Articles by Christopher Null
These are the best smart sprinkler controllers
Whether you’re motivated by water conservation, saving money, a drive to render every aspect of your home smart, or all the above, a smart irrigation controller will scratch that itch.
Rachio Smart Hose Timer review: Green gardens with less water
This simple hose timer offers seamless integration with the same capable watering control app that manages Rachio’s in-ground sprinkler controller.
Tested: An effective pool-cleaning robot
This funny-looking pool robot does solid cleaning jobs, including on large pools.
We name all the best smart home systems
Your home is only as smart as the hub that orchestrates everything behind the scenes. We help you choose the right system for your home-automation needs.
Best smart lighting for your connected home
Today’s smart lighting is brighter and easier to control than ever, but choosing the right solution for your environment remains a challenge.
Aiper Seagull Plus review: This bigger bot isn’t necessarily better
This more powerful version of Aiper’s capable pool-cleaning robot has a bigger battery, but we found it wasn’t as capable as its smaller stablemate.
Defender Guard Pro 2K Wi-Fi review: The Wi-Fi needs work
Wi-Fi troubles are the major issue in this otherwise workable pan/tilt offering.
TP-Link EC71 Kasa Spot Pan Tilt review: A budget security cam
A rock-bottom price tag helps make TP-Link’s latest indoor security camera a no-brainer.
Alen's BreatheSmart 75i air purifier is big-boned but powerful
The BreatheSmart 75i may be overkill for most consumer homes, but this bruiser packs enough punch for commercial use.
We name all the best smart locks
Keys are yesterday’s tech, your smart home needs a smart door lock.
Proscenic L40 Smart Lock review: Not ready for prime time
Proscenic’s first smart lock tries to do everything, but it’s in dramatic need of some polish.
We name the best smart garage door controllers
Even if you use your garage only as an oversized storage locker, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without a smart controller for your existing garage door opener.
SwitchBot Hub 2 review: A universal translator for smart homes
This smart home hub works with old and new smart home technologies, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HomeKit, Matter—even infrared.
Swann CoreCam Pro Spotlight review: A small but solid upgrade
The only new feature you get with Swann's upgraded "pro" model is a spotlight, but it's still a solid security camera.
Inse Y10 Pool Vacuum Robot review: The little robot that couldn’t
This pool cleaner is decidedly cheap, but it simply doesn’t do the job.
Imilab EC5 Floodlight Camera 2K review: Unique, inexpensive
A first in the outdoor floodlight camera market, the Imilab EC5 pans and tilts, and its very low price makes it easy to overlook its flawed software.
TruSens Z-3500 review: Affordable air purification for large rooms
The relatively inexpensive TruSens Z-3500 is a smart air purifier for larger rooms and comes with a remote air-quality sensor, ultraviolet lighting to kill viruses, and a very good mobile app.
Blink Wired Floodlight Camera review: Value-priced security
Blink's floodlight cam costs a whole lot lower than the competition from Ring and Nest, and it delivers more lumens of brightness than either of them.