Category
Smart-home gear that solves real problems without turning your house into a part-time IT job.
5 picks
Smart Buy
$90–$200 depending on kit
The smart lighting system that most people should start with. Mature ecosystem, excellent app, voice assistant compatible, endlessly expandable.
Not exciting to recommend, which is a kind of endorsement. It just works, reliably, every time.See it →
Smart Buy
$100–$120
A smart dimmer switch that fixes the actual wall switch experience. Works with normal bulbs. Annoyingly reliable.
Not beautiful, but so dependable it borders on boring. That is exactly what smart home infrastructure should be.See it →
Best Find
~$120
A smart video doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video support, no mandatory subscription for core features, and a battery or wired install.
For HomeKit households that do not want to fund Ring's subscription business model indefinitely.See it →
Smart Buy
~$40
A smart plug with energy monitoring and Matter/Thread support. Makes dumb devices smart without drama.
The smart plug to buy if you care about Apple Home, energy data, and not handing your outlet to a cloud service.See it →
Useful Toy
$100–$130
A TV/monitor backlight kit that mirrors what is on screen in real time. It is ambient lighting for people who actually use their TV.
Not necessary. Still worth wanting. This is Retail Treat territory.See it →