Smart home technology allows you to monitor and control devices and appliances in your home remotely using your smartphone or other networked devices. Connected products like smart lights, thermostats, security cameras, locks, and more can be programmed to turn on/off automatically or be controlled manually from anywhere.
Smart home devices communicate with each other and with the homeowner through wireless protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. or through hardwired home automation systems. Cloud services and digital assistants like Alexa also enable voice control.
With home automation, you can save energy, time, and money while adding convenience and security. We cover and review the latest smart home gadgets and whole-home platforms to help you create your connected dream home. See our smart home product guides, news, buying advice, and more.
Following on from the announcement of the Aqara Hub M3, which is one of the most advanced smart home hubs on the market with Matter, Thread, and Zigbee support, Aqara has also announced two additional smart home devices at CES 2024. Border Router Plug First to Add Thread Support The headline product launch was Aqara’s…
In the increasingly crowded marketplace of robot vacuums, the technologies that power these nifty devices have become more advanced and varied. When it comes to navigation and mapping—key features that differentiate a sophisticated robot vacuum from a glorified dustpan—two technologies seem to stand out: Camera vSLAM and LiDAR Mapping. As someone who has dived deep…
The Aqara Camera E1 was launched globally last month and claims to offer premium capabilities found in more expensive security cameras. These premium features include 2K video resolution with a wide-angle f/2.0 lens, local person and sound detection, 360-degree pan and tilt, local recordings, NAS recording and App HomeKit compatibility. Specification / Features HomeKit Secure…
This post was originally written in November 2021. In 2022, with our energy bills significantly higher, this post is more relevant than ever. I have therefore updated it with some new products. Following on from my smart electric radiator post, this post covers smart programmable radiator valves. Most press coverage and advertising focus on smart…
Following on from my reviews of the superb Meross MSP843P Smart Fast Charging Power Strip and the good, albeit with a flawed design Meross Outdoor Smart Plug, I have also been checking out the MS100FHHK Smart Temperature and Humidity Sensor. This is an innovative addition to the world of smart home devices. With its unique…
![Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat Valve Review vs Aqara Smart Radiator Thermostat E1 Valve & Genius Hub Valve [Starter Kit V3+]](https://mightygadget.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tado-Smart-Radiator-Thermostat-Valve-Review-768x578.jpg "Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat Valve Review")
Tado is a smart home heating company that offers intelligent thermostats and radiator valves to provide control over heating in each room of your home. I regularly recommend Tado because they seem to offer the best balance of performance, features and price. While I did use Tado in its early days, I switched to Genius…
I have previously written quite a bit about Thread, the low-power, wireless mesh networking protocol designed for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Within the Thread ecosystem, different device roles and types, such as Thread Border Routers (TBRs), Full Thread Devices (FTDs), and Minimal Thread Devices (MTDs), are defined to cater to various use cases and…
If you are interested in smart home technology, you may be aware of the new smart home communication standard Thread, which will likely replace Zigbee over time. To use Thread devices, you will need a Thread Border Router, but these are not likely your normal smart home hubs. Many smart home devices can be a…
I reviewed the superb Eufy Security Floodlight Cam 2 Pro two years ago, which now seems to be called the Eufy Floodlight Camera S330. I continued to use it until recently, and it has been my favourite floodlight camera up until now. Recently, Eufy announced the new Eufy Floodlight Camera E340, which is a dual-lens…
Aqara has officially announced the launch of its latest product, the Dual Relay Module T2. This new addition to Aqara’s relay portfolio aims to offer a versatile solution for automating a wide array of electrical devices in your home. Available now in North America and Europe through Amazon and selected Aqara retailers, the Dual Relay…
Most older UK homes use dated wiring for their lighting. This will typically consist of a live and live switched cable and works simply by the light switch completing the circuit when switched on. When I first started to invest in smart home technology, there were not many (or any that I can remember) smart…
I have previously reviewed the no-neutral Aqara Smart Wall Switch H1 EU, and I love it. So much so that I have bought several more and now have them for many of our home light switches. More recently, I had my loft converted and decided to get the upstairs lights required at the same time,…
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