Expert Reviewed · Last updated June 23, 2026 · This article is regularly updated with the latest information and recommendations. Google’s first new smart speaker in six years ships June 25 for $99.99. It’s built for Gemini, and it’s a bigger deal than just another speaker — here’s what you need to know before pre-ordering. … Read more
Your electricity bill goes up every summer, but you probably don’t know which devices are actually responsible. A smart home energy monitor tells you — and some can even automate your savings automatically. Smart home energy monitor installed in electrical panel What Is a Smart Home Energy Monitor? A smart home energy monitor is a … Read more
Matter 1.6 arrived on June 17, 2026, and it brings the kind of upgrades that make you wonder how we ever put up with the old way of doing things. If you have been living in the smart home world for any length of time, you already know the pain of devices that only work … Read more
The Short Answer Yes, a smart thermostat saves most households 8-15% on heating and cooling costs, which is roughly $50-$130 per year. It pays for itself in 1-3 years for most people. The savings depend on your climate, habits, and whether you actually use the smart features. But there are real scenarios where a smart … Read more
Why Most Smart Plug Lists Are Useless Most smart plug roundups list ten identical white plugs with no real differences. The truth: most are fine, a few are genuinely good, and some will overheat your devices or disconnect constantly. We tested for reliability, power handling, and platform support to find the five actually worth buying. … Read more
Your Grill Just Got Smarter Summer cooking means standing over a hot grill, guessing when the chicken is done, and running back inside to check on sides. Smart home tech can eliminate most of that running back and forth. From meat thermometers that ping your phone to smart plugs that turn on the patio fan … Read more
Why Humidity Matters More Than Temperature Most people obsess over thermostat settings but ignore the moisture in their air. Here is the thing: humidity affects how hot your home actually feels. A 78-degree room at 30 percent humidity feels comfortable. That same room at 70 percent humidity feels like a sauna. Your body cools itself … Read more
Every smart home guide gives you a list of 200 voice commands. You will use 15 of them. Here are the 50 commands real people actually use daily, organized by when you use them. No gimmicks, no “Alexa, order me a pizza” — just commands that save you time and effort. Morning Commands Set these … Read more
You locked the door, set the thermostat, and asked your neighbor to check on the cat. But your smart home can do better than that — and it never forgets, never oversleeps, and never gets distracted by a pool party notification while your basement floods. Vacation used to mean worrying. Worrying about the pipes, the … Read more
Temperature sensors are cheap — 15 to 30 dollars each. But a cheap sensor in the wrong spot is worse than no sensor at all. It tells your thermostat the living room is 78 degrees when it’s actually 72, and your AC runs longer than it needs to. Or it says the bedroom is 68 … Read more
