Buying Guides

713 guides across 89 categories. Each guide aggregates ratings from 12+ expert sources to find the consensus best picks.

Climate (36)climate (1)Security (79)security (4)Lighting (24)lighting (1)kitchen (6)Kitchen (58)Smart Cleaning (32)Smart Speakers (14)Automation (27)automation (3)Entertainment (30)entertainment (2)Pet Care (11)Sensors (22)sensors (3)Outdoor (69)outdoor (11)Smart Locks (7)Energy (14)energy (2)Budget (12)Lifestyle (15)lifestyle (1)Smart Home (16)Office (12)office (2)Health (9)Networking (12)networking (1)Appliances (20)appliances (1)Bathroom (9)bathroom (1)Ecosystem (5)Water (2)water (1)Smart Plugs (1)Fitness (11)fitness (1)Cameras (2)Automotive (4)Wearables (3)Mobility (3)Outdoors (3)Wellness (2)EDC (1)health-wellness (5)smart-speakers (8)Climate Control (6)smart-climate (3)Smart Entertainment (1)smart-cleaning (6)thermostats (1)smart-lighting (6)Smart TVs (1)smart-entertainment (1)smart-home (6)smart-security (5)smart-outdoor (1)pet-tech (3)ev-charging (1)access-control (2)Gift Guides (6)Smart Home Hubs (1)Outdoor / Safety (1)smart-appliances (1)Audio (1)Outdoor Living (7)Smart Climate (2)smart-tvs (2)Home Entertainment (1)Outdoor & Adventure (3)Baby (1)Smart Sensors (3)Smart Security (8)smart-wellness (1)thermostat (1)Hobby (1)Smart Lighting (3)Smart Hubs (1)Health & Home (1)smart-locks (1)budget-smart-home (1)Sleep (1)hurricane-preparedness (1)smart-plugs (1)smart-energy (1)

We independently research and compare products. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you. This doesn't affect our picks.

Get our latest smart home picks

Deal roundups and updates when our top picks change.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

Climate(36 guides)

14 min read|Updated Sep 3Prices verified

Best Smart Electric Fireplaces with App Control (2026)

Touchstone Sideline Elite Smart 50 ($699) tops the SHE Supplemental Heat Score at 7.51. 5 fireplaces ranked; Dimplex Ignite Evolve leads flame realism.

Top pick

Touchstone Sideline Elite Smart 50

8.6

Check Price Read Guide →

17 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Ecobee vs Nest vs Honeywell: Which Saves the Most Energy?

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium ($249) wins on savings logic and room balancing; Nest 4th Gen ($240) fits Google homes; the Honeywell T9 is $180.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

12 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Best Smart Dehumidifiers 2026: GE 50-Pint Tops Our Value Score

The GE 50-pint with a built-in pump tops the SHE Dehumidification Value Score at 1851.9. The Midea Cube 35-pint is the 9.2/10 consensus pick at 967.1. 3 models ranked, prices re-checked 2026-08-29.

Top pick

Midea Cube Smart Dehumidifier

9.1

Check Price Read Guide →

13 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Smart Thermostat vs Programmable Thermostat: Worth It?

Smart thermostats save $50-$145/year more but cost $79-$279 against $25-$60. The SHE Thermostat ROI Score puts the Ecobee Premium ($249) on top at 8.7.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

13 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Best Smart Heat Pump & Mini-Split Thermostats 2026

Mysa is the only pick built for ductless mini-splits at $149. Ecobee Premium ($249) leads ducted heat pumps at 8.95; Nest 4th Gen wins balance point.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

14 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Ecobee vs Nest vs Honeywell: Real Energy Savings Compared

Ecobee Premium leads on verified savings at 23% a year; Nest 4th Gen hits 20% and the Honeywell T9 18%. Five thermostats on the SHE Energy ROI Index.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

13 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Smart Thermostat Energy Savings by Climate Zone: Real Data

Ecobee Premium saves $89/year in mild Zone 3 but $347/year in Zone 7. Per-thermostat savings mapped across all 8 IECC climate zones.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

10 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Smart Thermostat HVAC Compatibility: Heat Pumps, Mini-Splits

Not every smart thermostat fits every HVAC system. Our matrix maps six thermostats to heat pumps, mini-splits, baseboard, and radiant heat.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

9 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Ecobee vs Nest 2026: Ecobee Wins 7 of 12 Tests

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium ($249) wins 7 of 12 categories — room sensor included, no subscription, Alexa + Google + HomeKit. Nest for Google.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

8 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Smart Thermostat Payback 2026: Amazon Wins at 3.5 Mo

The Amazon Smart Thermostat pays for itself in 3.5 months after a typical utility rebate — the fastest payback of any pick. Per-product math for 5 thermostats.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

5 min read|Updated Sep 2Prices verified

Ecobee Premium Price 2026: When It Actually Goes on Sale

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium sits at $284, down from $329 MSRP. Twelve months of tracking put the November low at $212. Three rivals compared.

Top pick

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

8.8

Check Price Read Guide →

14 min read|Updated Aug 28

Best Smart Humidifiers for Dry Winter Air (2026)

Dreo HM713S ($90) wins winter at 8.55 on our SHE Winter Comfort Score: warm mist, 740 sq ft, 60-hr runtime. Five smart humidifiers ranked, LV600S at $70.

Top pick

Levoit LV600S Smart Humidifier

Check Price Read Guide →

12 min read|Updated Aug 28

Best Smart Humidifiers 2026: Levoit LV600S Wins

Levoit LV600S ($70) leads our SHE Humidity Control Score with 753 sq ft coverage and a 36-hr runtime. Five ranked; Govee is best budget at $50.

Top pick

Levoit LV600S Smart Humidifier

Check Price Read Guide →

12 min read|Updated Aug 28

Best Smart Space Heaters 2026: Dyson Hot+Cool Wins

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool ($549) wins for year-round heat, cool and purify. Dreo ($79) tops the SHE Heating Value Score at 14.5; Govee Life is budget at $69.

Top pick

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool

Check Price Read Guide →

5 min read|Updated Aug 28

Best Smart Climate Control 2026: Dreo Fan Cuts AC 15%

We compared 21 expert reviews of smart climate gear beyond thermostats. The Dreo CLF521S ceiling fan ($200) wins, cutting cooling costs 10-15%.

Top pick

Dreo Smart Ceiling Fan CLF521S

8.3

Check Price Read Guide →

8 min read|Updated Aug 22

Best Smart Window Air Conditioners (WiFi App Control) for 2026

The TCL Q-Series 12,000 BTU ($374.99) is our 2026 top pick — 6 WiFi window ACs, every one a standard-chassis unit outside the June 2025 Midea U recall.

Buying Guides

Climate(36 guides)

climate(1 guides)

Security(79 guides)

NewBest Smart Security Upgrade for New Homeowners 2026

security(4 guides)

Lighting(24 guides)