More from All the smart home news, reviews, and gadgets you need to know about
9
Verge Score
Smaller, faster, and Matter-compatible, this sleek new lock is a worthy August replacement — with a few quirks.
Shelly’s Gen4 relays start at $18 and can automate anything that’s wired, from light switches and garage door openers to sprinkler systems and appliances. Designed to fit inside electrical boxes, relays are a super versatile solution for the smart home.
Shelly’s new line is now available in the U.S., and all the models offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter (over Wi-Fi), so they’ll work with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and more.
8
Verge Score
It automatically unlocks as I approach, looks great on my front door, and works locally with every smart home platform. But thanks to Matter, I have to pick between its two best features.
7
Verge Score
But not quite enough for me to consider ditching my local pizzeria.
Announced at CES, the $199 Homey Pro Mini can connect to Zigbee, Matter, and Thread devices, along with those from brands like Ikea, Sonos, Lutron, Roomba, Nest, Philips Hue, and Aqara, to run your smart home.
Unlike its bigger sibling, the $400 Homey Pro, it doesn’t support Z-Wave, BLE, or IR, and can handle fewer integrations, but is a good option for a simpler way into more advanced home automation.
Homey launches a $200 smart home hub
As I was making breakfast this morning, Smokey jumped onto the counter, walked over to the sink, nuzzled his head against the motion sensor in the Moen smart faucet, and proceeded to drink from the flowing water.
I’m so proud! (Now, if I could train him to do the dishes... .)
5
Verge Score
The Roborock Saros Z70 is the first vacuum that can tidy up before it cleans — but it’s still a work in progress.
A year testing a smart lock with a hidden superpower: infrared wireless charging.
These autonomous cutters show promise, but there’s still a ways to go before you should trust one in your yard.
