At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsIntegrated fingerprint readerBluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivityBroad smart home ecosystem supportPhysical back-up keyConsNumeric keypad is nearly impossible to see in direct sunlightSupports Apple HomeKit, but not Apple Home KeysOur VerdictThe very pretty Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is plenty smart, and it supports all the major DIY smart home ecosystems—including Apple’s HomeKit. But Apple users will be disappointed to learn it does not support Apple Home Keys, and everyone will be put off when they can’t see its numeric keypad in direct sunlight. Yale is a strong player in the smart lock market, and its latest offering, the Assure Lock 2 Touch, has a great feature set, including an integrated fingerprint reader and a physical back-up key. It’s an Apple Home-compatible Bluetooth lock, but Apple users will want to know that it does not support Apple Home Keys (more on that in a bit). The $280 SKU reviewed here includes Yale’s Wi-Fi Smart Module, which provides remote access from anywhere you have internet access. That allows integration with the other big three smart home systems: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings; IFTTT, too. Airbnb hosts can register the lock in that system, so their guest can have keyless access to the property. Updated April 24, 2024: The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is now also available in a Z-Wave edition, with a Z-Wave Smart Module in the box in place of the Wi-Fi module. This version of the lock is suitable for incorporation with Z-Wave-based smart home hubs such as the SmartThings-compatible Aeotec Smart Home Hub. The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Wave is available in keyed and key-free configurations for $229.99 each. Both models also have fingerprint readers. The fingerprint reader has been very accurate at recognizing my family’s fingerprints, and in less than half a second. Yale also sells the Bluetooth lock and Wi-Fi module separately, for $200 and $80 respectively. Apple users can get that kind of remote access with the Bluetooth-only model through the Apple Home app–provided they also have an Apple TV, HomePod, or HomePod mini. Yale’s Smart Module supplements the lock’s Bluetooth radio with Wi-Fi connectivity (you’ll use both for different purposes). The module is included in the price of this model, but it’s also sold separately as an upgrade to the Bluetooth-only SKU. Yale’s Smart Module supplements the lock’s Bluetooth radio with Wi-Fi connectivity (you’ll use both for different purposes). The module is included in the price of this model, but it’s also sold separately as an upgrade to the Bluetooth-only SKU.Michael Brown/Foundry Yale’s Smart Module supplements the lock’s Bluetooth radio with Wi-Fi connectivity (you’ll use both for different purposes). The module is included in the price of this model, but it’s also sold separately as an upgrade to the Bluetooth-only SKU.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry There’s a lot to recommend the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi, as I’ll get into shortly. But for Apple users keen on building a smart home around HomeKit, Yale’s product strategy is a bit odd. If Home Key support is on your must-have list, you can only get it with the Bluetooth-only Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus ($210) or the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Wi-Fi ($290, and we’ll have a review of that model soon). Each of those models cost $10 more than their Touch counterparts, but buying either one entails giving up two features found only on the Touch models: the fingerprint reader and the key cylinder that allows you to open the lock with a physical back-up key. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. Design & build The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is much smaller than Yale’s first efforts, but it still has a lot of bits and pieces compared to something like the Level Lock. (You won’t need all those screws, they’re provided for different door thicknesses.) The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is much smaller than Yale’s first efforts, but it still has a lot of bits and pieces compared to something like the Level Lock. (You won’t need all those screws, they’re provided for different door thicknesses.)Michael Brown/Foundry The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is much smaller than Yale’s first efforts, but it still has a lot of bits and pieces compared to something like the Level Lock. (You won’t need all those screws, they’re provided for different door thicknesses.)Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry It’s no Level lock, but the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is decidedly smaller than the behemoths I dealt with in my early smart home days. There are three locks in this product family, and it’s one of two that are outfitted with a traditional lock cylinder. Yale considers the key a backup solution, so it provides only one with the lock. You can have copies made. The lock can also be rekeyed if you want to use the same key to open other locks in your home. Yale rates this lock as an ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 product. There are three grades on that certification scale, with 1 being the highest and 3 the lowest. It can fit on doors measuring 1-3/8 to 2-1/4 inches in thickness and with bore holes of either 1-1/2 or 2-1/8 inches. The fingerprint reader is cleverly hidden on a circular button with the Yale logo printed on it, and it’s proven to be very accurate at recognizing my family’s fingerprints. Yale says the lock will recognize a fingerprint in less than half a second, and I wouldn’t dispute that claim based on my experience. That white dot above the bolt is the cover for an embedded sensor that can detect when the door is closed and when it’s ajar. That white dot above the bolt is the cover for an embedded sensor that can detect when the door is closed and when it’s ajar.Michael Brown/Foundry That white dot above the bolt is the cover for an embedded sensor that can detect when the door is closed and when it’s ajar.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry The touchscreen numeric keypad only appears after you touch the lock, and a backlight makes the buttons very easy to see—at night. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to make out the numbers in direct sunlight. That’s not a problem if you only ever use the fingerprint reader, but there will be times when you want to grant access to someone else and they’re not there to register their fingerprints. The interior escutcheon is even smaller, which is a welcome development. Its battery compartment, which hosts four AA batteries, accounts for about half its size, and the thumb turn accounts for most of the rest. There’s a button on the inside if you can’t be bothered to twist the thumb turn to unlock it. Move the slider above to the right to see what the lock looks once its numeric keypad is activated, but don’t be fooled by this photo. The numbers are all but impossible to make out when the sun is shining directly on the lock. My camera compensated for the lighting, so the second image looks better than reality. The lock is available in three finishes: Satin Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Black Suede. Satin Nickel has been my door hardware finish of choice for many years, but Yale’s Black Suede won me over as soon as I put it on my door. It’s a very pretty matte black. Installation The Assure Lock 2 Touch is smaller, but it’s only slightly easier to install than the smart locks of yesteryear. Yale provides an excellent printed user manual and marking templates (for drilling holes if you’re not replacing an existing deadbolt). There’s also a version of the installation manual in the app itself. Once you’ve inserted the deadbolt itself into the door, there are three components to wrangle: the interior and exterior escutcheons and a mounting plate that secures the interior escutcheon to the door with two long screws. You still need to thread a bundle of wires from the exterior escutcheon through the door and plug it into a socket on its interior counterpart, taking care to align the ridges. But with all three pieces being smaller and lighter, it’s at least easier to hold everything in place during assembly. And there’s only one screw to secure the interior escutcheon to the mounting plate. You’ll need to snake this bundle of cables through the door and plug it into a socket on the interior escutcheon. You’ll need to snake this bundle of cables through the door and plug it into a socket on the interior escutcheon.Michael Brown/Foundry You’ll need to snake this bundle of cables through the door and plug it into a socket on the interior escutcheon.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry If you want Wi-Fi access, you’ll then plug Yale’s Smart Module into the socket on top of the interior side of the lock. The next step of physical installation is also optional, but it does add value. Yale includes a magnetic door sensor that can detect if the door is open or closed. It can be either surface mounted or—if you don’t mind drilling a 5/8-inch-wide by 1/2-inch-deep hole in the side of your door—flush mounted. Yale’s app will then log each time the door is opened and closed, and you can also enable a feature that will automatically lock the door after it’s been closed for a user-defined amount of time. The bolt will not slide out if the door is ajar, preventing damage to your door and door frame as well as to the lock itself. Setting up users Once you’ve installed the provided four AA batteries, closed the cover, and paired the lock with Yale’s smartphone app, you’re ready to enroll users, of which there are two classes: Owners and Guests. Owners have full access to lock programming and can invite other users, while Guests can only use a PIN, their fingerprint, or the app to utilize the lock (once someone with Owner status has set them up in the app). But before you register a user’s fingerprint, know that you can’t restrict that person’s access; they’ll have 24/7 access to your home until you revoke their permission. For users with only PINs, you have the option to grant either recurring access (e.g., every Wednesday between 9:30 a.m. and Noon), or temporary access within a date and time range (e.g., starting on Friday at 4:15 p.m. and ending the following Saturday at 2:00 p.m.). The latter scenario would be useful if you’re running an Airbnb, while the former would provide a convenient way for a cleaning service to come in while you’re away. The app makes it easy to enroll fingerprints for up to 20 users, but those people will have 24/7 access to the lock. You can’t restrict access to days and times as you can with users who have only PINs. The app makes it easy to enroll fingerprints for up to 20 users, but those people will have 24/7 access to the lock. You can’t restrict access to days and times as you can with users who have only PINs.Michael Brown/Foundry The app makes it easy to enroll fingerprints for up to 20 users, but those people will have 24/7 access to the lock. You can’t restrict access to days and times as you can with users who have only PINs.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry As I said earlier, this lock is very quick to recognize a registered fingerprint; programming the prints, on the other hand, takes a while. The lock takes 12 separate impressions for each person (it can log up to 20 sets of prints), and the first time I registered my own, the app took so long to register them after the 12th reading that I thought it had frozen. Fingerprints are stored on the lock itself with 128-bis AES encryption; Yale says they are never uploaded to the cloud. Performance I installed the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch about a week before the lock was officially announced, and Yale quickly fixed a bug I encountered that caused it to repeatedly drop and then re-establish its connection to my Wi-Fi network (apparently there was a conflict with the Eero router in my Ring Alarm Pro system). It has operated smoothly—and quietly—in the weeks since. Its event-logging system can keep track of when the lock is used, and it can send alerts based on various criteria: when its locked or unlocked manually or by a specific user (provided they use their fingerprint or PIN), when it’s left ajar, when it auto-locks, and so on. Yale makes it easy to see the status of the lock at any given time, and you can receive notifications for various events. Everything is tracked in a detailed history. Yale makes it easy to see the status of the lock at any given time, and you can receive notifications for various events. Everything is tracked in a detailed history.Michael Brown/Foundry Yale makes it easy to see the status of the lock at any given time, and you can receive notifications for various events. Everything is tracked in a detailed history.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Should you buy the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch? The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch ticks a lot of boxes: broad smart home ecosystem support (with the Wi-Fi module), flexible user access, a fingerprint reader, a physical backup key, a comprehensive logging system, and pretty industrial design. I’d rate this lock considerably higher if I could see its numeric keypad in direct sunlight. That’s just one shortcoming, and it won’t matter if you just use the fingerprint reader—or use the keypad only at night—but it’s a very big one, nonetheless. Meanwhile, Apple users who want Apple Home Key support should consider Yale’s other new smart lock, the Assure Lock 2 Plus. But then you won’t get a fingerprint reader or a back-up physical key. And while I haven’t installed that lock quite yet, I won’t be surprised if it has the same problem with its keypad turning invisible in direct sunlight. I’ll update this review as soon as I find out. Home Security

Your front door is the front line of your home’s security. If you don’t already have a video doorbell there, you should consider adding one. In addition to making it easier for your visitors to let you know they’re on your porch, a doorbell camera lets you safely see who’s on your porch, even if you’re not home at the moment. They’re so useful you might want to mount one next to every entry point into your home: side entrances, at your garage door, and the door to your backyard, for example. Whether you’re watching for trouble-makers, monitoring for parcel deliveries, waiting for friends to visit, or hiding from that weird neighbor who keeps asking to borrow your lawn mower, video doorbells are becoming essential security tools. Why you should trust us TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing video doorbells since 2014, and we continuously evaluate the latest devices along with their accompanying apps. We’ve checked out a wide range of video doorbells, including hardwired and battery-powered models; high-end and budget units; doorbells that can detect motion, people, and packages; and video doorbells and peephole cameras for apartment dwellers. You can trust us to guide you to the right video doorbell for your needs and budget. Our top picks in video doorbells Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — Best video doorbell for most people Pros High-res video: 1536 x 1536 pixels Package detection 1:1 aspect ratio shows visitors from head to toe Ring’s smart home and home security ecosystems are deep and wide Operates on either battery or low-voltage power Cons 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity only Color pre-roll video is not supported Ring Protect subscription required to unlock all features, including recording Price When Reviewed: £159.99 Best Prices Today: £129 at AO£129.99 at Amazon£129.99 at argos.co.uk Why we like the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus Ring made significant improvements to video resolution and aspect ratio and added package detection to maintain its position as the best video doorbell for most people. Buying this doorbell camera is a no-brainer if you already own other Ring products, especially if you’re already paying for a Ring Protect subscription. If your smart home revolves around Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit, on the other hand, take a look at our more relevant recommendations. Who should buy the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus If you’ve settled on either Ring or Amazon Alexa as your smart home ecosystem–and that goes double if you own a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro system–the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best mainstream video doorbell you can buy. It’s loaded with features, including package detection and a 1:1 aspect ratio that shows your visitors from head to toe, and it can operate on either battery or low-voltage power if you’re replacing an old-school doorbell. Read our full Ring Battery Doorbell Plus review TP-Link Tapo D230S1 — Best video doorbell for most people, runner-up Pros Easy to use High resolution: 2560 x 1920 pixels Feature rich Hub can support a user-provided microSD card up to 512GB Cons You can't establish motion-detection zones Hub must be hardwired to your router No option to run on low-voltage power Subscription required for cloud storage and some features Best Prices Today: £110.78 at Amazon£129.88 at eBay UK£149.99 at Currys Why we like the Tapo D230S1 video doorbell This moderately priced doorbell cam is bursting with features you might not expect to find selling for $100 online. And unlike many of its competitors, you can tap most of its features without needing to pay for a subscription. You’ll need one for cloud storage, although the in-house hub has a microSD card slot that can accommodate cards with up to 512GB of capacity, and you’ll need one for push notifications, but nearly all of its other features remain intact without a monthly fee. Who should buy the Tapo D230S1 If our higher-priced battery-powered video doorbell recommendations are out of your price range, and you don’t need Apple HomeKit support (Tapo’s product does support Amazon Alexa and Google Home), the Tapo D230S1 offers a huge amount of value. And if you want to unlock all its features, a Tapocare subscription costs less than a Ring Protect plan and it covers more than one camera (up to five). This video doorbell would be even better if it offered the option to run on low-voltage power, but the manufacturer says it will run on battery power for up to six months–and you can buy a spare battery for $25. Read our full TP-Link Tapo D230S1 review Nest Doorbell (Battery) — Best battery-powered video doorbell for Google Home users Pros Battery powered, so it can be installed anywhere (it can also run on wired power and will integrate with your existing chime) Accurate and fast detection On-device video processing Cons Subscription required for all but the most basic use Poor integration with Amazon’s smart home infrastructure Price When Reviewed: £179.99 Best Prices Today: £166.63 at Amazon£168 at AO£179 at Currys Why we like the Nest Doorbell (Battery) Despite its name, Google’s powerful and versatile Nest Doorbell (battery) can operate on either battery power or your home’s existing low-voltage wiring that powers your current doorbell. This smart home device was supremely easy to install and configure, it delivered crisp and clear video recordings, and it was consistently accurate with its alerts and notifications. Who should buy the Nest Doorbell (Battery) Needless to say, Google Assistant and Nest Aware users will get the most out of the Nest Doorbell (Battery), as will apartment dwellers who lack doorbell wiring and/or have limited installation options. And if you’re dead-set against paying for a subscription, the Nest Doorbell (Battery) does offer on-device people and package detection, although a subscription is required for cloud video storage (there is no local storage option). If you’re firmly in the Alexa or Apple camp of smart speakers and displays, however, you’ll want to stick with an Alexa- or HomeKit-compatible doorbell. Read our full Nest Doorbell (Battery) review Nest Doorbell (Wired) — Best wired video doorbell for Google Home users Pros On-device video processing Image classification Accurate and fast detection Cons Subscription required to unlock all its features Requires low-voltage wiring Incompatible with Apple HomeKit Why we like the Nest Video Doorbell (Wired) Nest’s Video Doorbell (Wired) builds on the excellent Nest Hello and improves it with on-device video processing, recording during power loss, and image classification. Opt in to a Nest Aware subscription, and you’ll also get 24/7 recording for up to 10 days, among other features. Who should buy the Nest Video Doorbell (Wired) Google Home and Nest Aware users make up the prime audience for the Nest Video Doorbell (Wired), as it’s not compatible with Alexa or Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem. And since this particular Nest video doorbell relies on wired power, apartment dwellers or anyone who doesn’t want to mess with doorbell wiring should opt for the Nest Video Doorbell (Battery) instead. Read our full Nest Doorbell (Wired) review Blink Video Doorbell — Best budget-priced, battery-powered video doorbell Pros Several image and detection adjustment options No requirement for an ongoing subscription Tight integration with Amazon Alexa Cons No on-demand live view without the optional Blink Video Module No Google Home or Apple HomeKit support Price When Reviewed: From £59.99 (£89.99 with Sync module) Best Prices Today: £38.99 at Argos£38.99 at argos.co.uk£59.99 at Amazon Why we like the Blink Video Doorbell While it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles of more expensive porch sentinels, the Blink Video Doorbell is very good for the price. Its quality and reliability is a step above many of the other budget-priced video doorbells we’ve tested. If you’re considering buying it, take a look at the optional Sync Module 2 ($35), which enables an on-demand live view as well as local storage. Who should buy the Blink Video Doorbell If you have a tight budget for a video doorbell and don’t have the existing low-voltage wiring that the Ring Video Doorbell Wired depends on, you should definitely consider the Blink Video Doorbell, which can operate on either wired or battery power and it has a strong set of features. However, you’ll want to also buy the optional Blink Sync Module 2 to squeeze the most value out of this device. Read our full Blink Video Doorbell review Ring Video Doorbell Wired — Best budget-priced, wired video doorbell Pros Easy to install 1080p video resolution Good night vision Very affordable Cons Poor performance in low light conditions (e.g., at dawn and dusk, before night vision kicks in) Installation bypasses your existing doorbell chime People Only mode doesn’t deliver on its promise Price When Reviewed: £49.99 Best Prices Today: £49.99 at Amazon£49.99 at Argos£49.99 at argos.co.uk Why we like the Ring Video Doorbell Wired Ring wins this category by building an inexpensive-but-strong video doorbell that can be integrated with the company’s increasingly diverse smart home ecosystem. Yes, it’s a single-band Wi-Fi device; and yes, it can’t ring your existing chime despite being wired to it. But it delivers pretty good 1080p video in daylight and very good black-and-white night vision when it gets dark. Who should buy the Ring Video Doorbell Wired The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is a clear choice for budget-minded homeowners who want to stay in the Ring ecosystem–assuming you’re not married to your existing door chime, of course. But if you want a head-to-toe view of visitors, consider the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus instead. Read our full Ring Video Doorbell Wired review Wyze Video Doorbell Pro — Best budget-priced video doorbell, runner-up Pros Operates on battery power or connected to low-voltage wiring Very easy to install and set up A well-made, sturdy device Cons Advanced detection modes require a subscription There are no detection or privacy zones Why we like the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro The Wyze Video Doorbell Pro is a well-made, sturdy doorbell that works well, and it comes with a remote chime at no additional cost. It’s ability to operate on either battery power or connected to a low-voltage power supply is another big positive. But as with Ring’s doorbells and home security cameras–and a number of other competitors–you’ll need to buy a subscription package to get the full value from it. Who should buy the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro Those who’ve invested in Wyze security cameras would do well to pair them with the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro, particularly if you’re already signed up for a Wyze subscription plan. This Wyze doorbell will also be a good fit for newcomers to the video doorbell space, as this well-made unit is a snap to set up and configure. Logitech Circle View Doorbell — Best video doorbell for Apple HomeKit users Pros Full support for Apple’s Homekit Secure Video Records crisp video with HDR Excellent night vision, including color night vision Superb motion sensing, facial recognition, and privacy features Cons Will be of no interest to folks outside the Apple ecosystem Some competitors offer higher resolution and wider viewing angles Slightly more complicated to install than competing doorbells Best Prices Today: $199.99 at Logitech Why we like the Logitech Circle View Doorbell Logitech takes full advantage of what HomeKit has to offer with its Circle View Doorbell, including HomeKit Secure Video, which uses the Apple hardware in your home to process captured video locally, versus uploading it to a server in the cloud that you have no real control over. The Circle View Doorbell also boasts crisp HDR video, terrific night vision performance, and precision motion sensing. Who should buy the Logitech Circle View Doorbell The $200 Logitech Circle View Doorbell is aimed at a very specific audience: homeowners with wired doorbells who’ve embraced Apple’s rapidly growing HomeKit smart home ecosystem. This is not a cross-platform product: Android users need not apply; nor is there any support for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Read our full Logitech Circle View Doorbell review Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell — Best video doorbell for Apple HomeKit users, runner-up Pros Posh industrial design Apple HomeKit support Local video storage Good video quality Absolutely no subscription fees Cons Fiddly installation Limited detection modes No Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant support Price When Reviewed: £269.99 Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Netatmo What we like about the Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell has some attractive features, impressive video quality, a sleek design, and–best of all–it is one of the few premium video doorbells that doesn’t require a monthly subscription. Who should buy the Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell As with the Logitech Circle View Doorbell, the Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell is exclusively for Apple HomeKit users, meaning those invested in the Alexa or Google Home ecosystems should look elsewhere. And while those on a budget might be spooked by the $300 price tag, they’ll end up saving money since there’s no need for a subscription plan. Read our full Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell review Ring Peephole Cam — Best video doorbell alternative Pros Simple wireless installation Excellent video quality and motion detection Easy integration with the broad universe of Ring smart home products Cons Requires a peephole Paid subscription required to save recordings Why we like the Ring Peephole Camera The Ring Peephole Cam gives renters the same peace of mind that homeowners enjoy when they install a video doorbell–all you need is a peephole in the door you want to install it in. There’s no need to drill holes for new screws or cables; instead, you simply swap it for your existing door viewer. Video quality is sharp with rich, accurate color, and infrared night vision is enabled automatically when ambient lighting dims. Who should buy the Ring Peephole Camera The Ring Peephole Camera is an excellent choice for tenants who want to install a video doorbell without angering their landlord. It’s also a great solution for anyone who lives in an apartment or condo with an entry door that already has a peephole. Read our full Ring Peephole Cam review Remo+ DoorCam 2 — Best video doorbell alternative if your door doesn't have a peephole Pros Easy installation on most entry doors–no peephole required No drilling or fastening required Good video image Cons No doorbell function Won’t fit over doors with ornate features Limited motion zone and sensitivity settings Best Prices Today: $199 at Remo+ Why we like the Remo+ DoorCam 2 The Remo+ DoorCam 2 sits over the top of your door, so you can keep watch without drilling holes or going inside a wall. It doesn’t have a doorbell function, but it will alert you to anyone on your porch. Two-way audio allows you to chat with people on the other side of the door without opening it. Who should buy the Remo+ DoorCam 2 Renters who can’t install a doorbell or don’t even have a peephole will get the most out of the Remo+ DoorCam 2, and its video quality is perfectly adequate for seeing who’s waiting on your doorstep. Read our full Remo+ DoorCam 2 review What to look for when shopping for a video doorbell Here’s a guide to some of the key operation features in the video doorbell market. Be sure to keep these features in mind as you shop. Aspect ratio If you want to catch porch pirates in the act, make sure to pick a video doorbell with a square or vertically-oriented aspect ratio. Such a “head-to-toe” view makes it easier for the doorbell’s camera to capture activity on your doorstep–like the theft of a package–that a camera with a wider angle might miss. Motion detection Most video doorbells come equipped with motion sensors that trigger video recordings when they detect movement. The best models, however, will also be able to differentiate between random movement in the frame (such as tree branches swaying in the wind, insects scurrying across the lens, or infrared light-illuminated flecks of dust floating in the air) from movement you might be more interested in, such as that caused by people, pets, packages, and vehicles. Such advanced, AI-powered motion detection will cut down on the number of nuisance video events you’ll need to wade through. That said, advanced motion detection often (though not always) requires a subscription plan. Also, while some video doorbells rely on the cloud to detect person, pet, package, or vehicle events, others can process motion events locally; such “on-device” motion detection is preferable both in terms of responsiveness as well as privacy. Motion and privacy zones Motion zones allow you to designate only specific areas within the frame where motion would trigger an alert; for example, you might set up a motion zone that covers the area in front of your doorstep but excludes the sidewalk or street beyond. Privacy zones, on the other hand, let you block out an area of the frame where you don’t want any motion detection or recording at all, useful if you want to preserve the privacy of a neighbor’s window. Night vision and two-way talk Porch pirates love to operate in the dark, so night vision is a key feature to look for in a video doorbell. Color night vision is also nice to have, but it usually requires at least some ambient light, or else the footage will only be in black and white. Two-way talk is another standard video doorbell feature, which is necessary for speaking to visitors when you’re not home or otherwise can’t come to the door. Local storage Some video doorbells can store video events locally rather than in the cloud. Local storage usually involves a removable memory card that’s installed either inside the device itself on a nearby smart hub. Either way, locally stored videos could save you the monthly cost of cloud storage–although subscription plans usually offer other benefits besides cloud storage, such as advanced motion detection and rich mobile notifications. Another potential benefit to local storage is 24/7 video recording. (Most cloud storage options only store video from detected motion events, not the time periods between them). Questions and answers about video doorbells 1. Can battery-powered video doorbells also be connected to existing doorbell wiring? If your house has existing low-voltage doorbell wiring, take advantage of it so you don’t need to worry about recharging a battery. Many battery-powered video doorbells can tap a wired connection to keep the doorbell’s battery charged. If you do want to buy a battery-powered model, make sure the battery can be easily removed for charging and that you can buy a spare battery, so you can swap it for one that’s on the charger. 2. Are there video doorbell options for renters? If you’re renting your domicile and can’t install a video doorbell (or if you just want to make sure you can take it with you when you move out), consider one of our video doorbell alternatives that either connect to your entry door’s peephole or hang on top of the door. 3. Do video doorbells require a subscription plan? Most video doorbells will work without a paid service plan, but you’ll often miss out on the doorbell’s best features if you don’t pay up. For example, advanced motion detection (for people, pets, vehicles, and packages) will frequently require a paid subscription plan. The same goes for motion and privacy zones, as well as rich mobile alerts that include a snapshot or a clip of a recorded motion event. Most importantly (and unless your video doorbell offers local storage), a subscription plan may provide the only way to store and review recorded video events. Depending on the manufacturer, some plans offer anywhere from 30 to 90 days of rolling video storage. The length of each clip may also be capped. Be sure to check out TechHive’s comparison of the most popular security camera subscription plans. (The feature focuses on dedicated security cams, but it applies to video doorbells, too.) 4. Will my new video doorbell work with my existing security system? If you’re also thinking of adding indoor and/or outdoor security cameras for additional protection, or if you intend to integrate your video doorbell with a comprehensive smart home or home security system, explore your compatibility options, so you don’t find yourself juggling two or three different apps.  Other recent video doorbell reviews We’ve evaluated many other video doorbells. If none of our top picks check all the boxes for you, take a look at these other products. Arlo has some excellent indoor and outdoor security cameras, and if you own some of them, you’ll want a doorbell in the same ecosystem. Fortunately, the Arlo Video Doorbell is not only excellent, it’s also affordable at $150 (just be aware that Arlo’s not-really-optional subscription has jumped in price to $7.99 per month–for a single camera). This is a wired doorbell, however; there is no battery-power option. Eufy offers several dual-camera security cameras, and now it has a video doorbell with the same feature. The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual (model E340) has a front-facing camera to capture a view of your visitor, and a down-facing camera to capture packages left on your porch. This model can operate on either battery or low-voltage power if you have the wiring in place. Eufy is one of few security camera brands that doesn’t tie you to a subscription (though one is available for cloud storage, if you want it). The $150 Nooie Cam Doorbell is from a less-familiar brand, but the battery-powered device earned a 4-star review. Ring brings its radar-powered 3D motion detection and Bird’s Eye View feature to a battery-powered doorbell camera for the first time with the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro. Previously, these features were limited to the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro (formerly sold as the Video Doorbell Pro 2). The Pro packs an excellent camera and it’s loaded with features, but it’s also expensive at $230. TP-Link’s wired Kasa Smart Doorbell is a great value at $50–it earned 3.5 stars from us–and it comes with a remote chime and local storage (you’ll need to supply your own microSD card). But you’ll need to sign up for a subscription to be able to share video clips from within the app. People looking for HomeKit compatibility have another option in the Wemo Smart Video Doorbell, a $250 wired doorbell with a dual-band Wi-Fi adapter. It’s on the chunky side, though, and Belkin–the company behind the Wemo brand–has stepped back from its pledge to support the Matter smart home standard for the time being. Video Doorbells

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 April 24, 2024: We’ve added a link to our Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 review. This replacement deadbolt features not just a touchscreen keypad, but also a fingerprint reader, and an integrated video doorbell. A plug-in chime acts as a bridge to your Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for a smart home hub. If you’re more interested a retrofit smart lock that doesn’t replace your existing deadbolt, take a look at our April 23 Abode Smart Lock review. It also supports Wi-Fi, and it comes with a Bluetooth keypad and fingerprint reader. It launched with a sale price of just $130, but our hands-on experience with it left us reluctant to recommend it. 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+ (now marketed as Level Lock+ Connect, which includes the Level Connect bridge) 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: £355.34 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 Bosma Aegis Smart Door Lock — Best retrofit smart lock, runner-up Pros Excellent reliability Geofencing features worked perfectly in testing Surprisingly affordable Cons A bit large and bulky Occasional but minor trouble with the app Why we like the Bosma Aegis The Bosma Aegis isn’t particularly handsome, and at four inches across, its octagonal lock is a bit awkward to grip and twist. That said, this Wi-Fi-enabled retrofit lock is a snap to install, works great, and comes with most of the features we’ve seen in far pricier competitors. So while the Aegis isn’t much of a looker, it packs plenty of value. Who should buy the Bosma Aegis If you want a quality retrofit smart lock for less, the Bosma Aegis should be at the top of your list. It supports Wi-Fi geofencing and allows for the creation of time-restricted PINs, and it worked great during our testing. You’ll have to settle for a somewhat large and bulky design, but otherwise the Bosma Aegis delivers plenty of functionality for the price. Read our full Bosma Aegis Smart Door Lock 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 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 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. Smart Locks

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsExcellent camera with lots of featuresAttractive (if enormous) hardwareHuge rechargeable batteryConsSometimes misses events, both motion-based and physicalFingerprint reader is difficult to work withDoorbell button isn’t obvious to visitorsOur VerdictThis massive smart lock probably won’t make you a convert of the doorbell-camera-lock combo idea, but it has plenty of positive qualities that could make it worthwhile for some users. Best Prices Today: Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 Retailer Price £520.80 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Six long years ago I called the industry’s first combination of smart lock and video camera “a no-brainer, awesome idea,” and the concept has only become more pervasive since. Newer spins on this category shove even more smart home essentials into a single device—including a doorbell on devices like the Lockly Vision Elite—in the hopes that outfitting the home of the future will require little more than replacing the deadbolt on your front door. The latest attempt at this do-it-all device comes from the smart home veterans at Anker’s Eufy division. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 combines a door lock, camera, and doorbell into its version of a do-everything device. Like Lockly’s device, Eufy’s smart lock is huge, measuring nearly 8 inches tall on its interior escutcheon and weighing more than 3.5 pounds. It comes with an external device that serves as an interior chime for the doorbell, a Wi-Fi bridge, and network-attached storage device. This component is a mandatory part of the installation. Eufy’s cameras have always shined, and the one built into the Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 is no exception. Design and feature set There’s so much going on with this hardware that even breaking down everything it can do is a daunting proposition. First, it’s a complete smart lock that fully replaces your existing deadbolt. The matte black unit offers various means of ingress, including numeric keypad, fingerprint reader, physical key cylinder (secreted beneath the doorbell button), and—of course—via an app. It’s also a video doorbell, with a camera located above its numeric keypad, and a ringer button beneath it. This button illuminates in blue when someone approaches. Finally, it can do double (triple?) duty as a standard security camera, complete with a motion sensor, night vision, person detection, and two-way audio. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 has a fingerprint reader on top and a high-res video doorbell on its face. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 has a fingerprint reader on top and a high-res video doorbell on its face.Christopher Null/Foundry The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 has a fingerprint reader on top and a high-res video doorbell on its face.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry Despite its significant complexity, installing the Eufy S330 is similar to other complete smart locks, in that you connect its exterior escutcheon with a mounting plate on the inside of the door using two hefty bolts. A third screw is available if you need extra support, but this screws the mounting plate directly into the door rather than passing through to the exterior escutcheon. Two electrical cables connect the two escutcheons together—these are easy to get into place—and the interior escutcheon is connected to the mounting plate with three tiny bolts. The process didn’t take more than a few minutes for me, although I found a little extra elbow grease to tighten all the bolts was a good idea to help keep things aligned and in place. Eufy’s manual does a reasonable job at walking you through all of this, and those familiar with smart lock installation probably won’t need to refer to it much, if at all. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 has a massive interior escutcheon. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 has a massive interior escutcheon.Eufy The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 has a massive interior escutcheon.Eufy Eufy Instead of the more common AA batteries, the Eufy S330 uses a large 10,000mAh rechargeable battery that charges via a USB-C cable. Eufy says the lock should operate for about 4 months on a full charge. The battery can take several hours to fully charge, so plan accordingly. You’ll need to provide your own power adapter and cable. A USB-C port on the exterior underside of the lock will power up the lock in an emergency if its battery dies while you’re out. Electronically, configuring the lock is a two-step process. First, the chime must be configured, which you’ll find listed separately under the “Smart Lock” section of the Eufy Security app’s “add device” function. You’ll need to scan a QR code on the underside of the bridge before plugging it in, then step through various Wi-Fi settings (only 2.4GHz networks are supported), firmware updates, and formatting a microSD card that’s used to store video clips from the lock (cards with capacities up to 128GB are supported, but none is included). Note that the lock is also compatible with the Eufy HomeBase 3 NAS box, although I did not test the lock with one. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 captures excellent video. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 captures excellent video.Christopher Null/Foundry The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 captures excellent video.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry Once the chime is configured, it’s on to setting up the lock itself, listed in the same “Smart Lock” section under the header of “Video Smart Lock.” Again, you’ll need to scan a QR on the lock, then use the lock’s camera to scan another QR code displayed on the screen of your phone. This was followed in my install by another 18-minute-long firmware update before, at last, I was up and running. Software setup With various options to control the lock, doorbell, and camera, configuring the S330 can be an exhaustive process. As a lock, it’s at its most straightforward. Users can be configured with individual PINs of 4 to 8 digits. Users can be set to have access “always” or on a schedule that either expires at a certain date or is allowed only at certain times and days of the week. Up to 100 users and PINs and up to 50 fingerprints are supported. The lock operates smoothly with the app, but using the external controls to open it can be tricky. Tapping in a PIN usually went smoothly, but not always, sometimes requiring several taps to “wake up” the darkened touchscreen. I had considerably more trouble with the fingerprint reader. I usually had to place a thumb on the reader 3 or 4 times before it would engage, and sometimes found my fingerprint didn’t read correctly. It’s also tough to tell whether the reader is activated; it would be helpful if both the touchscreen and the fingerprint reader lit up when you approach the lock. You’ll need to plug Eufy’s chime into a nearby outlet. It also functions as the smart lock’s bridge to your Wi-Fi network. You’ll need to plug Eufy’s chime into a nearby outlet. It also functions as the smart lock’s bridge to your Wi-Fi network.Christopher Null/Foundry You’ll need to plug Eufy’s chime into a nearby outlet. It also functions as the smart lock’s bridge to your Wi-Fi network.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry The doorbell button is also supposed to illuminate in blue when motion is detected—the distance is configurable—but I found this response to be erratic and unpredictable. Lastly, even settings for “one-touch locking” didn’t work right. If activated, you’re supposed to be able to re-lock the door by long-pressing the check button on the lock—which in itself is an unintuitive way to lock the door—but this simply didn’t work every time during my testing. Fortunately, an auto-lock option is available as a failsafe. The doorbell button functions as expected: Press the button and the lock hardware rings along with the chime inside the house. (Eufy specifies that lock, chime, and Wi-Fi router should be no more than 40 feet away from one another at most.) Whether visitors will understand what they’re supposed to press is a bigger concern. The button—low on the lock—is supposed to light up blue when someone approaches, but this was erratic and inconsistent in my testing. Even when it is lit up, it’s still not completely obvious that it’s a doorbell. Humans simply haven’t reached a point where they’re looking at the doorknob to find the doorbell. Some manufacturers of similar equipment include a placard that you can place on the wall near where your doorbell is supposed to be that alerts people where the new doorbell is located, but Eufy does not. Considering how many smart devices are incorporated into this lock, it’s no surprise there’s nothing subtle about its industrial design. Considering how many smart devices are incorporated into this lock, it’s no surprise there’s nothing subtle about its industrial design.Eufy Considering how many smart devices are incorporated into this lock, it’s no surprise there’s nothing subtle about its industrial design.Eufy Eufy Eufy’s cameras have always shined, and the one built into the S330 is no exception. With a top resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels and a huge 160-degree viewing angle, video is more than adequate for the short-range needs of a doorbell camera, and standard features like a capable infrared night vision mode and a variety of motion sensing options are included. Motion detection is tunable to include all motion or only people, and at a distance ranging from 3 feet to 20 feet. The lock can detect loitering if a visitor lingers for too long (time and distance are also configurable), and it can detect when people leave the house. This could be handy if you have small children who tend to wander off. While these features generally worked as advertised, they weren’t perfect in my testing, missing a few motion events and, especially, failing to respond to loitering on some occasions. Alexa and Google Home devices are supported if you want to stream video to a third-party device or control the lock with your voice. There is no support for IFTTT or Apple HomeKit. Should you buy the Eufy Video Smart Lock S330? As is always the case with Eufy products, you don’t need a cloud-storage subscription to use the device, and with a decent microSD card—or a Eufy HomeBase 3—you aren’t likely to really need one (read our microSD shopping guide to find the right one for your camera). If for some reason you need even more storage (or a backup to physical storage, which can be more easily stolen), Eufy offers 30 days of cloud storage for $3/month or $30/year for a single camera, or $10/month or $100/year for up to 10 devices. The Smart Lock is also compatible with Eufy’s Basic Protection Plan, which lets you call for professional help for $5/month on demand. The Smart Lock, however, doesn’t support Eufy’s more advanced 24/7 professional monitoring Plus plan. The Eufy Video Smart Lock S330 isn’t a bad deal when you find it on sale for $300, as buying all these components separately will cost you considerably more. If the lock was a bit more robust it’d be a no-brainer recommendation, but that’s true only if you can affirmatively answer this primary question about the device: Do you really want all these things in a single device? Home Security

SimpliSafe is rolling out a new live guard outdoor protection service to select customers. The company says its new service enhances home security with two layers of protection, integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) with human agents to deter home burglaries and other property crimes. When a SimpliSafe user’s outdoor camera detects a trespasser or potential intruder, a SimpliSafe agent monitoring the camera’s feed will intervene before the prowler can enter the home, and if warranted, even dispatch police. The live guard outdoor protection operates through SimpliSafe’s existing array of smart outdoor security cameras. When a user’s SimpliSafe system is armed, cameras monitor the home’s perimeter and use AI to detect anyone approaching the property. SimpliSafe’s AI will then compare that person against the homeowner’s saved profiles of familiar faces. If the person doesn’t match any of the profiles, an agent will tap into the camera’s live feed to assess the situation. If the agent verifies a threat, they’ll use the camera’s two-way audio to communicate with the individual, activating the security system’s sirens, if necessary. The company says that’s typically enough to warn off most intruders, but that its agents are authorized to contact local law enforcement if the situation escalates. Users can choose which cameras SimpliSafe monitoring agents can access. Users can choose which cameras SimpliSafe monitoring agents can access. SimpliSafe Users can choose which cameras SimpliSafe monitoring agents can access. SimpliSafe SimpliSafe The live outdoor monitoring service builds on SimpliSafe’s existing 24/7 live guard protection, which provides professional monitoring for all its security cameras and sensors. During an active alarm anywhere inside the user’s home, SimpliSafe agents can access cameras’ video feeds and microphones to attempt to divert the threat and dispatch police, fire, or medical help when they verify an emergency. Live outdoor monitoring extends the perimeter of this coverage, enabling agents to address outdoor threats before they reach doors or windows—such as when they’re climbing over a backyard fence—as well as crimes taking place outside the home, such as someone breaking into the homeowner’s car. As with SimpliSafe’s current professional monitoring service, live outdoor protection users have complete control over which cameras SimpliSafe agents can monitor and when, and all captured video is securely encrypted and inaccessible to monitoring agents once an incident has been reviewed and closed. Users can also easily create and delete familiar-face profiles in the SimpliSafe app to ensure alerts stay accurate and relevant. Pricing wasn’t available at press time, but live guard outdoor protection is currently available to qualifying customers to test through SimpliSafe’s Early Access Program and will be available to all customers later this year. Our SimpliSafe Essentials review identified the offering as one of our favorite DIY home security systems. Home Security, Security Cameras

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsLarge, rechargeable batteryDual-band Wi-Fi supportVery inexpensive–especially at its sale price ConsQuestionable build qualityIncomplete logging in the Abode appUnattractive industrial designOur VerdictThe Abode Lock is well priced for a Wi-Fi-connected retrofit smart lock that comes with a Bluetooth keypad and fingerprint reader, but first impressions count for a lot, and our initial review unit was missing parts and didn’t work properly. Smart home company Abode has never taken the most ambitious approach toward industrial design, and with its Abode Smart Lock, the company appears to be staying the course with its no-nonsense, no-frills looks. The good news is that this is a retrofit lock, so at least the outside of your house will remain unblemished by this device’s lackluster design. As discussed in our recent retrofit or replace story, when you install a retrofit lock, you replace only the interior escutcheon of your existing deadbolt. And while Abode includes no printed instructions on how to do this—users are directed to a page on Abode’s website, instead—the process isn’t difficult. Like most retrofit locks, the Abode is a multi-piece affair, starting with a small metal plate that attaches to the door directly, using two bolts from your existing lock. The Abode Smart Lock comes with a combination numeric keypad and fingerprint reader that’s wholly separate from the lock mechanism, kicking up its value proposition by a notch. Features The Abode Lock comes with a battery-powered, Bluetooth keypad and fingerprint reader at no additional cost. The lock itself connects to your Wi-Fi network. The Abode Lock comes with a battery-powered, Bluetooth keypad and fingerprint reader at no additional cost. The lock itself connects to your Wi-Fi network.Abode The Abode Lock comes with a battery-powered, Bluetooth keypad and fingerprint reader at no additional cost. The lock itself connects to your Wi-Fi network.Abode Abode The Abode Lock is powered by a beefy 4000mAh rechargeable battery instead of the usual AA batteries; that’s nice for avoiding consumables purchases but it does mean you’ll be without a smart lock while it recharges, although a physical key will still work. Abode says this battery should last for about a year before it needs a top-up. You’ll need to supply the USB-C charging cable and power supply (or portable battery) for the task, as neither are included with the lock. Although it’s a retrofit lock, the Abode Smart Lock comes with a combination numeric keypad and fingerprint reader that’s wholly separate from the lock mechanism, kicking up its value proposition by a notch. The pad is powered by two AAA batteries and can be mounted on the door frame outside the house, providing an additional means of controlling the lock via Bluetooth. The lock itself connects to you home network over Wi-Fi. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. Hardware installation The Abode Lock is a retrofit model, so the only aspect of your existing deadbolt that will change is its interior escutcheon. The Abode Lock is a retrofit model, so the only aspect of your existing deadbolt that will change is its interior escutcheon.Abode The Abode Lock is a retrofit model, so the only aspect of your existing deadbolt that will change is its interior escutcheon.Abode Abode To accommodate locks of different sizes and designs, the boreholes in the mounting plate are designed to easily move around, thanks to two rings that are inset into larger channels and that can slide up and down to ensure proper alignment. But in my initial review sample, these rings were missing; rather, one was broken and the other was completely absent. I ended up hacking together a temporary fix using the broken ring and a single bolt, which was at least sturdy enough for temporary use. From there, it’s a simple matter to attach the lock mechanism to the mounting plate with two tiny bolts that attach on each side of the thumbturn. You’ll need a very small screwdriver to get these into place; I had to dig one out of the toolbox as none of the standard screwdrivers I typically use during testing would fit through the narrow channel in which the bolts must be set. Lastly, a plastic plate slides over the front of the lock, covering the electronics. Setup occurs in the Abode app. You don’t need an Abode hub to use the look, but additional features such as multi-device connectivity and control are available if you do. The most recent of these is the Abode Security Hub, then there’s the Abode Iota, which has an integrated security camera, and the original Abode Smart Security Kit. Abode Security Kit Read our review The Abode Lock’s support for both 2.4- and 5GHz networks is commendable, although I was consistently surprised that about half the time I tried to connect to my home network, I was informed the Wi-Fi password was wrong. Fortunately, the second try was invariably successful, after which I was quickly able to pair the keypad to the lock and the lock to my Wi-Fi network. To my immediate surprise, I discovered a small problem: The lock was mounted on the left side of the door, but it was attempting to turn the deadbolt clockwise to lock it and counterclockwise to unlock it; in other words, backwards. Normally this is a quick fix, as most smart locks have a switch inside that lets you tell the lock on which side of the door it’s mounted. But Abode has a unique means of setting which side of the door it’s on, based on which direction the thumbturn is rotated during the setup process: Turn the knob all the way left and you’re setting up a left-side-door, and vice versa. Had I missed this step during my setup? I did a factory reset on the lock and tried again, making sure the thumbturn was properly aligned, but no dice. I tried resetting and removing the battery for a half hour before trying again. Nothing changed how it worked. Eventually I worked with Abode tech support for several hours, resetting the lock roughly a dozen times and going through all manner of troubleshooting steps before I finally gave up and requested a new unit. Perhaps the broken mounting plate had been a first sign of trouble to come. The good news: The replacement lock arrived with an intact mounting plate and set up correctly the first time I tried it, allowing me to finally lock and unlock the door successfully. The Abode Lock’s logging is incomplete, as it doesn’t report the identity of who unlocked the door. The Abode Lock’s logging is incomplete, as it doesn’t report the identity of who unlocked the door.Abode The Abode Lock’s logging is incomplete, as it doesn’t report the identity of who unlocked the door.Abode Abode Setting up users Abode’s app isn’t the most elegant when it comes to door locks, but it’s relatively easy to navigate because there’s not a whole lot to it: Tap the slider on the device listing or the icon above it to initiate a manual lock or unlock. Tap the icon to the left of the lock name to delve into additional settings, where the “Access Control” feature lets you set up user accounts with a PIN and optional fingerprint(s). PINs can be 4 to 12 digits in length, and each user can have up to 5 registered fingerprints. Only 10 users can be set up in total. PINs can be permanent, one-time use, or time/day restricted. Setting all of this up and registering fingerprints is easy and straightforward. The buttons on the external keypad are a little stiff—it’s not a touchscreen—but the fingerprint reader is accurate and easy to activate without error. Oddly, the method for re-locking the door from the outside is to hold down any button on the keypad for 5 seconds, which isn’t entirely intuitive An auto-lock feature allows you to configure the lock to re-engage without additional interaction after 30 seconds to 10 minutes. All lock and unlock activities are logged via push notifications and are recorded on the Timeline in the Abode app, though the means of access is only recorded if the app is used to do the job. Keypad and fingerprint access is recorded, but, strangely, events are not assigned to the owner of the PIN or fingerprint. The lock supports Alexa and Google Assistant, but not HomeKit. iPhone users can, however, add the lock as a widget on their home screen. Should you buy the Abode Lock? The Abode Lock’s $130 sale price is appealing, especially considering its Wi-Fi connectivity and the inclusion of the exterior Bluetooth keypad/fingerprint reader. August’s retrofit lock, a device from which Abode borrows more than a few of its design cues, has a $250 MRSP with a Bluetooth keypad and Wi-Fi connectivity, while the new Yale Approach is priced at $180 with the same connectivity features. Neither of those locks include a fingerprint sensor. All that said, first impressions count for a lot, and my experience with the first hardware I received left a very bad taste in my mouth. That leaves me hesitant to recommend the Abode Lock without reservation. Home Security

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsSleek and intuitive appWorks with MatterUp to 1,600 lumens of brightnessWorks indoors and outdoorsConsPost-acquisition LIFX ecosystem is still rebuilding its portfolioNo vacation modeOur VerdictLIFX’s indoor/outdoor flood light delivers on its “SuperColor” branding with bright hues, Matter support, and a plethora of features. Back from the dead, LIFX is busy rebuilding its smart-lighting portfolio, with this indoor and outdoor-capable PAR38 bulb arriving in the brand’s latest wave of releases.  The LIFX SuperColor Flood Light is as bright and bold as advertised, complete with up to 1,600 lumens of brightness, a weatherized design, a bevy of scheduling and automation options, and support for Matter, meaning the bulb will work in Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings households.  We’re also fans of LIFX’s clean and intuitive app, which makes it easy to create lighting scenes as well as (recently added) “routines” that let you build multi-step automations.  Bright, colorful, weatherized, and stuffed with features, the LIFX SuperColor Flood Light is a compelling choice for smart lighting shoppers. Giving us pause is the bulb’s lack of a vacation mode, as well as the fact that LIFX is still in rebuilding mode following a long absence (the brand was acquired by Feit Electric in 2022), meaning most of its products are now several years old. We don’t expect that situation to last for long, but those who’d rather buy into a large and robust smart ecosystem should take note.  At $39.98, the LIFX SuperColor Flood Light sits in the middle of the market, bracketed by Philips Hue’s much pricier PAR38 color bulb and more affordable options from the likes of Cree Lighting and GE Cync.  Design  The LIFX SuperColor Flood Light has a typical PAR38-style design, measuring 4.92 x 4.92 x 5.2 inches (WxHxD) and weighing in at 9.5 ounces. PAR is an acronym for parabolic aluminized reflector. The bulb is fitted with an E26 base, meaning you can screw it into a typical light socket. PAR bulbs differ from their BR cousins by virtue of the more focused beam of light they produce. They’re not a spotlight, but their light is less diffused than that from a BR bulb. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart lighting. This “SuperColor” bulb can glow in up to 16 million colors (one at a time) and serves up an unusually wide range of white-color temperatures, ranging from a very warm 1,600 Kelvin (roughly the same white-color temperature as candlelight) to an extremely cool 9,000 K (a blue-sky color). Most smart color bulbs of this type restrict their white color temperatures to the 2,700-6,500K range.  The SuperColor Flood Light is also quite bright, topping out at 1,600 lumens and with red, green, and blue colors that can reach 262, 627, and 142 lumens respectively. In my tests, the LIFX bulb had no trouble lighting up a room on its own.  The bulb comes with an IP65 rating, meaning it’s dust-tight and is resistant to water sprayed in any direction. In other words, the light should be able to weather the elements without any issues, including rain and snow. You’ll learn everything you need to know about IP weatherization codes at the preceding link. The LIFX SuperColor Flood Light can emit up to 1,600 lumens of brightness in white mode. The LIFX SuperColor Flood Light can emit up to 1,600 lumens of brightness in white mode.Ben Patterson/Foundry The LIFX SuperColor Flood Light can emit up to 1,600 lumens of brightness in white mode.Ben Patterson/Foundry Ben Patterson/Foundry This Wi-Fi-enabled bulb supports Matter out of the box, meaning it will work in Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings households. It’s worth noting that the light handles Matter over Wi-Fi, not Thread, meaning the bulb must connect directly to your Wi-Fi router rather than connecting to other Thread devices in a Thread mesh network.  Setup  To get the LIFX SuperColor Floor Light up and running, you’ll need its Matter QR code, which is stamped on the base of the bulb as well as on the last page of the user manual; you’ll need the code to pair the bulb with other smart home apps.  You’ll also need a LIFX account; you can register for one via the LIFX mobile app. Signing up requires your email address as well as a fresh password; unfortunately, you can’t register with your Facebook, Apple, or Google account.  Once the LIFX app is open and ready to go, you tap the “+” sign near the bottom of the screen to add a new device. In my case, the app detected the SuperColor Floor Light immediately and prompted me to scan its Matter QR code. I did so, and within a few minutes, the bulb was successfully paired.  Next, you can choose where the light will go in your LIFX “home;” for example, you can add the bulb to “living room,” “kitchen,” or another room, where the bulb will be grouped with other LIFX lights in the area.   If you wish, you can add the SuperColor Floor Light to other smart home apps that work with Matter. I paired the bulb to the Apple Home app, which detected the LIFX bulb and added it to my collection of other HomeKit devices within a minute or so. The light will also work with Alexa, Google Home, or Samsung SmartThings via Matter.  Features and functionality  The SuperColor Flood Light benefits from LIFX’s sleek, easy-to-use app, which I described in detail in my LIFX SuperColor Light A21 review.   In brief, the app offers a tabbed interface (in a nice touch, you can either tap the tabs or swipe through them) that lets you tinker with color and white-color wheels, enable light effects (from “Twinkle” and “Strobe” to “Flicker” and the music-syncing “Visualizer”), trigger themes (such as “Forest,” “Ocean,” “Energizing,” “Fantasy,” and “Peaceful”), and pick and choose from various color swatches.   You can also create “scenes” that take a snapshot of the current status of the bulb; these scenes can be triggered manually or in an automation, and they include the ability to fade in the scene over a preset period, anywhere from a second to nearly 24 hours.  The intuitive LIFX app makes it easy to change the SuperColor Flood Light’s color and brightness (left), enable light effects (center), and create schedules and multi-step routines (right). The intuitive LIFX app makes it easy to change the SuperColor Flood Light’s color and brightness (left), enable light effects (center), and create schedules and multi-step routines (right). Ben Patterson/Foundry The intuitive LIFX app makes it easy to change the SuperColor Flood Light’s color and brightness (left), enable light effects (center), and create schedules and multi-step routines (right). Ben Patterson/Foundry Ben Patterson/Foundry Speaking of automations, you can put the SuperColor Flood Light on a daily or weekly schedule, including triggers for specific times as well as at sunrise or sunset.   New for the LIFX app are “routines,” or multi-step automations that set different colors or brightness settings for a light, light group, or an entire location at different times. You can customize your own four-step routines or choose from a library of presets, including “Sunrise Wakeup,” “Exercise,” “Work Day Focus,” and “Circadian Rhythm,” and your various routines and schedules appear together in a timeline format within the app.   The one feature that’s missing is a vacation mode that randomizes your LIFX lights to simulate your presence while you’re away.  It’s worth noting that when using the SuperColor Flood Light with other smart apps, the more advanced LIFX features–including all the light effects and themes–aren’t available. Instead, you only get the most basic settings for color temperatures and brightness, as well as whatever scheduling features are offered in the given app. Specifications Dimensions: 4.92 x 4.92 x 5.2 inches (WxHxD) Weight: 9.5 ounces Bulb shape: PAR38 Base: E26 Brightness: 1,600 lumens Weatherization: IP65 (dust-tight and resistant to water jets from any direction) Color-capable: Yes White temperatures: 1,500-9,000 Kelvin Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi Hub requirement: None Matter support: Yes Should you buy the LIFX SuperColor Flood Light?  Bright, colorful, weatherized, and stuffed with features, the LIFX SuperColor Flood Light makes for a compelling choice for anyone looking to fully illuminate an area with white light or bold splashes of color. The LIFX ecosystem might still be recovering following the brand’s belated return to the smart home market, and the lack of a vacation mode is a disappointment. But the LIFX SuperColor Flood Light offers plenty of functionality for the price, while its Matter support allows the bulb to work with a wide range of smart home platforms. Lighting

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsDual high-resolution camerasPan/tilt motor provides 360- x 120-degree field of view (HxV)Articulated, dimmable LED panels produce up to 2,000 lumensDual-band Wi-Fi 6 adapterConsEufy doesn’t offer a strong home alarm systemOnboard microSD storage limited to 128GBSo-so industrial designOur VerdictThe Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 is tops in its class, offering simultaneous high-res wide-angle and telephoto cameras mounted to a pan/tilt motor, and dimmable LED light panels that can produce up to 2,000 lumens of white light. Eufy offers numerous other great security cameras too, but the one area in which it’s lacking is a home security system that ties them all together. Best Prices Today: Eufy Floodlight Cam E340 Retailer Price £219 View Deal £219 View Deal £219.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Once you’ve experienced the power of a pan/tilt security camera with dual lenses—one wide angle and the other telephoto, both of which streaming simultaneous feeds to your smartphone and recording to local storage—it’s hard to be satisfied with anything less. Eufy takes the same technology found in its Indoor Cam S350 and SoloCam S340—twin cameras mounted to a pan/tilt motor—and adds a pair of very bright LED panels to build the fabulous Eufy Floodlight Camera E340. It’s not the prettiest porch light you can have on your property, but with the exception of the Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera, no floodlight camera I’ve encountered boasts an industrial design I’d consider elegant. I have personal experience with most of the floodlight cameras on the market today, and nothing comes close to besting the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340. As with every floodlight camera it competes with, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 must be hardwired to your home’s electrical wiring. For most people, it will mean replacing an existing porch light or floodlight. It’s not difficult to install, but if you’re leery of dealing with it, consider hiring a licensed electrician or a handyman. Installing it at an entirely new location with no existing electrical wiring to tap into would be a whole lot more challenging, but that would be the case for any device in its class. Design and build quality The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 has dual high-res cameras mounted to a pan/tilt motor and dual dimmable LED floodlight panels that produce up to 2,000 lumens of brightness.  The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 has dual high-res cameras mounted to a pan/tilt motor and dual dimmable LED floodlight panels that produce up to 2,000 lumens of brightness. Michael Brown/Foundry The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 has dual high-res cameras mounted to a pan/tilt motor and dual dimmable LED floodlight panels that produce up to 2,000 lumens of brightness. Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Constructed from copious amounts of plastic, the Eufy E340 isn’t as pretty or as rugged as Netatmo’s floodlight camera, which features a one-piece aluminum enclosure. But that’s not to say Eufy’s offering is flimsy, and the rest of its specifications leave Netatmo’s product in the dust. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. For starters, both of Eufy’s cameras boast high resolution: Its wide-angle lens delivers 3K resolution (2880 x 1620 pixels) while its telephoto lens delivers 2K resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels). Both cameras are mounted inside a ball-shaped housing that is mounted in turn to a motor that pans the cameras 360 degrees and tilts them over a 120-degree arc. If you’re buying any of Eufy’s cameras, you’ll find the Eufy HomeBase 3 NAS box to be a worthy addition to your home security setup. If you’re buying any of Eufy’s cameras, you’ll find the Eufy HomeBase 3 NAS box to be a worthy addition to your home security setup.Michael Brown/Foundry If you’re buying any of Eufy’s cameras, you’ll find the Eufy HomeBase 3 NAS box to be a worthy addition to your home security setup.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Using the Eufy app, you can program the camera so that it automatically tracks any movement in its field of view, panning and tilting as necessary to keep the source of that movement within the camera frame. You also can set waypoints and have the camera automatically survey the scene in front of it regardless of motion. An onboard motion sensor can detect motion even when it’s otherwise out of the cameras’ field of view. Manual and motion-triggered video recordings can be stored onboard the camera itself thanks to a microSD card slot, although you’ll need to provide that storage yourself. If you find yourself chafing at the maximum card capacity of 128GB—especially if you enable the camera’s 24/7 continuous recording option—Eufy sells a reasonably priced NAS box ($150 at Amazon) that works with all of the company’s newer cameras (you can check camera compatibility on the Eufy website). Thanks in part to its light panels, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E40 has excellent color night vision (left). On-camera AI can limit motion alerts to people, vehicles, and pets. Add the Eufy HomeBase 3 and you’ll get locally processed facial recognition, too. Thanks in part to its light panels, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E40 has excellent color night vision (left). On-camera AI can limit motion alerts to people, vehicles, and pets. Add the Eufy HomeBase 3 and you’ll get locally processed facial recognition, too.Michael Brown/Foundry Thanks in part to its light panels, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E40 has excellent color night vision (left). On-camera AI can limit motion alerts to people, vehicles, and pets. Add the Eufy HomeBase 3 and you’ll get locally processed facial recognition, too.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry You can store up to 16GB of encrypted recordings on the Eufy HomeBase S380 after you’ve hardwired it to your network, but most people will take advantage of its ability to host a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD. You’ll need to provide the drive, but you can install one as large as 16TB (Eufy recommends a few brands on its website). Adding the HomeBase also enables a few additional features, including facial recognition, which is processed on the box itself. The E340’s dual cameras hang beneath a semi-cylindrical enclosure with an IP65 weatherization rating, meaning it’s impervious to dust ingress and resistant to blasts of water from a nozzle. (You can learn everything you know about IP codes at the preceding link). A wide strip of plastic curving around the front harbor motion and light sensors, and a pair of LED light panels are mounted on articulated stalks above that. These panels produce a combined 2,000 lumens of cool white light (fixed at 4000K). Microphones and a speaker are provided for two-way audio. The lights are dimmable, and they can be programmed to turn on and off at set times or according to a sunrise/sunset schedule. Alternatively, you can have the lights turn on at night only in response to motion, or you can use Eufy’s app to turn the lights on and off manually. You can create independent brightness settings for each of those scenarios. You can also use an Alexa or Hey Google voice commands if you have the required smart speaker; curiously, only Google Nest Hubs are supported for the latter. There is neither Apple HomeKit support nor support for Apple HomeKit Secure Video. You’ll get full-color night vision when the light panels turn on; otherwise, the cameras will record with black-and-white night vision. Both of those modes are excellent. The Eufy app offers a host of customizable motion detection settings. You can also choose to restrict push notifications to any combination of motion by people, pets, and/or vehicles. The Eufy app offers a host of customizable motion detection settings. You can also choose to restrict push notifications to any combination of motion by people, pets, and/or vehicles.Michael Brown/Foundry The Eufy app offers a host of customizable motion detection settings. You can also choose to restrict push notifications to any combination of motion by people, pets, and/or vehicles.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Installation and setup You’ll need to download and install the Eufy Security app before you set up the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340, and then you’ll need a Phillips screwdriver to install the camera. In a smart move that other floodlight camera manufacturers should adopt, the next step is to plug the camera into an AC adapter with a USB-C charging cable before you set about wiring the camera to your home. Eufy provides a cable for this, but you’ll need to scrounge up the AC adapter. This lets you add the camera to the app and then to your Wi-Fi network, so you can ensure the camera is able to stream video before you mount it to the wall. Even though I did this step inside the house less than 10 feet away from my final installation location, the Eufy app informed me after I had wired and mounted the camera to the wall that my Wi-Fi signal was weak at that location. It’s worth noting that the camera is equipped with a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 adapter, so it can connect to either 2.4- or 5GHz networks. Fortunately, I operate a mesh Wi-Fi router, so I relocated one of my network nodes inside the house so that it was just a little closer to the exterior wall where the camera was mounted. Problem solved. You’ll mount this plastic bracket to your junction box. The camera comes prewired to a plastic block, into which you’ll push in and cinch down the line, neutral, and ground wires coming from your house. You can hang the camera from the provide S hook while you’re doing this. You’ll mount this plastic bracket to your junction box. The camera comes prewired to a plastic block, into which you’ll push in and cinch down the line, neutral, and ground wires coming from your house. You can hang the camera from the provide S hook while you’re doing this.Michael Brown/Foundry You’ll mount this plastic bracket to your junction box. The camera comes prewired to a plastic block, into which you’ll push in and cinch down the line, neutral, and ground wires coming from your house. You can hang the camera from the provide S hook while you’re doing this.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Once you’ve removed your old light fixture to expose the junction box, you’ll remove a plastic mounting bracket from the back of the camera, thread the electrical wires coming from the electrical box through a hole in the bracket, and screw the bracket to the box. A gasket on the back of the bracket will prevent water from getting into the box. I mounted the camera on the side of the house, replacing an existing floodlight, but it can also be hung from a ceiling or soffit. Using the S hook Eufy provides, you’ll temporarily hang the camera from this bracket while you connect the wires. The three wires on the camera side are attached to a plastic block. You’ll push the wires coming from the wall into the matching sockets on this block—line to line, neutral to neutral, ground to ground—and then tighten the screws down to hold them in place. I’m not convinced this is a superior alternative to using wire nuts, but you might feel differently. Finally, you’ll remove the hook, place the camera on the mounting bracket, and secure it with the provided screws. These installations never go as quickly as the manufacturer’s user manual would have you believe, but Eufy’s well-written and illustrated user manual got me through the process without any mishaps. Once power was restored to the circuit, an LED lights up and goes through a series of color changes to confirm that the camera is working, connected to the internet, and—if necessary—that a firmware update is being installed. Performance Eufy’s app gives you a feed from both cameras in separate windows (left), or a single window with a feed from one camera or the other, depending on zoom level (center). You can bring up controls for its pan/tilt motor in either view (right). Eufy’s app gives you a feed from both cameras in separate windows (left), or a single window with a feed from one camera or the other, depending on zoom level (center). You can bring up controls for its pan/tilt motor in either view (right).Michael Brown/Foundry Eufy’s app gives you a feed from both cameras in separate windows (left), or a single window with a feed from one camera or the other, depending on zoom level (center). You can bring up controls for its pan/tilt motor in either view (right).Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry As you would expect from its specifications, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 captures very high-quality video, capturing everything in its field of view in crisp detail. That said, you will notice some blurring of details while using the wide-angle lens’ 3x optical zoom, as you can see in the screenshot comparison on this page. Open the app while holding your phone vertically and you’ll see two windows: the view from its wide-angle lens on top and from its telephoto lens on the bottom. If you don’t like the dual-window view, you can switch the floodlight’s settings to single-view mode and the app will automatically switch between the two cameras depending on the level of zoom you apply. Personally, I found the dual-view mode the most useful. The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340’s light panels arrived covered with these warning labels.  The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340’s light panels arrived covered with these warning labels. Michael Brown/Foundry The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340’s light panels arrived covered with these warning labels. Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Buttons in a row at the bottom of the app allow you to record the current scene, mute the camera’s microphone, turn its onboard lights on or off, speak through the camera’s speaker, and capture a single frame. You can tap a button at the top of the app’s to sound the floodlight’s onboard siren, while tapping another button at the bottom brings up a directional pad overlay to control the camera’s pan and tilt functions. The motor responds relatively quickly to taps on these buttons and you can hold any one of them down for continuous pan or tilt movements. Tap an icon in the lower window and the display will switch to a view of just the wide-angle lens, in landscape mode. From here, you can switch between 1x and 3x optical zoom, or you can pinch your phone’s screen with your thumb and index finger to zoom in and out digitally. Real-time streaming quality can also be selected, with four choices of resolution: 720p, 1080p, 3K, or “auto.” Should you buy the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340? The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340’s 1x optical zoom on the left, and its 3x optical zoom on the right. I have experience with most of the floodlight cameras on the market today, and nothing comes close to besting the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340. Its pan/tilt motor and dual cameras can surveil wide areas of your yard with very high-resolution video. I can’t think of a single feature that Eufy overlooked, especially when you factor the optional HomeBase 3 into the equation. The one reservation I have in recommending it over a competing product such as the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro is that Ring has a superior overall home security ecosystem, thanks to its Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro products. While there’s nothing stopping you from mixing products from different ecosystems, juggling one app to monitor one area of your home and another—or three or more—quickly gets unwieldly. It’s not impossible, and I live with it to take advantage of the best capabilities of each, but it’s not ideal. All that said, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 is an impeccably well-executed product that provides both excellent yard lighting—whether you want it for entertaining, relaxation, or safety—and home surveillance. And while Eufy does offer a cloud storage subscription, there’s little need of it given the camera’s onboard storage option—small as it may be—and the secondary option of network storage using its HomeBase 3. Lighting, Security Cameras

Easy-to-install, easy-to-use, and affordable security cameras let you to keep an eye on your home–inside and out–from wherever you have internet access. They record video in response to motion, so you can review anything you didn’t catch when it happened, and some can distinguish between people, pets, and even cars. These close cousins of webcams require minimal installation and offer flexible setups and a range of security features, but deciding what to buy gets more daunting as this category grows ever more crowded–and sophisticated. Whether you’re looking to check on your kids and pets, or need a full-service sentinel with humans monitoring for intruders in real time, we’ll help find the right device for your needs. Looking for TechHive’s most-recommended video doorbells? You’ll find them at the preceding link. Updated April 22, 2024: We’ve added a link to our Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 review and named that device our top pick in its category. This isn’t the prettiest device to mount outside your home, but its dual high-resolution, pan/tilt cameras deliver impeccable security while its 2,000-lumen LED floodlight panels can be dimmed for entertaining. Unlike many of its competitors, you won’t feel compelled to sign up for a subscription to get motion-triggered recordings when you’re not monitoring the camera’s feed in real time. You can insert up to a 128GB microSD card right in the camera, or you can add Eufy’s HomeBase 3 network storage device with up to 16TB of storage. Why you should trust us TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing home security cameras for many years, and we regularly evaluate the latest hardware, along with their accompanying mobile apps. We’ve checked out wired security cameras, battery-power cameras, outdoor cams, floodlight cams, pan-and-tilt cams, and more. You can trust us to guide you to the right home security camera for your needs. Our top picks for home security cameras Arlo Pro 5S 2K — Best home security camera overall Pros 2K video resolution B&W and color night vision (using its spotlight) Automatic zoom and tracking Dual-band Wi-Fi Cons Arlo Smart subscription required for cloud recording and to enable many of its best features Requires Arlo Pro Smart Hub to record video locally No Apple HomeKit support Price When Reviewed: £219.99 Best Prices Today: £169.99 at Amazon£219.99 at Arlo Why we like the Arlo Pro 5S 2K The Arlo Pro 5S 2K keeps the Arlo Pro series near the top of the market with such high-end features as dual-band Wi-Fi support, a low-power mode (which extends battery life by 30 percent by taking snapshots of detected activity instead of full video clips), and Arlo SecureLink technology, which provides a more secure connection to protect your data while further optimizing battery life. Who should buy the Arlo Pro 5S 2K While the Arlo Pro works just fine with Alexa and Google Home, it does not support Apple HomeKit, so Apple users should look elsewhere. Also, be sure to factor in the cost of an Arlo Secure subscription to get the most utility from this camera. Read our full Arlo Pro 5S 2K (model number VMC4060P) review Nest Cam (battery, 2021) — Best security camera for Google Nest smart homes Pros Arguably the easiest setup in the industry Attractive industrial design Can be installed indoors or out Can operate on either AC or battery power (or AC power with battery backup) Cons Anemic night vision Proprietary and too-short power cable Subscription required to get full value ($6/mo minimum) Best Prices Today: $179.99 at Google Nest Why we like the Nest Cam (battery, 2021) Nest has long offered some of our favorite security cameras, and the new-for-2021 Nest Cam (battery) is a versatile offering packed with great features. The camera is supremely easy to set up, and it delivers fabulous performance under any lighting condition. Also, it can be deployed indoors or out. Finally, you’ll appreciate having three hours of event history stored on the device since you won’t have to pay for a subscription unless you want more history. Who should buy the Nest Cam (battery, 2021) Naturally, Google Home users will get the most out the battery-powered Nest Cam, while Alexa and Apple HomeKit users should steer clear. And while the Nest Cam (battery) does boast on-device person, pet, and vehicle detection, a Nest Aware subscription is required to review recorded video events beyond the last few hours. Read our full Nest Cam (Battery) review Ring Stickup Cam Pro — Best indoor/outdoor home security camera for Ring/Alexa smart homes Pros Excellent performance, indoors and out Radar-based motion detection Available in battery, solar, and plug-in configurations Fantastic night vision, with the option of color Cons You can have Bird’s Eye View or Pre-Roll, but not both Not fully compatible with Google Home or Apple HomeKit 1080p resolution Price When Reviewed: £159.99 Best Prices Today: £158 at Ring£159.99 at Amazon£159.99 at argos.co.uk Why we like the Ring Stickup Cam Pro Yes, the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is limited to 1080p resolution, but enabling HDR delivers gorgeous color-saturated images. Also, this camera has very strong night vision, with a color night vision option you might find you don’t even need. Who should buy the Ring Stickup Cam Pro This indoor/outdoor camera is a no-brainer for any Ring customer looking to expand their home security coverage. If you need just a single camera and can get by without so many advanced features, you’ll find a bevy of less-expensive options. The also-excellent Ring Spotlight Cam Pro has a very similar set of features, but its onboard spotlight boosts its price a little higher. Read our full Ring Stick Up Cam Pro review Wyze Cam Pan v2 — Best value in indoor pan/tilt security cameras Pros Outstanding value Interface remains easy to master AI-powered object detection is effective and worth the subscription Cons No major upgrades outside of color night vision Still no 5GHz Wi-Fi support Best Prices Today: $39.99 at Wyze Labs Why we like the Wyze Cam Pan v2 The Wyze Cam Pan v2 doesn’t rewrite the script, but its minor upgrades are worthwhile and it’s still the biggest bargain in motorized home security cameras. Other pluses include the intuitive Wyze app and the advanced motion detection, the latter of which is enabled by Wyze’s reasonably priced subscription plan. It’s just the ticket when you need to keep an eye on a large interior space. Who should buy the Wyze Cam Pan v2 The Cam Pan v2 plays nice with other Wyze camera and security devices, and as with other products in the Wyze ecosystem, the price is right. All that said, recent Wyze security breaches have given us pause, so keep that in mind before you buy. There’s also no Apple HomeKit support, a factor that Apple users should consider. Read our full Wyze Cam Pan v2 review Eufy SoloCam S340 — Best outdoor pan/tilt security camera Pros Dual lenses deliver excellent image quality Subscription service is truly optional Included solar panel means its onboard battery should never need manual charging Cons Eufy's app can't flip the camera's feed, so it can't be used on a table or countertop Battery must be charged while inside the camera Provided USB-C charging cable is only 10 feet long Best Prices Today: £179 at Amazon£179 at Currys Why we like the Eufy SoloCam S340 If you’re looking for an outdoor surveillance camera that can operate without depending AC power, the high-grade Eufy SoloCam S340 sports two high-resolution lenses: one is a 2K (2304 x 1296 pixels) telephoto, and the other is a 3K (2880 x 1620 pixels) wide-angle. And since it comes with a solar panel, you never need to worry about plugging it into a charger. A built-in motor enables the camera to pan a full 360 degrees and tilt over a 70-degree arc, and it will track the movement of anyone in its field of view. You can also program set up to four way points, so it will patrol a broad swath of your property. Who should buy the Eufy SoloCam S340 Anyone who needs to surveil large areas of property should consider this camera. That goes double for folks who hate the ongoing cost of a subscription to store your video recordings. Eufy has one if you want it, but it’s truly optional. The camera has 8GB of onboard storage, or you can spend another $150–plus the cost of a hard drive or SSD–and pick up the Eufy HomeBase 3, a NAS-like network storage device that can accommodate up to 16GB of encrypted storage. Read our full Eufy Security SoloCam S340 review Wyze Cam v4 — Best budget-priced indoor security camera Pros Carries over all the great features of the winning Wyze Cam v3 Pro Crystal clear image quality with smart detections that work well Supports 24/7 continuous recording to local microSD storage Cons Dependent on hardwired power (no battery option) Subscription required to unlock all its best features Why we like the Wyze Cam v4 Wyze Labs continues to build outstanding home security cameras that deliver a whole lot of bang for the buck. While this model doesn’t move the needle on video resolution compared to the Wyze Cam v3 Pro it replaces, you will get a faster Wi-Fi adapter (Wi-Fi 6), a microSD card slot that can host cards with twice as much capacity, and an even easier onboarding process. Who should buy the Wyze Cam v4 Even when Wyze Labs’ introductory offer expires and its price tag goes up to $36, the Wyze Cam v4 will remain one of the best values in indoor/outdoor home security cameras. You’ll want to sign up for a subscription plan to unlock all of its best features, but those are affordable, too, starting at $2.99 per month for a single camera. Read our full Wyze Cam v4 review Blink Mini 2 — Best budget-priced indoor security camera, runner-up Pros Can be deployed indoors or out Extremely compact size Great video quality Cons Cloud subscription required to unlock all its features Local storage requires separate purchase of Sync Module No audio detection No option to run on battery power Why we like the Blink Mini Amazon’s Blink Mini 2 brings more utility to the original Blink Mini with the addition of a weatherized enclosure, an LED spotlight for color night vision, person detection, and a wider field of view. Who should buy the Blink Mini Devoted Mini users and newcomers alike should find plenty to love with the Blink Mini 2. This camera is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It’s also visually discrete and easy to install anywhere there’s access to AC power–but you’ll need to purchase a weatherized power supply if you’re deploying outdoors. Read our full Blink Mini 2 review Wyze Battery Cam Pro — Best indoor/outdoor camera with color night vision Pros Incredibly versatile: indoors, outdoors, and entirely wire free Great video quality, day or night Very affordable compared to the competition Cons Some features were still in development at press time Enabling all its features will really eat away at battery life Price When Reviewed: Not available in the UK Why we like the Wyze Battery Cam Pro Color night vision, a rechargeable long-life battery, 2K video resolution, easy setup and customization, and a very low price tag makes Wyze’s incredibly versatile indoor/outdoor security camera an outstanding value. We encountered a couple of bugs during our review, but no show-stoppers, and the most important ones were resolved by the time we finished our review. Who should buy the Wyze Battery Cam Pro Need a security cam that can weather the elements without wires–and on a budget? The Wyze Battery Cam Pro makes the grade on each of those counts, although as usual, you’ll need a Wyze subscription plan to make the most of this camera’s features. But as noted above, those are very inexpensive. Read our full Wyze Battery Cam Pro review Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro — Best security cam/floodlight combo Pros Dual high-resolution cameras Pan/tilt motor provides 360- x 120-degree field of view (HxV) Articulated, dimmable LED panels produce up to 2,000 lumens Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 adapter Cons Eufy doesn’t offer a strong home alarm system Onboard microSD storage limited to 128GB So-so industrial design Best Prices Today: £219 at Amazon£219 at Currys£219.99 at Homebase UK Why we like the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 We’re growing increasingly fond of Eufy’s twin-lensed, pan/tilt security cameras. In this configuration, you’ll also get twin LED panels that produce a combined 2,000 lumens of brightness. For those times when you just want to enjoy an evening on the deck and don’t want it to look like a prison yard, those panels can be dimmed. The 3K wide-angle and 2K telephoto lenses capture crisp detail, and the pan/tilt motor they’re mounted to will cover every inch of your yard, panning 360 degrees and tilting over a 120-degree arc. Add up to a 128GB microSD card and you won’t need to worry about paying for a cloud storage subscription. Need more storage than that? Drop up to a 16GB hard drive or SSD in the Eufy HomeBase 3, park it on your network, and you can store your recordings that way. Who should buy the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 If you’re looking for a camera that can monitor a wide expanse of your property coupled with flexible floodlights to illuminate it, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 is the product to buy. This camera can distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles, and you can set it to track the movement of any combination of those things. This camera will also cost less over its useful life because you won’t have to pay for a subscription to get more than live feeds from it, Eufy provides two excellent ways to store its recordings. Read our full Eufy Floodlight Cam E340 review Ring Floodlight Cam Pro — Best security cam/floodlight combo, runner-up Pros Unbeatable playback interface Birds-eye view of motion detection is unparalleled Affordable subscription plan Ring has one of the most complete home-security ecosystems on the market Cons No local storage; subscription required to get full use of the device ($3/mo for one camera; $10/mo for unlimited cameras) Must be electrically hardwired; there is no battery option Not as aesthetically pleasing as Netatmo’s Smart Security Camera Why we like the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro It doesn’t take much time using the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro to realize how incredibly powerful it is, starting with some of its impressive motion-detection features. The 3D Motion Detection with Bird’s Eye View feature is a game-changer. In addition to a great security camera, you also get dual floodlights that can illuminate your outdoor space with 2,000 lumens of brightness. Who should buy the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro It’s expensive at $250, but anyone deep into the Ring home security or Ring smart lighting ecosystems should give the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro serious consideration. Just be prepared to connect this cam to hardwired power, and a Ring Protect plan–while not strictly mandatory–is essential for reviewing recorded video events. Read our full Ring Floodlight Cam Pro review Blink Wired Floodlight Camera — Best budget-priced security camera/floodlight combo Pros Ultra-powerful spotlight Easy hardware installation Super affordable Cons Subscription required to view a live feed for more than 5 minutes, record and store video, and enable person detection Limited flexibility when it comes to aiming its camera and floodlights Industrial design trails Nest and Ring Why we like the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera Blink’s floodlight cam offers run-of-the-mill video resolution, but extremely bright outdoor lighting and an amazingly affordable price tag. You’ll need a subscription to record video to get the most value from it, but those plans are affordable. Who should buy the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera Need to have eyes on the outdoors while sticking to a strict budget? The Blink Wired Floodlight Camera is among the most affordably priced floodlight cams on the market, and it’s both easy to install and casts impressively bright light for the price. Read our full Blink Wired Floodlight Cam review What to look for when shopping for a home security camera Most home security cameras perform the same basic functions—they detect an event, record the event, and send you an alert—but they don’t all perform them the same way. And some cameras have special features that go beyond those basics. Here are some common features you’ll encounter while shopping and why they’re important. Alerts  Home security cameras push notifications to your smartphone when they detect events. Without watching the live feed all day, this is the only way to keep tabs on your home in relative real time. Depending on the camera, it may send text alerts when it detects motion, sound, a face (known or unrecognized), or all three. Some can send alerts to multiple people, usually anyone else in the household using that product’s app; others will send emails in addition to text messages as a failsafe in the event you can’t access your mobile device. Battery backup Power outages happen, and clever burglars cut electricity before breaking into your home. When that happens, your camera goes dark and, if there’s a crime taking place, you lose all forensic evidence. For this reason, some cameras can also run for a short time on battery power. It’s a feature worth looking for. There are also some models that run on battery power full time; you can either swap batteries as they’re depleted, or plug the camera into an AC outlet and recharge its battery that way. Environmental monitoring This is the feature that sets all-in-one home monitors apart from strictly security cameras. Though the home “vitals” that these units track vary by model—we’ve seen everything from motion to luminosity included in home health profiles—three tend to be ubiquitous: Temperature monitors for spikes and dips in indoor temperature and alerts when it falls outside a range you define. Humidity tracks relative humidity inside your home. Humidity outside optimal levels—usually defined as between 30 and 50 percent—can contribute to problems such as static electricity, sinus irritation, and mold growth. Air quality tracks pollutants ranging from cooking odors to carbon monoxide. However, most monitors don’t identify the pollutant in their alerts, merely warning that the air quality is “abnormal.” Because of that, this feature should not be considered a substitute for potentially life-saving devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. HomeKit Secure Video support This is a subset of Apple’s smart-home initiative, and while you don’t necessarily need to be an avowed Apple user to benefit from HomeKit Secure Video’s privacy-enhancing features, you will need to sign up for an Apple iCloud account and have a HomePod, a HomePod mini, or an Apple TV 4K. Where other types of security cameras send video to the cloud (often unencrypted), security cameras that support HomeKit Secure Video send thier video streams to one of those devices on your local network first. That device will process the video, performing tasks such as facial recognition and what have you, and then encrypting it before uploading it to your iCloud account. You can read more about HomeKit Secure Video on our sister site, Macworld. Integrated spotlight Like all cameras, home security cameras need adequate ambient light to capture clear images. While that is easy to come by during daylight hours, it’s in shorter supply as the sun goes down, often making it necessary to supplement with artificial ambient light. This can easily be accomplished with light fixtures inside your home and floodlights outdoors, but many cameras include an integrated spotlight that offers a few advantages. Because the spotlight is built into the camera, it directly lights the scene the camera is viewing, enabling the clearest possible image capture. And integrated spotlights can be configured to be triggered by motion detection, so they only switch on when a possible intruder is in view, eliminating the need to keep your home or yard lit up all night. As a bonus, being suddenly caught in the white hot glare of a spotlight is often enough to scare an intruder away. Local storage Some cameras include memory-card slots in lieu of, or in addition to, cloud storage, so you can store video right on the device. It’s an attractive feature as it can eliminate the cost of monthly storage fees. The downside (if there isn’t a cloud backup) is that if crooks steal your camera, they take your forensic evidence with it. Motion detection Assuming you’re monitoring your home when it’s empty, motion detection is one of the most desirable features in a security camera. Built-in sensors pick up movement within the camera’s field of view and trigger video recording. You’ll find an in-depth explanation of how motion detection works in this article. Because these sensors can be sensitive to any movement—even a shift in lighting or leaves blowing outside a window—it’s important the camera system also offer the ability to narrow the range of detection, adjust the sensor’s sensitivity, or otherwise customize this feature to cut down on false alerts. More and more security cameras now offer AI-powered motion detection that can identify people, pets, packages, and vehicles, allowing you to filter out such innocuous motion events as tree branches swaying in the wind or insects crawling across the camera lens. Such “advanced” motion-sensing functionality is often tied to a paid subscription plan, however. Night vision Most break-ins occur after dark, so this feature is nearly as important as motion detection. Technically, most home security cameras support infrared LED illumination, versus true night vision based on image intensification or thermal vision. Be that as it may, most cameras will switch to night vision automatically in low-light conditions, while others allow you to customize when and how it should be activated. Increasingly, cameras are equipped with full-color night vision, which enables video footage to capture important information that IR night vision can’t such as the color of an intruder’s clothing or vehicle. These cameras use hypersensitive light sensors, such as Starlight image sensors, which can reproduce color images in dimly lit environments, some as low as 0.0005 Lux (for reference, 0 Lux indicates no ambient lighting). To increase battery efficiency, some models include both black-and-white and color night vision, defaulting to black-and-white in low light and switching to color only when motion is detected. Pan/Tilt/Swivel Most security cameras can be manually tilted and swiveled to focus on a certain viewing area, but this is a purely set-it-and-forget it feature. A true pan/tilt camera is equipped with a motor so that you can move its lens—or even follow a moving object if you’re watching a live feed—using its app or browser-based app. Some cameras can even track a person moving within their field of view. Resolution No amount of security video will help you if it’s blurry, jittery, or otherwise distorted. Look for a camera that offers the highest possible resolution. There was a time when 720p (often referred to as “high definition” or HD) resolution was the standard, but most newer cameras now support 1080p (often referred to as “full HD”). Some models provide even higher resoution (2K or 4K), but keep in mind that higher-res cameras use more internet and Wi-Fi bandwidth as well as battery life (where applicable). Many cameras also offer a software zoom feature (which is not the same thing as having a physical zoom lens). Scheduling Scheduling features allow you to tell the camera to turn on and off, detect motion, and/or send alerts at specified times. This is useful when you, say, only want to be notified when your kids get home from school or just want to monitor your home when you’re away. It also reduces the amount of false alerts. Cameras that support geofencing can do this based on the location of your smartphone, activating themselves when you leave home and turning themselves off to enhance privacy while you’re home. Smart device integration If you have a home full of smart devices, consider looking for a security camera or an all-in-one home monitor that includes a Z-Wave, Zigbee, or—eventually a Thread—radio that can connect them. Support for an automation service like IFTTT is also useful. This allows the camera or monitor to react to various scenarios, such as taking a picture when your Nest Protect detects smoke, or telling your Philips Hue smart bulb to turn on when unexpected sounds are detected. Two-way audio While the idea of a security camera implies eyes-on monitoring, the ability to also hear what’s going on gives you a more complete picture of what’s happening on the home front when you’re away. It can also alert you to something occurring out of the camera’s field of vision. This feature can also allow you to speak through the camera, a great tool for remotely commanding an unruly pet or startling an intruder in the act. On some very low-end models, you might need to plug in a powered speaker for this feature to work. Viewing angle The camera’s field of view determines how much it can see. As you’re probably monitoring a single room, you want a wide viewing angle. Most current cameras fall in the 130-degree range. These wide angles can sometimes cause image distortion at the edges in the form of a fisheye effect, particularly when used in smaller rooms, but it’s not like you’re going to use a security to capture snapshots for your photo album. Frequently asked questions about home security cameras 1. What is cloud video storage, and how much does it cost? Many manufacturers offer cloud storage plans with their cameras. With one of these, your recorded video is sent to a remote server and stored for a predetermined time—usually anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks—and then deleted to make space for new videos. Though sometimes free, these cloud plans usually require a monthly subscription, but are worth it both for their convenience and if you want a surveillance record during a vacation or other extended time away from home. 2. Can security cameras recognize faces? A few newer cameras are experimenting with facial recognition. This feature could more accurately be called “facial identification,” as in practice it’s much better at distinguishing a face from, say, a lamp, than it is at actually distinguishing between one person’s face and another’s. If you opt for a camera with this feature, know that it typically learns faces through increasing exposure to them, so be prepared to spend a lot of time in front of the lens. 3. Can you access a security camera over the web? Many cameras can be accessed through a web portal. This is useful for times when you don’t have access to your mobile device or a wireless connection. The web app should closely mirror its mobile counterpart, so you don’t need to learn a whole new set of controls. 4. What’s the wireless range of a security camera? One of the benefits wireless cameras offer is the ability to move them around your home. Ideally, your home security camera should be able to maintain a Wi-Fi connection no matter how far you move it from your router, even in a large home. Some cameras come with an ethernet port as well, so you have the option of hardwiring it to your local network. A camera that supports power-over-ethernet (PoE) eliminates the need for an AC adapter and relies on just one cable (but your router or switch will also need to support PoE. Another alternative would be to use a PoE injector.) If you’re deploying a security camera beyond the range of your Wi-Fi network, models that connect instead to the same LTE network that your smartphone relies on are a good option, but they’re generally more expensive and you’ll need to pay your cellular provider for a data plan.  5. Are security cameras vulnerable to hackers?  There have been plenty of headlines about hackers compromising home cameras, baby monitors, and other Wi-Fi devices to spy on people, so be sure to check what steps has each manufacturer taken to eliminate this problem. Look for a camera that supports up-to-date wireless security protocols, such as WPA2, and make sure it encrypts internet transmission of your user name, your password, and the live feeds. Even better, opt for a security camera that supports end-to-end encryption, which ensures no third parties will be able to see your videos. Several security camera manufacturers, such as Ring, support end-to-end encryption. Never install a security camera (or a router or any other device on your home network) without changing its default user ID and password, and be sure to employ two-factor authentication if available. 6. Can you access your securty camera using a smartphone? Most of today’s home security camera’s are accessed primarily through a smartphone/tablet app. In addition to offering you a reliable way to view the camera’s live feed, it should offer plenty of options for customizing the way the camera performs. The ability to customize notifications, adjust motion and sound detection sensitivity, and set detection areas are some of the key features to look for. The app should also be intuitive and easy to master. Other notable security cameras we’ve tested We’ve evaluated many other home security cameras. If none of our top picks check all the boxes for you, take a look at these other products. We’ve also listed some security cameras that you should avoid. Arlo Essential: The second generation of the Arlo Essential Wireless Security Camera (model VMC2050-100NAS) is an impressive entry-level device with detection features competitive with pricier cameras, including those in Arlo’s Pro line. Arlo Essential Indoor: The revamped Essential Indoor has received a modest makeover, with a taller body and a shorter stand, while keeping the original’s 130-degree field of view, motion detection, black-and-white night vision, two-way audio, 12x digital zoom, a built-in siren, and an automated privacy shield. Best of all, though, is the greatly reduced $39.99 price tag. Blink Mini 2: Amazon’s diminutive security cam can be deployed indoors or, with its extra-cost weatherized power supply and cable, anywhere in your yard that you want to keep an eye on. Deep Sentinel DS2: Priced at $499, the Deep Sentinel DS2 security camera system is a significant investment, but it offers proactive threat deterrence you can’t get from many other DIY security camera, including live agents who monitor the camera feed in real time. Eufy Indoor Cam S350 and Eufy Solocam S340: Indoor and outdoor pan/tilt cameras respectively, both are outfitted with both wide-angle and telephoto lenses to deliver different views of the same scene simultaneously. LaView L2 Light Bulb Camera: This unique security camera plugs into a light bulb socket. It’s a clever idea, but its erratic and haphazard recording prevents us from recommending it. Noorio T110: This pan-and-tilt camera provides a raft of security features and makes them easy to operate with a smartly designed app. It’s low price should only increase its appeal to new and seasoned security camera users. Ring Indoor Cam (2nd gen): Practically identical to its predecessor, the second-gen Ring Indoor Cam adds a physical privacy cover while carrying over the same looks and features as the affordably priced original. Just be ready to pay more for a subscription plan.  Wyze Cam Floodlight v2: Wyze has upgraded its entry-level floodlight camera with better resolution, stronger lights, and a lower price tag. And don’t miss our comparison of all the major security camera subscription plans. Home Security, Security Cameras

I thought I’d been doing a good job keeping my Roomba clean, carefully pulling clumps of hair off its brushes and wheels and emptying its bin after every cleaning. Little did I know that dust and gunk were building up in places where I wasn’t even looking. First, consider the metal charging contacts on the Roomba’s base station. When was the last time you gave them a close look—or looked at them at all, for that matter? I sure hadn’t, but when I did, I saw that instead of being completely silver, one of the two contacts had a rust-colored ring around it, while the other was almost completely discolored. This how-to is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot vacuums. This dirty Roomba charging contact used to be competely silver. This dirty Roomba charging contact used to be competely silver. This dirty Roomba charging contact used to be competely silver. Having gunked-up charging contacts on your Roomba base station isn’t just a cosmetic issue. At some point, those contacts will get so dirty that your Roomba will have a tough time docking and charging, and you might find yourself with a near-dead Roomba the next time you want to clean your floors. Related: The best way to clean your Roomba’s hairy brushes Also, have you noticed that your Roomba has been moving slowly or erratic lately? If the Roomba’s IR-enabled cliff sensors get too dusty and dirty, they’ll block the IR beam that’s supposed to reflect back, which means the vacuum might think that it’s continually approaching a wall or about to tumble down the stairs. Guh-ross! Guh-ross! Guh-ross! I admit that I’d never bothered to look closely at my Roomba’s cliff sensors until very recently, and when I did … yuck. One of the sensors was almost completely covered in dirt, while the other three were clearly due for a wipe-down. How to clean your Roomba’s charging contacts Roomba manufacturer iRobot recommends regularly cleaning your vacuum’s charging contacts and cliff sensors with a damp melamine foam. If you’re wondering what melamine foam is (I know I was), just think Mr. Clean’s Magic EraserRemove non-product link (or one of these brandsRemove non-product link). You’ll need to apply a fair amount of elbow grease to clean the charging contacts on your Roomba’s home base. You’ll need to apply a fair amount of elbow grease to clean the charging contacts on your Roomba’s home base. You’ll need to apply a fair amount of elbow grease to clean the charging contacts on your Roomba’s home base. I ran my Magic Eraser under the kitchen faucet, wrung it out, then began polishing the charging contacts on my Roomba’s home base. Related: Learn how to clean your Roomba’s bin the right way It took a surprisingly amount of elbow grease to rub the gunk off, but eventually the silver began shining through again. Also, don’t forget to clean the corresponding contacts on the underside of the Roomba itself. How to clean your Roomba’s cliff sensors Cleaning the cliff sensors was much easier. All you’re doing basically is wiping the dirt of the clear plastic windows that guard the IR lenses, and while I didn’t get them perfectly clean, at least they’re no longer coated with dust. This is what the cliff sensors on your Roomba should look like. This is what the cliff sensors on your Roomba should look like. This is what the cliff sensors on your Roomba should look like. Of course, some Roomba models have more cliff sensors than others, and they might be located in different places. Check out these diagrams from iRobot’s support site for the details on your particular Roomba. How to completely clean the rest of your Roomba Feeling inspired now that you’ve cleaned the charging contacts and cliff sensors on your Roomba? Awesome, but there’s still plenty of dirt, hair, and general muck lurking in your Roomba’s nooks and crannies.  Check out these tips to give your Roomba a thorough cleaning: How to clean your Roomba’s brushes How to empty and clean your Roomba’s dust bin the right way How to untangle all the hair wrapped around your Roomba’s wheels Robot Vacuums and Cleaning, Smart Appliances

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsConnects to existing landscape wiringExtremely bright, with gorgeous colorsConnects to numerous third-party smart home systemsConsVery expensiveExtra cabling clutters up the yard and gets in the wayDraws considerable power and requires rethinking the way your lighting system worksOur VerdictYou can add a burst of color to your landscaping with the LIFX SuperColor Spot, but be mindful of all the extra wiring it requires.  Best Prices Today: LIFX SuperColor Spot Retailer Price Home Depot $79.97 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket LIFX’s return to the smart home market continues with a second product designed for the outdoors: a color spotlight designed for brightening up your yard. The catch? LIFX’s SuperColor Spot is the brand’s first product that connects not to standard electrical power but to low-voltage lighting wiring, powered by a standard landscape transformer.  The nuts and bolts of low-voltage wiring for the outdoors can be intimidating for newcomers, and the spotlight itself is expensive. That said, the results were certainly eye-catching, even if you end up installing only one or two of the spots. The LIFX SuperColor Spot brings all the power of a full-color smart light to your exterior space. Low-voltage landscape wiring: the basics If you’re unfamiliar with landscape lighting, it’s a very different technology than what you get with a typical household outlet. The transformer–typically a rather industrial metal box, sold separately–connects to a household outlet and steps the voltage down from 120 volts to as little as 12V. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart lights. One of the main appeals of low-voltage wiring is that it is considered “touch safe,” so there’s very little risk of a shock even if you touch an exposed wire. This makes it ideal for use outside, in wet or rough conditions, or anywhere you don’t want to run a standard electrical cord.  Landscape lighting is unique in the way that lights connect to the electricity source, but setting it up is fairly simple. Landscape wiring–which consists of two paired wires–is sold in bulk spools, and you roll it out from the transformer to wherever you want to place your lights. Landscape lights can be spliced and soldered into place anywhere along the length of the wire, but much more common is the use of “vampire taps,” which are plastic connectors outfitted with metal spikes that stab into each side of the wire as they clip onto it. The tiny spikes complete the circuit, connecting light to wire to transformer and feeding power to the bulb.  The posable LIFX SuperColor Spot can be aimed directly upward (pictured), at an angle, or aimed toward the ground. The posable LIFX SuperColor Spot can be aimed directly upward (pictured), at an angle, or aimed toward the ground. Christopher Null/Foundry The posable LIFX SuperColor Spot can be aimed directly upward (pictured), at an angle, or aimed toward the ground. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry Transformers supply a limited amount of total wattage, from 30 to 300 watts or more. A typical home transformer will supply 100 to 200 watts of power. Each light connected to the transformer will draw from that available wattage, so homeowners need to keep track of how many lights they want to have and how much power each light uses. Also, power drops off based on the length of the wire and even the gauge (thickness) of the wire, requiring a bit of math for anyone setting up landscape lights for the first time, or when adding new lights to an existing setup.  All of this is important because low-voltage lights typically consume only a few watts of power, so even a small transformer can light up an entire backyard. I just purchased a pack of LED lights that each consume just 3 watts of power and provide 172 lumens of lighting. That’s a negligible draw on my 200-watt transformer. But just one of LIFX’s smart spotlights consumes 27 watts–nearly 10 times the power draw of a standard LED light. Again, it’s not a big problem with a 200-watt transformer, but those with smaller transformers or those wanting multiple LIFX SuperColor Spots may have to consider an upgrade. (LIFX officially says a beefy 300-watt transformer with 15-volt output is a minimum requirement, as is 12-guage wiring. However, everything worked fine during my testing with a 200-watt, 12-volt transformer.)  All of that is a lengthy and perhaps overly dramatic prologue for a review of a product that I actually like quite a bit. Traditional landscape spotlights are dim and boring. But like LIFX’s String Lights, the LIFX SuperColor Spot brings all the power of a full-color smart light to your exterior space. Design and setup The size of the SuperColor Spot may be problematic for some. The positionable light itself is over 5 inches tall, not including the stand, which can be extended and can attach to either a metal ground spike or a mounting plate that you screw into a solid surface; both mounting options are included. It’s an attractive piece of hardware even though it certainly doesn’t blend in with the environment, but it’s the cord and breakout box that are far more obtrusive. This snarl of extra cables (pictured below) feels like it could and should have been built into the spotlight hardware directly. Instead, I’m left with a length of exposed wires that are tough to hide; eventually, I’ll probably try to bury them.  You’ll need to deal with all this extra wiring. You’ll need to deal with all this extra wiring. Christopher Null/Foundry You’ll need to deal with all this extra wiring. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry The LIFX SuperColor Spot supports Apple HomeKit, Matter, or direct setup though the LIFX app (only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks only are supported, per usual). The LIFX app quickly discovered the light without the need for a QR code scan by simply bringing my phone near the powered-up device. After a brief firmware update, I was able to program schedules, configure favorites, and add the light to a group in Alexa. (Google Home and Samsung SmartThings are also supported.) Oddly, the light did not initially appear in my Apple Home app, although the HomeKit connection routine was launched during setup. A separate scan of the QR code printed on the light and included with the manual eventually completed the job.  Features and performance At maximum brightness, the SuperColor Spot pumps out 1,600 lumens, and in white light mode it can be set at a color temperature ranging from a very warm 1500 Kelvin (similar to candlelight) to an ultra-cool 9000K (the shade of a clear blue sky), an unheard-of range for the smart light space. Naturally, a full-color mode courtesy of LIFX’s new “Polychrome” LEDs allow the light’s three addressable zones to produce three different colors simultaneously, and with its variety of FX modes, they can shift back and forth among them, constantly adjust their brightness, and even move in time with music. I don’t love the overly complex LIFX mobile app, but it does make experimentation fun and, with a little trial and error, you can easily settle on a theme for just about any occasion.  LIFX’s standard interface applies here, providing extreme configurability of its deep color LEDs. LIFX’s standard interface applies here, providing extreme configurability of its deep color LEDs. Christopher Null/Foundry LIFX’s standard interface applies here, providing extreme configurability of its deep color LEDs. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry While bright enough to be easily visible during the day, it’s at night when the spotlight really shines, transforming a dark outdoor space into a colorful playground. And since I only have one LIFX Spot Light connected to my transformer, overloading the transformer’s wattage isn’t a concern.  Control is a separate, thornier issue. Most landscape lighting users use the transformer’s built-in timer to control on/off times; mine, like many, has an electronic eye that allows me to set the transformer to turn on at dusk and stay on for a few hours before shutting off for the night, which is an easy and effective–but not very “smart”–way to control all the traditional lights on the string. With this setup, the LIFX Spot is only controllable while the power is on. I can’t turn the spotlight on separately from other lights on the wire unless I want everything else to stay on 24/7–which I don’t. There’s no workaround for this aside from converting all the lights in the yard to LIFX lights and leaving the transformer on around the clock, so for now I’m leaving the transformer timer in control and just using the LIFX app to tune lighting colors and effects when it’s on.  Specifications Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.3 x 3 inches (HxDxW) Brightness: up to 1,600 lumens White color temperature: 1,500-9,000 Kelvin Wireless: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only) Wiring: Low-voltage Smart home integrations: Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings Matter support: Yes Should you buy the LIFX SuperColor Spot? At $80 per spotlight–two to five times the cost of a traditional spotlight–the LIFX SuperColor Spot is beyond my budget for a large-scale implementation. However, installing one or two as accents on an otherwise simpler strand of landscape lights isn’t prohibitively costly, and the finished product does indeed look impressive.  Lighting

The NHL postseason begins Saturday, April 20. Games will air on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT and TBS, with ABC set to broadcast the Stanley Cup Final beginning June 8. Luckily, there are plenty of streaming options for puck heads to catch all the coverage. Here’s a look at the best streaming services for watching the Stanley Cup playoffs so you don’t miss a single goal, hit, or heart-stopping overtime. Over the air The Televes Bexia is a rigid antenna that can be mounted to a wall or  set on a window sill or piece of furniture. The Televes Bexia is a rigid antenna that can be mounted to a wall or  set on a window sill or piece of furniture.Martyn Williams/Foundry The Televes Bexia is a rigid antenna that can be mounted to a wall or  set on a window sill or piece of furniture.Martyn Williams/Foundry Martyn Williams/Foundry If you’re only interested in watching the last two teams standing battle for Lord Stanley’s Cup, you can watch the Finals for free with an over-the-air TV antenna that’s capable of pulling in your local ABC broadcast affiliate. You’ll find our top antenna picks here. Sling TV Pros Lower base price than most other live TV services Easy-to-navigate app and grid guide Video quality settings help avoid data caps and buffering Cons DVR storage is frustrating to manage 60-frames-per-second channel support is limited Multiple base packages and add-ons can cause confusion Best Prices Today: $40 at Sling TV Sling TV offers ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS and ABC, and you can get them together in the Sling Orange + Blue package for $60 a month. Currently, you can get 50-percent off your first month. Read our full Sling TV review DirecTV Stream Pros Familiar remote for cable converts Great grid guide and fuss-free cloud DVR Smooth video and surround sound support Cons Optional streaming box doesn’t support Amazon Prime or Hulu More latency and less reliability than cable Best Prices Today: $79.99 at DirecTV Stream DirectTV Stream also offers ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS, and you can get them all in its Entertainment package for $79.99 a month. You might also be able to get ABC, but availability varies by package and location. You can enter your Zip code on the DirecTV Stream website to see if ABC is available in your area. Read our full DirecTV Stream review Hulu + Live TV Pros Excellent value for Disney bundle subscribers Expansive on-demand catalog Recommendations and staff picks make the app fun to explore Cons Live TV can be inefficient to navigate Hard to figure out which programs allow ad skipping Can’t watch on TV devices while traveling Best Prices Today: $76.99 at Hulu.com Hulu’s live TV streaming service is available as a single, flat-fee package that includes more than 95 live and on-demand channels—including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS. You get them all, in addition to Hulu’s original content, its streaming library, and ad-supported Disney+ for $76.99 a month. Read our full Hulu + Live TV review YouTube TV Pros Simple interface makes live TV easy to navigate Unlimited DVR allows for a huge on-demand library (with skippable ads) Broad selection of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels Cons Can’t delete recordings or mark them as watched on TV devices One-off recordings only work for live sporting events Menu doesn’t clearly separate DVR and on-demand video (with unskippable ads) Best Prices Today: $72.99 at YouTube TV YouTube TV also offers a flat-fee package of more than 100 channels that includes ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT and TBS. Subscriptions are $72.99 per month, but the service is currently offering the first three months for just $57.99 per month. Read our full YouTube TV review Streaming Media

So, you’ve decided the time has come to upgrade the first layer of your home’s security—the deadbolt lock on your door—to a smart model. The next step is to decide if you should replace the entire lock, or if you should retrofit the one you already have. Hang on, let’s back up a second. What exactly is a smart lock, you ask? It’s any door lock with wireless connectivity and a motor that enables it to be opened without a physical key—and in many cases, instead of one. Smart locks can be operated with some combination of numeric keypad, smartphone app, NFC card, via the internet, with a biometric reading, a physical key, and so on. Not every model supports every option, but if you have a broader smart home system, most can be integrated into it. This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. There are smart locks for every major wireless standard, ranging from simple Bluetooth locks that can be operated only at close range to more full-featured Wi-Fi smart locks that can be operated and managed from anywhere in the world. Locks supporting Z-Wave and Zigbee are also available, so no matter what type of smart home ecosystem you have, you can find a lock that will fit in with it. The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt replacement lock is compatible with a wide variety of smart home ecosystems. The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt replacement lock is compatible with a wide variety of smart home ecosystems.Foundry / Robert Strohmeyer The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt replacement lock is compatible with a wide variety of smart home ecosystems.Foundry / Robert Strohmeyer Foundry / Robert Strohmeyer Some newer locks also support more modern standards like Matter, and can work with third-party assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple’s HomeKit. In some cases, you might need to purchase a bridge to connect the wireless radio in your smart lock to your Wi-Fi router; in other situations, your smart home hub might serve that purpose. How is a retrofit smart lock different from a complete replacement? A replacement smart lock is just what it sounds like: It’s a complete mechanism that replaces your existing lock in its entirety. You’ll remove your old lock and its bolt to the point where there’s just a bore hole in your door and in its side jam. The upside is that you’re modernizing your entire deadbolt, and you might be gaining more convenient ways to open the door (a keypad, a fingerprint reader, and so on). The downside is that you’ll no longer be able to use your existing keys to unlock the door. If you’re a renter, your landlord probably won’t like that. And if you’re a homeowner and all your locks are keyed alike, you’ll be giving up one convenience for another. The Yale Approach with WiFi is one of the newest retrofit smart locks. Retrofit locks typically replace only the interior hardware element of your existing dumb lock. The Yale Approach with WiFi is one of the newest retrofit smart locks. Retrofit locks typically replace only the interior hardware element of your existing dumb lock.Yale The Yale Approach with WiFi is one of the newest retrofit smart locks. Retrofit locks typically replace only the interior hardware element of your existing dumb lock.Yale Yale A replacement smart lock will have a pair of mechanical systems known as “escutcheons,” one on the interior side of the door and one on the exterior side. The two components connect mechanically and electrically. In most cases, you’ll pass a bundle of wires from the exterior component through the door’s bore hole and then plug it into a circuit board inside the interior component before you bolt the two components together. The interior escutcheon will also have a battery compartment that powers the entire system. A retrofit smart lock, on the other hand, only involves replacing some of your existing deadbolt’s components, typically, just the interior escutcheon. The exterior escutcheon will remain in place. The upside is that you can continue to use your existing keys to open the door, and you won’t be changing anything about the door’s exterior aesthetic. The downside is you won’t get some of the high-tech and convenient ways to open your door that a replacement smart lock can offer. When is a replacement smart lock best? The primary benefit of a replacement smart lock is that it provides the user with the most flexibility about how they access the lock. Do you want a numeric keypad or a fingerprint scanner to allow not only for keyless access but for mobile access without a smartphone? Do you have young children or seniors who might not be able to operate a lock but who can hold a small access card up to the door? In each of those situations, a replacement smart lock makes the most sense, and since the category is quite large, you can shop for the device that offers all the features you want. our favorite replacement smart lock Level Lock+ (now marketed as Level Lock+ Connect, which includes the Level Connect bridge) Read our review Replacement smart locks, especially ones with Wi-Fi support, are the device of choice for those who operate their homes as vacation rentals—through Airbnb, for example—because the owner can set time-limited and revocable PIN codes for guests and maintain access logs to ensure no one is in the unit when they aren’t supposed to be. The ability to set different PINs that are restricted based on the time of day or day of the week can also be helpful if you have, for example, a housekeeper who you only want to enter the home on Tuesday mornings. Need to give a handyman access to fix a leak? Create a one-time PIN that expires immediately after use. You might also find that your existing lock is incompatible with a retrofit lock. While this isn’t typical, it’s a good idea to confirm compatibility with the specific lock you want to purchase before you pull the trigger. You’ll also want to check the new lock’s specs to ensure its borehole requirements match, especially if your home is older. Lastly, note that if you have a mortise lock—more common in Europe, but not unheard of in the U.S.—you’ll only be able to replace it with a smart mortise lock. When is a retrofit smart lock best? Replacement smart locks have their advantages, but they aren’t the right choice for everyone. The biggest reason you might choose a retrofit smart lock is because it allows you to keep your exterior escutcheon as is. If you rent your home, your landlord would probably bristle at a new lock being placed on the door—particularly one to which they would not have the key. A retrofit lock lets you keep the existing external hardware—key cylinder and all—while adding mobile app access to the lock. The Level Bolt is unique amount retrofit smart locks in that it replaces only the bolt element of the lock—both the interior and exterior escutcheons get re-installed on either side of it. Still, if you’re a renter, you’d be well advised to check your lease to see if replacing even the interior escutcheon of an existing lock is allowed. our favorite retrofit smart lock Level Bolt (now marketed as Level Bolt+ Connect, which includes the Level Connect bridge)  Read our review Best Prices Today: £355.34 at Amazon Similarly, many homes have an ornate exterior escutcheon that doesn’t just function as a locking mechanism, but that also adds decorative appeal. Smart locks have not traditionally been the most attractive devices on the market, so retrofit locks are a better choice if curb appeal is critical. (That said, the interior escutcheon of any smart lock is rarely a thing of beauty, either.) Because they require fewer components, retrofit smart locks are easier to install, but not by a large margin. That said, you’ll still need to be handy with a screwdriver and have some patience regardless of the type of lock you choose, especially if it’s your first time installing one. Smart locks are generally easier to install now than they were a few years ago, but the process is rarely as streamlined as the manufacturers claim. Most retrofit locks are accessible from the outside only via a mobile app—or via the original physical key—so every user will need to have a smartphone, the relevant app, and appropriate access to the lock. Many retrofit lock manufacturers, however, do offer optional accessories that can be used in addition to a mobile app. The Level Keypad, for example, provides PIN features that otherwise wouldn’t be possible with the company’s Level Bolt retrofit smart lock. August has something similar for its retrofit smart lock, as does Yale for its brand-new Yale Approach retrofit smart lock. In many cases, you’ll find these accessories bundled with the locks, affording you a small discount compared to buying them a la carte. Want to read additional reviews before you decide? Check out our top smart lock picks. Home Security

Charter has launched a new Spectrum TV bundle that’s a little less bloated than what it usually offers. The new package, called Spectrum TV Stream, costs $40 per month for Spectrum internet customers. It offers more than 90 channels, including cable news from CNN and Fox News along with entertainment channels such as A&E, AMC, Discovery, FX, and HGTV. What’s missing is equally notable, as the package does not include any local or sports channels. (Here’s the full channel list.) Subscribers can sign up for the service online and watch through Spectrum’s free apps for Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TVs, Xbox, iOS, Android, and the Xumo Stream Box. Optional cloud-based DVR service costs an extra $5 to $10 per month, and taxes may apply, but otherwise there are no hidden fees. I don’t expect Spectrum TV Stream to be wildly popular, and I don’t think Charter does either. Like Spectrum’s previous skinny TV packages, it’s merely a way to recapture a small fraction of the folks who’ve ditched pay TV service but still have Spectrum internet. Still, the makeup of this particular streaming TV package is unlike most other cord-cutting options, and it’s another sign that the TV bundle as we know it is breaking down. Cable without the sports Spectrum TV Stream isn’t the first attempt to offer a sports-free streaming package, and it’s not even the first from Spectrum itself. Most notably, there’s Philo, whose lineup includes non-sports channels from the likes of AMC Networks, A&E, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount. It costs $25 per month with DVR service included. Frndly TV has a narrower channel lineup and starts at $7 per month, or $8 per month with DVR. Charter also previously launched a streaming bundle called Spectrum TV Essentials, which cost $15 per month and had a lineup similar to Philo, but that package is no longer available for new customers. T-Mobile also tried to launch a bundle of non-sports channels as part of its doomed TVision venture. Spectrum TV Stream has a couple of big distinctions from those offerings: It includes CNN and Fox News, and it offers Disney-owned entertainment channels such as FX and National Geographic. Those inclusions put Spectrum’s offering into the same orbit as Sling TV Blue, which also costs $40 per month. But while Spectrum TV Stream has a larger lineup of entertainment channels, Sling Blue includes some sports channels such as FS1 and TNT. Sling also carries NBC-owned channels including MSNBC, Bravo, and SyFy, none of which are available with Spectrum’s offering. Another fracture In a way, Spectrum TV Stream is like the inverse of the forthcoming joint venture from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Those three companies plan to launch their own live TV service this fall, with broadcasts from ABC and Fox along with each of the companies’ sports-carrying cable channels, including ESPN, FS1, TNT, and TBS. The service could cost between $40 and $50 per month according to unofficial estimates. The most noteworthy thing about the joint venture is that it finally de-couples broadcast and sports channels from the rest of the pay TV bundle. This used to be unthinkable, as programmers would insist on bundling all their channels together to maximize what they earned from each subscriber, and I predicted back in February that further fracturing of the TV bundle would follow. That’s what we’re seeing from Spectrum, which is essentially taking the non-sports leftovers from Disney, Fox, and Warner, rolling them up with a bunch of other entertainment channels, and selling them as a $40-per-month bundle. Will this alone transform the TV business? Probably not. Those who want a full array of news, sports, and entertainment channels will still be better served by bigger streaming bundles such as YouTube TV ($73 per month) or Hulu + Live TV ($78 per month). Meanwhile, those who don’t care about sports or cable news can just drop their TV bundles in favor of cheaper services such as Netflix and Hulu. Charter likely isn’t expecting a huge uptake for Spectrum TV Stream either. Per the company’s most recent carriage deal with Disney, it must distribute ESPN to at least 85 percent of Spectrum TV customers according to Bloomberg, and this package doesn’t carry ESPN. It is, however, another choice for cord-cutters, one that splits off news and entertainment from more expensive sports channels. The idea is long overdue, and hopefully a sign of more skinny bundles to come. Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter to get columns like this every Friday. Streaming Media

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsTwo lamps in one with lots of lighting optionsWake-up functionSimple and sleek designVisual notificationsConsRequires a hubOur VerdictAqara’s stylish Ceiling Light T1M looks great and offers plenty of smart functionality, including colorful light animations and a wake-up mode. Using it with a (required) Aqara hub unlocks even more possibilities, including visual alerts. It’s great to see new and exciting alternatives emerging in the smart ceiling light category. Philips Hue and Nanoleaf are two players that already offer connected ceiling lights, but Aqara’s new alternative, the Ceiling Light T1M, is cheaper and–in my opinion–more attractive on the ceiling. Design and setup Installation is simple, involving two screws in the ceiling (a mounting bracket and screw kit are included); you’ll also need to connect the power cables (of course, you shouldn’t do this yourself unless you know what you’re doing). Going all-in with the Aqara ecosystem opens up all kinds of possibilities with the Aqara Ceiling Light T1M, especially in terms of visual notifications. Once in place, the Ceiling Light T1M looks like any discreet slimline LED light, which I think is a good thing. The lamp is quite large in diameter, measuring about 18 inches. But when you switch the T1M on, you’ll immediately realize that this is no ordinary lamp. The round main lamp shines white, with decent light output, while the ring around it is capable of displaying beautifully animated colors in a very wide spectrum. The installation is super simple. The installation is super simple.Mikael Lindkvist The installation is super simple.Mikael Lindkvist Mikael Lindkvist The Aqara Ceiling Light T1M requires you to have an Aqara hub, such as the Aqara Hub M2 ($60), which we’ve reviewed. After a firmware update, the hub found the light immediately and it appeared in the Aqara app. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart lighting. I’ve been running an Aqara system now for about six months and find it to be super stable. And in just over two weeks of testing the light, I had no problems with the connection or the app. While it’s easy to replace your existing ceiling lamp with Aqara’s Ceiling Light T1M and installing a hub is not difficult, keep in mind that the light will go offline if you cut its power with a standard light switch. You could just leave the light switch in the “on” position and control the T1M with the Aqara app, but that’s not a sustainable solution. A better option would be a smart light switch–and luckily, Aqara’s aptly named Smart Light Switch (which we’ve tested) fits the bill. Or you can buy an Aqara camera and control your ceiling light with gestures. Features and functionality The white inner part of the lamp has separate elements to display cool and warm tones of white light, allowing you to adjust the glow to your own preferences. There’s also an “adaptive” light setting, which lets the lamp adjust its white balance according to the time of day–think warm and cozy light in the morning and evening, with cooler light during the day when you want to be more productive. Of course, you can also let the lamp wake you in the morning by slowly increasing the brightness. The app is quite easy to use and there are plenty of settings to choose from. The app is quite easy to use and there are plenty of settings to choose from.Mikael Lindkvist The app is quite easy to use and there are plenty of settings to choose from.Mikael Lindkvist Mikael Lindkvist But it’s the LED lighting on the edge of the lamp (the one Aqara calls “Auxiliary” light) that opens up for more creative lighting and effects. In the app, you can choose between six different dynamic effects for a cool light show in the room. If you want calmer but colorful lighting, choose one of the static effects instead. Smart home integrations As the lamp supports Apple HomeKit, it also appeared in the Apple Home app, where I could control it along with my other connected HomeKit devices. You won’t be able to access as many detailed settings as are available in the Aqara app, but you can control the light with Siri voice commands if you want to. The light also supports Google, Alexa, IFTTT, and Matter, so no matter which smart home platform you use, it will be able to integrate into your setup. Two lights in one. Two lights in one. Mikael Lindkvist Two lights in one. Mikael Lindkvist Mikael Lindkvist Of course, going all-in with the Aqara ecosystem opens up all kinds of other possibilities. For example, you could set the Ceiling Light T1M to glow or flash in different colors when, say, one of your Aqara cameras detects activity, or if an Aqara motion detector senses movement. Specifications Manufacturer: Aqara Price: $149.99 on Amazon Tested: April 2024 Nominal power: 40W Wireless protocol: Zigbee 3.0 White color-temperature range: 2,700 – 6,500 Kelvin Supported platforms: Aqara Home, Apple Home, Alexa, Google, IFTTT Matter support: Yes Diameter: 18 inches Height: 3 inches This review was first published on M3, our sibling publication, and was translated from the original Swedish. Smart Home