Christopher NullFreelance Contributor, TechHive
Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket. Disclosure: He also writes for Hewlett-Packad's marketing website TechBeacon.
C by GE Smart Plug review: A simple Wi-Fi plug in the widening C by GE ecosystem
This on/off plug ties in well with C by GE in-wall switches, bulbs, and other smart lighting products.
C by GE 3-wire Smart Dimmer review: You won’t need a neutral wire to install this Wi-Fi dimmer
Even better, numerous C by GE products—smart bulbs, switches, and plugs—can work together, no matter what your wiring looks like.
C by GE 4-wire Motion Sensing+Dimmer review: GE stuffs this smart switch full of features
But do motion sensing, light sensing, and dimmer features justify the hefty price tag?
Orbit B-hyve XR sprinkler timer review: One of the best smart irrigation systems
It’s not perfect, but the B-hyve XR is both flexible and reasonably priced.
It’s not a “smart” smoke alarm, per se, but it does offer solid protection on a budget.
Usability isn’t this smart irrigation system’s strong point, but it gets water where it needs to be in your landscaping.
With this tiny circuit board, you can incorporate your old-school wired sensors into most any modern smart home system.
Peace by Hampton smart plug review: This ultra-cheap smart plug offers no surprises
This Best Buy exclusive hits the market at about $9.50 a pop (in a $18.99 two-pack; they're $9.99 each if purchased individually).
Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) review: Good sound, plus a Zigbee smart-home hub for the win
If you can forgo Z-Wave smart-home devices, this is the smart speaker to buy (but that calculation could change soon).
Braumm Smart WiFi Outdoor Outlet review: This undercooked outlet isn’t worth your trouble
This inexpensive outdoor plug is no smart-home bargain.
The companion app for Treatlife's Wi-Fi dimmer, however, is as primitive as ever.
This dual smart plug is a solid alternative to dimmable smart bulbs, especially in fixtures with multiple sockets.
LiftMaster myQ Smart Garage Camera review: The magnetic mount is nifty. The price tag? Not so much
myQ needs to revisit its service plan prices to make this garage-centric camera more appealing.
The Pro upgrade takes Eufy’s indoor/outdoor cam kit to nearly 3 megapixels.
The new Wemo saves space, but some competitors deliver more for less.