The smart home was once a far-flung pipe dream, but it is now a reality. Wherever you live, your home is ground zero for some of the most interesting tech available right now, and tech that’s yet to come. Best of all, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get your home up and running with smart hardware and services.

Home security and monitoring solutions can alert you to a burglary, smoke, fire, or just simple motion activity. There are plenty of options with a range of capabilities, from smart doorbells and smart locks to indoor and outdoor cameras that can see in the dark.

Smart speakers, like the Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod each play a big role in helping you out, too. In the kitchen, they can read out recipes, or if you’re cleaning, you can call out to them to change the song on the fly. If you buy smart light bulbs, for instance, you can turn them on and off by using your voice.

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Hands-on

The Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, is one of the biggest and buzziest tech events of the year, offering a first look at next-generation TVs, laptops, smart home gadgets, cars, and more. For 2023, the event is being held in Las Vegas during the first week of January.

Belkin attempts to make home automation simpler with the Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch.

Belkin Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch pictures

Belkin Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch pictures

Belkin Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch pictures

Belkin attempts to make home automation simpler with the Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch.

Apple’s new Proton-like tool can run Windows games on a Mac

Microsoft has no shame: Bing spit on my ‘Chrome’ search with a fake AI answer

Volvo aims to shake up the EV market with the affordably priced EX30 compact SUV

Apple has bought an AR headset startup called Mira

I wore the Apple Vision Pro. It’s the best headset demo ever.

More from Smart Home

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Belkin Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch pictures

Belkin Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch pictures

Belkin attempts to make home automation simpler with the Wemo Motion Sensor and Home Control Switch.

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Apple’s new Proton-like tool can run Windows games on a Mac

Microsoft has no shame: Bing spit on my ‘Chrome’ search with a fake AI answer

Volvo aims to shake up the EV market with the affordably priced EX30 compact SUV

Apple has bought an AR headset startup called Mira

I wore the Apple Vision Pro. It’s the best headset demo ever.

More from Smart Home

StandBy is a new iPhone feature that could be great for Apple Home users

Smart door lock maker Level is bringing a new video doorbell to apartment dwellers

These robot vacuums are getting smarter