You want smart lighting, but you’re stuck deciding between smart bulbs and smart switches. They both control lights. They both work with Alexa or Google Home. So what’s the actual difference, and which one makes sense for your house? The short answer is this: smart bulbs give you color and individual control but cost more … Read more
Best Smart Bulbs for Every Room in 2026 Not every smart bulb belongs in every room. A bulb that works great in your living room might flicker in the bathroom or fail to dim smoothly in the bedroom. After installing hundreds of smart lighting setups, I’ve learned that matching the bulb to the room matters … Read more
Resetting a smart hub usually means starting over from scratch. All your devices disconnect, your automations disappear, and you spend the next few hours rebuilding everything. But there are ways to reset your hub without losing your entire setup if you plan ahead. I’ve reset dozens of hubs over the past decade, sometimes because they … Read more
Setting up a smart hub sounds more complicated than it actually is. The process takes maybe 30 minutes if you go slow, and most of that time is waiting for devices to connect. The confusing part isn’t the setup itself, it’s figuring out what order to do things and knowing which settings actually matter. I’ve … Read more
The short answer is no, most people don’t need a dedicated smart home hub anymore. Wi-Fi devices connect directly to your phone. Matter devices work across platforms without extra hardware. Voice assistants built into speakers handle basic control just fine. But that’s not the whole story. I’ve installed smart home systems in dozens of houses … Read more
Google Home and Home Assistant solve the same basic problem, but they do it in completely different ways. Google Home is a ready-to-use system that works out of the box. Home Assistant is a DIY platform that requires setup, learning, and ongoing maintenance. Both control smart devices, both run automations, and both have passionate users … Read more
Choosing between HomeKit and Alexa feels harder than it should be. Both work, both have loyal users, and both will control lights, locks, cameras, and other smart devices. The real question isn’t which one is better overall. It’s which one fits the way you actually live and what gear you already own. I’ve installed both … Read more
Matter was supposed to fix the smart home compatibility nightmare. One standard, all devices work together, no more choosing between Alexa, Google, and Apple ecosystems. The reality is more complicated. Matter exists and it works, but support is still rolling out. Some hubs have full Matter integration, others added it through software updates, and a … Read more
Most smart hub guides assume you own the place and can run wires wherever you want. That doesn’t help when you’re renting a 900-square-foot apartment or living in a small condo where every square inch matters. The good news is you don’t need a massive home automation system to control your lights, locks, and thermostats. … Read more
Smart locks make home entry easier, but beginners run into a few common problems. Most of these issues look big but take just a couple minutes to fix. You don’t need tools or an installer. You just need the right steps. Here are the fastest ways to fix the most common smart lock issues in … Read more