Smart switches require a constant flow of power so that their radios can communicate with relays and hubs. A neutral wire connected to the switch completes the circuit and keeps electricity flowing to the switch. This article explains how to identify a neutral wire. We’ll also give you some options in case your home is wired without neutral wires to your light switches.
Read more
Stelpro Maestro Line Voltage Smart Thermostat Reviews
The Stelpro Maestro smart thermostats are a great money-saving addition to line voltage heating systems like electric baseboard heaters. This review covers both the Controller-Thermostat as well as the Thermostat. Now, you can have a smart thermostat even if you have electric baseboard heat.
Read more
Lutron Caseta Smart Light Switch Reviews
We highly recommend the Lutron Caséta Wireless light switches due to their reliability and ease of use. Smart switches allow you to control them like normal switches, through an app, or with voice control. Lutron has been making light switches for close to 50 years and they serve the residential and commercial markets.
Read more
Philips Hue Lighting Reviews
Philips Hue was one of the first smart lighting systems. These smart light bulbs can run over Zigbee or Bluetooth and connect to voice assistants through the Hue Bridge.
Read more
Sengled Smart LED Light Bulb Reviews
Sengled Smart LED light bulbs are a great way to get started with smart lighting, especially if you live in an apartment and cannot change your light switches.
Read more
Protect Your Smart Home From Hackers
Many people are afraid that installing home automation devices will invite hackers to take over their home. You don’t have to be scared of hackers if you take the steps we recommend to protect your smart home.
Read more
Everything You Need To Know About Smart Home Passwords
Make sure you keep your smart home secure by creating passwords that are virtually impossible to crack. We’ll help you choose a safe password for your devices.
Read more
Smart Home System for Apartments and Renters
This smart home system build is for people living in rented apartments who cannot modify their wiring or other aspects of their home. All device suggestions are wireless or non-intrusive so your landlord shouldn’t have a problem.
Read more
Wink Smart Home System
This example smart home system is built with the Wink Hub at its core. Wink works with lots of devices and we suggest the best plus alternate options. Be confident that everything works together.
Read more
Insteon Smart Home System
This guide helps you pick accessories that work seamlessly with the Insteon smart home hub. You don’t have to guess what devices work – we show you.
Read more
Samsung SmartThings Smart Home System
We help you select devices that work with the Samsung SmartThings hub. Build a full SmartThings system and know that everything will work together.
Read more
Amazon Echo Plus Smart Home System
This is an example smart home system built with the Amazon Echo Plus as the main hub. We suggest accessories that are compatible with the Echo Plus so you don’t have to guess what works together.
Read more
Smart Home Privacy: Keeping Your Data Safe
Home automation device manufacturers collect your data to make their products work. Some companies use that data for other reasons. This article helps you understand IOT privacy issues.
Read more
Google Home Smart Home System
While the Google Home devices don’t have any of the common home automation communications radios, you can still build a solid smart home around them. We’ll help you select compatible accessories.
Read more
Apple HomeKit Smart Home System
This is an example Apple HomeKit smart home system build. We recommend the best devices (and alternates) that work with HomeKit so you know everything will work together.
Read more
Comparison of Home Automation Protocols
Home automation systems use a number of communications protocols to allow different accessories speak a common language. This allows products from different brands work together to make your life easier. We review the different protocols including Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth, powerline, Insteon, X10, and more.
Read more
Ecobee Thermostat Reviews – SmartThermostat and ecobee3 lite
The ecobee SmartThermostat and ecobee3 lite are highly recommended Wi-Fi smart thermostats. They are relatively easy to set up and will start saving you money on your energy bills right away. Both units work with popular voice assistants and the ecobee4 include built-in Amazon Alexa.
Read more
Nest Thermostat Reviews – 3rd Generation and E
The Nest Thermostats (3rd Gen and E) are great Wi-Fi thermostats that are easy to install and use, plus they are aesthetically appealing. Most importantly, they will save you money on your utility bills. The Nests are a great option if you don’t have a common wire.
Read more
Honeywell Smart Thermostat Reviews – Round and T5+
The Honeywell Round Smart Thermostat (Second Generation) is a great option for keeping your home comfortable. The T5+ Smart Thermostat is also a great money-saving option. Both thermostats are easy to setup and will save you money on your utility bills. They are one of the few thermostats that work with Apple HomeKit.
Read more
Wink Hub 2 Review
The Wink Hub 2 is a classic hardware smart home hub that includes Z-Wave and Zigbee radios. It works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. The Wink Hub is a great choice if you want a wide range of device options and if you don’t mind a little tinkering.
Read more
Samsung SmartThings Hub Review
SmartThings is Samsung’s foray into the smart home — and it is a worthy entry worth full consideration if you are starting a new smart home system. This review covers the 2018 version of the device, often referred to as v3 or 3rd generation. There are plenty of devices that connect to it so you will be able to make a very versatile smart home.
Read more
Mysa Line Voltage Smart Thermostat Review
The Mysa Line Voltage Thermostat is one of the few smart thermostats for electric baseboard heaters. It is a relatively new product and has already proved to be one of the best options for those who want to monitor and control their line voltage heating system while away.
Read more
Amazon Echo Hub Reviews
The Echo Plus, Show, and Studio are Amazon’s most recent smart home hubs. They combine the Alexa voice assistant with a Zigbee radio to become a true home automation hub. One of these may be the hub for you if you are already invested in the Alexa ecosystem and want to grow your smart home capability.
Read more
Insteon Hub Review
Insteon’s home automation ecosystem performs reliably due to its proprietary protocols. With a wide range of compatible devices and unique powerline communication technology, Insteon is a leader in home automation. If you want a system that just works and prefer to stick with a single manufacturer for your devices then Insteon may be for you.
Read more
Leviton Decora Smart Switch and Dimmer Reviews
Leviton is a big name in traditional lighting control and their Decora Smart dimmers and switches are good options if you have a neutral wire. They have versions for Wi-Fi, HomeKit, and Z-Wave.
Read more