I tried the battery version, which doesn’t require recharging every couple of weeks, but the wired version is the top recommendation in our guide to Best Video Doorbells.
Best Bird House
I had a new problem for me this summer: bird infestation. A little bird made a nest in my front door wreath without us noticing. One evening, my sister opened the door, and the bird flew out of the nest and directly into our house. After a 30 minute fight to get him out again (and keep my cat from eating), it wasn’t until we saw the bird fly out the door again the next day that we realized he was calling our house his home too.
If this is a common problem in your home, our resident bird gear tester Kat Merck has a solution: a smart nesting box. Birdfy does a few different ones smart bird feeders we love birdwatching, and the Nest Duo is a birdhouse that allows you to watch birds while they nest in it. It’s a sleek, attractive box that will add style to your yard while also packing two solar-powered cameras (one facing the entrance, the other focusing inside) so you can watch birds from multiple angles. It comes with different hole sizes to attract different creatures, metal predator guards to prevent chewing around the hole, and a remote control to reset or charge the camera without disturbing your furry neighbors.
Stylish Smart Lights
Govee
Outdoor Bulb String Lights
I’ve liked Govee smart outdoor lights before, naturally for me holiday decorationsand we’ve previously suggested something similar to the bistro lighting look that happened to be neat. These open filament light bulbs are part of the current Govee range and feature a modern twist with a triangle in the center instead of a filament. These are a fun option for outdoor lighting that you can enjoy on a warm night, and they can do every color and shade of white without looking overwhelming. permanent outdoor lighting. (Added bonus, these lights are also A corresponding thing!)
A clean bulb
Cync
Smart LED bulb, PAR38
If you have lights that you want to control remotely, add an external one bulb smart. There are tons to choose from, and you can get one from any brand you already have at home. The only downside is that outdoor-rated smart bulbs typically have a PAR38 style of 4.75 inches in diameter, so they’re best for downlights on your porch or balcony. They will probably be too big to fit on the wall as a replacement for a regular sized light bulb. Don’t just pick up any smart bulb—not all are rated outdoors. Check the mention of outdoor use and waterproof rating to make sure it is safe to use. I’m a huge fan of Cync bulbs, and the brand has an outdoor version of the Cync Full Color bulbs I love to use indoors. You’ll be able to add fun colors as well as shades of white, so you can turn the board scary orange or red for Halloween, pink for Valentine’s Day, or the colors of your favorite sports team on game day.
Remote Controlled Garage
If your garage is the center of attraction of your home, you can easily control it like a smart door by adding a smart controller. You can do two different styles: I have a Chamberlain MyQ smart garage door opener professionally installed, meaning the device that controls my garage has this skill built into it (with a camera, but I find it doesn’t work well with the distance of the device from my Wi-Fi router), or you can get a smart garage door opener that can add smart features to an existing garage door. Both allow you to check if the garage is open or closed and operate it remotely, and you can add video buttons that double as a video doorbell and can let you open or close the garage without your phone.
Smart Shades
The front of my house faces west, so it gets really hot at the end of the day. All I need to add is some of it Our best shades by automatically closing the shades on that side of the house at the right time of day. These also give your home a sleek, cohesive look and instant controllable privacy from the outside world. WIRED reviewer Simon Hill recommends SmartWings shades as his top choice, and Lutron’s Caseta shades if you’re looking for a more refined look.
Invisible Exchange
Looking for a smart upgrade without touching your existing setup? These changes can make your front door and yard look great without being seen.
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