Michael BrownExecutive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor and covers the connected-home and home-entertainment markets. He built his own smart home in 2007, which he uses as a real-world test lab when reviewing new products. Michael also reviews routers and networking products for TechHive and PCWorld.
Best smart speakers: Which deliver the best combination of digital assistant and audio performance?
With models based on Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana, and others to come, we’ll help you find just the right model.
Sonos Move review: Glorious audio performances at home and on the road
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, indoors, outdoors, portable, and battery powered: The Sonos Move is the best speaker Sonos has built in years.
Ring Floodlight Cam review: An excellent choice—if you’re living in Ring’s ecosystem
If you’re already using one of Ring’s doorbell cameras or spotlight cams, this porchlight replacement will be a great addition.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, AirPlay 2: The Naim Audio Mu-so 2nd Generation supports them all, along with every music codec and streaming service you can think of.
Ring Smart Lighting Floodlight Wired review: A terrific supplement to the Ring Floodlight Cam
Ring smart lighting products aren't always the prettiest hardware you can deploy on and around your home, but they will enhance its security.
Brilliant is adding native LIFX smart bulb support to its smart home controller
LIFX bulbs use Wi-Fi, so they don’t necessarily need a controller, but this should be a benefit to Brilliant users nonetheless.
Lutron Aurora review: A nearly perfect solution for Philips Hue smart bulbs
This gadget handily solves the smart bulb, dumb switch problem—but only if you have Philips Hue bulbs and a toggle switch.
Both the lamp and the bookshelf speaker can operate independently, as a stereo pair, or as surround speakers with a Sonos soundbar in your home theater.
Adding Bluetooth eliminates the need to buy a Philips Hue Bridge. But you can run only 10 bulbs without it, and you'll be cut off from the broader Hue ecosystem.
The best Amazon Echo add-ons and accessories
A few are goofy, but many are great: These mostly inexpensive gadgets can make Amazon’s smart speakers even better.
Eero Home WiFi System 2 review: Beacons make this system even easier to install
Eero's Home WiFi System 2 is one of the most elegant home-networking solutions you can buy, but it’s not the fastest router.
New Philips Hue smart bulbs don’t need the Hue Bridge—but there’s a catch
Philips is shifting to a new chip that has both Bluetooth and Zigbee radios onboard, but most people will still want a Hue Bridge on their home network.
Samsung SmartThings expands its lineup with a Wi-Fi security camera, a smart bulb, and a smart plug
A smart home system with broad third-party device support gains three new first-party devices.
Sonos Amp review: This is the best Sonos music streamer by far (even if it’s not right for everyone)
The Sonos Amp is a great-sounding and supremely flexible amplifier that's a superb choice for your home theater or for critical listening. And it will drive just about any type of passive loudspeaker you'd care to use.
But the Schlage Encode smart deadbolt also exposes some flaws in Amazon’s broader approach to the smart home.
Articles by Michael Brown
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