Hands-on reviews of cameras, plugs, locks, sensors, and hubs, with honest cons and the monthly-fee traps flagged before you buy.
I learned about seasonal smart home prep the hard way. Two years ago, my smart thermostat kept the house at 72 degrees all summer, and it worked great. Then October hit, the outdoor temps dropped to 40 at night, and the thermostat kept blasting AC because nobody told it the season changed. I woke up … Read more
I have installed smart lighting in four different homes over the past six years. I started with cheap Wi-Fi bulbs from Amazon, graduated to Philips Hue, then ripped half of it out and started over with Lutron. Along the way I learned that the “best” smart lighting system depends entirely on what kind of person … Read more
If you are heading back to campus this fall, you have probably seen a dozen “dorm smart home” lists packed with gear that makes no sense for a 12-by-12 shared room. You cannot drill into cinder block walls. You cannot replace the thermostat. Your roommate might murder you if you install a smart lock on … Read more
The smart doorbell is the first security device most people buy. It makes sense — you see who’s at the door from your phone, you get motion alerts, and you never miss a package again. But there’s a catch that stops a lot of people: your house or apartment doesn’t have existing doorbell wiring. Older … Read more
Smart kitchen gadgets get a bad reputation, and honestly, most of them deserve it. A smart cutting board is a cutting board with a battery. A smart measuring cup is a measuring cup that needs firmware updates. But buried in the noise of connected kitchen junk, there are a few appliances where the smart features … Read more
You bought the smart bulbs, the plug, the thermostat. Now your phone has fourteen apps and you still can’t turn off the porch light without scrolling past a meditation reminder. It’s time to curate. These are the ones I’d keep on my homescreen, plus three that need to go. Google Home If you own a … Read more
If you buy one smart home device, make it a smart thermostat. Everything else is a nice-to-have. This one pays for itself. I tested the major models over the last few months, and the results were clearer than I expected. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, CleverHomeClub earns from qualifying purchases. This means we may earn … Read more
Smart locks promise a lot. Unlock with your phone, never fumble for keys, let the dog walker in while you are at work. But spend a weekend installing a few of these and you learn fast that some are great, and others will leave you standing on your porch in the rain because the Bluetooth … Read more
You monitor your thermostat, your security cameras, your energy usage. But you probably never monitor the air you breathe. Indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the EPA. The difference is invisible: dust, pollen, cooking fumes, candle smoke, cleaning chemical vapors, and CO2 buildup from closed windows. … Read more
The average smart home has 40 connected devices by 2026. Every light bulb, door lock, camera, thermostat, and speaker is a potential entry point for hackers. Most people set up their smart home with zero thought about network security, then wonder why their cameras are showing up on strange websites or their smart lock is … Read more