Smart home

Connected technology at home is supposed to make daily life easier — but it only does so if it works reliably and stays simple to operate. In this category we explain how smart home technology is actually used day to day: lighting, heating and thermostats, blinds, smart door locks, sockets, robot vacuums and mowers, and charging solutions for electric cars. We look at which devices work together, what to watch for when buying, how to keep automations simple and what happens when the internet goes down. Notes on privacy and power consumption are included. All instructions are written so they remain understandable without prior knowledge. We also show how to upgrade existing devices instead of buying everything new — and when a replacement is genuinely worthwhile.