Skip to main content

Smart Home Features

The Hubspace app shown in front of a living room.

Home Depot’s Hubspace is a great way to start building your smart home

Hubspace isn't as powerful as Alexa or Google Home, but its simple design makes it great for beginners. Here are our impressions of the smart home software.
The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra looks like a high-tech pirate chest on wheels.

EcoFlow gave my house off-grid superpowers with a box you can fit in your trunk

House buried in snow by blizzard.

The truth about outdoor smart home gadgets and extreme cold

zoom thanksgiving setup guide

Top ways smart tech can save Thanksgiving dinner

spooky halloween lighting haunted house

Here’s how to throw a killer Halloween party with your smart home

The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus dirt disposal unit.

Self-emptying robot vacuums: Do you really need one?

Amazon's Dave Limp at the 2023 device and services event at Amazon HQ in Arlington, Va.

At Amazon’s annual device event, AI was everywhere — and nowhere

The Amazon Echo Show 8 at the Devices Event 2023.

Adding AI to Alexa is the brain transplant we’ve all been waiting for

Amazon Echo Hub.

The Amazon Echo Hub is almost the whole-home hub I’ve always wanted

The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 8.

I tried the Amazon Echo Show 8, a smart display that transforms when you get close

The Amazon Echo Show 8 at the Devices Event 2023.

Everything announced at Amazon’s fall 2023 devices event

A white HomePod mini sitting on a desk.

6 HomeKit settings you should disable (or adjust) right now

amazon smart oven review keypad

Are smart kitchen gadgets worth it?

So many gadgets are popping up with smart in the name. But what does this really mean, and when it comes to smart kitchen appliances, is it worth it?
Apple HomeKit app on smartphone.

6 things you didn’t know Apple Homekit could do

HomeKit is capable of a lot more than you might have thought? Here are six underutilized features.
Philips Hue Appear Outdoor smart light.

Why moving your smart home could be a nightmare

As we adopt smart home devices and make intelligent spaces, what happens when we relocate? Moving a smart home can be a nightmare -- but it doesn't have to be.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat hanging on wall.

Break out of a rut with these useful summer-focused smart home routines

From managing your air conditioning to adding life and color to your outdoor ambiance, here are the best smart home routines you can use throughout the summer.
A stack of ten-dollar bills.

6 smart home devices that can save you hundreds per year

A smart home isn't only convenient, it can also save you money in the long run with energy efficiency improvements.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra in its dock.

Here’s why you need a robot vacuum that empties itself

Robot vacuums that can't empty themselves are less than ideal. Here's why you should consider upping your budget and snagging a self-emptying robot vacuum.
The Matter logo on a colorful background.

The future of Matter in 2023

Matter has big plans for the rest of 2023, but with no timetable for releases and Belkin stepping away, what can we realistically expect over the next months?
Apple HomePod 2023 next to a TV.

The smart home market might see big changes in 2023

With Apple making big moves in the smart home marketplace, it’s poised to put up a real fight for Amazon and Google.
A physical lock placed on a keyboard to represent a locked keyboard.

During spring cleaning, don’t forget smart home security

During spring cleaning, don't forget about smart home security. Here are a few ways you can improve your smart home during your annual spring cleaning.
ElliQ showing a workout while displayed on a white background.

ElliQ is a smart home companion designed for your grandparents

ElliQ is a standalone smart home companion that provides an easy way to check the news, listen to music, chat with friends, or play a few games.
The Google Nest Hub Max in use.

Why you should be using Google Home Routines

Wondering if setting up Google Home Routines is worth the trouble? It is! Here's what they can do for you and how to get started.
Digital Trends CES 2023 Tech For Change Award Winners Feature

Digital Trends’ Tech For Change CES 2023 Awards

Of all the world-changing technologies and innovative ideas on display at CES 2023, these ones impressed us the most.
Best of CES 2023 Awards Our Top Tech from the Show Feature

Digital Trends’ Top Tech of CES 2023 Awards

From dual-screen laptops to smarter smart rings, the top tech of CES 2023 took existing technologies and made them practical enough to finally buy. Here are our favorites.
The futuristic Aska eVTOL quadcopter will take off and land vertically, like a drone.

What to expect at CES 2023, from mondo TVs to EVs

Faster PCs, brilliant TVs, and smarter smart homes are all on the horizon, and CES 2023 will be ground zero for the gadgets that will get us there.
Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker sitting on a table.

The 8 best Alexa holiday commands

Need some help preparing for the holidays? Alexa knows tons of commands that can bring holiday cheer to your party. Here are some commands to try this winter.
Kinsa Smart Thermometer

Here’s why you should consider upgrading to a smart thermometer

Smart thermometers make it easy to track the progression of your fever or contact your physician. Here's why you should add one to your medicine cabinet.
Tineco Toasty One on counter with fresh toast.

Toasting … for dummies? Who really needs a smart toaster

Is a smart toaster worth it? Find out what a smart toaster can do and how much it costs, as we take a look at whether this technology is worth it.
Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector

How smart water management can protect against damage and save money

Smart water management systems help you keep an eye on leaky pipes. They can save you money before flooding does damage and keep water heating bills down.
Twinkly smart lights set up around Christmas tree.

Smart ways to save on your utility bills during the holidays

Learn how to save a few bucks on your utility bills this holiday season by tweaking your smart home's behavior.
Arlo Go 2

The Arlo Go 2 can go beyond Wi-Fi, and that’s really cool

The Arlo Go 2 is a wireless, LTE-compatible security camera that goes where other cameras fear to tread: beyond Wi-Fi range.
nordstrom memorial day sale half year smart garden 3

This is how much it costs to run a smart garden, and how much it can save

Smart gardens are pitched as a way to cut down on produce costs, but are they really cost-efficient?
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro on wall.

Ring security camera buying guide

Ring's lineup of home security cameras is diverse and feature-rich, but what models are best for your property? We created this buying guide to help you decide.

Smart Home News

Smart Home Guides

Smart Home Reviews

Smart Home Deals