Articles by Michael Brown
Focal introduces angled in-ceiling speakers for high-end home theaters
The Focal 300 ICA6 loudspeakers promise to deliver an immersive experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X movie soundtracks.
Vivint Smart Home retools its security cam lineup, including its best-in-class doorbell
The home security service provider announced new indoor and outdoor cameras, a new video doorbell, and an add-on smart spotlight.
Best smart speakers: We pick the smartest and best-sounding speakers
With models based on Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, we’ll help you find just the right model.
Enbrighten Wi-Fi Café Lights review: Fun but pricey outdoor smart LED string lights
This 24-foot string of 12 multi-colored LED bulbs offers oodles of customization options, and multiple sets can be extended out to 750 feet.
Smart home brand Insteon looks to have gone up in smoke
One of the world’s oldest smart home vendors has apparently shut its doors without notice.
The Wyze Lock Bolt is a ridiculously low-priced biometric smart lock
A $70 smart lock sounds like a compelling deal; one with a fingerprint reader could be a game changer.
Focal On Wall 301 loudspeaker review: Thin is definitely in
Wish your home theater looked more like a real theater? These on-wall speakers are the next best thing to custom-installed in-wall speakers.
Monoprice ships new THX Certified Compact speakers
The passive soundbar and satellite speakers are designed for wall mounting in smaller home theaters.
Rise Gardens Double Family Garden review: This greenhouse doesn’t need the sun
You can produce enough fresh veggies to feed a small army with this foolproof hydroponic growing system.
Ring Pan Tilt Mount review: The only way to get a pan/tilt security cam from Ring
This accessory delivers most of the benefits of a purpose-built pan/tilt security camera, something you can’t get in the Ring ecosystem today.
Best water leak detectors for smart homes
Fires can be devastating, but water damage is a far more common risk. These smart devices will alert you if your home springs a leak, so you can take action quickly.
Fluidmaster Soft Spa 9500 review: Affordable hygienic luxury
This electronic toilet seat costs a fraction of what a true bidet does, and you can install it yourself.
Coway Airmega 250S review: Smart and quiet air purification for larger spaces
The Wi-Fi-enabled Airmega 250S is quiet and very effective at purifying the air spaces up to 930 square feet.
Ring Glass Break Sensor review: An essential add-on for Ring Alarm systems
This device can detect intruders in a manner that motion and contact sensors can’t.
Level, one of our favorite smart lock makers, now has a wireless keypad
The LED-backlit keypad eliminates the need for a phone to unlock any Level Lock.
Thermacell’s LIV is a mosquito repellent system for smart homes
The Wi-Fi-connected system can protect your outdoor living space from disease-carrying mosquitos.
The best smart shades: Luxurious window treatments blend high tech, high fashion
Smart, motorized shades and blinds cost a pretty penny, but do they ever bring the wow.
Lutron adds Architectural Honeycomb Shades to its Serena smart shades line
The new line features higher-end fabrics, larger honeycomb cells, and reduced light leakage.