At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Camera captures 2K video Person, animal, package, and vehicle detection Lights and camera can be triggered by audio as well as motion Can be mounted to a ceiling as well as a wall Cons Subscription required to unlock video recordings and event notifications Anemic onboard siren Motion-detection zones are limited to rectangles Our Verdict The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is an affordably priced floodlight/security camera combo that captures video in crisp 2K resolution and casts bright pools of light where it’s installed. But the competition in this space is fierce, and one of this product’s drawbacks is that you’ll need to buy a subscription to get full use of it. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Considering how long Arlo has been in the home security game, including—for a short time—smart lighting devices, it’s a bit of a surprise that it took the company this long to offer a wired floodlight camera. It’s already on its third generation of battery-powered models, the Arlo Pro 3, but the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is its first effort building a camera/light combo with the reliability of hardwired power. The competition in this space has gotten fierce, with Blink, Eufy, Google Nest, Lorex, Ring, Wyze Labs, and a host of lesser-known competitors duking it out. One of the most uncommon features of Arlo’s camera is that it can be mounted to a ceiling as well as a wall. You can elect to mount the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera to a ceiling and invert its video feed 180 degrees. You can elect to mount the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera to a ceiling and invert its video feed 180 degrees.Michael Brown/Foundry You can elect to mount the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera to a ceiling and invert its video feed 180 degrees.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry As is common with many security cameras, you’ll want to factor in the cost of a subscription before buying an Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, because it can only be used for viewing a live video stream without one. Unless you pay, it won’t record events and store those clips in the cloud. Arlo doesn’t offer any means of local storage, either on the camera itself with a microSD card or on network-attached storage (several Eufy floodlight cameras offer both of those options). The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera captures crisp, clear, color-accurate video in 2K resolution with HDR. Before Ring changed the pricing structure for its own services, Arlo’s plans were among the most expensive. That’s no longer the case. Arlo offers three tiers of service: Arlo Secure Basic ($8/mo or $80/yr for 30 days of storage from a single camera; $11/mo or $/130yr for the same for unlimited cameras); Arlo Secure Plus ($18/mo or $180/yr) for unlimited cameras with the addition of several features, including audio, person, package, and vehicle detection); and Arlo Secure Premium ($25/mo or $250/yr for unlimited cameras with 24/7 professional monitoring, 24/7 emergency responder dispatch, and other features relevant to the company’s home security system). Don’t be intimidated by all the screws that come with the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera. You’ll only need the ones that are the right type for your particular installation needs. Don’t be intimidated by all the screws that come with the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera. You’ll only need the ones that are the right type for your particular installation needs.Michael Brown/Foundry Don’t be intimidated by all the screws that come with the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera. You’ll only need the ones that are the right type for your particular installation needs.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry And like most cameras, this one is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home (Apple HomeKit being a whole other kettle of fish), allowing you to view a live stream on an Echo Show or Nest Hub smart display in addition to a smartphone or tablet with the Arlo app installed. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Specifications The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera’s $150 price tag makes it cheaper than the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus ($200) and the Nest Cam with Floodlight ($280, but frequently on sale for much less), both of which offer lights with similar brightness (the Nest product is slightly brighter at 2,400 lumens), but both of those models’ cameras offer only 1080p video resolution. Arlo’s product is more expensive than the budget-priced ($90) Wyze Labs Floodlight V2, which has brighter floodlights (2,800 lumens) and a camera with the same 2K resolution. There’s a foam gasket encircling the wall side of the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, but applying a bead of caulk to the top half post installation will provide extra protection from water ingress.  There’s a foam gasket encircling the wall side of the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, but applying a bead of caulk to the top half post installation will provide extra protection from water ingress. Michael Brown/Foundry There’s a foam gasket encircling the wall side of the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, but applying a bead of caulk to the top half post installation will provide extra protection from water ingress. Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is fabricated almost entirely from plastic, but it feels sturdy and capable of withstanding exposure to the elements. I reviewed the white model, but it’s also available in black. The camera is mounted on a stalk between and slightly below its two oval LED floodlights. All three of these elements can be aimed up, down, left, and right independently of each other Here are the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera’s full set of specs: Camera: 2K resolution with HDR, B&W and color night vision Camera field of view: 160 degrees Motion detection: Up to 5 detection zones with person, animal, vehicle, and package detection LED Floodlights (2): 2,000 lumens of brightness (fixed white color temperature, but dimmable) Two-way audio Onboard siren (triggered or on demand) Single-band Wi-Fi adapter (2.4GHz) Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT compatible Available in black or white Installation and setup I found the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera physically easy to install, even without watching the well-produced step-by-step video inside its app. It comes with a mounting bracket that you’ll attach to the electrical box on (or inside) your wall (a variety of sets of screws are provided for this purpose, since those screw-hole dimensions can vary). Arlo provides a wire S hook that you can use to hang the camera from bracket while you’re wiring it up. Just two wires extend from the device, which you’ll fasten to the hot and neutral wires coming from your home with wire nuts (also provided). The ground from your home’s wiring gets attached to the camera’s mounting bracket. Arlo’s in-app installation instructions and videos are exceptionally good. Arlo’s in-app installation instructions and videos are exceptionally good.Michael Brown/Foundry Arlo’s in-app installation instructions and videos are exceptionally good.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry My installation would have gone even easier had these wire stubs been just a wee bit longer to give me more room to maneuver, but I got the wires and nuts stuffed back inside the box without too much trouble. The final steps were to simply fasten the light to the bracket using the long screw provided and then to push a rubber cover over the hole. Using just one screw to attach the light’s round base makes it easy to twist the whole assembly back and forth until the lights are level before you tighten it down. Arlo doesn’t mention it in its instruction manual, but it would be a good idea to apply a bead of caulk to at least the top half of its housing to prevent water from dripping behind it and into the electrical box. The light does have a foam gasket around the back side that contacts the wall, but I’m not certain that would offer enough protection over the long haul. Using a single screw to mount the floodlight camera to its mounting bracket makes it easy to ensure the assembly is level. Using a single screw to mount the floodlight camera to its mounting bracket makes it easy to ensure the assembly is level.Michael Brown/Foundry Using a single screw to mount the floodlight camera to its mounting bracket makes it easy to ensure the assembly is level.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Once the physical installation is finished, you’ll restore power to the light, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, add it to the Arlo app, and update its firmware. You can tweak pretty much every aspect of the product once it’s installed, ranging from adjusting the camera’s motion and audio sensitivity (this is one of rare camera’s I’ve tested that can react to sound as well as motion) to the brightness of its LEDs. You can define as many as five motion detection zones, but you’re limited to drawing resizable rectangles, since each one has control points only at the corners. Most other cameras let you draw more eccentric shapes. Oddly enough, Arlo doesn’t provide any provisions for drawing privacy zones to prevent the camera from capturing neighboring gates, doors, or windows. You might find that you can position the camera so that these elements will be out of its field of view, but it still seems like an omission. Day-to-day use With a subscription, you’ll get instant notifications when motion or audio events trigger the camera to record. With a subscription, you’ll get instant notifications when motion or audio events trigger the camera to record.Michael Brown/Foundry With a subscription, you’ll get instant notifications when motion or audio events trigger the camera to record.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry You can operate the camera on a schedule, if you like, and since Arlo uses the same app for its complete home security system, you can also choose from three operational modes based on your current location: Arm Away, Arm Home, and Standby. You can establish custom rules for each mode. In Arm Away mode, typically used when you’re away from home, you might set a rule where the camera detects motion and/or sound and turns its floodlight on, records a video clip, sounds its siren, and send you a notification. In Arm Home mode, on the other hand, you might want the camera to detect motion, turn on its lights, and record video, but not sound its siren or send you a notification. You can create a third independent set of rules for Standby mode. You can also view your camera recordings and manage your system on Arlo’s web portal. You can also view your camera recordings and manage your system on Arlo’s web portal.Michael Brown/Foundry You can also view your camera recordings and manage your system on Arlo’s web portal.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera captures crisp, clear, color-accurate video in 2K resolution with HDR. It’s very responsive to motion, and a Foresight feature captures 3 seconds of video before motion-triggered events, which helps to ensure you see what triggered the camera to record a clip. Both the camera’s black-and-white and color night vision are excellent, especially if you point the lights in a similar direction as the camera. I directed the lights more to the sides in my installation, because my neighbor’s home is relatively close to mine, and I didn’t want the lights shining in their window. I wouldn’t count on the camera’s siren scaring an intruder off your property or even attracting anyone’s attention. While it’s sufficiently high-pitched, it is not at all loud. I could barely hear it inside my house, so I doubt it would arouse my neighbors’ suspicions. Should you buy an Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera? The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is affordably priced and easy to install and use. Its camera captures excellent video, and its dimmable lights will illuminate large areas of your property. If you’re not already in one home security ecosystem or another, and you think you might want to buy a home security system down the road, Arlo is a good place to start. Be sure to factor in the cost of a subscription, however, as this product isn’t of much use without one. When you’re ready to expand your home security footprint, Arlo has a very good basic home security system with a reasonably priced 24/7 professional monitoring plan.

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros A solution for every cleaning need High suction power All dust and debris collect in the same bin Attachable mop for the stick vacuum Cons No mop on the robot vacuum Not very efficient mopping with the stick vacuum attachment Our Verdict We have quibbles with its mopping performance, but the Yeedi C12 Combo excels at vacuuming, and its versatile base station will charge and empty both the robot vacuum and the stick vac. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Whether it’s stairs, that spot just under the couch, or between the casters of your office chair, there are plenty of spaces in your home a robot vacuum simply can’t reach. But what if you could get both a robovac and a stick vacuum in one go? And what if it also had a detachable mop? We’ve been seeing more and more of these robovac-and-stick-vac combos in the past year, and that’s exactly what the Yeedi C12 Combo is. This recently launched model seeks to deliver an all-in-one solution that features a robot vacuum, a stick vacuum, a mop accessory, and a bagless charging station that handles the dirt and dust from both containers. The C12 Combo’s stick vacuum is a cinch to use, relatively light, and super easy to keep charged since it’s usually set it up on the base station’s charging pad. Design The Yeedi C12 Combo is an upgraded version of the C12 Pro Plus, which means it features the same robot vacuum and a similar-enough auto-empty base station. And that’s about where the similarities end. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu The new base station features the same bagless container that we saw in the previous model, but the unit is longer on the left side to incorporate a docking space for the cordless stick vacuum. There’s also a side holder to ensure the brush head and pipe stay upright and a hidden container that fits some accessories for the stick vacuum. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot vacuums. The robot vacuum has the same simple design we saw in the previous model, sans the extra mop accessory. It comes with a tangle-free brush that actually works, a side brush, and a dust container that you won’t actually have to interact with unless there’s a power outage and the station is offline. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu The stick vacuum looks sleek and stylish with a simple design that features a small dust container. There are two buttons on the handle within reach of your thumb; one will power up the device, and the other will cycle through the suction power. There are also some accessories you can use, starting with a main brush that features LED lights to highlight dust and hair on your floors, a crevice tool for vacuuming around your sofa seats and other tough-to-reach spots, and a 2-in-1 dusting brush for cushions, tables, and whatever other places you need to clean. There’s also another accessory you can attach to the stick vacuum, namely a mop. Yep, you read that right. The mop accessory consists of a small rectangular 240ml water tank and a mop head (two mop heads come included in the package) that attaches to the tank via loop-and-hook fasteners. The wheels of the main vacuum brush attach magnetically to the mop, allowing you to vacuum and mop in one go. Setup The C12 Combo comes in a fairly large package, but then again there are a lot of items crammed inside. The station comes almost fully assembled; all you have to add are the trays that the robovac and stick vacuum will sit on. The only other physical setup task is placing the base station in a suitable spot. Connecting the robot to Wi-Fi is easy; just scan the QR code under the robot’s lid using the Yeedi app and following a few steps. The C12 Combo only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, but that’s not uncommon with robovacs. Before you actually start cleaning, you’ll have to allow the C12 Combo to map the house, which it can do in just a few minutes. The mapping process is surprisingly accurate, but if there are any issues, you can use the Yeedi app to split rooms or otherwise edit the floor plan. You can also set down no-go areas where you don’t want the robovac to reach. The default in the app is to run a whole-house cleaning job, but you can select just a specific room (or rooms) for cleaning, choose which rooms you want the bot to clean first, or pick only a select area you draw on the map. Vacuum performance The C12 robot vacuum performed well over my laminate floors and the hard floors, cleaning up dust, dirt, and all the floof from my pets. (There are three of them that oscillate between vegging on the couch and running around the house like cartoon characters, so there’s a lot of dispatched hair in all colors and lengths.) Using a maximum of 10,000 Pa suction power, the robot carefully moves around the house, picking up everything in its path. When I tested the C12 Pro, I had one specific issue: it kept eating my socks. However, the C12 Combo performed much better this time around. Instead of just mowing through the room and sucking up socks, it slowed down and approached them cautiously, carefully passing them by and moving them around slightly. It kept doing that until it pushed the socks to the side of the room and then ignored them. It carefully went around a plushie and a slipper, too. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu We gave the robovac a test by spilling some rice on the floors. The robot went about its routine and sucked up most of the grains, although some got left to the side after the side brush pushed them away. The C12 Pro Plus performed better in this task. This time around, I had no coffee grounds for the fine powdery test, so I used cocoa powder. In this test, the C12 Combo picked up well enough, leaving me no complaints in this department. One thing that annoyed me with the C12 Pro Plus was that when it returned to the station, it took an incredibly long time to find its path, visiting rooms it wasn’t even supposed to go into. Well, that wasn’t an issue with the C12 Combo. Whether it was a problem with my test unit or Yeedi simply ran a software update in the interim, the C12 Combo always knew where the station was and backed up to it like a pro. Stick vac performance I have little to complain about when it comes to the C12 Combo’s stick vacuum. It’s a cinch to use, relatively light, and super easy to keep charged since it’s usually set it up on the base station’s charging pad. The main brush performed well in picking up everything off the floor, and it did not get tangled at all throughout the whole process. The LED lights are rather helpful in highlighting dust and hair on the floor, but I must say I still prefer the green light on the Ultenic U16 Flex. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu I really, really liked using the two-button set-up on the handle. It’s easy to reach with your thumb, and there’s no way to accidentally push it simply by handling the vacuum. Adjusting the suction power is extremely easy as well. The jury is still out on the performance of the mop accessory. It has a stellar build, and I love that it attaches magnetically to the vacuum. The mop pads attach securely to it, and there’s no way to “lose” them while cleaning. But–and it’s a big “but”–the C12 Combo’s mopping function isn’t that efficient. Sure, if your floors are squeaky clean already, this accessory can an extra layer of shine by simply coasting around. For most homes, however, it won’t do much in terms of actually cleaning because you can’t apply a ton of elbow grease to ensure a deep clean. Part of the issue with the C12 Combo’s mopping performance is that the mop head is positioned behind the vacuum. On the one hand, that’s great because it means your floors will first be vacuumed and then mopped, thus avoiding any situations where the mop simply pushes the dirt around, for instance. On the other hand, it also means the mop won’t easily reach the corner of the room without some careful side steps and maneuvering. So, is the C12’s mopping ability useful? Absolutely. Can you expect the same cleanliness you’d get from a regular mop and bucket or a mopping vacuum like those from Tineco? Definitely not. Now on to the coolest part of the Yeedi C12 Combo. Not only does the base station empty the dustbin of the vacuum when the robot docks, it also sucks the dust out the stick vacuum when you place it on the base. That’s pretty handy. Specifications Suction power: 10,000 Pa/95AW Auto-empty base station: Yes (1.5-liter dustbin) Accessories: 2-in-1 dusting brush, crevice tool, 340ml water tank, 2 mops Should you buy the Yeedi C12 Combo? Overall, the Yeedi C12 Combo stacks up well. The robovac performed its cleaning duties well enough, and I found the handheld vacuum to be quite effective in numerous situations. The station is equally fantastic. It’s too bad the C12 Combo doesn’t come with the C12 Pro Plus’s mop accessory, as I found the latter’s mopping pad to be slightly more efficient than the one you add to C12 Combo’s stick vacuum. Still, the Yeedi C12 Combo is worth its sticker price because you get such a versatile combination of cleaning components, and the fact that they share the same station is icing on the cake.

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Very attractive industrial design for a smart lock Thorough event logging Installation troubles have been ironed out Cons Fingerprint reader is effectively useless PINs, fingerprint, and app access aren’t tied to a single user ID Optional Wi-Fi bridge is very expensive Our Verdict A pretty shell doesn’t make up for some significant operational problems in this Bluetooth smart lock. And if you want to add Wi-Fi, you’ll pay through the nose. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today It’s been five years since my last encounter with an Igloohome smart lock and seven since the first. Neither of those locks made much in the way of a positive impact here at TechHive, so it’s with some trepidation that we return to the well with Igloohome’s Deadbolt Go. Has the company finally matured enough to provide a worthwhile smart lock experience? Let’s find out. Specifications Like all of Igloohome’s locks, the hardware boasts a clean, modern, and compact design. Available in your choice of two colors—matte black or satin nickel—the exterior escutcheon showcases a slim design no thicker than a deck of cards, with stiff, physical buttons (no touchscreen here) placed above a fingerprint reader and an exposed physical keyhole. A thick rubber bumper rings the escutcheon for better waterproofing. Lastly, a USB-C port on the underside of the escutcheon is available for emergency access if needed. The Igloohome app features an exceptionally good event-logging system. Inside the house, the lock is understated but industrial in design, a clean block of plastic with a slim brushed-metal shell on top (I tested the nickel version) featuring nothing but a thumbturn. The battery cover easily slips off to reveal a bay for four AA batteries (not included). Igloo says these should power the lock for up to a year. The lock does not have an official ANSI/BHMA certification listing, but the company says it did “successfully pass both the Durability and Finish testing with a 3rd Party Laboratory to ANSI156.40 Grade B criteria.” Installation and setup Igloohome has significantly improved its smart lock installation process. Igloohome has significantly improved its smart lock installation process.Christopher Null/Foundry Igloohome has significantly improved its smart lock installation process.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry I’ll give credit to Igloohome for working most of the kinks out of its previously difficult installation process. A slim, single-page installation guide isn’t really necessary to affix the lock to the door: Just sandwich the exterior escutcheon and a slim interior frame to the door with two included bolts (no longer is a bonus screw required). The interior escutcheon connects to the exterior with a single cable, and three tiny additional bolts attach it to the frame. The thick cable took a small amount of work for me to push into place in order to allow the interior escutcheon to sit flush with the door wood, but this isn’t markedly more difficult than what other locks require. Once attached, the lock was stable on the door after I ensured all the bolts were tightened up. Beautifully, the calibration process determines whether the lock is left- or right-hand oriented and sets things up accordingly without additional user intervention. Out of the box, the Deadbolt Go is a Bluetooth-only lock, and onboarding is a trivial matter in the Igloohome app. This app has seen its share of updates over the years, but it still isn’t the most refined lock app I’ve encountered. For on-demand access, it’s easy to tap the separate Lock and Unlock buttons, but the home screen doesn’t even indicate whether the lock is open or closed. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go’s interior escutcheon is more attractive than most. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go’s interior escutcheon is more attractive than most.Christopher Null/Foundry The Igloohome Deadbolt Go’s interior escutcheon is more attractive than most.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry As well, access control is a bit different (and more poorly designed) than most locks. In the Igloohome app, PINs, fingerprints, and app-based access are all separate: You can’t create a user and assign multiple types of access to them. Instead, a universal user must have three different entries in the app, one for each access type. This isn’t just digital clutter, it can also create some confusion if you want to change or remove access rights for someone later. Even the access types aren’t entirely logical. Fingerprint-based access is always 24/7, but PINs can be set as permanent, to expire after a certain duration, one-time-only, or recurring on a weekly basis. App-based access always asks for a time horizon before it expires. None of this makes a whole lot of sense. The lock can store just 20 fingerprints but has room for 199 PINs. One nice feature: If you’re not in Bluetooth range of the lock, you can still set up a PIN by using the lock’s “algoPIN” feature, which is similar to a feature on the Philips 1000-series Electronic Deadbolt. This takes advantage of a time-based procedural code generator directly on the lock’s firmware that can create its own PINs even if you’re well out of range. But unlike the Philips lock, these PINs can be of any access type and not just one-time codes. Day-to-day use Igloohome’s Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge can link up to five Igloohome locks to the internet, but it’s very expensive at $75.  Igloohome’s Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge can link up to five Igloohome locks to the internet, but it’s very expensive at $75. Christopher Null/Foundry Igloohome’s Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge can link up to five Igloohome locks to the internet, but it’s very expensive at $75. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry Aside from occasional app crashes and the inability to delete old, long-retired hardware from the app, I had no major trouble using the lock—except for one big problem: the fingerprint reader. Put simply, it was a disaster in my testing, regularly taking anywhere from 3 to 20 attempts to properly read my print and open the lock. This isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a huge issue, because by default, Igloohome’s “security lockout” mode disables the lock after just three failed attempts to open it (with either a wrong PIN or an unrecognized fingerprint). A security lockout means the lock beeps loudly and stops working for about a minute before coming back online. Naturally, three tries wasn’t going to cut it for me, and I didn’t even feel comfortable setting it to the maximum of 10 failures allowed in the app. I tried registering multiple fingerprints and found this behavior to be consistent, though some days were far worse than others with failed readings. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go has plenty of features, but the logging system in its app reveals how poorly many of them function. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go has plenty of features, but the logging system in its app reveals how poorly many of them function.Christopher Null/Foundry The Igloohome Deadbolt Go has plenty of features, but the logging system in its app reveals how poorly many of them function.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry Lastly, in addition to an exceptional logging system (which even captures manual unlocks), the sole additional option in the app is an auto-lock feature (settable for 5 seconds to 3 minutes). If you want to extend the functionality of the lock, you can do so with the Igloohome Bridge ($75), a separate device that can connect the lock to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. The bridge is a small square device, a bit smaller than an Altoids tin, that requires a USB-C connection to power up. A cable is included, but a power supply is not. There’s nothing much to this product except that it allows you to control up to five locks when you’re away, and it enables a geofencing automatic unlocking mode—although I never once got this to work. Installing the Bridge also enables you to control the lock with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Unfortunately, these features are all poorly documented when they are at all. Should you buy the Igloohome Smart Deadbolt Go? Igloohome’s lock has certainly improved—particularly in the design department—in the five years since we last saw hardware from the company. Just not as much as I’d hoped. Due to its unreliable (to point of being useless) fingerprint reader and some iffy app design decisions, the lock just isn’t a great option for homeowners when compared to competing Bluetooth smart locks—some of which cost less. Be sure to read TechHive’s in-depth guide to smart locks, including our recommendations of the best smart locks.

No smart home is complete without a smart lock. They represent the biggest improvement to home security since the lock-and-key system was invented more than a thousand years ago. In many cases, smart locks dispense with physical keys altogether in favor of PINs, fingerprints, NFC devices, and apps. They deliver lots of other benefits, too. Most smart locks have logging systems, so you can keep track of who’s coming and going–and when. That’s incredibly useful whether you have a teenager who tends to break curfew or merely want to give temporary access to houseguests, service providers, or Airbnb guests. Smart locks are an incredible upgrade over the old way of doing things. These are our top picks in several categories. Updated October 10, 2024: We’ve added a link to our Igloohome Deadbolt Go review. Why you should trust us TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing smart locks since the very first models came to market, and we continuously evaluate the latest models along with their accompanying apps. We’ve tested keyless smart locks, retrofit locks, locks with keypads, Bluetooth-only locks, locks that support geofencing, and more. You can trust us to guide you to the right smart lock for your needs. Our top picks for smart locks Level Lock+ Connect — Best smart lock overall Pros Understated industrial design that doesn’t scream “it’s a smart lock!” Supremely easy to install and set up Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit (including Apple’s “home key” NFC tech Thread radio onboard for eventual Matter certification Cons No biometric security Pricey Why we like the Level Lock+ Connect Now bundled with the Level Connect Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge, the Level Lock+ Connect is fully compatible with all three of the major smart home platforms: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (including Apple’s “home key” NFC tech), and Google Home. The inclusion of the bridge also erases the biggest cons we had for this minimalist lock that looks as good as it operates. It remains our highest-rated smart lock–there is nothing better on the market today–and it could get even better when its Thread radio is activated, adding Matter compatibility. Who should buy the Level Lock+ Connect While the Level Lock+ Connect is now compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home, we believe Apple users will have the best experience with this lock. The arrival of Matter compatibility will presumably iron out the kinks for Alexa and Google Home users, but Level’s promised Matter update (the lock is Matter-certified, but its Thread radio is still dormant). Read our full Level Lock+ (Level Connect bridge included) review Kwikset Halo Touch — Best mainstream smart lock Pros Effective operation with a top-notch fingerprint scanner Connects directly to Wi-Fi, no hub or bridge needed Smaller and more attractive exterior escutcheon compared to most of the competition Streamlined setup process Cons App becomes mired in lengthy delays every time a setting is changed Interior escutcheon is still industrial-class ugly Relatively expensive Why we like the Kwikset Halo Touch Kwikset has finally gotten into the biometrics game with the launch of the Halo Touch smart lock, and the lock benefits from a handsome exterior design, easy installation, a basic but fully-featured app, and–best of all–an effective, fast, and accurate fingerprint scanner. Who should buy the Kwikset Halo Touch Hey, we get it. Not everyone wants to spend big bucks on the absolute best product in any given category. That’s why we’ve made a distinction here between “best mainstream” (the Kwikset Halo) and “best overall” (the Level Lock+). The Kwikset’s lock isn’t compatible with Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem, but it doesn’t depend on a separate bridge to connect to your Wi-Fi network and it costs $110 less than Level’s offering–which doesn’t have a fingerprint reader. Read our full Kwikset Halo Touch review Wyze Lock Bolt — Best budget-priced smart lock Pros An amazing smart-home value Inclusion of a fingerprint reader is impressive at this price Worked perfectly throughout our evaluation You can establish temporary PIN codes from afar, even without Wi-Fi Cons Bluetooth only, no Wi-Fi connectivity Can’t be incorporated into a broader smart home system Uninspired industrial design Can’t detect if the door is open or closed No physical key Why we like the Wyze Lock Bolt At $70, Wyze Labs’ Lock Bolt Bluetooth smart lock is dirt cheap compared to what the rest of the smart lock industry has to offer. Even better, it even includes a few features even advanced smart locks tend to miss. Installation is easy, you can create temporary PIN codes from anywhere, a fingerprint reader is included (a rarity at this price), and best of all, the lock worked flawlessly during our testing process. Who should buy the Wyze Lock Bolt If you can do without Wi-Fi connectivity, the Wyze Lock Bolt is a phenomenal value for a full-fledged smart lock (this isn’t just a retrofit device), especially given that it includes a fingerprint reader. Just be aware that as a Bluetooth-only device, the Wyze Lock Bolt lacks support for geofencing, voice commands, or integrations with broader smart home ecosystems. Still, this lock is a great value for the money. Read our full Wyze Lock Bolt review Level Bolt Connect — Best retrofit smart lock Pros The champion of unobtrusive retrofit smart locks Very easy to set up and use Near flawless operation in daily use Cons Geofencing didn’t work Minimal activity logging iPhone users will need a HomeKit hub for away-from-home control Android phone users will need an Amazon Sidewalk bridge in order to control the lock while away from home Best Prices Today: £309.03 at Amazon Why we like the Level Bolt Level Home’s Level Bolt Connect is our favorite retrofit smart lock, thanks in large measure to its ability to disappear. The smart components of the Bolt hide inside your door, where they replace the interior mechanical elements of your existing deadbolt. You re-attach your existing interior and exterior components, so that your door’s overall aesthetic doesn’t change in the least. Who should buy the Level Bolt Now that it comes bundled with the Level Connect Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge, the Level Bolt Connect is compatible with all three of the major smart home ecosystems–Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home–making it a great choice for those looking to retrofit their locks regardless of their smart home platform. Read our full Level Bolt (now marketed as Level Bolt+ Connect, which includes the Level Connect bridge)  review Lockly Vision Elite — Most sophisticated smart lock Pros Every feature you could want in a smart lock—and then some PIN Genie touchscreen is brilliant Top-shelf fingerprint scanner Wi-Fi bridge and second battery are included Cons Incredibly complex installation Not the prettiest lock on the block Dazzlingly expensive Why we like the Lockly Vision Elite Lockly’s $500 Vision Elite is the most expensive smart lock we’ve tested, but its mountain of features and solid operation make it worth consideration. You should also take into consideration that it eliminates the need for a video doorbell, and that it features both a numeric keypad, a fingerprint reader, and a conventional key cylinder. It is the most sophisticated smart lock we’ve seen, but it’s hard to hide all of its features behind a pretty facade. It’s also very expensive. Who should buy the Lockly Vision Elite You’ll need deep pockets to afford the Lockly Vision Elite, but it does double as a video doorbell, so it’s a great choice if you don’t already have a doorbell installed. The Lockly Vision Elite is also ideal if you prefer unlocking your door using a fingerprint reader. Read our full Lockly Vision Elite review What to look for when shopping for a smart lock As you’ve doubtless realized by now, not all smart locks are made alike. Some smart locks are designed to completely replace an old “dumb” lock, while others are meant to retrofit an existing lock. Some smart locks will let you create PINs for guests, while others can unlock automatically once you cross a virtual geofence. Here’s a guide to some of the key design options and features in the smart lock category. Smart home hub integration If you have an existing hub like the Wink Hub 2, Samsung SmartThings, or an Apple TV, you’ll want to ensure your chosen smart lock is compatible from the start. Many smart locks support Bluetooth, so they work with your phone, but lack the technology needed to connect with your home network. Some Bluetooth locks, like the Yale Assure system and the August Smart Lock, offer a radio module as an add-on to connect to your home network. If you’re using a smart home hub like the Samsung SmartThings or Wink Hub, look for a lock that supports Z-Wave or Zigbee, instead. Then there’s Matter, the new smart home standard that promises to unite the major smart home ecosystems. The good news is that smart locks are included in the Matter specification; the bad news is that for now, only a few Matter-enabled smart locks are available. We look forward to checking out more Matter smart locks in the weeks and months ahead. Entry means From apps and keypads to fingerprint readers and good, old-fashioned keys, there are myriad ways to unlock a smart lock. Make sure to pick a model that supports the entry method (or methods) you prefer. Power backup What do you do if the batteries inside the lock die—and you’re stuck outside? Some locks allow for emergency power to be applied should this happen. Yale’s Real Living locks feature external posts to which you can connect a 9-volt battery, giving you enough juice to get the door open. Other models retain the traditional key cylinder for backup. Geofencing Bad about manually locking the door when you leave? A geofencing system automatically locks the door when it detects your phone has left the vicinity, and can be set to automatically open up when it finds you’ve come home. Guest access features Most smart locks let you set up temporary keys for houseguests, which you can delete when they’ve returned home. Smarter systems even let you set time restrictions around when each access code can be used. Frequently asked questions about smart locks 1. What benefits do smart smart locks deliver? You can thank the hospitality industry for finally pushing locks into the digital age. Hotels learned long ago that keys are easily lost, expensive to replace, and simple to bypass, as thieves can pick locks or simply make copies of a key to allow for unfettered future access. On the flipside, hotel guests have readily accepted key cards (and in some cases, smartphone-based solutions) as the primary means of getting into their room. The electronic solution is just so much simpler. Lost hotel key card? Replacing it is no big deal. But the biggest benefit of electronic entry systems is that they are highly configurable. Digital locks can be changed at a moment’s notice (which is why that old hotel key card in your wallet isn’t good for anything), and the property owner can generate a record of when each door was opened. In a more advanced setting, different keys can be generated for the same lock, so a homeowner can tell when each member of the family came in, or when the housekeeper arrived. 2. How do you pick a smart lock? (No pun intended) This is a young and wildly immature space, and many products on the market are still extremely rough around the edges. Even top products can balk when dealing with old or stiff deadbolts, doors that don’t shut well, or environments where non-standard fixtures are in use. The bottom line is that it’s tough to declare that any product is universally perfect for every home. That said, here are some key considerations to take into account to help you narrow down your shopping list. 3. Are some smart locks smarter than others? Some “smart locks” don’t work with a smartphone app or any smart home networking hubs at all; they’re really just electronic locks that use a code instead of a key to open up. One step up from that, you’ll find Bluetooth-only locks. These work with a smartphone app, but can’t be monitored remotely or via a smart home system. That’s fine if you’re looking to get rid of the keys in your pocket, but less impressive if you want to make your entrance portals a true part of your home network. Finally, there are full-on smart locks that connect to your smart home system via Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi. 4. Do I need to completely replace my old lock to install a smart lock? You’re forgiven if you don’t want to replace your antique doorknob on your vintage Victorian with a metallic device that looks like it would be more at home keeping people out of a strip mall bank branch. A sizeable number of smart lock products don’t require you to replace all your existing hardware. Instead, they are installed on the inside of the door only, replacing only the interior part of the deadbolt. You can continue to use a standard key from the outside or open the lock via a smartphone app. Other smart locks we’ve reviewed recently We’ve evaluated many other smart locks. If none of our top picks check all the boxes for you, take a look at these other products. We’ve also listed some smart locks that you should avoid. Abode Smart Lock: There’s nothing remarkable about this retrofit smart lock–apart from it’s $130 sale price at launch–and our enthusiasm for it was further dampened when the first review unit we were sent turned out to be defective. Eufy Smart Lock E30: Matter over Thread support is this smart lock’s primary claim to fame, but we had difficulty incorporating it into any of the Matter smart home hubs we have on had. If that feature doesn’t matter to you, this lock has several other great features to recommend it. Eufy Video Smart Lock S330: This remarkable replacement smart lock features a touchscreen keypad, a fingerprint reader, and an integrated video doorbell. This lock’s gargantuan dimensions–and a few day-to-day operational glitches–temper our enthusiasm for this lock, but there’s no denying Eufy’s ambition level. Proscenic Smart Lock L60: Proscenic’s smart deadbolt proved to be a much more reliable product than its L40 smart lever lock (see link below). Proscenic Smart Lock L40: Kudos to Proscenic for stuffing this lock with features and keeping its price down, but numerous operational problems, including an erratic fingerprint reader that had a bad habit of locking out our reviewer, need to be addressed. Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: This robustly built smart lock is compatible with nearly every modern smart home ecosystem: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, including the latter’s “home key” NFC technology that allows you to unlock the door by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch next to it. Smonet Smart Lock: If you’re willing to deal with a tricky setup process and some operation hiccups, Smonet’s smart deadbolt is a reasonable and affordable Bluetooth lock with a Wi-Fi option. Securam EOS: Connectivity drops are a big problem with this otherwise innovative and solid smart lock. Lockly Duo: The Lockly Duo effectively combines a latch and deadbolt in a single smart unit, but the resulting device is enormous–and a bit wonky. Turbolock TL88: This Bluetooth-only, latch-style lock includes a quality fingerprint reader, but it’s short on tweakability. Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad: Retrofit locks are an attractive option for enters who can’t change their locks and homeowners who don’t want to change the exterior aesthetic of their existing door hardware, but this Yale product took longer to install than a full replacement lock. Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth: Yale is a strong player in the smart lock market, and its products are priced accordingly. This one is a Bluetooth only model, but you can add Wi-Fi connectivity with an $80 bridge.

Starting soon, you’ll be able to stream Severance, Ted Lasso, and other popular Apple TV+ shows on a new platform: Amazon’s.  Amazon and Apple have announced that Apple TV+ will soon become a channel on Prime Video, allowing Amazon users to sign up for Apple’s streaming video service without ever leaving the Prime Video interface.  Apple TV+ will make its Prime Video debut “later this month,” according to Amazon.   The cost for the Apple TV+ add-on via Amazon Prime Video will be $9.99 a month, the same price as a standard Apple TV+ subscription.  The move makes sense from a number of angles. Cord-cutters who are already on Prime Video won’t need to switch apps or track another bill to stream Apple TV+ shows, while Amazon can expand its selection of Prime Video channels, giving users one more reason to stick with the platform.  Finally, Apple can work on growing its Apple TV+ subscriber base by offering the service through another—and very large—venue.  While Apple TV+ has its fair share of hit shows, the service as a whole still lags far behind its biggest competitors.   According to a recent JustWatch survey, Apple’s share of the U.S. streaming market sits at about 8 percent, putting it neck-and-neck with Paramount+.  Leading the pack are Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, which command 22 and 21 percent of the U.S. streaming market respectively , the JustWach survey says.  Apple TV+ has a number of buzzy shows teed up over the coming months, including Disclaimer with Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline (set for October 11), a second season of Shrinking starring Jason Segal and Harrison Ford (October 16), Before, a 10-episode thriller lead by Billy Crystal (October 25), and a new season of Silo with Rebecca Ferguson (November 15).   There’s also the much-anticipated second season of Severance, which is slated to bow in January. 

Threshold Care has announced a new kind of smart plug that promises to make it easier for people to provide elder care. The company’s Motion Wi-Fi Sensing Plugs watch for real-time disruptions in a home’s Wi-Fi network that indicate someone has been moving around the house, and they send notifications in the absence of activity. For today’s seniors, aging in place is vastly preferable to checking into a nursing home. But doing so successfully almost always means having someone check in on them from time to time. Their adult children typically perform this role, but neither caregivers nor the cared-for want unnecessary privacy intrusions. What’s more, most caregivers are also busy with their own children and careers, and many live far from the people they’re trying to care for. Remotely monitoring elders with security cameras might be the easiest way to ensure they’re up and active each day, but it’s also the most invasive means of ensuring their safety. Cameras can also be difficult for seniors to install and set up on their own. Threshold Care’s app notifies remote caregivers when motion is detected–and when it’s not–to help them monitor the health of the people they’re taking care of. Threshold Care’s app notifies remote caregivers when motion is detected–and when it’s not–to help them monitor the health of the people they’re taking care of.Threshold Care Threshold Care’s app notifies remote caregivers when motion is detected–and when it’s not–to help them monitor the health of the people they’re taking care of.Threshold Care Threshold Care Threshold Care is the latest company to introduce a product that detects disruptions in a Wi-Fi network as a non-invasive means of monitoring motion. Their solution builds on Origin Wireless’ WiFi Sensing technology, which we first wrote about during the 2020 CES, and consists of sets of three smart plugs that triangulate to form motion-detection zones. Motion detection reports are sent to Threshold Care’s Circle of Care app, which will initially be available only for iOS devices. Users will typically install one set of plugs—at a price of $59.99 per set—in each room they want to monitor. Threshold’s Motion Wi-Fi Sensing Plugs pass power—up to 15 amps—from the outlets they’re plugged into to their own outlet, but these are not the type of smart plugs that can also turn a connected load on and off via Wi-Fi. “Motion delivers a practical solution that empowers caregivers with information that helps answer the vital question, ‘Is my loved one okay right now?’ without compromising privacy,” said Threshold Care’s managing director and co-founder Jacob Loader. “It’s technology that respects the individual while providing peace of mind to those who care for them.” Threshold Care’s Motion Wi-Fi Sensing Plugs monitor disruptions in a Wi-Fi network as people move around the home. Threshold Care’s Motion Wi-Fi Sensing Plugs monitor disruptions in a Wi-Fi network as people move around the home.Threshold Care Threshold Care’s Motion Wi-Fi Sensing Plugs monitor disruptions in a Wi-Fi network as people move around the home.Threshold Care Threshold Care Threshold is wisely avoiding attaching a paid subscription service to its product—at least at launch. I say “wisely” because that requirement has doomed other retail products/services that use WiFi Sensing, including Belkin’s Linksys Aware add-on service for its Linksys Velop mesh routers (discontinued in July 2024) and Origin Wireless’ own Hex Home Security product, which we reviewed in late 2021 but is now listed as “sold out” on the company’s website. The lure of recurring revenue from subscriptions is likely to prove irresistible, however, and the company’s website describes a Circle of Care feature in development that lets you “look after your loved one as a team with shared access.” Threshold tells me that “there are additional, premium features on the road map that will provide enhanced functionality.” But the company also maintains that it will never make a paid subscription mandatory, and that the features available at launch will remain free.

A couple things happened over the past month that could lead to big changes in how TV bundling works: Charter landed new deals that will bring Max and Peacock to most Spectrum TV customers as part of a standard cable package. This follows similar arrangements to bundle other streaming services, including Disney+, Paramount+, and AMC+. DirecTV reached an agreement with Disney that will allow for smaller, genre-based channel bundles, which will also include access to Disney’s streaming services. Both companies are blurring the line between traditional pay TV channels and streaming services, in that paying for the former will entitle you to some of the latter, but they’re doing so in different ways. While Charter is trying to build one all-encompassing TV bundle, DirecTV wants to break things down into bite-sized packages. Spectrum’s big bundle Charter’s new bundling strategy looks a lot like it did in cable’s heyday, aiming to encompass everything you might want to watch under one monthly subscription. The difference now is that lots of shows have moved exclusively onto streaming services, including ones operated by major TV programmers. Charter and other TV providers feel short-changed by this arrangement, left to sell expensive bundles that are heavy on live sports and cable news, but lacking in original entertainment programming. To correct this imbalance, Charter has been pushing to include more of those streaming services in its main TV packages. Spectrum TV Select Signature subscribers now have access to Disney+, Paramount+, and Vix Premium—all with ads—while Spectrum TV Select Plus customers get ESPN+ as well. (Max, Peacock, AMC+, and BET+ will be added later.) While it’s packing in new streaming services, Charter isn’t trimming much fat from the core cable lineup. The company did drop some of Disney’s less-popular cable channels—among them Disney Junior, FXX, and Nat Geo Wild—but will still offer “NBCUniversal’s full portfolio” of broadcast and cable channels and “all of Paramount’s current cable networks.” Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav also recently boasted of “no channels that were dropped” in its latest Charter deal. All of which means that Spectrum’s regular TV pricing will continue to rise, even as it’s ostensibly adding streaming services at no extra charge. Spectrum has already raised rates twice this year—first in January, then again in July—and you can expect future price hikes on a regular basis. Spectrum does now offer a skinnier $40-per-month package called TV Choice, which focuses on entertainment and cable news, but it’s missing core broadcast channels and doesn’t include any streaming freebies. Meanwhile, Spectrum’s TV Select package costs $115 per month for existing customers, which is considerably more than live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV (which starts at $73 per month). Spectrum’s pitch is less about saving money and more about having all the major TV programmers’ content in one place under one bill, whether it’s on streaming or cable. DirecTV’s genre-based gambit Instead of aiming for one big bundle, DirecTV wants to split pay TV into smaller, more flexible packages. Its new carriage deal with Disney allows it to offer three “genre-specific options” around entertainment, sports, and kids/family programming. Those buckets just so happen to line up with Disney’s three streaming services, so one can imagine DirecTV selling a general entertainment package with Hulu, a sports package with ESPN+, and a kids/family package with Disney+. What happens next is a bit murky. DirecTV still has to convince other programmers to embrace smaller bundles, which may be tricky given that most of their streaming services include a mix of entertainment, sports, and kids programming. Splitting Disney’s streaming services across separate genre-based bundles makes sense, but how would that work for a service like Paramount+? DirecTV sees its proposed acquisition of Dish Network as a way to gain leverage against programmers, as a larger entity could have an easier time pushing for more flexible packages. But it would also saddle the company with new debt and isn’t guaranteed to get regulatory approval. (The FCC blocked a previous proposed merger in 2002.) DirecTV’s approach, in other words, is riskier than Spectrum’s, but if it works, it could meaningfully reduce the cost to access programming that still requires a pay TV package, mainly cable news and major live sporting events. Just the beginning The TV industry is very much interested in bundling right now, hoping that the perceived value of package deals will discourage people from cancelling their streaming services whenever prices rise or a beloved show gets the axe. But this isn’t cable all over again. While some pay TV providers will combine a full buffet of cable channels with a large number of streaming services, others will emphasize more flexible packages for folks who don’t need access to everything. As other pay TV providers renegotiate their own carriage deals, they’ll have to decide which of those paths they want to follow. Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more streaming TV insights.

Ready to get those floors clean? A great robot vacuum as well as a mop, the amazing Roborock S8+ is on sale for $550 this Prime Day, a solid 45% discount from its list price. Our review of the Roborock S8+ was a rave, complete with a near-perfect score and our Editors’ Choice award. Our expert praised the vacuum’s powerful suction, excellent navigation abilities, and prowess at avoiding obstacles. And now that it’s on sale, the S8+’s lofty $1,000 MSRP isn’t an issue, or at least not for now. “Vacuuming in general was virtually hands-off in my testing,” our expert noted. “Thanks to its sophisticated navigation system, the robot rarely needed to be dislodged from an obstacle, and once it finished cleaning, it faithfully returned to its charging base to empty its dustbin.” The robot vacuum features 6000 Pa of suction power and a DuoRoller brush that’s designed to remove hair and dirt from all types of floors, including carpets. It also uses Roborock’s VibraRise mopping tech to scrub your flooring while lifting its mops to avoid getting your carpets wet. The charging station features a large dust bag that can store up to 60 days debris, meaning you can go for weeks at a time without getting your hands dirty. Just keep in mind that October Prime Day ends in a matter of hours, so don’t wait too long to grab this fantastic deal on the Roborock S8+. Get a powerful robot vacuum for nearly half-offBuy it now at Amazon

Ring has announced a new feature for its video doorbell and security cameras that promises to make it easier to find specific events in their collections of video recordings. With Ring’s new Smart Video Search, you’ll be able to type natural-language queries related to animals, locations, packages, people, time, vehicles, and weather, along with qualifier activities such as running, jumping, playing, or riding. The new feature is powered by what Ring is calling Ring IQ, “a combination of Ring AI technology and in-house expertise” that uses “Visual Language Modeling (VLM) to match text to images and quickly deliver results.” Ring says users will be able to ask everyday questions, such as “raccoon in the backyard last night” to find out how the garbage cans got knocked over. The company also says it’s committed to developing “responsible AI,” and that its Smart Video Search “uses a sophisticated input moderation technique to prevent searching for offensive, inappropriate, or harmful content.” Earlier this week, Ring announced major changes to its subscription service plans that include breaking out professional monitoring as an á la carte service at $10 per month. To get this new AI search feature, you’ll need to subscribe to Ring’s new top-tier service plan, Ring Home Premium (the only tier that includes an equally new 24/7 recording feature), at $19.99 per month. That means that after a one-year free trial, Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro owners will be paying $29.99 per month if they want the new Smart Video Search and 24/7 recording features, along with the professional monitoring required to get the maximum benefit of their investments in Ring home security hardware. Ring says its new Smart Video Search feature is rolling out as a public beta to “select customers” now. The company will launch its new Ring Home service plans on November 5. This news is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart home systems.

There’s just one day left of Amazon’s October shopping event, so if you’re looking to save big on a soundbar, you’d better act fast. This year’s October event, dubbed Prime Big Deal Days, brings steep soundbar discounts from the likes of JBL, LG, Polk Audio, Roku, Samsung, Vizio, Yamaha, and more. Even Sonos is in on the October Prime Day action with solid discounts on the Sonos Arc, Beam, and Ray. Keep checking back for the latest October Prime Day soundbar deals. See our separate article for the best early October Prime Day deals from PCWorld Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Amazon soundbars Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, 2.0 speaker with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, $94.99 on Amazon (21% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Hisense soundbars Hisense HS2100 2.1-channel soundbar with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, $99.99 on Amazon (23% off) Hisense AX3125H 3.1.2-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $199.99 on Amazon (20% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on JBL soundbars JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-one soundbar, $149.95 on Amazon (25% off) JBL Bar 300 5.0-channel soundbar, $299.95 on Amazon (25% off) JBL Bar 500 5.1-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $399.95 on Amazon (33% off) JBL Bar 700 5.1-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $699.95 on Amazon (22% off) JBL Bar 1000 7.1.4-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, $899.95 on Amazon (25% off) JBL Bar 1300X 11.1.4-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $1,399.95 on Amazon (18% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on LG soundbars LG S40T 2.1-channel soundbar, $146.99 on Amazon (27% off) LG S60T 3.1-channel soundbar, $176.99 on Amazon (29% off) LG S75Q 3.1.2-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, $469.28 on Amazon (22% off) LG S80TR 5.1.3-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $446.99 on Amazon (36% off) LG S80QR 5.1.3-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $446.99 on Amazon (57% off) LG S95TR 9.1.5-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $996.99 on Amazon (34% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Nakamichi soundbars Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, $677.99 on Amazon (25% off) Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, dual subwoofers, $888.88 on Amazon (32% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Polk Audio soundbars Polk Audio Signa S2 soundbar, $151.05 on Amazon (39% off) Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $244 on Amazon (39% off) Polk MagniFi Mini AX soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, $309.75 on Amazon (38% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Roku soundbars Roku TV Wireless Soundbar, $89.99 on Amazon (40% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Samsung soundbars Samsung B63C 5.1-channel soundbar with DTS Virtual:X, $209.99 on Amazon (15% off) Samsung S60D 5.0-channel soundbar with wireless Dolby Atmos, $197.99 on Amazon (43% off) Samsung HW-Q60C 3.1-channel soundbar, $319.99 on Amazon (36% off) Samsung HW-Q900C 7.1.2-channel soundbar with wireless Dolby Atmos, $757.95 on Amazon (46% off) Samsung HW-Q800C 5.1.2-channel soundbar with wireless Dolby Atmos, $597.99 on Amazon (40% off) Samsung HW-Q800D 5.1.2-channel soundbar with wireless Dolby Atmos, $697.99 on Amazon (30% off) Samsung HW-Q990D 11.1.4-channel soundbar with wireless Dolby Atmos, $1,497.99 on Amazon (25% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Sonos soundbars Sonos Ray, $169 on Amazon (39% off) Sonos Beam (2nd gen), $399.99 on Amazon (20% off) Sonos Arc, $719 on Amazon (20% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on TCL soundbars TCL Alto 8 Plus 3.1.2-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, $199.99 on Amazon (38% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Vizio soundbars Vizio V-Series 2.0 soundbar, $55 on Amazon (31% off) Vizio 2.0 soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, $79.99 on Amazon (20% off) Vizio 2.1 soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, $129.99 on Amazon (24% off) Vizio Elevate soundbar, $549.99 on Amazon (31% off) Best October Prime Day 2024 deals on Yamaha soundbars Yamaha Audio SR-C20A all-in-one soundbar, $129.95 on Amazon (28% off) Yamaha True X Bar 40A with Dolby Atmos, $349.95 on Amazon (30% off) Notable deals include discounts on all three Sonos soundbars, including a 39% price cut for the entry-level Sonos Ray. Also worth noting is the whopping 57% discount for the LG S80QR, a high-end 5.1.2-channel soundbar that packs plenty of value for the price. Vizio, per usual, boasts some great soundbar bargains, including a 2.0-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos for just shy of $80, while the all-in-one Samsung S60D delivers 5.0 channels of Dolby Atmos audio for a hair under $200. Another attractive budget choice is the TCL Alto 8 Plus, which offers 3.1.2-channels of Dolby Atmos audio for a wallet-friendly $199.99. Amazon October Prime Day 2024 soundbar deals: What you need to know 1. What is Prime Big Deal Days? Also known as October Prime Day, Prime Big Deal Days is an “exclusive shopping event” for Prime members, just like the standard Amazon Prime Day. We expect Prime Big Deal Days will be pretty similar to the main Prime Day event, meaning thousands of deals across a wide range of product categories. 2. When does October Prime Day 2024 actually begin? The start date for Prime Big Deal Days is October 8, and the event will run through October 9. 3. Will soundbars be on sale for October Prime Day 2024? Oh yes, plan on a bevy of soundbar discounts during Prime Big Deal Days, running the gamut from affordable soundbars for a second room to souped-up soundbars with multiple wireless speakers, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, wireless streaming capabilities, and even built-in voice assistants. We’ve traditionally seen soundbar deals from Bose, Polk Audio, Samsung, Vizio, and more during Amazon’s various shopping events, and we’re expecting more of the same for Prime Big Deal Days. 4. Are October Prime Day deals just for Amazon Prime members? As with Amazon’s other big shopping events, most October Prime Day deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime Members. You can get Amazon Prime for $14.99 a month, or $139 a year, and your membership includes a variety of benefits, including free shipping for Prime items, access to Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, and more. Not a Prime member? No problem. You can sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial, and it counts for scoring October Prime Day deals. 5. Will other retailers be offering October Prime Day discounts? Indeed, plenty of other big online retailers will take the opportunity to spin up their own events during Prime Big Deal Days. Be sure to keep an eye on Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and other online stores as October Prime Day progresses.

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros High-efficiency cooling Very quiet Matter certified Uses environmentally friendly coolant Cons You’ll need to take it out of your window every winter You’ll need to drill holes in your window frame to secure it In-app ads Our Verdict Yeah, running an air conditioner contributes to global warming, thereby increasing the need for air conditioning. On the bright side, this TCL unit is highly efficient, it uses an environmentally friendly coolant, and its Matter certification means it can be integrated into just about any smart home ecosystem, so you can program it to run only when it’s really needed. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today The dog days of summer are over, but thanks to global warming, it’s still plenty toasty in many parts of the country. If you’re looking for an affordable means to stay cool without experiencing an unsettling spike in your monthly electric bill, TCL’s Smart Inverter window air conditioner might be just what you’re looking for. The TCL Smart Inverter has an onboard Wi-Fi adapter, so you can add the appliance to your 2.4GHz home network and control it with TCL’s smartphone app. It can also be controlled with voice commands spoken to a smart speaker (Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home), and it’s Matter certified, which means it can be integrated into pretty much any other smart home ecosystem, including SmartThings. It also comes with its own remote control. Specifications The TCL Q-series model H8W4MW is a mid-sized window air conditioner designed for rooms up to 350 square feet. It fits in openings 26 to 36 inches wide (645- to 915mm) with at least 14.5 inches of height (368mm). It comes with a pre-assembled frame to block any open spaces on either side, and TCL puts a block of plasticene in the box so you can fill any remaining gaps to prevent leaks, although I found I needed to purchase more of that material to complete my installation. A strip of foam is also provided to fill the gap between the two window sashes. I feared a spike in my bill after installing a window air conditioner, but that didn’t come to pass over the four months I ran the TCL Q-series Smart Inverter. As is typical of this type of air conditioner, it’s best suited to single- or double-hung windows that open vertically. You can use it in a slider window that opens horizontally, but you’ll need to come up with your own means of blocking the vertical opening that will remain. If you can screw all the supporting parts into firm wood, masonry, or metal, the 61.7-pound unit won’t require additional support outside the window. TCL provides an L-bracket you can screw into the upper window sash to prevent it from being opened, but this is optional and you can open the window for fresh air without worrying that the air conditioner will fall out (provided its side brackets are secured to the window sill and frame). The TCL Q-series Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner has a filter to prevent particulate matter from recirculating along with the conditioned air. The TCL Q-series Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner has a filter to prevent particulate matter from recirculating along with the conditioned air.Michael Brown/Foundry The TCL Q-series Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner has a filter to prevent particulate matter from recirculating along with the conditioned air.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry TCL rates this unit at 8,000 BTUs, indicating the amount of heat—measured in British Thermal Units—that it can remove from a given room size (up to 350 square feet for this model) in one hour. Much of this TCL unit’s appeal is its extreme efficiency—it has a CEER (Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of 15—which can be attributed to its use of inverter technology to adjust the speed of its compressor as needed to maintain the desired temperature. If you have a larger room, TCL offers a 10,000 BTU model for rooms up to 450 square feet ($450), and there’s a 12,000 BTU unit for rooms up to 550 square feet ($500). All three units utilize the more Earth-friendly R32 refrigerant, which doesn’t deplete the ozone layer. A fine-mesh air filter behind the air conditioner’s front panel traps particulate matter so it’s not recirculated with the conditioned air. An LED on the unit will light up to remind you to clean the filter after every 500 hours of operation. You’ll also get a message to this effect in TCL’s app. Controls The air conditioner has an LCD display and reliably old-school buttons, although most people will control it with voice commands, smart home scheduling, the app, or its remote control.  The air conditioner has an LCD display and reliably old-school buttons, although most people will control it with voice commands, smart home scheduling, the app, or its remote control. Michael Brown/Foundry The air conditioner has an LCD display and reliably old-school buttons, although most people will control it with voice commands, smart home scheduling, the app, or its remote control. Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry A control panel on the front of the unit lets you manually turn it on and off, control the desired target temperature, adjust its fan speed, and switch between Cool, Dry (dehumidify), and Auto modes. Pressing a Swing/Oscillation button causes a flap in front of the air outlet to swing up and down to better distribute the conditioned air. You can also fix the angle of this flap by pushing the button a second time when it’s at the position you want. The TCL Q-series also has an Eco mode (activated with the remote or in the app) that turns off its compressor when the desired air temperature is reached. It will continue to operate its fan for up to three minutes while in Eco mode and will then shut off. The fan will restart and run for one minute at five-minute intervals until the room temperature is above the target temperature, at which point the compressor will turn back on. This feature, combined with the inverter technology, makes for highly efficient air conditioning. TCL supplies this Bluetooth remote control, but the only time I used it was for this photo. TCL supplies this Bluetooth remote control, but the only time I used it was for this photo.Michael Brown/Foundry TCL supplies this Bluetooth remote control, but the only time I used it was for this photo.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry In addition to the front-panel buttons, you can also control the air conditioner with TCL’s Bluetooth remote control, which duplicates all the buttons on the front panel and adds a couple more: one for the aforementioned Eco mode; Display, to turn the air conditioner’s LCD display off and on; and Sleep, which will increase the target temperature by 2 degrees over one hour and then remain constant for seven hours before returning to the target temp. The remote also has up and down arrow keys for dialing in your preferred temperature. Setup The ads in the TCL app are annoying, but most people won’t need it once the appliance is installed. The ads in the TCL app are annoying, but most people won’t need it once the appliance is installed.Michael Brown/Foundry The ads in the TCL app are annoying, but most people won’t need it once the appliance is installed.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Given this appliance’s weight, you’ll probably need someone to help you install it, but that’s a given with this type of product. The pre-assembled frame makes installation easier, and I appreciated having the plasticene to block the smaller air gaps. My home, having been built in 1890, has single-hung windows with the same type of aluminum-frame storm windows on the outside that were probably added in the 1960s. The old-growth fir interior frames were more than adequate to support the weight of the unit with the help of a few screws in strategic locations. I soon realized that I had another problem, however; even though a previous owner had remodeled the kitchen shortly before I bought the home, it has far too few AC outlets. TCL recommends running the air conditioner on its own circuit. There are seven duplex outlets in the room—all on the same 20-amp circuit—but the only one within reach of the air conditioner’s cord is behind the refrigerator. I was able to relocate the refrigerator’s plug to the outlet behind my stove, but that still left both large appliances drawing power from the same circuit. I’m becoming increasingly enamored with the clean and efficient layout of the Apple Home app.  I’m becoming increasingly enamored with the clean and efficient layout of the Apple Home app. Michael Brown/Foundry I’m becoming increasingly enamored with the clean and efficient layout of the Apple Home app. Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Fortunately, the refrigerator is a relatively new LG model that’s also based on inverter technology, but when I quizzed TCL as to why the unit keeps dropping off my Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh network, they pointed to the overloaded circuit as the likely culprit. Most of the times when the air conditioner drops its Wi-Fi connection, turning it off and then on again solves the problem, so it’s a relatively minor annoyance in the grand scheme of things. But the bottom line on that point is it’s probably not the fault of the appliance. Matter support made it easy to incorporate the air conditioner into my smart home. Once I’d installed TCL’s app, I needed only to scan the Matter QR code on the side of the appliance to connect it to my Amazon Alexa and Apple Home environments (I didn’t test it with Google Home). Now I can turn the unit on and off and set target temperatures using voice commands or any of the three apps (Alexa, Apple Home, or TCL’s own app). Should you buy the TCL Q-series Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner? Portland, Oregon homes aren’t supposed to require air conditioning, but the three summers we’ve lived here have all seen record-breaking heat. My biggest concern over running a window air conditioner was seeing a spike in my monthly electric bill, but that fear didn’t materialize over the four months I’ve been running the TCL Q-series Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner. In addition to being very efficient, this air conditioner is also very quiet. I measured just a 6dB increase over the ambient noise level in my kitchen while it was operating. If you’re looking for an affordable and energy-efficient way to beat the heat, TCL’s smart air conditioner is a cost-effective way to do it.

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Powerful 7,000 Pa suction Excellent mopping performance Multifunctional dock reduces manual maintenance Cons Occasional struggles with small obstacles like cords Mopping feature isn’t a complete replacement for deep-cleaning by hand Our Verdict For anyone looking for a reliable, hands-off cleaning companion, the Qrevo Plus is a solid choice that balances performance and convenience. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today The Roborock Qrevo line caters to those seeking a hands-off, automated solution for home cleaning. These are 2-in-1 cleaners, offering both vacuuming and mopping in one robot, with each model bringing slight variations in suction power and smart capabilities. The Qrevo Plus sits in the middle of the lineup, offering advanced cleaning features without the premium price of the MaxV or Master models. The Qrevo Plus strikes a good balance between power, convenience, and affordability. Design At first glance, the Qrevo Plus looks nearly identical to the Qrevo S and the Qrevo Master that we reviewed previously. The robot (13.78 x 13.8 x 3.8 inches, WxDxH) and the all-in-one base station (13.38 x 19.17 x 20.51 inches, DxWxH) have virtually identical dimensions to those products and can be purchased in matte black or white finishes. Features The vacuum delivers 7,000 Pa of suction, which Roborock claims is powerful enough to pull hair from crevices and carpets. Its dual spinning mops automatically raise off the floor when the vacuum detects carpet, so your rugs stay dry while the hard floors get cleaned. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot vacuums. The mop also features Roborock’s FlexiArm design, which extends the right mop to reach edges and corners for a more thorough cleaning. LiDAR navigation helps the Qrevo Plus map your home efficiently, while reactive obstacle avoidance keeps it from getting stuck on items like shoes or furniture. The Qrevo Plus scans your home and creates a smart cleaning plan that optimizes suction power, water flow, and other parameters for more effective cleaning. The Qrevo Plus scans your home and creates a smart cleaning plan that optimizes suction power, water flow, and other parameters for more effective cleaning. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The Qrevo Plus scans your home and creates a smart cleaning plan that optimizes suction power, water flow, and other parameters for more effective cleaning. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The base station is equipped with a 4-liter fresh-water tank and a 3.5-liter dirty water tank, as well as a 2.7-liter dust bag, which can hold seven weeks’ worth of debris before needing to be emptied. After mopping, the station washes the bot’s dirty mop pads, helping to keep them sanitized and ready for the next cleaning session. Setup The system arrives mostly assembled, except for the mop heads and a small plastic ramp that snaps onto the charging dock. Using the Roborock app, you scan the QR code on the robot to initiate a Wi-Fi connection. The app recognizes and prompts you to log in to your network. From there, it takes just a minute or so to complete the process. Once ready, you can run a quick-mapping mode that lets the robot explore without cleaning, creating a map that divides your home into rooms. The map is editable to add room names, mark furniture, set specific cleaning areas, or create virtual no-go zones. During this scan, the robot also evaluates your home to determine the optimal suction power, water flow, cleaning route, and number of cleaning passes it needs to clean effectively. This produces a smart cleaning plan you can activate with a tap. Fresh and dirty water tanks sit on top of the base station. Fresh and dirty water tanks sit on top of the base station. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Fresh and dirty water tanks sit on top of the base station. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Performance I ran the robot for daily in vacuuming and mopping modes. On hard floors, it easily picks up dust, crumbs, and other debris, leaving surfaces looking clean in a single pass. It’s particularly effective at picking up hair, thanks to its powerful suction, and its rubber roller does a great job preventing hair tangling—a common issue for many robot vacuums. This is a welcome feature if you have pets, as less time spent pulling hair out of the brush means more time letting the vacuum do its thing. The dual mop pads spin at 200 RPM, scrubbing away tough stains and lifting embedded dirt. During testing, it easily handled cooking spills on the kitchen floor and removed dirt tracked in from outside near my patio door. It even tackled a dried teaspoon of jelly I intentionally left to see how well it could handle sticky messes. The Roborock app offers 30 water flow settings, letting you adjust for floor type and humidity. This feature is especially helpful for surfaces like laminate, which can be damaged by excess moisture. When the robot detects carpet, it automatically stops mopping and lifts the mop heads 0.4 inches to avoid wetting your carpets or causing cross-contamination. The Roborock app provides simple controls for setting cleaning parameters. The Roborock app provides simple controls for setting cleaning parameters. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry The Roborock app provides simple controls for setting cleaning parameters. Michael Ansaldo/Foundry Michael Ansaldo/Foundry While great for daily upkeep, the mopping feature won’t replace a manual mop for deep scrubbing. Heavy grime or large spills may still require a more hands-on approach, but for day-to-day upkeep, the Qrevo Plus does a solid job. The dock cleans the mop heads much like a washing machine, starting with a pre-wash, followed by a rinse, and finishing with high-speed drying. There’s a light gurgling sound during the wash, but it’s not distracting. The drying, which operates at about 45dB, is quiet enough that you probably won’t even notice it unless you’re paying attention. Specifications Robot dimensions: 13.78 x 13.8 x 3.8 inches, WxDxH Base station dimensions: 13.38 x 19.17 x 20.51 inches, DxWxH Max suction power: 7,000 Pa Navigation: LiDAR, reactive obstacle avoidance Fresh water tank capacity: 4 liters Dirty water tank capacity: 3.5 liters Dust bag capacity: 2.7 liters Mop head spin rate (max): 200 RPM Mop lead lift: 0.4 inches Mopping coverage on single fill (max): 3,552 square feet Should you buy the Roborock Qrevo Plus? Priced at $649, the Qrevo Plus strikes a good balance between power, convenience, and affordability. With easy app control, smart navigation, and minimal maintenance, the Qrevo Plus is a solid choice for anyone who wants a hands-off cleaning solution without paying a premium price.

You can start decorating your home for the holidays already, especially since the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights are on sale for $180 this Prime Day, a solid 36 percent discount from its $280 MSRP. This Govee model consists of a 100-foot cable adorned with 72 LED puck lights designed for permanent mounting under your roof’s eaves, thus allowing you to decorate your home with holiday lighting year round. Whether you want to set them up for the winter holidays or have some fun during the summer, it’s all the same, because this model will survive all seasons. These Govee lights carry an IP67 weatherization rating and come with an IP65-rated control box and adapter. The light string is very easy to install. Each LED light puck bracket has an adhesive pad to hold it in place while you screw it into your roof’s eaves. You then snap the LED into the puck and move on to the next one. Each light takes just a few seconds to set up. Set them up a couple of inches away from the wall and you’ll get a superb wash of color on the adjacent wall. Setting them up with the app is super easy, and then you get to control them however you want, choosing to light certain segments in a specific color, and others differently. You can even use voice commands to change things up by integrating them with Google Assistant or Alexa. So grab this Prime Day deal while you still can and pay $180 for a gorgeous 100-foot light string you can keep up year round. Buy it now at Amazon

Forget Sonos and Beats. Instead, check out a swell-sounding portable Bluetooth speaker from Philips that’s getting an eye-popping 67% price cut for October Prime Day.  On sale now for just $67.99, a whopping $132 discount, the Philips S7807 is something of a throwback: a speaker that’s all about serving up great sound, full stop.  See our separate article for the best early October Prime Day deals from PCWorld No, the Philips S7807 doesn’t offer fancy extras like iOS or Android apps, nor is there on-board Alexa or Google Assistant (which might be a good thing, come to think of it). You’ll also have to do without flashy LEDs or even 3.5mm AUX jacks; instead, this is a full-on Bluetooth speaker.  But don’t let the lack of an app scare you away. The Philips S7807 got top marks in our 2022 review, with our expert praising the speaker’s “incredibly big sound” as well as its “consistent clarity and detail,” even with the volume cranked.  “Based on my listening tests, there’s really no need for any adjustments,” our reviewer concluded, while also noting the “excellent” build quality and “high-end” design.  If you’re thinking about snapping up the Philips S7807 at its October Prime Day sale price, don’t wait too long. The last time we saw the S7807 priced this cheap was more than a year ago (and no, it didn’t get much of a price cut for Black Friday 2023), so if you want a great deal, now’s the time.  Grab the Philips S7807 for 67% offView Deal

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros The most stylish SmartThings hub to date Stuffed with bonus features like an onboard control button and wireless phone charging Matter support adds immense flexibility Cons Many features are Samsung-specific Z-Wave, battery backup, and cellular backup no longer included Buggy setup further marred by unresponsive tech support Our Verdict Samsung’s latest smart home hub piles on features—including unique tools like a wireless phone charger and an onboard action button—making for an affordable and easy-to-use smart home solution. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today It’s easy to forget about Samsung’s SmartThings platform. Heck, even Samsung seemed to be ready to forget about it in 2020, when it announced a “transition” of SmartThings to “a flexible, API-based ecosystem with improved device integration methods,” whatever that means. But then Samsung decided there was life yet in the hub world, and the SmartThings Station was born. Almost at the same time, Samsung began integrating SmartThings hub capabilities into its smart TVs, smart monitors, and its high-end refrigerators. Adding Matter-certified devices to the SmartThings Station was trivially easy. Specifications The tea sandwich-sized device is certainly the most elegant offering Samsung has dropped in the space since its 2014 acquisition of the platform. And the Station is the biggest departure from the original SmartThings Hub to date, not just in looks but in capabilities, though some its key features will be appreciated exclusively by users of Samsung Galaxy smartphones. But let’s start with the hub’s more classic smart home features, those focused on wireless connectivity. The Station is a complete Matter-certified controller and Thread border router, which already gives it a leg up when it comes to cross-device compatibility. Support for Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi devices is also included, of course, but Z-Wave support has been jettisoned. There’s also no longer USB support for locally connected devices. Battery and cellular backup are also no longer in the mix. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart home systems. There’s no ethernet port either, so setup is entirely wireless aside from the USB-C power port. (A cable but not a power adapter is included at the $60 price; the $80 SKU adds a 25-watt plug.) Once it’s connected to wall power, you can use the SmartThings app—which hasn’t changed visibly in the last few years—to quickly connect the hub to your 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi network. (Though I have more to add on this point later.) The top surface of the Samsung SmartThings station is an inductive charging pad for your smartphone or other compatible small devices.  The top surface of the Samsung SmartThings station is an inductive charging pad for your smartphone or other compatible small devices. Christopher Null/Foundry The top surface of the Samsung SmartThings station is an inductive charging pad for your smartphone or other compatible small devices. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry If you already have a Samsung SmartThings Hub, you can either manually migrate devices from your old hub to the new or set up a hub group with one hub as a secondary hub. In the latter scenario, you’ll probably still want to move the devices to the Station so it can serve as the primary hub, and you’ll likely need to do it by hand. Samsung’s Hub migration tool wouldn’t work with either the older SmartThings Hub, or when trying to migrate the Station back to the older Hub. Installation and setup My only real complaint with the Samsung SmartThings Station is how long it took me to initially get it up and running: three weeks from the time I unboxed it. The device would not connect to my SmartThings app no matter what I tried, and Samsung tech support was incredibly slow to resolve the issue, eventually even asking for log files to attempt to troubleshoot. The ultimate solution: Log out of SmartThings and log back in, perhaps something I should have tried from the start—or that Samsung should have suggested. Sure, there was a Korean holiday in the middle of that time, but asking a user to wait for the better part of a month to get some basic setup advice instills little confidence. Day to day use It was trivially easy to add Matter devices to the SmartThings Station. Just tap the add device button and scan the device’s Matter QR code. The app takes care of the rest, and the device is immediately available for control via SmartThings. For non-Matter devices, SmartThings also features a robust list of partner vendors that covers hundreds of major and minor smart home gear manufacturers. Devices on these platforms are added much like an Alexa skill: Provide SmartThings with your login credentials on the partner platform and it bridges devices set up in the partner’s app so they can be controlled within SmartThings. The $80 model of the Samsung SmartThings Station includes a USB-C power supply if you don’t want to hunt for one on your own thatm meets the smart home hub’s requirements.  The $80 model of the Samsung SmartThings Station includes a USB-C power supply if you don’t want to hunt for one on your own thatm meets the smart home hub’s requirements. Christopher Null/Foundry The $80 model of the Samsung SmartThings Station includes a USB-C power supply if you don’t want to hunt for one on your own thatm meets the smart home hub’s requirements. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry I didn’t encounter any problems setting up or using any smart devices via SmartThings, save for a recently reviewed Eufy smart lock, which I couldn’t get to connect via Matter to anything, so I won’t count that as a strike on Samsung. Control is fluid. Connectivity was steady and solid throughout my testing. My only real issue with the app that I encountered related to an old, long-retired smart lock that was still connected to the SmartThings platform but which the app was unable to remove. Features such as triggered routines and scheduled automations all worked well, even with multiple devices. This of course has long been the case with SmartThings, and you can still bridge SmartThings to Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT for even more flexibility. Of course, any modern smart hub can do just about all this stuff. So, Samsung tosses in some new tricks that sweeten the deal and make its platform more enticing. Most of these are built around smartphones—especially Galaxy phones, naturally. Other features The most universal and perhaps the most compelling of these is that the Station itself works as a wireless phone charger. No setup needed here: Just drop any compatible phone on top of the plugged-in hub and charging is automatic. A status light on one corner of the Station even tells you whether it’s charging or if your phone’s battery is full. The status light also helps to ensure you have your phone aligned properly on top of the Station so that the charger engages, a process which can be a little touchy. Note that power delivery varies by device: If you have a Samsung phone, you’ll get a hefty 15 watts of charging power; other brands will charge half that power or less. One nifty feature is that the charger can be used as a routine trigger. I was able to simply set up two routines to flip a light switch when I dropped my phone on the charger and another when I took it off. You could also set up a routine to alert you when your phone’s battery is full, for example. It’s a handy bonus feature that offers lots of tantalizing possibilities. Samsung’s SmartThings app makes it very easy for the DIYer to set up their Matter-based smart home.  Samsung’s SmartThings app makes it very easy for the DIYer to set up their Matter-based smart home. Christopher Null/Foundry Samsung’s SmartThings app makes it very easy for the DIYer to set up their Matter-based smart home. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry The Station also enhances the use of SmartThings Find, which can keep tabs on connected Samsung phones or geolocation tags in real-time. This feature isn’t specific to the Station, which, like Apple’s version, is designed to help you find things whether they’re near or far away, but the Station can work as a sort of home base scanner to let you know if your phone has left the building or if it’s returned. I don’t have a Galaxy phone, so I didn’t test this feature directly. Lastly, the Station itself has a single control button on top of the device. You can assign three triggers to the button—short press, long press, or double press—and assign these to any function that SmartThings can undertake. Whether that’s controlling specific devices, selecting a scene, or sending a notification, the button is easy to configure and intuitive to use. One issue: The location on top of the hub is slightly problematic if you’re using the Station as a phone charger, since your phone will necessarily cover the button. Should you buy a SmartThings Station? That aside, it’s hard to find much in the way of fault with the product. At just $60 (if you can find it for sale solo, you can surely source a good USB-C power adapter of your own for less than $20), it’s a solid bargain, too. It’s still a good value if you must buy it with Samsung’s power supply.