Smart Home

After announcing the rollout of end-to-end encryption for its Ring smart home security lineup earlier in the month, the company is back today with the unveil of its latest video doorbell. Entering as not only the smallest iteration yet but also the most affordable, the new wired Ring Video Doorbell arrives with 1080p feeds and all of the same Alexa features we’ve come to expect. You’ll also enjoy motion detection and more. Head below for a closer look.

Today only, Woot is offering the Sengled Dimmable Smart LED Light Bulb Starter Kit for $14.99 Prime shipped. Non-Prime members are charged a $6 delivery fee at checkout. You’d normally pay $40 at Amazon for this setup and the lowest that we’ve tracked there is $20, making today’s deal the best we’ve seen. In the kit, you’ll get the Sengled smart hub and two dimmable soft white LED bulbs, making it super simple to get up and running in your smart home. The smart hub connects to your Wi-Fi, negating the need for an Ethernet connection, which might be better for your setup. Once connected, you’ll be able to enjoy both Alexa and Assistant voice commands and routines, further expanding your smart home’s capabilities. Rated 4.2/5 stars.

Smart plugs remain the best way to explore all of the perks of having a connected home, as well as versatile options to expand existing setups. But with an over-abundance of options to choose from at Amazon, finding the most ideal model for your Siri, Alexa, or Assistant kit can be tedious at best. So now, we’re back again for 2021 to showcase the best smart plugs on the market and highlight our favorite entries in various categories. Head below for all of the details.

LOCKLY has set itself apart from many competing smart locks in the past by implementing PIN Genie, a passcode unlock system that is arguably more secure than others. Instead of keeping all numbers in the same place, the company’s offerings shuffle where digits appear. With the release of LOCKLY Duo and Guard, it aims to take both residential and commercial security even further. Duo boasts a 2-in-1 latch and deadbolt design while Guard aims to level up security on sliding and swing-style doors. Continue reading to learn more.

Today, TP-Link is expanding its stable of Kasa smart home gear with a collection of new releases headlined by its very first video doorbell. Plus, there’s also a new motion-activated dimmer switch, Pan Tilt camera, and more on the way for Alexa and Assistant users to bring into their setups. Head below for a closer look at everything on the horizon from TP-Link.

Amazon is currently offering its Dash Smart Shelf in all sizes for $11.99 Prime shipped. Normally costing $20, our last mention was $15 and today’s deal marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked. The new Dash Smart Shelf from Amazon makes it super simple to reorder household goods, snacks, and just about anything else that’s used frequently. Essentially, the shelf checks the current weight against whatever you place on it, so it knows when you start running low. With three sizes to choose from, you’ll easily be able to use it with a multitude of items in your home. Rated 4.1/5 stars.

To end out 2020, Wyze is launching a smart outdoor plug. After releasing a Home Monitoring setup, a new Watch, Sprinkler Controller, Vacuum, and much more, Wyze is further expanding its footprint in your home with a new outdoor-rated plug. This will allow you to control things like Christmas lights next season, or just a set of string lights on your patio during the summer. You’ll find some great features here, like Wi-Fi, two independently-controlled outlets, energy monitoring, and more. Would you like to learn more about the latest $10 Wyze product? Well, just head below the break to find out everything about the Wyze Plug Outdoor.

Meross is expanding its stable of smart home accessories today with its latest garage door opener remote. Armed with support for Siri, Alexa, and Assistant, Meross Collie enters with a refreshed design, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, and other new features. Head below for all of the details and a closer look at how the latest from Meross stands out from the competition.

Wyze is on a roll to close out 2020. After announcing the Wyze Watch, Sprinkler Controller, Vacuum, and several other products this year, the company is now entering the home security market. We got our first glimpse of this back in May when the company announced a partnership with Noonlight, offering a panic button of sorts to its camera lineup. But, now, Wyze is pushing that further with a full home monitoring solution, still partnered with Noonlight. Wyze Home Monitoring is built off the company’s all-new Sense v2 platform and will cost $5 per month. Equipment will run $60, though, if you pre-pay your first year (which is also $60), you’ll get the equipment included for free. What all does Wyze Home Monitoring cost? Well, let’s dive in.

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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