Michael BrownExecutive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor and covers the smart home and home entertainment markets. He built his own smart home in 2007, which he uses as a real-world test lab when reviewing new products. Michael also reviews routers and networking products for TechHive and PCWorld.
The Lutron Aurora handily solves the smart bulb, dumb switch predicament
This battery-powered dimmer retrofits toggle switches controlling Philips Hue and other Zigbee smart bulbs, so they can’t be turned off by accident.
Nuimo Click review: This smart home device’s novelty wears off quickly
The one-touch access to your favorite Sonos playlist or Hue lighting scene is fun—for the first few days.
Amazon’s Alexa Guard adds new security features to Amazon Echo smart speakers
Alexa Guard can operate on its own or in conjunction with full security systems from Ring and ADT.
Sonos is rolling out Google Assistant support to its Sonos One and Sonos Beam smart speakers
The development effort consumed more than a year, but Sonos is now the first smart speaker manufacturer to support both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant on the same system.
Netgear Orbi Voice review: It’s not the best smart speaker, but it's an excellent mesh Wi-Fi system
And if you already have an Orbi router, it’ll make an awesome addition to your network.
Nest Hub Max is the smart display Google should have started with
Google finally builds a smart display with a camera as it consolidates its smart home efforts under the Nest brand.
Vivint's Outdoor Camera Pro can detect someone casing your home
The AI-powered Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro has a 4K image sensor and issues warnings to anyone lurking around your property.
Logitech Harmony Express universal remote control review: Practical, but not perfect
It's not the be-all, end-all of universal remote controls, but it's plenty powerful for most people's needs—and Alexa is onboard.
IKEA just put a Sonos speaker in a table lamp
The Swedish furniture maker also partnered with Sonos to build a low-cost wireless bookshelf speaker.
An onboard solar panel keeps the battery topped off, but you can’t use this smart lock with any smart home hub.
The best smart home devices that work with Alexa
Amazon’s Echo smart speakers are most powerful when paired with third-party smart home hardware. These products earned our highest raitings.
Ninety7 Sky Tote Portable Battery Base review: Take your second-gen Amazon Echo anywhere
Here’s an inexpensive way to carry the Alexa digital assistant with you everywhere.
Lutron Caséta Fan Control review: Smart control for your dumb ceiling fan
The latest addition to the Lutron Caséta family delivers an excellent way integrate ceiling fans into your smart home.
Vivint Smart Home expands its services to protect your vehicle with Vivint Car Guard
A module that plugs into your car’s onboard diagnostics port can track its location and notify you if someone breaks in or bumps it, and it ties into your smart home service.
LG announces pricing and availability of its 2019 OLED smart TV lineup
The company’s 55- and 65-inch E9 and C9 models will arrive in April, with additional models to follow in May and June.