Smart Home Blog | SmartHomeU

Holiday decorated home with smart home devices

Black Friday Smart Home Deals: What's Actually Worth Buying

Not every Black Friday deal is worth your money. Here are the smart home products worth buying at a discount and the ones to skip.

November 15, 2024

Tips & Tricks

Smart Home for Aging Parents: Practical Tech for Independence and Safety

A thoughtful guide to using smart home technology to help elderly parents live independently and safely, without turning their home into a surveillance state.

October 10, 2024

Cozy home interior with autumn view through window

Tips & Tricks

Preparing Your Smart Home for Fall and Winter

As temperatures drop, your smart home automations need seasonal adjustments. Here is a practical fall maintenance checklist.

October 4, 2024

Peaceful bedroom with warm ambient smart lighting

Tips & Tricks

The Best Smart Home Routines for Better Sleep

Your smart home can do more for your sleep than any app. Here are the automations and routines that made the biggest difference for me.

August 30, 2024

Modern smart kitchen with connected appliances

Tips & Tricks

Smart Kitchen Devices That Actually Earn Their Counter Space

Kitchen counter space is precious. After testing dozens of smart kitchen gadgets, here are the few that justify their footprint.

June 7, 2024

Cozy smart home interior with modern devices

Tips & Tricks

My Smart Home After 5 Years: What I'd Do Differently

Five years of smart home building has taught me more from mistakes than successes. Here are the things I would change if I started over today.

May 24, 2024

Security camera mounted on exterior wall

Tips & Tricks

Why Your Security Cameras Might Be Your Biggest Privacy Risk

Most smart security cameras send video to the cloud by default. Here is what that means for your privacy and what you can do about it.

March 22, 2024

Tips & Tricks

Water Leak Sensors: The $30 Device That Can Save You Thousands

Water damage is the most common and costly homeowner insurance claim, but a simple smart sensor costing as little as $14 can alert you before a small drip becomes a catastrophic flood.

March 15, 2024

Tips & Tricks

Smart Lock Buyer's Guide: What Actually Matters in 2024

After testing a dozen smart locks over the past two years, here is what you should actually focus on when choosing one in 2024.

February 1, 2024