Home Security
How to Build a DIY Smart Home Security System | No Monthly Fees, Full Control
Build a DIY smart home security system using Home Assistant. No subscriptions, no cloud dependency, complete control over cameras, sensors, and alerts.
DIY
18 articles
Home Automation
Shelly Plus 1 Review | The Tiny Wi-Fi Smart Relay That Fits Behind Any Light Switch
Shelly Plus 1 review—tiny Wi-Fi relay that hides behind existing light switches. Local control, Home Assistant compatible, $14.
Home Automation
How to Flash Tasmota on a Smart Plug | Free Yourself from Cloud Apps Forever
Step-by-step guide to flashing Tasmota on smart plugs. Replace Tuya firmware with open-source local control—no cloud, no app.
Home Automation
ratgdo: The Best MyQ Alternative for Home Assistant | Local Garage Door Control
ratgdo brings local, cloud-free garage door control to Home Assistant. Here's why it beats MyQ and how to install it in 20 minutes.
Home Automation
How to Automate Your Existing Window Blinds | Smart Home Blinds Guide (2025)
Learn how to automate your existing window blinds without replacing them. SwitchBot, IKEA FYRTUR, and SOMA smart shades compared with installation tips.
Home Automation
How to Build a DIY Presence Sensor with ESP32 and ESPHome | Under $15
Build a DIY presence sensor with ESP32 and LD2410B mmWave sensor for under $15. ESPHome firmware, Home Assistant integration, step-by-step guide.
Home Automation
How to Set Up WLED for Addressable LED Strips | The Easiest Way to Add Smart Lighting
Build your own smart addressable LED strip controller with WLED and an ESP32. 200+ effects, music reactive mode, and Home Assistant integration for under $30.
Coronavirus
3 Household Materials That Filter Out Viruses (DIY COVID-19 Face masks)
The CDC and White House now recommend wearing a homemade face mask when you venture out of your house. These recommendations specifically refer to homemade masks, to avoid diminishing the already depleted N95 face mask supply - desperately needed by hospital and front-line workers repeatedly exposed to the Coronavirus COVID-19.
Gadgets
Optimal Netgear Orbi Router Settings for Signal Strength and Speed
To access these settings, login to orbilogin.com (while connected to the network), click the Advanced tab, then choose Advanced Setup from the left sidebar menu. These settings are only available if your Orbi is in 'Router mode'.
Buttons
The Ultimate Guide to Buttons for Hubitat & SmartThings
After reviewing over 25 smart buttons for SmartThings and other smart home hubs, we thought it'd be helpful to single-out the top 3 buttons to date. The buttons we link to below are natively compatible with SmartThings, and utilize Z-wave, Zigbee, and sometimes both.
Cable Management
Cable Management Tools for DIY Home Automation Projects
Black extension cord running along a white baseboard? Matrix of cables hanging from your new flat screen? Three power strips plugged into each other in the closet? These types of finishing touches can detract from the hard work and hours it took to setup. A few simple additions focused on cable management, like cable clips or raceways, can give any project a professional appearance.
Apps
How to Optimize Your Home WiFi Network for Speed
In addition to router brand, home size, and internet service provider (ISP) speed caps, there are a number physical factors - inside and outside - which can affect performance and speed of the WiFi network in your home. It's important to think about these factors when placing access points, and mesh network nodes, around your house.
Apps
Control Existing Window Blinds with Voice & App
This is the simplest, most cost-effective way to automate existing window blinds, without professional installation and programming.
Gadgets
Z-Wave Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Fire safety is, arguably, one of the most important aspects to home ownership. Not only are you responsible for yourself, but also everyone else living in the home. If your home is not already equipped with hardwired smoke detectors, it's simple to add wireless smoke detectors to SmartThings (or any Z-Wave home automation system) for less than $50.
Apps
WebCoRE Automation for SmartThings
WebCoRE is capable of executing automation flows using inputs from any Z-Wave or Zigbee device connected to your SmartThings hub. Explore pistons...
Apple Guides
3 Steps to fix Frozen MacBook on Startup
If your MacBook or MacBook Pro is frozen and unresponsive, save yourself a trip to the Genius Bar by following these simple reset steps.
Door Locks
Top 3 Smart Z-Wave Deadbolts for Home Automation
For both standard and non-standard doors, or doors with decorative door handles, you should consider adding a deadbolt-only smart device to the door to enable remote control and access. A smart deadbolt is simply a locking mechanism that fits into the existing deadbolt cut-out in your door, and connects to the internet to allow for remote access and programming.
Home
Ring Floodlight & Spotlight Cams for Smart Home Security
The Ring Spotlight cam combines motion-activated security lighting with Wifi security camera. The perfect addition to any smart home with...