Michael BrownExecutive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor and covers the smart 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.
Serena Motorized Shade by Lutron review: A step up in sophistication, but also in price
Lutron’s solution is more proprietary than many, but the compatibility trade-off is worth it.
Graber Virtual Cord Motorized Shade review: Deliciously decadent lighting control
Want to set your house apart from the other smart homes in the neighborhood? Consider investing in smart window coverings.
Amazon Echo Glow: Hands-on first impressions
Increasingly sensitive to criticism of its privacy practices, Amazon leaves a microphone out of this child-oriented smart lamp.
Amazon Echo Frames: Hands-on first impressions
Alexa is moving out of the house to become a more mobile digital assistant.
Amazon Echo Buds: First impressions
These truly wireless headphones literally put Alexa in your head.
Amazon Echo Studio: First impressions
Amazon is finally building a higher-quality smart speaker—one that will give Sonos heartburn.
Amazon went nuts with its fall hardware event, unleashing a bevy of products ranging from wireless Echo Buds, a smart ring, a smart oven, and even a dog tracker.
There are plenty of less-expensive outdoor lighting alternatives, but none with this range of Ring-oriented smart-home features.
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.