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August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) review: Simple, speedy security
It takes almost no time or skill to transform your front door into a smarter, smartphone-friendly setup
The worst part of August's Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) is that it reminded me that I have a crooked front door. So much so, that the device's incredibly helpful locking and unlocking functionality, which you can access via a simple smartphone app or trigger on a timer, was less useful for me. But that's the door's fault; the Wi-Fi Smart Lock is as easy to install as it is to configure, and it'll bring you extra security and convenience in less time than it takes to read this review. It's not the most feature-packed lock, but it's a solid addition to your smart home for a reasonable price.
Best smart home security cameras in 2024
Keep an eye on your home or the pets within it from anywhere with a well-placed camera
Gone are the days of needing specialized networking and tons of tech know-how to configure a home security system. Thanks to the advancement of smart home technology, you can easily invest in a competent smart security system or opt for a standalone camera to simplify things and save money.
Best smart home deals: Save up to $180 on some of our favorite smart devices
Smart plugs, TVs, lights, and thermostats starting at just $21
Building a smart home is surprisingly simple to do these days. There are smart doorbells, floodlights, security cameras, and even garage door openers, and many of them take just a few minutes to set up. But all of that convenience and peace of mind doesn't come cheap. It obviously depends on the device, but a good smart doorbell or security camera can cost $150+.
Best Amazon Alexa-compatible smart home devices in 2024
These popular Alexa-compatible devices make smart home automation easy wherever they live in your home
When it comes to smart home assistants, Alexa is a behemoth that dominates the market with its intuitive voice-activated smart home controls. Alexa's success is due to its teachability and user-friendly interface, including its convenient voice control.
Over the past decade, robot vacuum cleaners have gone from conceptual to essential. These clever devices make it simple to keep your floors clean, with scheduled programs that run with minimal human interaction. The marketplace is now filled with various models that work similarly to the original Roomba robot vacuum but boast specs and features that make them easy to integrate with smart home assistants such as Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Google Assistant, and more. You can even link them to smart speakers for voice control.
How to set up an Amazon Echo for multiple users
Share your Echo or Echo Show with your family member or friends
Amazon Echo speakers are among the most popular smart speakers, offering plenty of features for your household. These include listening to music, asking questions, and controlling smart home devices. In addition, they can access personal data, such as calendar events. You don't need separate devices for each user. You can teach it to distinguish users to provide a personalized experience. This guide walks you through how to set up an Echo device for your household.
Best smart smoke detectors in 2024
Keep your home and family safe the smart way with one of these smart smoke detectors
With many potential apocalypses looming on the horizon, home security has never been more important. Smart home technology has been a massive boon in this regard, and smart smoke detectors, like the best outdoor security cameras or the best smart locks, are one of the most no-brainer deployments of connectivity and integration to instantly make your home a safer place.
Google TV offers access to multiple streaming services in one location. Google Chromecast provides instant access to the Google TV hub when plugged into the television, giving you access to more streaming content. There's also a streaming app called Google TV. If you recently purchased or plan to get a Google TV or Android TV, this guide helps you set up your television for a fun evening of streaming.
Best smart humidifiers in 2024
Fill the air in your home with just the right amount of moisture using the best smart humidifiers
Depending on how dry it is where where you live, a smart humidifier may be one of the essential smart devices you can integrate into your smart home ecosystem.
Google Assistant is a popular virtual assistant on many Android smartphones and smart speakers. It lets you use your voice to automate tasks such as setting a timer, playing music, or calling someone. Using Google Assistant-powered smart home gadgets, you can change the temperature of your AC, turn on the lights in any room, open the garage door, and more. While using Google Assistant, you will notice that the Assistant's default voice is female, which can get monotonous the longer you use the Assistant.
Google Home: Everything you need to know about the smart home platform
Google Home is essential for your smart home setup and makes your day a little simpler
You may have previously associated Google Home with speakers, but that's no longer the case. Google discontinued them in 2019. Home is now a smart management platform. The app can control all your smart home products, such as smart lights, which you can turn off if you forget to do so before a trip, using your voice or the app, among other features. You can connect speakers, Chromecasts, and cameras in different areas of your house and control them from your Android phones and tablets.
You can broadcast messages if you have at least two Google Home or Nest speakers in your house. This feature repeats your message on all speakers (or specified ones), saving you from yelling messages across multiple rooms. This feature is compatible with all Google Assistant speakers. You don't need to rely on Google's Nest products to broadcast messages.
Best Google Assistant-compatible smart home devices in 2024
Complete your smart home makeover with these Google Assistant-compatible devices
Google Assistant is one of the best ways to control and customize your smart home devices. On a near-daily basis, new developers are incorporating the popular voice assistant into everything from security cameras and smart TVs to lighting and thermostats. With Google features and functionality constantly evolving, and the extra compatibility offered by the Matter protocol, there’s never been a better time to invest in a Google Home-powered residence.
The generational upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 brought along some significant upgrades to throughput over the same pair of 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It also made the multi-device handling a tad more efficient both on the router’s and the client devices’ ends. If you are in the market right now, chances are high that you will come across many routers that meet the Wi-Fi 6 standard — it’s becoming ubiquitous these days, so it makes little sense to settle for an older Wi-Fi 5 router in 2024, and newer Wi-Fi 7 routers are still expensive. For now, Wi-Fi 6 is the sweet spot.
Best Ring Video Doorbell alternatives in 2024
Need a smart doorbell, but can't work with Ring devices? Here are some excellent Ring video doorbell alternatives
Ring’s extensive lineup of smart video doorbells is terrific for keeping a watchful eye on the parts of your property that matter most, but they’re not the only option. In fact, there are hundreds of video doorbells on the market, with many of these products delivering impressive picture quality, customizable motion triggers, and robust ecosystem support for popular platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant.
Abode's new security cam uses Wi-Fi HaLow for its insane 1.5-mile range
Abode teamed up with Morse Micro and Xailient to create its new Edge Camera
Home security cameras have come a long way since the emergence of models, like the Nest. Even Google has made upgrades to the camera that has become a household name, and other manufacturers have followed suit. Now, Abode has partnered with Morse Micro and Xailient to push the boundaries of what a home security camera can do — and it may just give Big Tech competitors a run for their money.
With the advancement of smart home technology, manufacturers are devising innovative ways to make home appliances and gadgets more intelligent, convenient, and easier to use. It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or an expert in the smart home space; there is a gadget out there that can completely change how you do things in your home.
Best smart thermostats that support Google Assistant in 2024
Let Google keep your home the perfect temperature with any of these great smart thermostats
Owning a smart thermostat is one of the best ways to monitor and automate your home heating or air conditioning. Now made by a number of reputable companies, smart thermostats are often compatible with leading voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and the subject of today’s roundup, Google Assistant. They’re also pretty easy to install, are available in a ton of different shapes and sizes, and are backed up by some of the intuitive and user-friendly companion apps in the business.
Best outdoor security cameras in 2024
Today's smart security cameras are more powerful, accessible, and affordable than ever
A good home security system offers peace of mind plus a ton of convenience in everyday life. With the astronomical rise in smart home technology, building your own is as easy and affordable as it's ever been.
Best smart home automation systems in 2024
Add motion-triggered actions, home monitoring, and voice controls to your every morning, noon, and night
Do you remember the first time you saw a smart light respond to a voice command? You probably wanted to have one of these bulbs to call your own. We’re right there with you, but nowadays a simple on/off action by saying “Hey Google, turn the light on,” is home automation in its most simple form. These days, there are entire home automation systems that can control and manage all of your smart home devices, from cameras to lights, under one roof. You’ve probably heard of Google Assistant and Alexa, but these are just two automation tools among many others.