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Smart Home Guides

The Amazon Smart Thermostat hanging on wall.

Should you enroll your Amazon Smart Thermostat in the Energy Savings Program?

The Amazon Smart Thermostat is eligible for a variety of Energy Savings Incentives, but are these programs really worth the added restrictions?
The Amazon Smart Thermostat.

Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs. Amazon Smart Thermostat: Which is best for your home?

While the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is expensive, it gets you several premium features. But would you be better off with the Amazon Smart Thermostat?
The Ecobee 3 Lite near home decor.

Ecobee 3 Lite vs. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced: Which is the best smart thermostat?

Should you pick the the cheaper Ecobee 3 Lite, or is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced a smarter investment? Here's what to know before making a purchase.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat hanging on wall.

Why is my Amazon Smart Thermostat display blank?

There are several reasons your Amazon Smart Thermostat display is blank, including one that's part of its normal operating procedure. Here's what to know.
The Echo Spot on a nightstand.

Upgrade your dorm with these smart home gadgets

Make your dorm a bit more comfortable with these smart home gadgets. Our top picks include smart light bulbs, smart speakers, smart plugs, and more.
The Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen on a wall.

What’s new on the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)?

With a larger display and tons of new tech, the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is a big improvement over the existing model. But what exactly is new?
The content gallery on Amazon's Echo Show 8 displays a news item about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Echo Spot vs. Echo Show 8: Which is best for your smart home?

The Echo Show 8 offers a larger screen and a webcam, but it's also more expensive than the affordable Echo Spot. Here's what to know before making a purchase.
The Mila near a wall.

How to factory reset the Mila Air Purifier

Performing a factory reset on the Mila Air Purifier is a great way to troubleshoot technical issues or prep it for a new owner. Here's how it works.
The Mila near a wall.

How to connect the Mila Air Purifier to Apple Home

The Mila Air Purifier is compatible with Apple Home, giving you an easy way to control the device and sync it with other gadgets.
Adjusting the temperature on the Google Nest Thermostat.

How to hold the temperature on the Nest Thermostat

Here's how to hold a temperature on the Nest Thermostat and override any existing schedules or routines.
The Bird Buddy with a Blue Jay perched on its edge.

What is a smart bird feeder?

Trying to decide between buying a smart bird feeder and standard bird feeder? Here's everything you need to know about smart bird feeders to help you decide.
Amazon Astro following a person through a door.

How to buy Amazon Astro

Amazon Astro isn't available to everyone, but there's still a way to get the robot into your home. Here's how to buy Amazon Astro in 2024.
Amazon Astro robot.

What’s going on with Amazon Astro in 2024?

With Astro for Business shutting down, has Amazon announced anything new for its original Astro homebot? Here's what's happened so far in 2024.
The Echo Spot showing the time.

How to reset the Echo Spot

Here's how to reset the Echo Spot and restore its factory settings if you're running into issues or prepping to sell your device,
The Amazon Echo Show (3rd Gen) on a table.

Echo Spot vs. Echo Show 5: Is the new Echo Spot the better smart device?

The Echo Spot and Echo Show 5 carry similar price tags and offer many of the same features, but there are a handful of key differences. Here's what to know.
The Echo Spot showing the time.

How to customize the Echo Spot display

The Echo Spot is a highly customizable smart alarm clock. Here's how to adjust the Echo Spot clock face, enable Night Mode, change its color, and more.
The Echo Spot on a shelf.

Echo Spot vs. Echo Pop: Which Amazon device is better for your smart home?

The Echo Spot is much more expensive than the Echo Pop, but does its built-in touchscreen make it the better choice for your home? Here's what to know.
The Echo Spot on a nightstand.

Echo Spot vs. Echo Dot (5th Gen): which is the better smart home companion?

The Echo Spot offers many of same features as the Echo Dot (5th Gen), but it also gets you a small touchscreen display. So, which is better for your home?
A person using the Skylight.

Do you need a Skylight Plus membership to use the Skylight Cal Max?

Skylight Plus isn't required to use the Skylight Cal Max or Skylight Frame, but it unlocks their best features. Here's what to know before signing up.
The Skylight Cal Max installed on a wall.

How to add a family member to your Skylight Cal Max

Here's how to add a family member to your Skylight Cal Max, allowing them to upload their schedule to the digital calendar and edit existing events.
The Stick Up Cam installed on a wall.

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In (3rd Gen): Which is better?

There are some key differences between the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam and Stick Up Cam Plug-In (3rd Gen). Here's what to know before making a purchase.
A photo displayed on the Cal Max

How to send photos to the Skylight Cal Max

Here's how to send photos to your Skylight Cal Max using either the companion mobile app or directly through email.
Controlling the Ring Pan-Tilt with the app.

How to control the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam

Here's how to control the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, including tips on rotating the camera with the mobile app and setting up a Home position.
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra connected to plumbing.

Eureka J20 vs. Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra: Which robot is the better floor cleaner?

The Eureka J20 and Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra employ two very different methods to clean floors, but which is better for your home?
The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam on a wooden shelf.

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen): Which is the better security camera?

Should you add the more expensive Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam to your home, or is the more affordable Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) the better option?
The Echo Show 10 on a kitchen counter.

Echo Show 10 vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): which smart display is better for your home?

The Echo Show 10 is larger and more expensive than the Nest Hub (2nd Gen), but is it the better smart display? Here's what to know before making a purchase.
The Nanoleaf Matter Outdoor String Lights with a smartphone.

How to control the Nanoleaf Matter Outdoor String Lights

Here's a look at all the ways you can control the Nanoleaf Matter Outdoor String Lights, including with its built-in controller, voice commands, and more.
The Nest Hub Max on a table.

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) vs. Google Nest Hub Max: Which is the better smart display?

The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) shares many of the same features as the Google Nest Hub Max, but which is the better smart display?
Ecobee thermostat poised against a wall next to a rock and pear.

How to use Vacation Mode on an Ecobee smart thermostat

Vacation Mode on an Ecobee smart thermostat allows you to conserve energy while ensuring your home is comfortable when you return. Here's how it works.
The Arlo Pro 4 home security camera installed outdoors.

How to reset the Arlo Pro 4 security camera

Performing a factory reset on the Arlo Pro 4 is simple. Here's how the process works, including steps to reset a camera that's offline.
A person opening the Yale Assure Lock 2 with their Apple Watch.

How to fix a Yale Assure Lock 2 that won’t connect to Apple Home

Trying to fix a Yale Assure Lock 2 that won't connect to Apple Home can be frustrating. Here's how to quickly resolve the issue.
The Dreame X40 Ultra vacuuming the floor.

How to clean the Dreame X40 Ultra

The Dreame X40 Ultra is easy to clean, but there are a lot of steps to tackle. From untangling brushes to clearing out the docking station, here's what to know.
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra connected to plumbing.

Do you need a regular vacuum if you have a robot vacuum?

Robot vacuums automate most of your floor-cleaning needs, but it's important to hang on to your old cordless or upright vacuum. Here's why.
The Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower mowing a lawn.

Are robotic lawn mowers safe for pets and kids?

Most robotic lawn mowers are safe for pets and kids, but there are some important factors to consider before adding one to your backyard.