Home Automation
Best Zigbee Sensors for Home Assistant in 2026 | Motion, Contact, Temp and Water Leak
The best Zigbee sensors for Home Assistant in 2026. Motion, contact, temperature, water leak, and mmWave presence sensors tested and reviewed.
Home Automation
Home Automation The brain of every smart home is a smart hub, with popular models like Samsung SmartThings, in addition to other Z-wave and Zigbee products. Once equipped with a smart hub, any home can be automated with wireless devices, including sensors, buttons, actuators and more. Our smart-device reviews are for all skill levels, house sizes, and budgets.
71 articles
Home Automation
How to Migrate from SmartThings to Home Assistant | Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Complete guide to migrating your smart home from SmartThings to Home Assistant. Learn hardware, device pairing, automation setup, and timelines.
Home Automation
How to Set Up Frigate NVR with Home Assistant | Local AI Camera Detection Guide
Step-by-step guide to setting up Frigate NVR with Home Assistant for local AI-powered camera detection. No cloud, no subscriptions, full privacy control.
Home Automation
SmartThings vs Home Assistant vs Hubitat in 2026 | Which Smart Home Hub Is Right for You?
Comparing SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Hubitat—the three major smart home hubs in 2026. Find which one fits your needs, skills, and ecosystem.
Home Automation
Best Thread Border Routers for Your Matter Smart Home in 2026
Thread border routers are essential for Matter smart homes. Here are the best options in 2026: HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, Home Assistant Connect, and Aqara Smart Hub M3.
Home Automation
Zooz 800 Series Z-Wave Switches Review | ZEN76 and ZEN77 for Hubitat and Home Assistant
Zooz ZEN76 and ZEN77 800 series Z-Wave switches reviewed. Long Range ready with SmartStart pairing, tested on both Hubitat and Home Assistant hubs.
Home Security
Best 3 Matter-over-Thread Smart Locks in 2026 | Apple Home, Alexa and Google Compatible
The best Matter-over-Thread smart locks for 2026 compared: Aqara U400, Level Lock Pro, and Nuki Smart Lock Ultra. Features, prices, and hub compatibility.
Home Security
Aqara Camera Hub G350 Review | The First Matter Camera for Your Smart Home (2026)
The Aqara Camera Hub G350 is the world's first Matter v1.5 camera with dual lenses, 9x hybrid zoom, and multi-protocol support. Read our hands-on review.
Home Automation
Aqara Smart Hub M3 Review | The Best Multi-Protocol Smart Home Hub for 2026
Aqara Smart Hub M3 review: Zigbee, Thread, IR blaster, and Matter bridge in one $70 device. The best value multi-protocol hub for smart home automation.
Home Automation
Aqara FP400 Spatial Multi-Sensor Preview | Next-Gen Presence Detection at CES 2026
Aqara FP400 spatial sensor unveiled at CES 2026. Advanced mmWave radar tracks up to 10 people's position and posture for next-gen room-level automation.
Home Automation
Apple's Big Smart Home Push in 2026 | HomePad, HomePod mini 2 and More
Apple's 2026 smart home push includes the rumored HomePad touchscreen hub, a refreshed HomePod mini 2, and new HomeKit cameras with Matter support.
Home Automation
Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition Review | Local Voice Control Without the Cloud
Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition runs entirely local with no cloud dependency. Full review of this $59 privacy-first voice assistant for Home Assistant.
Home Automation
Nanoleaf Essentials A19 Smart Bulb Review | Matter Bulbs That Actually Work (2025)
Nanoleaf Essentials A19 smart bulb review. Matter and Thread enabled with 16 million colors at just $20 per bulb. Best value Matter bulbs vs Hue and LIFX.
Home Automation
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Review | Built-In Air Quality Monitor and Siri Support
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium review: built-in air quality monitor, Alexa speaker, HomeKit support, and room sensors. Best thermostat for Apple Home.
Home Automation
How to Set Up Home Assistant Green | Beginner's Guide to Local Smart Home Control
Home Assistant Green setup guide for beginners. Step-by-step unboxing, first boot, device discovery, and automations. Local smart home control made easy.
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
Best Z-Wave 800 Series Devices in 2025 | Switches, Sensors and Plugs for Hubitat
Best Z-Wave 800 series devices for 2025: top switches, sensors, and plugs for Hubitat and Home Assistant. Long range, better battery life, S2 security.
Home Automation
Home Assistant SkyConnect vs Sonoff Zigbee Dongle | Which One Should You Buy?
Home Assistant SkyConnect vs Sonoff Zigbee Dongle comparison. Which USB dongle is right for your setup? Comparing Thread, Zigbee, price, and features.
Home Automation
How to Add Matter Devices to Apple Home | Setup Guide for iPhone and iPad
Step-by-step guide to adding Matter devices to Apple Home on iPhone and iPad. Includes pairing troubleshooting tips and multi-admin setup instructions.
Home Automation
Eve Energy Smart Plug Review | Matter and Thread for Apple Home (2025)
Eve Energy 4th gen smart plug review with Matter and Thread support, real-time energy monitoring, and compact design. The best smart plug for Apple Home.
Home Automation
Best 4 Matter Smart Plugs in 2025 | Works with Apple Home, Alexa and Google
Best Matter-certified smart plugs for 2025 that work with Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home. Full comparison of Eve Energy, TP-Link Tapo, and Meross.
Home Automation
Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 Review | mmWave Radar for HomeKit and Home Assistant
Aqara FP2 mmWave presence sensor review. Wi-Fi connected with no hub required, reliably detects stationary humans. Works with HomeKit and Home Assistant.
Home Automation
Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro Review | The Best Local Smart Home Hub in 2025
Hubitat C-8 Pro review: 100% local smart home processing with Z-Wave 800, Zigbee, and Matter support. Best hub for local control without cloud reliance.
Buttons
The Best ZigBee Smart Plug in 2024 | SmartThings and Hubitat Compatible
The ThirdReality ZigBee Smart Plug has quickly become a favorite among smart home enthusiasts, and for good reason. This device combines robust functionality, seamless integration, and energy efficiency into one compact unit, making it a top choice for anyone looking to automate their home.
DIY Essentials
Unlocking the Future of Home Automation: Hubitat Elevation C-8 Smart Home Hub
The Hubitat Elevation C-8 has a similar form factor as it's C-7 predacessor, but the C-8 features new external antennas for improved wireless range and ...
Apps
Elevating My Smart Home Experience: Why I Switched from SmartThings to Hubitat
After many years of satisfied SmartThings automation, I started wanting more from my IoT hub and began looking for better solutions. Then I found the Hubitat Elevation hub, and my smart home was forever changed for the better.
Buttons
The Best Zigbee Push Button from ThirdReality
The ThirdReality Zigbee smart button device is a reliable, simple, and powerful Zigbee push button device. Powered by 2x AAA batteries, featuring a large single button with 3 supported interaction types (tap, double tap, hold), this button is out top pick for single-button devices to integrate with Hubitat or SmartThings.
Buttons
Best Z-Wave and Zigbee Push Button Smart Home Devices (2023)
IoT Button Devices: Top Picks for 2023 As you expand your smart home's capabilities and build new automations in SmartThings or Hubitat, the need for push bu...
Hardware
Netgear Orbi 960 Series Review
The Netgear Orbi 960 Series is a high-performance mesh Wi-Fi system that promises to deliver reliable and fast Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. The system comes with one Orbi router and one Orbi satellite, which work together to create a seamless Wi-Fi network.
Home Automation
What is 'Fast Roaming' for home WiFi networks?
Fast Roaming is a term used to describe the seamless transition of a wireless device from one access point (AP) to another within a wireless network. It is a...
Gadgets
Z-Wave vs. Zigbee: Which is best for home automation?
While Z-Wave offers better interoperability, longer range, and more advanced security, it comes at a higher cost and limited compatibility. On the other hand, Zigbee offers wider compatibility, lower cost, and energy efficiency, but it may have interoperability issues, less security, and shorter range.
DIY Essentials
Hubitat C7 Smart Home Hub - Winner of 2022 IoT Hub Comparison
In this article, we will be reviewing the Habitat Elevation C-7 Smart Home Hub, a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for managing your smart home devices.
Hardware
What is Z-Wave? Learn about the most powerful home automation network
As technology continues to advance, the concept of the smart home is becoming more and more popular. Home automation and IoT devices have taken over homes across the world, and with good reason. They offer convenience, security, and energy efficiency, making our lives easier and more comfortable. However, with so many devices available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your home.
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.
Home Automation
Top 100 Wifi Network Names of 2023
1. Mom, Click Here for Internet 2. Bill Wi the Science Fi 3. Abraham Linksys 4. Keep it on the Download 5. Drop it like it’s Hotspot 6. TheWorldWasWifiEnough 7. B(.)(.)bies ...over 100 more.
Buttons
Aeotec NanoMote Quad: Multi-function Z-Wave Controller
Released in early 2019, the new Aeotec NanoMote (Available on Amazon) comes natively compatible with Samsung SmartThings, in addition to other Z-Wave Smart Home Hubs. Offering 4 physical buttons, each with 2 touch-modes (short press & long press), the NanoMote is an upgrade to the Aeotec WallMote Dual and Quad button controllers. Comparatively, the NanoMote is significantly smaller; measuring about 2-inches by 2/3-inch.
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.
Home Automation
New Philips Hue Outdoor Smart Lighting
The latest products from Philips Hue for outdoor and indoor smart LEF lighting, light strips, path lighting, and more. Updated 6 days ago.
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
Sonos One vs. Sonos Play:1 - What's the difference?
The main, and biggest, difference between the 'Play:1' and 'One' is Alexa - the Sonos One has Amazon Alexa voice assistant built in. Both the Sonos Play:1 and Sonos One have 2 drivers, built-in WiFi, a standard wall plug, and are wall-mount compatible.
Buttons
Fibaro Z-Wave Button: Big & Simple
This stand-out push button for Z-Wave smart homes (including Samsung SmartThings), developed by Fibaro, can function as a standalone panic button or a scene controller. Depending on your configuration, a single push can trigger any number of devices and automations.
Home Automation
Aeotec Z-Wave Smart Dimmer Outlet Plug
The basic operation is to toggle power on and off using the SmartThings mobile app, but you can also dim the brightness of the plugged-in device using a fully customizable sliding scale. This feature enables homeowners to achieve the perfect dimmer level for table and floor lamps, and other lighting applications.
Home
GE Outdoor Z-Wave Plus Appliance Control Switch
The Z-Wave Plus outdoor smart switch from GE is a reliable, heavy duty controller for lighting and appliances exposed to weather and the elements. Natively compatible with SmartThings, its compact, all-black enclosure and short 7.5-inch power cord can easily be concealed behind foliage and rocks, or mounted to an exterior surface.
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.
Buttons
Aeotec WallMote
The WallMote from Aeotec is a sleek and simple dual-button remote control with Z-Wave Plus radio and native SmartThings compatibility. Available on Amazon, the Aeotec WallMote is an essential smart device for high-end smart homes.
Buttons
Samsung SmartThings Push Button
Manufactured directly from the makers of the Samsung SmartThings Hub, this simple, elegant, and affordable push button enables unlimited possibilities for smart home automation. With native device compatibility, this button takes about 30 seconds to pair to your hub. Simply open the app, tap "+Add Device" and select "Samsung SmartThings Button".
Buttons
Sylvania Smart+ Zigbee Wall Outlet
Automating lamps and other plug-in appliances in a smart home has never been easier than the SYLVANIA SMART+ 'Lightify' Zigbee power outlet. Natively compatible with Samsung SmartThings, simple design, and 30-second installation and pairing make this outlet out #1 pick for SmartThings wall plug control.
Apps
Chamberlin MyQ Garage Door Controller
The garage door is a common roadblock for home automation, because garage door openers are “dumb”, expensive, and not something you'd want to break. Have no fear! If you pair a SmartThings hub with the Chamberlin MyQ Garage Door Kit, you can control your garage door remotely, and check its current status. You can even automate it using IFTTT and webCoRE.
Home Automation
Top Burglar Alarm Sirens for SmartThings
This compact siren and strobe plugs directly into the wall outlet. It extends up about 3 inches, but, the device can be plugged-in upside down if necessary. It boasts a 105dB audio siren, with 5 different alert tones available to choose from. The bright LED strobe is a white light that can flash when triggered. No other customization can be done to the strobe light functionality.
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...
Apps
Flic Mini Buttons for Smart Home Automation (Released 2023)
The Logi Pop smart button is, by far, the most aesthetically pleasing IoT push button. However, this beautifully designed smart button requires an additional hub for basic remote operation. To achieve an experience comparable to a native SmartThings device, you'll need to use a custom device handler & smart app, on top of IFTTT web hooks.
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...
Home
Aeotec Multisensor 6: Monitor Motion, Temp, and Lux in SmartThings
The Aeotec Multisensor (Available on Amazon) has six sensors combined into 1 small, 1.8″ square plastic housing. When the Aeotech Multisensor is placed in a hallway or room, you can use the SmartThings app to monitor motion, humidity, temperature, light lux (brightness), UV, and vibration. On top of all those features, the Aeotec Multisensor 6 is natively compatible with SmartThings, so no custom device handlers or coding is necessary out-of-the-box.
Buttons
Remotec Z-Wave Scene Master Controller
If you need push-button control of multiple devices, the Remotec Z-Wave Scene Master is the perfect solution. You will need device handlers from the community...
Home
SmartThings Home Automation Guide
New to SmartThings? Looking for the best Z-wave devices for your smart home? Read reviews of popular devices, how-to guides for integrations, and more.
Apple Guides
AirPort Express firmware update enables AirPlay 2 and Apple Home App support
Many AirPort Express users connect their existing analog stereo via aux for basic multi-device playback, however, streaming was limited...
Door Locks
Compare Schlage Locks: Connect vs. Touch vs. Sense
Which Schlage locks work natively with Samsung SmartThings? What is the difference in Schlage Touch vs. Connect vs. Sense? Read to find out
Door Locks
Top Z-Wave Door Locks for Samsung SmartThings
Understand the various Schlage door locks for IoT: Schlage Connect, Sense, and Touch. SmartThings compatibility and guides for smart locks.
Gadgets
Visonic Zigbee Contact Sensor for SmartThings
Visonic MCT-340 E Wireless Door Window Temperature Sensor is perfect for homes powered by SmartThings. At less than $20 on Amazon, this is...
Home
Smart Home Security: SimpliSafe vs. Iris vs. SmartThings
With the rapid growth of home automation, home security has shifted to be consumer-powered, installed, and monitored. We've reviewed the best
DIY Essentials
What is Z-Wave? An introduction to smart home networking
Learn about the underlying network that powers most modern smart homes, including those with Samsung SmartThings hubs running online.
Home
Extend IR Range of Any Night Vision Security Camera
Why You Need Infrared Illuminators Both digital and analog security cameras rely on infrared LEDs to illuminate the image when there’s no sunlight or externa...
Gadgets
Zooz Heavy Duty Z-Wave Power Switch
This outlet controller from Zooz is natively compatible with SmartThings, which means no custom device handlers or coding is needed to get setup. Be sure to stand near your hub when pairing, otherwise installation is a breeze and takes less than 60 seconds!
Home
Ecolink Z-wave Plus Pet-Immune Motion Detector
Reliable, affordable, and functional motion detector: the Ecolink Z-wave Plus Pet Immune. Use to trigger lights, scenes & more w/ SmartThings
Apps
Party Strobe Lights with Hue Disco App
Read about how to turn party mode ON with your Phillips Hue lights. All you need is an iOS device with a microphone! Step by step guide...
Home Automation
What is Google Home? How does it work?
Google home is a voice assisted speaker which functions like a virtual assistant in your home. About the size of a soup can, Google home can..
Apps
Improve Nest "Away Mode" by Using Phone GPS
Using Nest Thermostat, learn how to leverage your GPS location to tell Nest when you are home or away, helping improve you automated schedule.
Apps
Smart Home 101: Nest Thermostat
The Nest Learning thermostat is a universal heat pump/air conditioner controller that you can control in-person or on your iPhone or Android cell phone.