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How to Make Your Outdoor Zoom Meetings Sound Better
How to Make Your Outdoor Zoom Meetings Sound Better
Two years of pandemic living has shifted my default workspace from an office to the now-common sidewalk seating outside almost every cafe or coffee shop in New York. Weather permitting, it's also my favorite place to join Zoom or other web meetings. And don't worry, I always use a headset, usually a set of AirPods Pro, to avoid bothering those around me.
But it's not a perfect system. Sitting outside, even in a semi-enclosed wooden sidewalk shed, there's a lot of noise around me. Besides other human beings, I've got to contend with cars, trucks and buses driving by a few feet away, as well as occasional police, ambulance and fire engine sirens. The result is that my outgoing audio -- what the other people in the meetings hear through my mic -- is often noisy or unintelligible, and I would get a lot of complaints about it.
Sarah Tew/CNET
In this particular case, using a MacBook and AirPods, I used a quick tweak to greatly improve my audio, which was greatly appreciated by the other people in my meetings.
The problem is that the microphone built into the AirPods is merely OK at best, even with a directional mic on each earbud and behind-the-scenes audio cleanup. However, the MacBook Pro I was using has a high-quality three-mic array. In addition to the better mics -- and the fact that my voice is actually projecting in the direction of those mics -- the Apple-silicon-powered MacBook Pro has a ton of computational power to do all that behind-the-scenes AI sweetening and noise filtering. (The Zoom app tries to help with that as well.)
Read more: MacBook Pro 14-inch Review
Here's what you want your Zoom settings to look like. Except your AirPods probably aren't named after me.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
So after you pop in your AirPods or other earbuds, navigate to Zoom > Preferences > Audio. There you'll see separate pulldown menus labeled Speaker and Microphone. Under Speaker, select your AirPods. Under Microphone, select your laptop's built-in mic. In my case, it was labeled MacBook Pro Microphone. That's it. You're done.
In the middle of a Zoom meeting, I made this voice input switch, as I was having trouble competing with a busy street corner and a nearby subway entrance. Everyone on the call immediately noticed the difference and said I sounded much clearer.
Many Windows laptops have excellent built-in mics as well, so this isn't a Mac-only tip. Similarly, I was using AirPods, but this goes for other earbuds, too.
Or, you could always just wear a giant gaming headset with a microphone boom arm, which is always a good look for your local coffee shop.
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Amazon Echo's spooky sounds and stories can get you ready for Halloween. Here's how
Amazon Echo's spooky sounds and stories can get you ready for Halloween. Here's how
Spooky season is here. That means it's time to pick out costumes, candy and cue up your favorite Halloween movies. But Alexa has a few ways to help you get in the Halloween spirit, too. Your Amazon Echo device can play spooky sounds throughout the house, control smart lights and tell scary stories once you add a few Alexa skills. The voice assistant can even help you find a last-minute costume just in time for your spooktacular soiree (more below).
You can add Halloween skills from the Amazon site or a voice command to give your home a creepy vibe (most of them are free). And if you want to really go all out, Google and Ring have a few Halloween tricks and treats to give all of your smart home devices a spooktacular feeling.
We'll show you how to set up some of our favorite Halloween skills so you can use them this weekend (and year-round if you're obsessed with Halloween, like me). Here are our favorite ways an Amazon Echo ($37 at Amazon) can make your home spooky on All Hallows' Eve. And if you're having trouble with your Echo-enabled device, here are a few common problems and easy solutions.
Scare neighbors with your Echo speaker
If you've got multiple Echo speakers, it can be fun to place one outside, out of sight, to spook others. For example, you can broadcast creepy sounds or play Halloween music. You can also use the Drop In feature on the speaker to let trick-or-treaters know from a safe distance that you enjoy their costume or how much candy to take. Note that it may be best to set out small bags of candy to avoid dozens of hands touching each piece. You should also make sure your Echo is out of the rain to prevent any water damage.
Play spooky sounds
It's not Halloween without creepy sounds, and there are many Alexa skills that provide them. You can also say, "Alexa, let's get spooky" to prompt Alexa to give you ideas.
Spooky Halloween Sounds will play a continuous loop of unsettling noises until you tell Alexa to stop. Just say, "Alexa, start Spooky Halloween Sounds" to get started.
Spooky Sounds plays 50 minutes of original spooky sounds (in a continuous loop), complete with an audio Easter egg hidden within. Say, "Alexa, open Spooky Sounds" to begin.
Spooky Scream will play a random scream after a set time of your choosing. Say, "Alexa, ask Spooky Scream to start in 5 minutes." Turn up the volume and wait for your unknowing victim to fall into your trap.
You can also request audio like the Spooky Sounds for Halloween EP on Spotify. Alexa has other creepy sounds available, including Haunted House and Scary Halloween Sounds to turn your Alexa device into a Halloween sound machine.
Spooky sounds are sure to scare the neighborhood kids.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Play Halloween-themed games
If you're looking for an eerie game to play, there are quite a few Alexa skills to choose from. But if you'd rather have Alexa pick for you, just say, "Alexa, let's get spooky."
The Magic Door is a popular interactive adventure game. If you take the Dark Forest Path, it will lead you to the Witch's mansion in search of the Wise Wizard.
Ghost Detector is exactly what it sounds like. You must detect and capture ghosts to earn Ghost Bux, which you can use to buy "improvements, gadgets and missions" for further gameplay.
Haunted Adventure is just one of several spooky adventure games.
Halloween Feel the Pressure is a spin-off of Feel the Pressure with a Halloween twist. You must answer questions based on a letter of the alphabet. You need 10 correct answers in a row to "save your soul."
Ask Alexa to tell a scary story
Want to hear something chilling, yet kid-friendly? Simply say, "Alexa, tell me a spooky story" and you'll hear a short story voiced by an actor. They're pretty cheesy, so they're best for younger ears.
If you want to hear something a bit scarier, you can try the Scare Me skill. Just say, "Alexa, ask Scare Me to tell me a scary story." It'll read you a short, two-sentence scary story. Kids can also use the Scooby Doo! Mystery Inc. Theater for scary stories. Just say, "Alexa, I'm ready for a mystery from Scooby-Doo" or "Alexa, tell Scooby-Doo I want to solve a mystery" from any Echo-enabled device. The skill is free but requires a parent's permission in the Alexa app.
Still not scary enough? Try creating your own scary story using the Alexa Halloween Blueprint. You can even use names of the people in your home as the characters in the story.
Alexa can tell you scary stories.
Alina Bradford/CNET
Play Halloween music
One of Alexa's best tricks on Halloween is playing party music. You can easily make a playlist with all your Halloween favorites on Amazon Music or Spotify -- like this Halloween Party Soundtrack -- and ask Alexa to play it. Or you can use the Halloween Music skill.
Greet visitors with spooky sounds
Use your Alexa-compatible video doorbell, like Ring, to talk to trick-or-treaters who are waiting at your door. With the Ring doorbell, you can have it say "Boo" to anyone who comes to the door. You can also change the chime to a spookier tone. Your Ring doorbell has a few other spooky features and hardware accessories.
You can also use the Trick the Witch skill for your Alexa device to entertain your guests with a witch voice. Just say, "Alexa, start Trick the Witch" to get started. Lamona, the witch, is an interactive game that trick or treaters can take part in while practicing social distancing. Or you can enable Halloween Facts to share facts about Oct. 31 with your visitors.
When you hear the doorbell, or think you hear it, tell Alexa to "Answer the front door" or "Show [camera name]" to see who's there.
A video doorbell will show you who's at the door.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Create a smart haunted house
You can turn your home into a haunted house using your Echo devices. You'll need to replace your regular bulbs with smart bulbs and change the colors to orange, purple and red. However, it's much more fun to set up a routine that you can trigger by saying, "Alexa, make it spooky," rather than a boring "Alexa, change the lights to red."
For example, you could create a routine that turns the lights orange and plays Halloween music. If you've got a smart plug, you can even plug a Halloween decoration into it and set it to come on with the routine.
Spookify your house with smart bulbs.
Josh Miller/CNET
Get help with a last-minute costume
If you're one of those people who wait until the last minute to find a costume (guilty), Alexa can help you come up with some ideas. Using the Halloween Costume Ideas skill, Alexa will list some ideas until you find one that you like.
Just say, "Alexa, open Halloween Costume Ideas." Then answer the yes-or-no questions until you come across the perfect costume idea.
Lighten up with Halloween jokes
If you're spooked out by the end of the night, have Alexa lighten the mood by telling jokes. Just say, "Alexa, tell me a Halloween joke." The joke it gave me was, "Why shouldn't you date a spirit? So you don't get ghosted." The jokes may not be fall-over funny, but at least they can distract you from the scary stories you listened to earlier in the night.
When Halloween's over, dive into the 10 weirdest things your Amazon Echo can do, the four best uses for an Amazon Echo in your living room and four places to avoid putting your Amazon Echo in your home.
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Ring Is Making a Smart Intercom System for Apartment-Dwellers
Ring Is Making a Smart Intercom System for Apartment-Dwellers
Ring, the Amazon-owned video doorbell and home security brand, announced a new wireless intercom device Thursday at the IFA tech showcase in Berlin. As the European launch might suggest, the battery-powered gadget is slated to make its debut in Germany and the UK this year, with orders opening up later this month at an asking price of £120 (about $140 or AU$200). Availability in France, Italy, Spain and the US will follow in 2023.
The Ring Intercom, a new smart home gadget designed to smarten up your apartment buzzer.
Ring
Aimed squarely at apartment-dwellers, the wireless Ring Intercom is designed to connect with most of the building-wide intercom systems used by apartment complexes to vet visitors and buzz them in. Once you connect it to a compatible system, you'll be able to manage access from the Ring app on your phone, and you'll be able to sync the building's intercom with an Alexa-enabled smart speaker, as well.
"Technology in the home has to evolve to meet changing customer needs and busy lifestyles, and we're excited to continue innovating with easy-to-use solutions for our customers," said Jamie Siminoff, Ring's CEO.
"Ring Intercom puts the customer in control, improving secure building access for residents and visitors, while introducing the added convenience Ring customers know and love. By upgrading the functionality of their existing intercom, customers no longer need to stay at home for a delivery or leave guests waiting outside in the rain when they're not home."
In addition to the Alexa integration, Ring says that the new Intercom will enable auto-verification for Amazon deliveries and for approved guests, which would let them buzz themselves in without need for a door code or an extra fob.
As for privacy, Ring says that the intercom's two-way talk conversations are fully encrypted by default to prevent outside access to your intercom, so only people at your apartment door will be able to buzz for your attention. Ring adds that you can share or revoke access to your building or your app's intercom controls to whomever you like at any time.
Another key point: With no camera in play, the Ring Intercom isn't something that you'd use for video sharing in the Ring Neighbors app, which has drawn criticism from privacy advocates in recent years for facilitating police requests for user footage.
There's no set date for when the Ring Intercom will make its way to the US, but Ring says that the device will start shipping in Germany and the UK this October, before arriving in France, Italy and Spain in early 2023, with the US release pegged for sometime next year after that. You can head to ring.com/intercom to register for updates on availability.
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Best DIY Home Security Systems for 2022
Best DIY Home Security Systems for 2022
Professional home security systems from companies like ADT and Vivint are great, but a DIY home security system offers some benefits as well. The main advantage is that they're far more affordable than a professional setup. There are no costly upfront fees or multiyear contracts. Some of the best DIY home security system options on the market only cost a few hundred dollars and are easy to install yourself. Plus, they don't come with any hidden fees.
We've tested some of the most popular DIY home security options available and rounded up our picks below of the best, including our top pick, the Ring Alarm Pro.
Want to find out if DIY is right for you? Read our DIY versus professionally installed home security systems comparison here .
Best DIY home security systems
Hobie Crase/CNET
The Ring Alarm Pro system has shaken the DIY home security market, wrapping a Wi-Fi 6 Eero router into its base device. That means you get all the basic security you'd expect from, say, SimpliSafe or Abode, but you'll also get access to all sorts of extra features, including cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi in case of power outages, network security monitoring, local processing and storage for all of your Ring devices and integration with Alexa's Guard Plus service (provided you have an Echo speaker or display).
Ring still has a troubling history when it comes to its privacy practices and policies, but the Ring Alarm Pro is undeniably one of the smartest DIY home security systems I've ever tested, and it's surprisingly well priced in a crowded market. The base system with four entry sensors, one motion detector, one Z-Wave extender and a keypad costs $300, and you can add other devices a la carte for reasonable prices.
Read our Ring Alarm Pro review.
Chris Monroe/CNET
SimpliSafe was one of the first DIY home security system options to hit the market and is a reasonable alternative to ADT and other professional alarm company firms. That's due in large part to this home security system's affordable cost and wide variety of accessories. You can usually find its starter kit for around $200.
SimpliSafe's impressive array of accessories such as key fob, additional motion sensors, smoke detector, glass break sensor, siren and solid performance for the price make it our favorite DIY home security system -- if basic security is all you're after.
Read our SimpliSafe Home Security System (2018) review.
David Priest/CNET
Wyze Home Monitoring is a standout due to its affordable cost. The base kit includes two door/window sensors, a motion detector, a keypad, and a base station with a built-in siren -- all for around $100 (an increase from the original $50 price tag). Add $10 per month for professional monitoring, or just sign up for a year of professional monitoring ($60) and get the starter kit half-off. From there, you can add cameras for around $30, sensors for under $10 and a slew of other gadgets for ridiculously cheap prices. The only real drawback: Wyze doesn't have cellular backup in case of power or internet outages.
Other DIY home security systems we've tested
The above systems weren't the only DIY options we tested. We've also tried out Abode Iota, Cove, Lorex, Frontpoint, Kangaroo and Ring Alarm. Iota was a great security system, but it wasn't able to match Simplisafe's prices. Frontpoint, meanwhile, offers great hardware at competitive prices, but its monthly $45 monitoring fees are too much. Cove simply struggled to distinguish itself in any significant way.
Budget-friendly options Kangaroo and Ring Alarm couldn't quite knock out Wyze. Kangaroo nearly matches Wyze's price, but its hardware -- especially its janky doorbell cam -- leaves something to be desired. Meanwhile, Ring Alarm, though a great deal all around, is part of a company with a troubling history when it comes to police partnerships. While Ring Alarm is neck-and-neck with Wyze, Wyze comes out on top simply because it's not carrying all the baggage that Ring is.
Finally, Lorex offers a local network of connected cameras -- but it doesn't offer the integration that smarter systems do for the same price.
Still have questions? Check out this comprehensive guide to all things home security.
How we test home security systems
Hands-on testing is core to our evaluations of any home security products. In short, when it comes to home security systems, we pay special attention to the user experience, the promised features, reliability and overall value -- along with a few other elements. We do the testing in a real home environment over the course of at least a full week. If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security systems and services.
DIY Home Security Systems Compared
Our Picks
Ring Alarm Pro
SimpliSafe (8-piece set)
Wyze Home Monitoring
System Price
$300
$245
$100
Monitoring Price
$20/month
$15/month
$10/month
Starter Equipment
Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router, door/window sensors, motion detectors, a keypad, a siren and optional professional monitoring subscriptions
v3 camera, two door/window sensors, a motion detector, a keypad and the Sense Hub
Contract Required?
No
No
No
Setup
DIY installation
DIY installation
DIY installation
Extra Features
Cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi, network security monitoring, local processing, storage for all of your Ring devices and integration with Alexa's Guard Plus service
Customizable system, built-in Wi-Fi and cellular, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Customizable system, integration with many third-party devices, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Review Score
9
8.5
8.4
DIY home security system FAQs
How do I choose the best DIY home security system?
There are a few considerations to take into account when choosing the right DIY home security system.
Obviously, cost -- both upfront for equipment and potential ongoing subscription fees for monitoring or storage -- is one of the main factors when choosing a home security setup. Some systems, like the Wyze Home Monitoring System featured above, are available for less than $100. Others can set you back $200 to $300 or more, and the price could inflate even higher with each sensor, camera or alarm you add. Adding another layer of complication to the equation: Many of these systems see significant discounts throughout the year.
Speaking of adding devices, be sure to factor in the number of areas, such as doors and windows, you'll want to place a camera or sensor when choosing a DIY security kit. Some DIY security systems may come with a base and one or two sensors while others, like the Ring Alarm Pro, come with four sensors, a motion sensor and a range extender.
Higher-priced DIY security systems are likely to come with more devices, plus lots of useful features and compatibility with other smart home devices, which is something else you'll want to consider when choosing a DIY home security system. The Ring Alarm Pro, our top pick for DIY security systems, features cellular-powered backup, local processing and storage for Ring devices along with easy integration with Alexa Guard Plus service.
Finally, you'll want to consider local-versus-subscription storage and monitoring options. A DIY Ring system, for example, could offer a number of monitoring and data storage options for an added monthly cost that are not available with other devices. On the other hand, if you'd rather monitor your home security system and handle data storage yourself, many devices allow you to do so at no extra cost.
Is it better to have professional home security service over a DIY version?
A DIY home security system certainly has its advantages, like lower pricing and simple self-installation, but professional security has its perks. While DIY systems are typically easy to install and set up, you won't have to worry about any of that when a professional system is installed by an experienced technician.
Professional systems are generally more expensive than DIY, but may come with lower upfront costs. It's possible to get free or discounted equipment and free installation with a professional system, but keep in mind that you may also have to sign a one- or two-year contract.
Signing a contract is unfortunate, but the level of monitoring, support and warranties may be worth it. While DIY systems often come with warranties, monitoring options and technical support on their own, professional services are likely going to deliver a more hassle-free experience -- if you're willing to pay for it.
How much do DIY home security systems cost?
A DIY security system can cost $60 to $400 or more depending on the brand and model you buy and where you purchase it. The Wyze home monitoring system is a great value at $80, for example. On the other end of the spectrum, SimpliSafe's 10-piece DIY home security system is available for $281 on their website -- and those prices can go much higher if you opt for all the bells and whistles the service offers.
Like with any addition or upgrade to your home, you'll want to evaluate the costs, and what you get for the money, when choosing a DIY security system for your home. It's easy for the cost of a DIY system to add up, but keep in mind that choosing a cheaper system that doesn't meet your needs may not be worth your while either.
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Best Home Security Systems for Renters in 2022
Best Home Security Systems for Renters in 2022
Home security systems can give you peace of mind, but if you're renting a home or apartment installing these might not be possible. A professionally installed system -- and some DIY systems with more invasive installations -- might not be feasible given owner or landlord restrictions. If you don't want to drill into walls, fiddle with doorbell wiring or pay to install a permanent system in an apartment you're renting, there are plenty of home security systems for you.
To put together our list of the best home security systems for renters, we tested every major security system on the market, from professionally installed systems to DIY ones. In general, the professional systems don't make much sense for renters because they tend to rely on permanent fixtures and sometimes come with contracts that last longer than a lease. The better picks for home security systems in a rental property are going to be cheaper DIY products. Here are the best systems for the job.
Read more:7 Home Security Tips for Apartment Dwellers
Wyze
Wyze's home security system is ridiculously cheap -- even after the price bumps many of its products saw in early 2021. The company's home monitoring system costs $80 and comes with two door/window sensors, a motion detector, a keypad and a base station with a built-in siren -- plenty of devices for an apartment. You can also get a year of professional monitoring for $60. That'll give you a 50% discount on the system (which rounds out the price at $100).
In short, Wyze's is a solid system with a really appealing price tag -- and it's cheaply and easily scalable for a variety of apartment or home sizes (adding a camera, for instance, will set you back as little as $30). The big drawback? It doesn't have cellular backup, which means if the power or internet go down, you lose the professional monitoring and remote alerts. The system will still work locally, though, so if someone breaks in while the power is down, the siren is still going to sound.
Read our review.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Ring has a ton of baggage, but its 5-piece home security system is a solid midrange DIY security option for renters. It comes with a door/window sensor, a motion sensor, a keypad, a range extender and a base station. While it's not as good as its Ring Alarm Pro system, many renters don't need a new router -- let alone a mesh Wi-Fi system.
What I like most about this Ring Alarm for renters, though, is that it works with the Ring Peephole Cam, which is one of the only video doorbells that works with those peepholes you often find in apartment buildings. Like Wyze, Ring unfortunately doesn't have cell backup.
Read our review.
Chris Monroe/CNET
SimpliSafe is our favorite DIY home security system for renters for several reasons: it's reliable, well-priced and has no significant weaknesses (that's right, you have cell backup here, unlike the two systems above). That said, SimpliSafe does have one shortcoming for renters in particular: its video doorbell is wired-only. For many renters without doorbell wiring (or without permission to fiddle with it), that takes the video doorbell off the table.
If you're not worried about the video doorbell, though, SimpliSafe offers fantastic packages at prices that, while slightly higher than the systems above, beat out direct competitors like Abode. Packages start at $244, but you can regularly find them on sale on the SimpliSafe website for significantly less -- at the time of writing, for instance, the base package only costs $171.
Read our review.
Security Systems for Renters Compared
Our Picks
Wyze Home Monitoring
Ring Alarm (5-piece)
SimpliSafe (8-piece)
Price
$100
$160
$179
24/7 Professional Monitoring Fees
$10
$20
$17.99
System Hardware
2 door/window sensors, 1 motion detector, 1 keypad, 1 base station with built-in siren
1 door/window sensor, 1 motion sensor, 1 keypad, 1 range extender, 1 base station
24/7 professional monitoring, remote alerts, false alarm prevention, no long-term contracts, Alexa and smart home integration
Mobile notifications and remote alerts, integrates with Alexa and other Ring products
Cell backup, 24/7 professional monitoring service, customizable system, Alexa and Google Assistant integrations, 24-hour battery
Review Score
8.4
7.5
8.5
How we test home security systems
For each system we test, we install it ourselves just as you would at home, or we have an installer come set it up in the case of professional systems like ADT and Comcast Xfinity. Once it's installed, we spend at least a week testing the system and all the device-by-device features. Our ranking puts a priority on value, but also takes into strong consideration the quality of hardware, service and general user experience -- including how easy it was to set up and the frequency of false alarms. For more robust information on any of the recommended security systems above, please read the full reviews.
If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security systems and services.
Home security for renters FAQs
Can you install a security system in a rental?
You can add a home security system to your rented apartment or home, but a DIY, noninvasive system (one that does not require drilling into walls or doors, or rewiring a doorbell, for example) will often be your best bet. What's more, professionally installed security services may come with a contract that extends past the length of your lease, further complicating your next move.
Before purchasing a system or signing up for a service, check your lease agreement to make sure any major changes, like the installation of a home security system, are allowed in your apartment or home.
Should I put a security camera in my apartment?
An exterior camera, unless reserved to private spaces like your back patio, is generally not recommended for apartments because it will routinely capture footage of people in public spaces. Additionally, many lease agreements do not allow for the exterior installation of devices such as cameras or satellite dishes.
On the other hand, there are many reasons why you may want to add a security camera or two inside. Smart home cameras are great ways to monitor kids from another room or pets when you're out of the house. As for security, a camera may capture images or video of intruders and send you an alert. Furthermore, the presence of a security camera is often enough to deter a potential burglar, so consider placing a camera somewhere it can be easily seen by others.
How can I secure my apartment?
Installing a home security system that monitors entryways and the interior of your apartment is one of the best ways to secure your dwelling, but there are other measures you can take. It's a good idea to keep any valuables out of sight, especially from windows (where someone may see them from the outside).
The buddy system can be a free but invaluable way to enhance your apartment's security: Make friends with your neighbors, communicate suspicious activity and ask them to keep an eye on your property while you keep an eye on theirs.
You may also want to consider renter's insurance to minimize losses in the event of a burglary or other security breach. To learn more about home security for apartments, check out these home security tips for apartments.
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Which smart home gadget should you buy first?
Which smart home gadget should you buy first?
Smart home tech is nothing new -- hobbyists have been geeking out over home automation for decades now -- but in recent years, it's marched closer to the mainstream than ever before. In recent years, high-profile connected home gadgets like the Amazon Echo, the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ring Video Doorbell have all become breakout hits by offering attractive designs and tangible benefits, many of them at prices that aren't unreasonably high.
The result? A mainstream smart home market with an awful lot of momentum. In 2018, a GfK study found that over half of US households now include at least one smart home gadget. Over a third of them include two or more.
Of course, that leaves about half of us who still haven't bought in. Many might be put off at the thought of connecting everything under their roof and sharing data picked up by sensors, security cameras and microphones with Silicon Valley -- but with a wide variety of smart devices available in your local hardware store, others simply might not know where to start. To that end, here's a look at how to answer a not-so-simple question: Which smart home product should you buy first?
Disclosure: CNET may get a share of revenue from purchases made through the links on this page.
Plan for a purpose-driven smart home
Ask yourself: What do you want from your smart home? As a guy who listens to pitches for the latest smart home technology day in and day out, I can assure you that you've got lots of options. Do you want to keep an eye on things with a do-it-yourself security system and camera feeds you can check from your phone? Do you want simple conveniences like voice controls for your lights and thermostats? Do you want artificial intelligence and cloud-connected appliances to help freshen things up in the kitchen?
To figure out what you want, think about the things you do at home on a daily basis and look for improvements that you'd find meaningful. Do you tend to wander from room to room before bed turning off lights that the kids left on? Smart bulbs that you can turn off with a single voice command or tap on your phone might make sense. Do you shop online a lot, and worry about thieves stealing packages off your porch while you're at work? A video doorbell with a feed you can view remotely might be a good fit.
For my money, I think smart lighting is a sensible starting point for almost everyone. After all, we use the lights in our home more than just about anything else -- adding in things like motion-activated lights for the exterior of your home or automatic wake-up fades that sync with your morning alarms make a lot of sense, because you'll enjoy them day in and day out. For more on why it's a great time to try smart lights, click here.
Value versatility
If nothing specific jumps out at you and you just have a general curiosity about what the smart home might have to offer, then look for flexible, multifunctional devices that you can use in lots of different ways. A small smart speaker like the Amazon Echo Dot or Google Home Mini is a great way to see what artificially intelligent in-home helpers like Alexa and Google Assistant are capable of, and neither one will cost you more than $50. The WeMo Mini smart switch from Belkin is even cheaper, and it'll let you automate anything you plug into it -- lamps, desk fans, crock pots, space heaters, you name it.
The WeMo Mini Smart Switch from Belkin is a versatile little gadget that automates anything you plug into it. Available for just $30, it's a good, low-risk step into the smart home.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
As always, when in doubt, start small. Once you find a product that you like, you can start to build around it by adding in other, compatible gadgets capable of making it even smarter and contributing some unique appeal of their own. Our smart home compatibility tracker can be a really helpful tool to that end.
Ponder your platform options
If you're buying a new computer, you'll need to decide which operating system you'd like to use -- Mac, Windows, Chromebook, etc. Smart home tech is similar in that a majority of the most popular gadgets are designed to work within a wider ecosystem of devices -- the most common being voice control platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and the Siri controls that come with Apple HomeKit. Control hubs from names like Wink and Samsung SmartThings offer dedicated platforms capable of helping different devices get along, too. You could also keep things working together by sticking to gadgets that work with IFTTT, a free, online automation platform.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each of those options can go a long way toward helping you build out a smart home setup that makes sense for you, particularly if you're planning on using multiple types of gadgets. The smart home is just better when things work together.
That said, most devices offer their own dedicated apps and controls, and can be used independent of any broader platforms right out of the box. That means that you don't necessarily need to make any commitments right away. On top of that, a growing number of products support multiple platforms. Starting with smart devices like those can help you keep your options open if you're undecided for now.
I'll add that each platform has its own security certification process designed to keep insecure, vulnerable hardware out of the mix -- that means that a product that works with multiple platforms has essentially gotten multiple passing grades from names like Apple, Amazon, Google and Samsung, all of which have a lot at stake when it comes to keeping their respective platforms secure.
Here are a few quick suggestions that fit the bill:
Available with two bulbs or four, Philips Hue's white-light smart bulb starter kit is relatively affordable, and it's easy to use and build upon -- plus, it works with just about everything you could imagine.
Ry Crist/CNET
Smart lights
Along with automating whatever you plug into the side of it, the iDevices Switch will monitor your energy use and double as a multicolor nightlight, and it works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Smart plugs
Available for $100 and packed with helpful features, the Honeywell Lyric T5 is one of our favorite smart thermostat value picks, and it works with a wide variety of platforms.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Smart thermostats
The Kwikset Obsidian is a keyless smart lock that supports a number of platforms, including Amazon Key for in-home package delivery.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Smart locks
I'd also add that if you have any interest in voice controls, then starting off with either an Amazon Echo Dot or a Google Home Mini is one of the smart home's biggest no-brainers. Even if you ignore the smart home integrations that let Alexa or the Google Assistant control things like lights and thermostats, each device is arguably worth the $50 asking price for the voice-activated music, podcasts, news headlines and cooking timers alone.
Do your homework
The best way to pick the right gadgets for your home is to understand what all of the different options have to offer and narrow things down accordingly. With such a huge variety of alternatives battling it out in a complex arena of competing platforms and standards, doing so can get confusing in a hurry.
But hey, that's where we come in! Our product reviews, best-of lists, buying guides, how-to content, explainer posts and featured dispatches from the CNET Smart Home are all aimed at helping you understand what a more connected living space has to offer (and where it falls short). If you're looking for ideas as to how you might put a smarter home to work, we'll help you brainstorm. If you're stuck trying decide between two seemingly identical gadgets, we can help with that, too. If you want to dive deeper into privacy and security concerns before buying in, we've got you covered.
Bottom line: There's never been a better time to try your hand at home automation. Explore your options, and you'll find plenty of ways to start your smart home off right.
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Always Home Cam: Amazon's flying Ring drone might be tricky to get your hands on
Always Home Cam: Amazon's flying Ring drone might be tricky to get your hands on
Amazon announced during its fall hardware event Tuesday that the Ring Always Home Cam -- the flying drone camera announced during the same event last year -- will begin selling this fall. Starting today, you can request an invitation to buy the Always Home Cam.
The Ring Always Home Cam will cost $250, and it will be able to fly around your house following a preset flight path. You'll be able to schedule a route around the house or trigger a trip manually. In addition, the camera will be able to respond to certain events -- such as an armed door/window sensor in the Ring Alarm system being set off.
The camera is not designed to cover multiple floors, so flying up or down stairs seems to be out, along with remote control, which Ring said will not be possible for security and privacy reasons. The Always Home Cam will not be able to record footage while it's docked, and its loud propellers will make its presence known, in case you're worried about its access to private spaces in your home.
Ring's privacy has been the subject of close scrutiny and sharp criticism -- particularly for how it has shared user information with police, and how it has facilitated video sharing on its public app and with police. Despite some recent improvements to its policies, releasing a flying drone camera complicates already-difficult questions about where Ring stands on privacy. Indoor security cameras have contributed to serious privacy breaches as it is; to attach propellers to one and enable it to fly autonomously around a house potentially compounds the existing problems. (Ring's indoor cameras, including the Always Home Cam, cannot be used to respond to Requests for Assistance posts by police.)
Amazon's strategy for rolling out the drone cam is perhaps more telling than it seems. The tech giant has relied on invite-only sales when a device's uptake has been uncertain -- the Echo Auto, Alexa Microwave and other so-called Day 1 devices spring to mind here. The strategy, in these cases, has been explicit: limit the initial release to measure market interest. (UK and Australian prices were not announced, but $250 is about £185 or AU$345.)
The Always Home Cam has certainly grabbed headlines. The question is whether it will get people to pull out their credit cards -- or their Prime cards. Or perhaps, eventually, to ask Alexa to order it for them.
At Tuesday's event, Amazon also announced the Ring Alarm Pro, Amazon Blink, the Astro, a new custom alerts feature and more. The company unveiled that Ring will soon let you hire virtual security guards to monitor your doorbell feed, as well.
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Frontpoint home security review: An ace DIY system grounded by expensive subscription fees
Frontpoint home security review: An ace DIY system grounded by expensive subscription fees
Like
Approachable system
Reasonable hardware prices
Solid smart-home device offerings
Don't Like
Outrageous monthly monitoring fees
Update, Oct 23: Since our initial review, Frontpoint added a feature called Frontpoint ID Protect to its monthly subscription. This new feature, in partnership with Allstate, will allow you to monitor your personal and financial data, and should catch early signs of fraud and reimburse you for fraud-related losses. I haven't tested this feature out, but it's an interesting addition to the mix of features available from Frontpoint. I've adjusted the overall score and the conclusion in the review below.
Home security comes in two basic categories: professionally installed systems and do-it-yourself arrays. The professional systems usually cost a lot more, though you can often break up those fees into monthly payments -- and someone else does all the setup for you. DIY systems by contrast are cheaper, but require a little more elbow grease.
And then there's Frontpoint, a DIY system with high-end professional monitoring. Frontpoint Security Solutions' offering is a solid system with a lot of flexibility -- but its monthly monitoring costs, which clock in at a grimace-inducing $45, simply make it too expensive to beat out more wallet-friendly packages from competitors like SimpliSafe and Abode.
This old home (security)
Frontpoint works like most other DIY security systems: It arrives in a box that's designed to unpack nicely. Once you download the app and begin to install each device, the smaller, numbered boxes inside the larger package help guide you through the process.
I got the most basic Frontpoint system, which includes a motion sensor, two door/window sensors, a keypad and the central hub. In addition, I got a camera and a doorbell cam. I set up my Frontpoint system in under half an hour, and despite some small hitches (your account is set up at the time of purchase, and since Frontpoint provided the box for testing, it was linked to someone else's name), I was able to get things up and running without much head-scratching.
From there, I tried out the system as usual for about a week. The hub gives verbal alerts like "Front door open" when doors or windows are opened or closed, which I like. If you don't, you can switch off the setting easily in the app. The motion sensor worked as well, balancing sensitivity so that intruders would be recognized but shifting shadows wouldn't set off a false alarm.
Exploring the camera settings was fun and easy, too. You can set zones of interest for the camera, so it automatically begins recording when someone or something moves into that zone -- or set up "tripwires" to create a similar effect.
Within two days of installing the system, I received a helpful alert before bed one night that the front door had been left ajar. And I was able to use the camera to check in on my kids playing in the backyard during the workday, catching when they were getting a little overzealous with their mud and sidewalk-chalk alchemical experiments.
Frontpoint's basic system comes with two door/window sensors, one motion detector, a keypad, a base station and signs.
David Priest/CNET
In short, home security systems are genuinely useful, and Frontpoint is no different. The big question is, how does it stack up against the competition?
Entering the ring with Ring
The DIY security market has exploded in the past decade or so, with startups like SimpliSafe and Abode, and latecomer systems from established smart home companies like Amazon Ring and Wyze. Frontpoint most resembles the startups, where home security is and has always been the primary focus. But its monthly monitoring fee sets it apart.
Let's take a look at the details.
Again, Frontpoint's basic kit starts at $392, and includes a motion sensor, two door/window sensors, a hub, a keypad and signs. SimpliSafe's most analogous system starts at $259 and comes with three door/window sensors.
Seems like Frontpoint's is much more expensive, right? Well, it's complicated. Both brands are almost always running promotions of various sorts. Right now, that means Frontpoint's system comes with a "free" doorbell cam, and is on sale for $255. SimpliSafe's system is on sale for $207. So maybe Frontpoint, with that included video doorbell, is offering a better deal than SimpliSafe? But let's go on.
Look, the starting price for many of these DIY systems depends on the deal you find, but the best way to get a sense of how the cost stands up over time is to look at device pricing and monitoring fees. There, a pattern emerges: Frontpoint's prices are consistently a little higher than SimpliSafe's -- $6 more for door/window sensors, $12 for motion detectors, $13 for glass break sensors and so on.
Add up these small discrepancies over a larger-scale system, and you're looking at hundreds of dollars of difference.
But if you're trying for a small-scale system with a camera, Frontpoint could beat out SimpliSafe -- especially because its indoor camera is the only device that's significantly cheaper than SimpliSafe's alternative. Frontpoint's camera is $65 while SimpliSafe's is $99.
SimpliSafe's system is a little cheaper than Abode's for the most part, but both are a little pricier than the Ring Alarm and Wyze budget options. Suffice it to say, Frontpoint's offering fits in nicely with that higher tier of DIY systems… until you look at the monthly monitoring fees.
Frontpoint's system is comparable to most other DIY security systems on the market, except in one way.
David Priest/CNET
Netflix, but with security
Okay, streaming services like Netflix don't seem like a great comparison, but monthly monitoring fees or subscriptions are an inescapable element of security systems -- and many DIY options offer prices that are pretty similar to video streaming services' monthly costs. SimpliSafe charges $15, or $25 with all the monitoring and automation goodies. Abode charges anywhere from $6 to $20. Wyze is $5 per month, and even professional systems like Vivint and Comcast Xfinity only cost $45 and $40 respectively for the most expensive options.
Frontpoint charges $45 per month if you use direct deposit, or $50 if you use a card. At the time of this review, the company is offering a promotional price of $40 per month.
Just to hammer this point home: Frontpoint's monthly fee is equivalent to Abode's most expensive tier, SimpliSafe's most expensive tier and Wyze's monthly fee combined.
I asked a representative at Frontpoint why the pricing is so high, and they chalked it up to the cellular backup, environmental monitoring, video monitoring and automation features.
But Wyze is the only option that doesn't offer cell backup; various levels of environmental and video monitoring are often available, especially with professional systems; and automation features are fairly standard these days. While Ring Alarm, say, works with plenty of smart home gadgets, even more siloed companies like SimpliSafe integrate their services with Google Assistant and Alexa to allow greater automation. Frontpoint has some of those same voice assistant integrations -- so that's not a weakness -- but it certainly doesn't stand above the competition in smart home integration.
In short, I don't buy the explanation for the monthly fee. That $45 (or even $50) price tag is frankly astounding, given where the rest of the industry stands. Practically, it will mean hundreds of dollars more every year compared with its direct competitors. At that point, you might as well get the excellent and surprisingly affordable Comcast Xfinity system and call it a day.
Frontpoint's $65 camera is the best deal in its hardware lineup.
David Priest/CNET
But… is it good?
The monthly fee disappointed me in part because I actually really liked working with Frontpoint. Setup was painless, and the app was fairly accessible, even while packing in a lot of features and information.
All the basic devices work as you'd expect them to, and the $65 indoor camera, designed by Alarm.com, is a solid deal. It offers 1080p resolution and a 110-degree viewing angle (I personally like wider-angle lenses for security cameras, but for an indoor option, 110 degrees will almost always do the trick). The camera is a breeze to set up, and as I mentioned before, can record and send notifications based on a variety of user-determined rules.
The video doorbell has 720p resolution with a 170-degree camera -- no 1:1 aspect ratio here, though, despite it making the most sense for video doorbells, where people want to see packages on the ground as much as the faces of people standing only a foot or two away. I wasn't able to set up and test the video doorbell because my previous doorbell damaged my house's wiring, but Frontpoint uses a branded device from Skybell, which makes doorbells we've tested and liked before.
The other third-party offerings are solid, too, and Frontpoint doesn't inflate its prices. You can integrate a Yale smart deadbolt, for instance, and you'll pay a little less for it on Frontpoint's website than Amazon's. Ditto the Jasco light bulbs and Alarm.com thermostat.
Read more: Best smart locks for 2021
These gadgets are all respectable -- and it's refreshing not to see upcharges on third-party gadgets when that's so common. But besides the excellent Yale lock, none of these devices compete with the best stand-alone versions available, like Arlo's latest video doorbells or cameras, or any of our favorite smart light bulbs.
This isn't a deal breaker, but it does highlight a problem with Frontpoint's general value proposition. Home automation is a key justification for the company's $45 monthly fee, but when the smart home devices available are curated by Frontpoint and offer hit-or-miss quality, you have to ask: Why not just use the connection with Alexa or Google Assistant to allow people to choose their own smart bulbs, locks and thermostats to integrate with?
The takeaway
Frontpoint offers a solid security system, with performance akin to SimpliSafe or Abode. It even bests these DIY competitors in a handful of price categories -- especially with a few of its smart home device offerings.
But the outrageous monthly monitoring fee will rightly turn off a lot of people. Frontpoint's customers will pay anywhere from $240 to $420 more per year than SimpliSafe customers -- and that number is closer to $500 more than budget DIY systems like Wyze. You usually buy a home security system for the long run, not just a year or two, so that difference in monitoring fees will mean thousands of dollars for many, if not most, customers.
The new Frontpoint ID Protect feature, which is a free addition to the monthly monitoring fee, offers an interesting dimension to this conversation that most competitors don't really address -- and it may or may not be a feature that makes this package more appealing to you. While it makes that $45 monthly fee slightly easier to swallow, though, paying over $500 per year on an ongoing basis just feels a little too expensive, unless you're all-in on every feature offered.
If you're ready to pay that kind of money for security alone, a provider like Comcast Xfinity will offer better support at a comparable price (actually a little cheaper). If the appeal of DIY security is its affordability, then you're better off sticking to more affordable-over-time options like those offered by SimpliSafe, Abode or Wyze.
Correction, July 1: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described which voice assistants Frontpoint integrates with. Frontpoint works with both Google Assistant and Alexa.
