Everyday Life

Smart Home Devices

A tour of the common connected devices in a home.

Start here · Essential guide

A plain-language map of the main connected devices in a home, from lights and locks to cameras and thermostats, and how they fit together.

4 min read

How to place home cameras and video doorbells, choose between local and cloud storage, and respect your neighbors' privacy along the way.

4 min read

What connected leak, smoke and carbon monoxide sensors do, where they help, and why they supplement rather than replace standard alarms.

3 min read

How connected bulbs, smart switches and scenes differ in wiring and control, and how to pick the approach that suits your home and household.

4 min read

How connected door locks and contact sensors work, what they can and cannot do, and the security trade-offs to weigh before installing one.

4 min read

What smart plugs can do for lamps and appliances, how energy monitoring and schedules work, and the sensible safety limits to keep in mind.

4 min read

How wake words and voice processing work in smart speakers, what audio typically leaves the device, and the settings that give you more control.

4 min read

How smart thermostats handle scheduling, learning and remote sensors to control heating in general terms, plus compatibility and expectation notes.

4 min read

A step-by-step approach to diagnosing dropped smart home devices and network problems, from checking power and Wi-Fi to resets and re-pairing.

4 min read

More in everyday life

Smart Homes Setting up, securing and living with a connected home. Smart Cities and Transport How sensors shape urban services, mobility and emergency response. Health and Learning Connected devices in healthcare and education. Wearables and Personal Devices Connected gadgets worn or carried every day.