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Smart Home Reviews

Once a fable, the smart home is now attainable for many. Though, since all homes are different, there’s no one-size-fits-all method for finding the best smart home devices. Our reviews of the latest smart thermostats, smart speakers, and security systems will help you figure out what’s right for you. And as smart assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant, grow in capability, we put them to task to see just how helpful they are.

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6

Verge Score

Mini but mighty: Blink’s tiny, inexpensive camera can now go outdoors

The new Blink Mini 2 wired security camera is a worthwhile upgrade to the Blink Mini, adding weather resistance, a wider field of view, and person detection for around $40.

8

Verge Score

The Echo Hub is Alexa’s missing piece

Amazon’s new control panel makes using an Alexa-powered smart home as easy as flipping a light switch (only better, trust me).

5

Verge Score

This iPod-like button could be a great smart home controller

With customizable icons and an intuitive click wheel, the Linxura solves a big problem with smart buttons. But it needs to dial up its integrations before it’s worth your money.

The best robot vacuums

Floor-sweeping robots are only getting better, with new mopping skills, better navigation chops, and more automation, so less work for you. We picked nine of the best bots you can buy right now.

The best robot vacuum for me is the one I hacked

Robot Vacuums can be privacy nightmares. That is unless you run Valetudo.

The best smart plugs

Megan Wollerton

8

Verge Score

Yale Assure Lock 2 review: almost perfect

Yale’s latest smart locks offer something for everyone: Apple Home Key, a fingerprint reader, and compatibility with every platform. You just can’t have it all. (And there’s still no support for Thread or Matter.)

7

Verge Score

Brilliant’s new smart home controller makes it easier to put a touchscreen on your wall

The new plug-in version of Brilliant’s wired smart switch is simpler to install and just as easy to use. But still-limited integrations keep it from being truly brilliant.

The Echo Pop is in the house.

I just got review units of Amazon’s latest Alexa-powered smart speaker and will be putting them through their paces this weekend. Throw any questions you have about the newest (and cheapest) Echo at me in the comments below, and I’ll be sure to answer them in the review.


The Echo Pop is Amazon’s new $40 smart speaker.
The Echo Pop is Amazon’s new $40 smart speaker.
Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
The first battery-powered video doorbell for Apple Home is available now.

Aqara’s Video Doorbell G4 launches on Amazon today in North America and Europe for the bargain price of $120, that's $80 less than its closest HomeKit Secure Video-compatible competitor. Alongside Apple Home, the G4 works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

Featuring dual power sources, 1080p video, 24/7 recording capability, locally stored facial recognition, and free cloud storage, this smart buzzer ticks a lot of boxes.

Look for our full review on the site later this week.


The Aqara G4 video doorbell can be battery-powered or wired and offers 24/7 continuous recording.
The Aqara G4 video doorbell can be battery-powered or wired and offers 24/7 continuous recording.
Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

7

Verge Score

Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall

This Echo Show on the wall is the fairest smart display of them all. Updates to support Fire TV, new widget options, and a better Photo Frame mode make the flagship Echo a winner.