’t require electrical wiring, making it easy to install. The Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro ($150) is a more affordable option that also offers 3,000 […]