Blog

My Smart Home Year in Review: Best and Worst Purchases of 2024

Looking back at everything I bought, installed, and tinkered with in 2024. Some purchases were great, others I regret.

DIY vs Professional Smart Home Installation: Which Path Is Right for You?

An honest breakdown of when to install smart home tech yourself versus hiring a professional, with real cost comparisons and safety considerations.

Smart Thermostat Keeps Changing Temperature on Its Own? Here's Why

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.

When the Power Goes Out: How Smart Homes Handle Blackouts

A practical guide to preparing your smart home for power outages, from UPS battery backups and hub resilience to whole-home battery systems and post-outage recovery.

Matter 1.3: The Update That Finally Makes Multi-Admin Work

Matter 1.3 addresses one of the biggest pain points of the standard: multi-admin device sharing. Here is what changed and why it matters.

Best Smart Doorbells for 2024: Video Quality and Smart Features Ranked

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.

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.