Smart Home Essentials

CNET’s 2026 gift guide highlights tested smart-home devices, from a subscription-free camera to smart plugs, trackers and safety upgrades.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 9, 2026

Amazon’s October Prime Day sale discounts Meross smart-home devices, including a Wi-Fi water timer for $72 and a garage door opener for $59.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 8, 2026

Bloomberg reports Apple and LG are developing seven smart home products, including cameras, a lock and thermostat, but timing and features remain unconfirmed.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 7, 2026

A clear-eyed winter review of the AROMADD Smart Scent Diffuser for HVAC, with a practical verdict based on the product details provided.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 7, 2026

The Kasa KP401 outdoor smart plug is listed at $13, down from $17, for Prime Day. Check the IP64 limits and features before buying.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 5, 2026

Samsung is rolling out SmartThings version 1.8.51.30 on Android, with denser device cards, a redesigned TV remote and a floating navigation bar.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 4, 2026

Home Assistant Cloud is becoming Home Assistant Link. The paid remote-access service keeps its features as the platform plans broader usability changes.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 3, 2026

SwitchBot lists discounts of 24% to 59% on smart home devices for its Oct. 6-14 Fall Sale and Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, Oct. 6-7.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 3, 2026

Compare smart home security cameras by placement, alerts, storage, privacy, and real costs—then build a setup you can trust and maintain.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 2, 2026

The rumored Apple camera would use on-device AI to describe activity in text, without recording video, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

• Home Apex Gear Team
• October 2, 2026