All products
Every product we recommend, our top pick first in each category. Open one for pros, cons and who should skip it.
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Top pick = the best fit for most people. Highest score = the best at its specific job. How we score
Smart plugs
6 picks- Top pickBest overall smart plugKasa Matter Smart Plug KP125M (2-pack)
One plug that works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, and shows what each device costs to run.
9.2/10Usually under $50 for twoCheck price for Kasa Matter Smart Plug KP125M (2-pack) (opens in a new tab)9.2/10Usually under $50 for two - Best value multi-packKasa Smart Plug Mini EP25 (4-pack)
Four dependable plugs with energy monitoring, for about the cost of one premium plug.
8.6/10Usually under $75 for four8.6/10Usually under $75 for four - Best for Alexa-only homesAmazon Smart Plug
The simplest plug to add if your home already runs on Alexa.
7.8/10Usually under $307.8/10Usually under $30 - Best outdoor smart plugTapo Smart Outdoor Plug P400M
Two weatherproof outlets you control separately, with Matter for every major home app.
8.7/10Usually under $308.7/10Usually under $30 - Best outdoor plug for Kasa homesKasa Smart Outdoor Plug EP40M
Kasa’s two-outlet outdoor plug, with Matter built in.
8.4/10Usually under $408.4/10Usually under $40 - Best outdoor dimmer plugTapo Outdoor Smart Dimmer Plug P430M
Dims string and landscape lights, and tracks their energy use.
8.3/10Usually under $408.3/10Usually under $40
Smart lighting
6 picks- Top pickBest whole-home lightingPhilips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 (2-pack)
Premium color bulbs that earn their price once you add a Hue Bridge and grow the system.
9.0/10Usually under $100 for twoCheck price for Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 (2-pack) (opens in a new tab)9.0/10Usually under $100 for two - Best budget color bulbWiZ Full Color A19 (Matter)
Cheap, full-color and Matter-certified, from the company that also makes Hue.
8.4/10Usually under $258.4/10Usually under $25 - Best light stripGovee LED Strip Light M1 (Matter)
A bright, Matter-ready light strip with the color gradients Govee is known for.
8.1/10Usually under $758.1/10Usually under $75 - Best TV backlightGovee TV Backlight 3 Pro LED Strip
Lights behind the TV that follow the picture from any source, including the TV’s own apps.
8.6/10Usually under $2508.6/10Usually under $250 - Best TV backlight for Hue homesPhilips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip (65-inch)
Hue’s TV strip: the most accurate sync when paired with a Hue HDMI sync box.
8.3/10Usually under $40065-inch8.3/10Usually under $40065-inch - Best budget TV backlightGovee TV Backlight 3 Lite LED Strip
Camera-synced TV lighting for well under $100.
8.0/10Usually under $1008.0/10Usually under $100
Robot vacuums
7 picksTop pick = the best fit for most people. Highest score = the best at its specific job.
- Top pickBest budget robot vacuumeufy Robot Vacuum C10 (self-emptying)
Laser mapping and a self-emptying dock for much less than a flagship.
8.3/10Usually under $300 - Best vacuum and mop comboeufy X10 Pro Omni
A vacuum-and-mop robot that empties, washes and dries itself, for well under flagship money.
8.8/10Usually under $7508.8/10Usually under $750 - Best premium robot vacuumHighest scoreDreame X60 Max Ultra Complete
A slim flagship that climbs thresholds, avoids clutter and cleans itself.
9.0/10Usually under $2,0009.0/10Usually under $2,000 - Best robot vacuum for pet hairDreame L60 Ultra PE
Top pet-hair and carpet results with nothing wrapped on the brush, for well under flagship money.
8.8/10Usually under $1,5008.8/10Usually under $1,500 - Best pet-hair robot that also mops welleufy Robot Vacuum Omni C28
A roller-mop robot that also aced Vacuum Wars’ pet-hair and hair-wrap tests.
8.6/10Usually under $1,0008.6/10Usually under $1,000 - Best first robot vacuum for carpetRoborock Q7 M5+
Laser mapping and a self-emptying dock, often on sale.
8.4/10Usually under $5008.4/10Usually under $500 - Best budget robot for pet hairRoborock Q10 S5+
A self-emptying robot that nearly matched far pricier models on pet hair in Vacuum Wars’ tests.
8.2/10Usually under $4008.2/10Usually under $400
Thermostats
6 picks- Top pickBest smart thermostatGoogle Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)
The best-looking learning thermostat, now usable beyond Google Home thanks to Matter.
8.9/10Usually under $300Check price for Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) (opens in a new tab)8.9/10Usually under $300 - Best for fine-tuning a heat pumpecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced
Handles two-stage heat pumps with backup heat, and senses when you’re home.
8.6/10Usually under $2508.6/10Usually under $250 - Nest looks for lessGoogle Nest Thermostat
The Nest design and Matter support for about half the Learning Thermostat’s price.
8.1/10Usually under $1508.1/10Usually under $150 - Best for ductless mini-splitsMysa Smart Thermostat for Mini-Splits
Replaces a mini-split’s remote with schedules, app and voice control.
8.2/10Usually under $1508.2/10Usually under $150 - Best budget thermostat for Apple Homeecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
ecobee’s cheapest thermostat, with Apple Home support and room-sensor add-ons.
8.4/10Usually under $1508.4/10Usually under $150 - Cheapest thermostat for AlexaAmazon Smart Thermostat
A low-cost thermostat built with Honeywell, for Alexa homes.
7.6/10Usually under $1007.6/10Usually under $100
Video doorbells
4 picksTop pick = the best fit for most people. Highest score = the best at its specific job.
- Top pickBest doorbell with no subscriptioneufy Video Doorbell E340
Two cameras, one watching for packages, and no monthly bill.
8.7/10Usually under $200 - Sharpest battery doorbellRing Battery Doorbell Pro (Retinal 4K)
4K head-to-toe video with no wiring, if you’re happy to pay for a Ring plan.
8.6/10Usually under $3008.6/10Usually under $300 - Best wired video doorbellHighest scoreGoogle Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen)
Head-to-toe 2K video and a useful free tier, for homes with doorbell wiring.
8.8/10Usually under $2508.8/10Usually under $250 - Best free tier on a battery doorbellGoogle Nest Doorbell (Battery)
A battery doorbell with free smart alerts and three hours of free history.
8.0/10Usually under $2508.0/10Usually under $250
Security cameras
4 picks- Top pickBest budget cameraWyze Cam v4
Sharp 2.5K video and free local recording from a very affordable camera.
8.7/10Usually under $50 - Cheapest wire-free camera up frontBlink Outdoor 2K+
Wire-free outdoor coverage on AA batteries, if you budget for Blink’s plan.
7.9/10Usually under $1507.9/10Usually under $150 - Best solar camera with no feeseufy SoloCam S340
A solar-powered pan-and-tilt camera with no monthly fee.
8.5/10Usually under $2508.5/10Usually under $250 - Widest view, local storageReolink Argus 4 Pro
A 180° wire-free camera that records to a microSD card.
8.3/10Usually under $2508.3/10Usually under $250
Smart locks
6 picksTop pick = the best fit for most people. Highest score = the best at its specific job.
- Top pickBest renter lock with Wi-Fi built inAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Fits over the inside of your deadbolt, keeps your keys, and needs no hub.
8.5/10Usually under $250 - Best budget renter lockSwitchBot Lock Pro
No-drill retrofit lock with months of battery life on regular AAs.
8.4/10Usually under $1508.4/10Usually under $150 - Sleekest retrofit, best on saleYale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi
A slim retrofit lock that’s often heavily discounted.
7.8/10Usually under $1507.8/10Usually under $150 - Best lock + doorbell comboHighest scoreeufy Video Smart Lock E330
A keyless deadbolt and a subscription-free 2K video doorbell in one device.
8.6/10Usually under $4008.6/10Usually under $400 - Best keypad lock with no appYale Assure Lock Keypad (Standalone)
A keypad deadbolt that needs no app or Wi-Fi, and can go smart later.
8.3/10Usually under $2008.3/10Usually under $200 - Simplest keypad deadboltSchlage BE365 Keypad Deadbolt
A push-button keypad deadbolt with no app, no Wi-Fi and one 9V battery.
8.0/10Usually under $1508.0/10Usually under $150
Smart speakers
2 picks- Top pickBest speaker-and-hub for AlexaAmazon Echo Dot Max
A compact speaker that’s also a Zigbee, Thread and Matter hub.
8.5/10Usually under $150 - Best for Google HomeGoogle Home Speaker
Google’s Gemini-powered speaker: better sound and more natural voice control.
8.2/10Usually under $1508.2/10Usually under $150
Smart displays
2 picks- Top pickBest kitchen display and hubAmazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen)
A kitchen screen that’s also a Zigbee, Thread and Matter hub.
8.5/10Usually under $200 - Best display for the bedroomGoogle Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
A small, camera-free display with free sleep tracking and Gemini.
8.0/10Usually under $1508.0/10Usually under $150
Hubs
1 pick
Best hub for power usersAqara Hub M3Connects Zigbee, Thread and Matter devices to Apple Home, Alexa, Google or Home Assistant.
8.3/10Usually under $2008.3/10Usually under $200
Sensors
3 picksTop pick = the best fit for most people. Highest score = the best at its specific job.
- Top pickCheapest whole-home leak alertsGovee Water Leak Detector (with gateway)
Loud local alarms and phone alerts from inexpensive sensors.
8.2/10Usually under $75 for a kitCheck price for Govee Water Leak Detector (with gateway) (opens in a new tab)8.2/10Usually under $75 for a kit - Best Matter motion sensorHighest scoreAqara Motion and Light Sensor P2
A Matter-over-Thread motion sensor that works with every major app.
8.3/10Usually under $408.3/10Usually under $40 - Most private contact sensorEve Door & Window (Matter)
A private, fast door and window sensor with no cloud account.
8.1/10Usually under $508.1/10Usually under $50