Smart Home

Smart home tech has proven to be a great way to refresh your space with some ambient lighting or provide a more immersive home theater experience. Today, we’re rounding up some of our favorite accessories that would make great gifts this holiday season. Perfect for the people on your list who already pick up the latest and greatest tech for themselves, these next-level smart home upgrades are sure to excite once unwrapped at the end of the month. Head below for all of our top picks in this year’s smart home gift guide.

Hot on the heels of the Wyze Sprinkler, Vacuum, Cam V3, Doorbell, Thermostat, Headphones, and more, the budget-focused smart gear company is entering the smartwatch game…again. Wyze released their first fitness tracker/wearable back in March, and we went hands-on with it a few months later. Designed more like a fitness tracker and less like a watch, Wyze Band, as it was called, cost $25. That in and of itself was a bargain, but Wyze decided that it was time to launch a true smartwatch, the Wyze Watch. This time, however, they decided to come in at an even more affordable price: $19.99. What all does Wyze Watch do? Well, there’s quite a bit packed into this budget-focused wearable, including blood oxygen tracking, so let’s dive in.

Amazon currently offers the Yale Assure Lever HomeKit Smart Lock for $239.99 shipped. Down from its usual $299 going rate, today’s offer saves you 20%, beats our previous mention by $9, and comes within $2 of the all-time low. This version of Yale Assure smart lock stands out from other options on the market with an integrated handle set. On top of being able to leverage your phone to unlock the front door, there’s also a built-in touchscreen, the ability to summon Siri, Alexa, and Assistant for voice commands, and automatic unlocking features. Rated 4.2/5 stars from 365 customers. Head below for more.

Ahead of Black Friday, EZVIZ is discounting its lineup of smart indoor security cameras, video doorbells, outdoor floodlight cameras, and more starting at $19.99. Across all of the options that are on sale, you’ll find 1080p recording with support for Alexa and Assistant integration, meaning you can pull up feeds on smart displays as well as your smartphone. Not to mention, every EZVIZ camera comes equipped with a built-in microSD card slot for storing up to 256GB of footage locally, removing cloud storage fees and privacy concerns from the equation. Head below for a closer look at everything included in this year’s EZVIZ Black Friday sale as well as out top picks.

For quite a while now, we’ve seen loads of big technology brands target the home audio space, and this year is no exception. Amazon revamped a majority of its Echo lineup, Apple unveiled HomePod mini, and Samsung expanded its soundbar product category. With arguably the best time to shop nearly upon us, this guide aims to serve up the best Black Friday speaker deals we’ve come across. Below you’ll find a breakdown of home theater and smart solutions. Bear in mind that some deals are live now and other sale prices will launch sometime between now and Black Friday.

We’re now just a little over a week away from Black Friday, with plenty of deals starting to roll out over the coming days. Ahead of all the action, we’re diving into what you can expect when it comes to shopping for smart home upgrades, with everything from discounts on the latest speakers from Amazon and Google to smart home lighting, security packages, and more. Head below to find this year’s best Black Friday smart home deals.

It seems the folks at Wyze have been quite busy lately, with the recent launch of a smart Vacuum, new camera, Video Doorbell, Headphones, Thermostat, and many other killer products more. Well, as we head into the holidays, the company is showing no signs of slowing down. Introducing, the brand-new Wyze Sprinkler Controller. That’s right, Wyze now has a product where you can control, schedule, and monitor up to 8-zones of irrigation at your home.

There aren’t many contenders in this space, and Wyze is looking to become the new go-to for smart sprinkler controllers, it seems. Does Rachio have something to worry about with the Wyze Sprinkler Controller? Keep reading to find out everything it has to offer, and make the decision yourself.

Wyze is a fan-favorite brand around here when it comes to lower-cost smart home gear, like the brand-new Cam V3, Video Doorbell, Scale, and other budget-focused products. Well, the company is branching out and releasing a smart vacuum, though this will be Wyze’s most expensive product yet at $199. However, in typical fashion, you’ll get a wide array of high-end features that is poised to deliver a great experience for a fraction of what other smart vacuums would cost. What all can the Wyze Vacuum do? Keep reading to find out more.

Earlier today Belkin took the wraps off a couple of new gadgets. One joins its BOOST↑CHARGE lineup of accessories while the other delivers smart outdoor power outlets. BOOST↑CHARGE PRO comes out swinging at the competition with claims of being the smallest 60W charger on the market. Meanwhile, the new Wemo WiFi Outdoor Smart Plug touts an IP44 weatherproof rating with support for Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Continue reading to learn more.

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meross is becoming one of the go-to brands for budget-focused HomeKit gear, and they’re at it again with a new Wi-Fi LED Lamp that offers support for Apple’s smart home ecosystem, as well as both Assistant and Alexa. The company’s brand-new lamp offers RGB lighting and is dimmable, meaning you can easily make it match any scene or setup that you have in your home. It supports voice control and honestly, is something that will really add a bit of flair to your setup. Having just released today, we’re already tracking a discount on meross’ latest smart lamp, so head below for more details.

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Today, Aqara is launching the latest addition to its lineup of smart home accessories with a new indoor security camera. Doubling as a Zigbee hub, the new device packs 1080p recording alongside HomeKit Secure Video functionality and more. Head below the fold for all of the details on the new Aqara HomeKit Camera G2H as well as how to lock-in a launch day discount.

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Recently, Arlo launched the Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, making them one of the few companies to produce a security cam built into a floodlight that can tie into a larger ecosystem of products. With the ability to function wirelessly, off solar, or through constant power, the Pro 3 Floodlight Cam provides the ability to be mounted anywhere around your house, something that Ring’s Floodlight Cam just can’t deliver. Plus, with HomeKit support in tow, the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Cam could be the perfect addition to your smart home. On the flip side, the Arlo Video Doorbell doesn’t offer HomeKit compatibility, but you’ll find several other great features that tie into the Arlo ecosystem well, like smart notifications, a wide field-of-view, and much more. So, without further ado, here’s our hands-on review of the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight and Doorbell cameras.

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Wyze, a fan-favorite at 9to5 for budget-focused smart home gear, is announcing three new products today. All will have slightly different release dates, but we’ll dive into what each new item has to offer. You’ll find that Wyze is releasing a much-desired video doorbell, a pair of active noise-canceling headphones, and even a smart thermostat. What all will you get with the new Wyze gear? Keep reading to find out.

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Arlo is updating its home security lineup with the Essential Wire-Free Video Doorbell. This product expands Arlo’s lineup of “essential” smart home gear that works without a hub, allowing for a simpler and more cost-effective setup. You’ll find that the Wire-Free Video Doorbell offers similar features to its wired companion, including 180-degree viewing angle, motion detection, 2-way audio, and much more.

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These days it can often feel like a waste to print something out. A situation that is only strained further by tech companies that consistently try to rid us of the need for a pen and paper. While in most cases this is arguably a good thing, there are times when having a printout may be the best approach. This is where Alexa Print steps into frame. It makes it a cinch to request a printed copy of your shopping list, a coloring page, recipe, and the list goes on. These examples merely scratch the surface of all that Alexa Print is capable of. Continue reading to learn more.

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Continuing the line of affordable home surveillance and security devices, the Wyze Cam Outdoor is packed with features for the $50 price point. With motion detection, two weeks of free cloud storage, continuous recording with a micro SD card, and super-easy setup, there’s a lot to check out. Head below to watch the video and see it in action.
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When it comes to more affordable smart home accessories, meross is routinely one of the more eye-catching brands we feature here at 9to5. With HomeKit control entering on a variety of its accessories, the latest of its Siri-enabled devices is now available for purchase. And it’s already on sale, too. The new meross HomeKit Garage Opener Remote brings smart home control to an existing garage door with support for all three major voice assistants. Head below for all of the details on the new release, and for more on locking in the launch pricing.

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Today Anker’s eufy sub-brand is unveiling its latest smartphone accessory, and it’s unlike anything they’ve ever done before. The new eufy Drop is a smart camera drop box for your packages, valuables, and more that’s designed to sit on your front porch and monitor activity. It’s designed to work in tandem with the brand’s line of smart cameras and other accessories, which have also seen notable growth in recent years. However, you won’t be finding HomeKit support here just yet, like Anker’s other smart cameras, but there’s still plenty of smart tech packed into this box. Full details on pricing, availability, and more can be found below.

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It was July of last year when Wyze announced it would bring free person detection to its suite of budget-focused smart home cameras. But then, earlier this year, Apple purchased the low-power AI startup, Xnor.ai, which was behind Wyze’s on-device person detection.

Wyze told its customers that it would roll out an in-house person detection service, and it would remain free — but after finishing up the feature, Wyze has found that it’ll cost them more than they initially thought. On the bright side, Wyze plans to test a “pay what you want” program allowing customers to pay $0 or however much they think person detection is worth, but there are a few caveats.

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Anker’s smart home brand, eufy, just released an all-new 2K security camera dubbed the eufyCam 2 Pro. It packs 2K recording and free local video storage plus much more, including 365-day battery life and on-device human detection software. Priced from $150, these cameras will ensure that your home is properly secured, allowing you to easily view your home from afar, even when it’s dark out, thanks to built-in color night vision. The best part about these cameras is compatible with Alexa, Assistant, and even Apple’s HomeKit.

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Wyze, a fan-favorite (and 9to5Toys favorite) is back again with another new product launch, this time with the company’s most-anticipated release: Wyze Cam Outdoor. That’s right, our favorite budget-focused smart home company is at it again, this time tackling the outdoor camera market. Wyze Cam Outdoor sports an IP65 weather-resistant rating can function entirely offline, and sports up to 6-month battery life. Wyze didn’t stop there though, so keep reading to learn everything about what Wyze Cam Outdoor brings to the table.

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Upgrading your smart home to Zigbee comes with plenty of perks like quicker response times, higher reliability, and increased range compared to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Aqara’s platform encompasses all of those while bringing HomeKit support and more into the mix. That feature pairing recently caught my eye. Now, after using Aqara’s system for a few weeks, I’m sold on what the brand has to offer. Head below for a closer look.

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The smart home space is getting better all the time. The new Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera has debuted and it aims to satisfy indoor and outdoor security needs alike. It connects directly to a Wi-Fi network, ditching the need for a hub and has features ranging from color night vision to a built-in siren. Its wire-free design is powered by rechargeable batteries, ensuring you won’t need to keep AAs or something similar on-hand. Continue reading to learn more.

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Today smart home security company Kangaroo is unveiling its latest devices with an emphasis on monitoring who’s at the front door. The new Kangaroo Smart Doorbell takes on recent unveils from Ring with motion alerts and other expected features, but in an affordable $20 package. Head below for a closer look at the company’s latest release, including availability details and more.

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Wyze is probably one of the most well-known names in the budget-focused home security market. After making an entrance a few years ago, they’ve launched several products to expand their offering, including a smart lock, a camera that pans, bulbs, and even plugs. But, the latest partnership that the company has undertaken is with Noonlight, which offers the ability to dispatch emergency services to your home with the tap of a button, no need to call 911.

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Last night, Wink announced that it would be introducing a new mandatory subscription for its popular home automation hub. With only 1-week until the company threatens to turn out the lights on smart home owners, many are looking to jump ship to a into another system without having to leave accessories behind. To help with the migration, we’ve highlighted the best Wink alternatives including SmartThings, Alexa, and how to build your own system. Hit the jump for all the details.

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Warmer weather is upon us and with more time at home, you may be thinking about how to upgrade your outdoor setup. Chances are, you’re also thinking about integrated smart home control into the mix. However, putting it all together into a dependable (and affordable) build can be a tricky proposition. We’ve put together a guide below that walks you through putting together a voice-controlled lighting system this summer for HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant users. If you’re not ready to hand over control just yet, there’s something for you too. Hit the jump to get started.

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While there’s a somewhat-overwhelming amount of smart light switches on the market, only a small number of them support Apple HomeKit. The new Aqara Smart Wall Switch helps bridge this gap with four variants ready to be controlled by Apple devices when paired with a hub. If you’re wondering why there are four variants, the answer is to provide one and two button options that will be compatible in both new and old homes alike. As we’ve come to expect from most HomeKit-ready devices, these switches also works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, making them platform-agnostic options ready to serve almost any smart home.

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Shortly after we covered Anker’s upcoming eufy Indoor Cam 2K, we now have details regarding the company’s soon-to-be-released smart lock. It’s called Eufy Smart Lock Touch and the design found here mimics much of what we’ve seen in the company’s Wireless Video Doorbell (hands-on review here). Some of the top features in Eufy’s new smart lock include 1-year battery life and sensors for both a fingerprint and detecting when the door is closed. Continue reading to learn more.
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After spending nearly 2-years on the market, the first-generation Ring Alarm is being refreshed with a redesigned model. The keypad looks quite a bit different and now houses dedicated one-touch buttons to request police, fire, or medical assistance. Each of these buttons need to be pressed and held for several seconds before anything is triggered. On top of the changed keypad, Ring Alarm sensors have also been redesigned to take up less space. Continue reading to learn more.

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Less than one month after Ring Video Doorbell 3 debuted, a leaked image leads us to believe that the company has yet another smart home accessory up its sleeve. The source responsible for sharing the leaked image also has unfurled a name, and at this point it is called Ring Doorbox. The device can be locked or unlocked remotely, shedding light on its supposed utility which would could be in-line with a key lock box. Continue reading to learn more.
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Wyze, a fan-favorite around here when it comes to budget-friendly smart home products, just announced its two latest products: the Wyze Scale and Wyze Band. The Scale, bring the more budget-friendly offering here, comes in at $19.99 plus shipping. The Wyze Band clock in at $24.99 plus shipping. The Scale connects with the Wyze App, as well as Apple Health and Google Fit, with Fitbit and Samsung Health integrations around the corner. The Band connects to your smartphone over Bluetooth and gives you smart home control to the next level thanks to its Alexa integration. Keep reading to find out more about these budget-friendly smart home products

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We’ve long been fans of Kangaroo and its roster of smart security products here at 9to5Toys, and its latest looks to continue that trend. Today the company is officially releasing its very first security camera, which touts 1080p recording capabilities as well as a unique focus on privacy that’s clearly front and center in the design. Touting a patented Privacy Shield and affordable price tag, the camera stands out from other competitors. Head below for a closer look the new Kangaroo Privacy Camera.

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Kangaroo, a well-known company for those in the market for budget-focused home security, just announced its latest product, a smart water and climate sensor. This wireless sensor is perfect for hooking up to your existing Kangaroo smart home and it’ll keep tabs on things like extreme temperature changes, leaky washers, and more. These are things that plague different parts of the world year-round, so keep reading to see why this might be a great option for you.

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LG just announced that Alexa will be built into its CineBeam AI ThinQ 4K projector lineup. This means that both the LED HU70LA and HU85LA projectors from LG will receive a free upgrade to have Alexa’s services built-into them. Owners won’t have to do anything but update the software once they connect the projector to the internet. How will this change your experience? Keep reading to learn more.

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Today Amazon is expanding its stable of Ring smart home security products with two new video doorbells as well as some updated accessories. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 and 3 Plus enter with a new feature set like pre-roll recording, enhanced motion detection, and 1080p feeds, all in a battery-powered design. Head below for a closer look at what the latest from Ring entails, as well as pricing and availability details.

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Leviton seems to have opened the floodgates with new smart devices rolling out left and right. Just last month it took the wraps off both a light switch with Alexa inside and its 4-speed ceiling fan controller. The new Leviton 4-Button Controller is the latest offering to join the Decora Smart line-up. As you’d expect, it seamlessly ties in with other Leviton products, but the real magic comes with IFTTT-compatibility.
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Control4 and SnapAV are back with another new smart home solution dubbed Essential Lighting. This entry-level module further expands the Control4 Wireless Lighting Lineup and offers a dimmer, switch auxiliary keypad, and two plug-in models allowing you to enjoy ease of use when it comes to controlling your smart home.

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Whenever a product category gains traction, it often becomes flooded with competition. Early adopters may get to experience the technology sooner than everyone else, but products that follow tend to bring new features that one-up their other challengers. The new Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro is a perfect example of this as it takes package protection to the next level. This new contender can detect deliveries, keep an eye on them, then identify potential thieves and let them know they’re being recorded. Continue reading to find a marketing which shows an example of this technology in action.
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Last year we took a look at the Pan Cam from Wyze, and we’ve been blown away by the features for the price. Since then, Wyze has been aiming to get more into the smart home market. Coming in at $90 and compatible with existing single-cylinder deadbolts, the Wyze Lock is a very easy way to get some smart control in your house. Be sure to check out the video below to check it out in action. 
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If the wide variety of smart home cameras currently on the market haven’t been to your liking, today there will be yet another option to consider. The folks at Kami, YI Technology’s smart home division, have unveiled a new a wire-free, weather-resistant smart home security camera. The Kami Outdoor Battery Camera hopes to take on the competition with a list of compelling features at an affordable price tag. Head below for a closer look at its feature set.

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