A simple, camera-free Amazon Alexa device
What we like: Our more simple, camera-free Alexa smart speaker pick for a bedside table. Great for anyone who prizes simplicity. Small footprint won’t crowd a nightstand. Display auto-dims based on the lighting. Has physical buttons on top, and you can shut off your morning alarm by simply tapping the speaker itself.
Other things to know: Lacks camera, video streaming, and the higher audio quality of more expensive models. Easy to read and responds well to voice commands when placed at arm’s length. Beyond that distance, it becomes hard or impossible to read, and responses were noticeably less consistent. Available in three colors.
Read more: The Best Alexa Smart Speakers
A smart feeder with a camera for birdie pics
What we like: Our runner-up smart bird feeder pick. Also recommended in multiple Wirecutter gift guides. Stunning 1080p wide-angle video and color night vision. Easy-to-fill seed bin holds up to 1.5 liters. Local and cloud video storage options. Alerts include species name of the bird spotted. Detects and labels all types of motion, not just birds. Solar panel means no charging.
Other things to know: The AI feature is a work in progress. Recordings are too limited, maxing out at just 20 to 30 seconds depending on your subscription. May not do well in extreme cold. Solar panel isn’t pretty. We’ve previously seen deals as low as $130.
Read more: The Best Smart Bird Feeders
A DIY home-security system you can customize
What we like: Our top home security system pick if you don’t want or need a mesh network. Contract-free optional 24/7 monitoring and 24/7 customer service. Easy to use. Works with Amazon Alexa and other Ring devices. Wide selection of compatible add-on devices like sensors and cameras.
Other things to know: Does not include built-in Eero router, like the Pro model. Optional Ring Protect Pro monitoring plan is $20 per month. Kit includes one base station, two keypads, eight contact sensors, two motion detectors, and one range extender. Costco members can also get a deal that includes a battery-powered Ring Stick Up Camera (a former pick) instead of a second keypad. Not the lowest price we’ve seen, but still a good deal.
Read more: The Best Home Security System
A space-saving outlet extender
What we like: The best smart plug for limited space. Converts a two-plug outlet into a multi-port hub. Ideal for spaces in which a power strip may look strange or not fit. Offers the widest range of smart-home compatibility (Alexa, Google, and Apple). Also controllable via the Tapo app.
Other things to know: Not all of its six outlets are smart, only three. The smart USB ports are managed as a group. It monitors its energy consumption only in hours and minutes, not in kWh.
Read more: The Best Smart Plugs
An easy-to-use security camera
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What we like: Our top outdoor security camera pick. Offers the best array of customizations and top-shelf features for the money. Cheaper to own and use compared with our other picks. Flexible and simple installation. Excellent 300-day battery life. Recordings can be stored locally or in the cloud.
Other things to know: Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Recordings are less sharp than those from Arlo and Eufy models. We strongly recommend paying for the Tapo Care cloud subscription (starts at $3.50 per month or $35 annually for one camera). Has seen a price increase this year; deal is solid but doesn’t match previous lows.
Read more: The Best Outdoor Security Camera
A special bird feeder for the naturalist you love
What we like: Our top smart bird feeder pick. Captures birds in 2K video and offers the option of two viewing angles (115 or 122 degrees). Provides fun and interesting trivia about your feathered friends. Lively in-app community. Lengthy free cloud storage. Cute yet tough.
Other things to know: Doesn’t track nighttime visitors. Small feeder isn’t easy to fill, and you may be doing it often. Premium plan ($6 monthly or $70 per year) offers extra features and unlimited storage. We recommend the solar version; otherwise the battery life is a measly two to three weeks.
Read more: The Best Smart Bird Feeders
The best outdoor security camera for nonstop recording
What we like: Our outdoor home security camera pick that’s best for those who want nonstop recording. Set to record 24/7 or to capture only motion-triggered events. The best model we tested at identifying types of motion (person, animal, vehicle). Face detection can identify familiar people. Expansive 152-degree field of view. Integrated 18-foot weatherproof cord.
Other things to know: Offers free cloud storage, but it’s limited to 10-second clips that auto-delete after six hours, so a paid subscription is actually needed. Users can delete only full video history, not individual clips. Two-pack.
Read more: The Best Outdoor Security Camera
A sleek, Apple-compatible smart lock
What we like: The best smart lock for Apple Home. A fast, quiet deadbolt replacement. Multiple ways to unlock: PIN code, fingerprint reader, Apple Home Key, or Aqara app. We’ve been testing and using the brand’s products for a few years and are impressed by its ever-growing ecosystem.
Other things to know: Doesn’t have Wi-Fi built-in; remote access and notifications require the use of an Apple Home device or Aqara hub. Largely user-friendly, but may sometimes frustrate households who aren’t tech enthusiasts. PINs must be at least six digits.
Read more: The Best Smart Locks
A great home security system with 24/7 customer service
What we like: Our top home security system pick. Our only pick that offers both 24/7 monitoring and 24/7 customer service. Built-in Eero Wi-Fi 6 router. Works with almost every type of add-on. Loud siren. Built-in battery provides 24 hours of backup power during outages.
Other things to know: The monitoring plan (starting at $10 per month or $100 per year) is optional but essential. You may need extra apps to set up and manage router and Alexa features. Integrates only with Alexa smart-home devices and everything under the Works with Ring umbrella. Kit includes a base station, a keypad, four contact sensors, a motion detector, and an alarm range extender.
Read more: The Best Home Security System
A high-quality security camera for advanced recording
What we like: Our upgrade indoor security camera pick and runner-up pet camera pick. This 2K camera distinguishes among various types of motion and allows you to zoom and crop the viewing window. Heavier and more substantial than our other picks, so it won’t get knocked over as easily, and it looks nice on a wall or shelf.
Other things to know: Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. More expensive upfront, and it offers only three hours of free cloud storage. No microSD storage option at all. A subscription adds face recognition and options for 24/7 cloud recording.
Read more: The Best Indoor Security Camera
A smart thermostat to keep your indoor climate consistent
What we like: Our runner-up pick for the best smart thermostat. Gets you most of the smarts and features of our top pick for significantly less. Does a great job at keeping your dwelling comfortable. Best-in-class privacy policy, and still provides tech support for even its earliest models.
Other things to know: Does not come with backplate, so you’ll likely have to get a backplate cover or patch and paint your wall. Will work best with additional Ecobee SmartSensors, since this pared-down version lacks some of the extra sensors that come with our top pick.
Read more: The Best Smart Thermostat
A bright LED floodlight with two impressive cameras
What we like: Our top outdoor floodlight security camera pick. The only floodlight camera we tested that has two cameras, one with a 2K telephoto lens and one with a 3K wide-angle lens. Both cameras pan and tilt 360 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically. Two integrated LED panels are bright and dimmable.
Other things to know: Hardwired. Stores video internally on a removable microSD card (up to 128 GB), to the HomeBase S380 hub (sold separately), or in the cloud (subscriptions start at $3 per month and recordings are downgraded to 1080p/2K). Amazon Alexa and Google Home (light only) compatibility.
Read more: The Best Outdoor Security Camera
A smart leak detector for peace of mind
What we like: A variant of our runner-up for the best smart leak detector. Was responsive during our testing, detecting leaks within two seconds. It easily integrates into an existing Amazon Alexa or IFTTT setup, and the top- and bottom-mounted probes give you added leak coverage from potential dripping or burst pipes. Has a wide wireless range.
Other things to know: A sold-separately YoLink Hub is necessary to connect to your home network. Sensor runs on two AAA batteries (included).
Read more: The Best Smart Water-Leak Detector
