After years of waiting, the Google Home Speaker finally launched in June 2026 – but was it worth the wait?

Google’s long awaited smart speaker is a serious advancement on its previous Nest speaker and display devices. Not only has it undergone a full design transformation, but the Google Home Speaker comes with Gemini instead of Google Assistant, offering a more natural and conversational way to interact with your speaker

But aside from its made-over looks and new voice assistant, how does the Google Home Speaker measure up? I spent a few weeks using it to find out.

Google Home Speaker review: price and availability

The Google Home Speaker is available to buy for £99.99 / $99.99 at Google Store and select retailers, like Currys, Argos and John Lewis. Alternatively, you can buy the Google Home Speaker in instalments for £33.33 with three monthly instalments.

The Google Home Speaker comes in two colours – hazel or porcelain. At launch, it was announced that it would come in more colours which could arrive later in the year.

To use the Google Home Speaker, it’s recommended to have a Google Home Premium subscription. When you install the speaker in the app, you should be offered a six month free trial before there’s a monthly cost of £8 / $10 or annual fee of £80 / $100 for the standard plan. The advanced plan is £16 / $20 a month or £160 / $200 a year.

Google Home Speaker review: set up and app

The Google Home Speaker arrived with just the speaker and a charging cable – nice and simple. Once I’d plugged it into my room of choice, I downloaded the Google Home app and scanned the barcode on the bottom of the speaker. From there, I connected to my Wi-Fi so I could add the Google Home Speaker to my list of devices.

The Google Home app is straightforward and has three sections – home, activity and automations. The homepage has all your devices listed so you can access them quickly, while activity shows everything you’ve asked the Google Home Speaker to do. Finally, automations is where you can set up schedules.

Once I had the Google Home Speaker on my app, I connected it to other devices like my Philips Hue light bulb and Spotify account, and set up an evening wind down routine and a few reminders. I also had to select a voice for Gemini which had a surprising amount of options available.

Google Home Speaker review: design and features

The Google Home Speaker is the first smart speaker to be built on Gemini for Home. While you still have to say ‘Hey Google’ like you did with Google’s previous speakers, Gemini is much more conversational and can continue chats if you have any follow-up questions. You can also interrupt it if you need to adjust things without having to constantly say ‘Hey Google’ to get its attention.

In terms of design, the Google Home Speaker is quite different from Google’s Nest devices, like the Nest Mini and Nest Audio. In fact, it looks more like an Amazon Echo Dot. It has a round 360-degree design with a flat top and base and it has a fabric-like material.

When you speak to Gemini, the base of the Google Home Speaker lights up in different colours via its light ring. It has a microphone built-in which you can mute via the toggle switch at the back. It’s quite petite, although it has an extra-long cable and plug so you can position it easily.

As a speaker, the Google Home Speaker has 360-degree sound for powerful, balanced audio from every direction. It can also be used to ask questions, play music, create invites and reminders, set timers, trigger automations and detect unusual events and send you notifications. However, a lot of these features require a Google Home Premium subscription.

If you’re an existing Nest user, the Google Home Speaker is compatible with older Nest speakers, displays and Google Cast-enabled devices.

Google Home Speaker review: performance

I’ve tested a few smart speakers in my time as T3’s Home Editor, and the Google Home Speaker has my favourite looks by far. Its rounded shape takes up minimal space, and its light bar emits pretty colours. The Google Home Speaker also has built-in sensors which are extremely responsive as the light bar would eliminate if I or anyone else would approach it.

Audio is where I found the Google Home Speaker to excel the most. Its sound is powerful, and Gemini is crisp and clear. Compared to other voice assistants I’ve tried, Gemini is nice and conversational, and it’s very handy to simply ask follow-up questions rather than having to say the wake up word over and over again.

But Gemini is also where I found the Google Home Speaker to have faults. Many users have experienced problems with Gemini, like minute-long lags and even just ignoring requests. Sadly, I am one of those users. While Gemini did respond smoothly most of the time, I did find it to have some serious delays.

I also experienced an issue with Gemini setting timers. Most of the time, my timers and reminders went off perfectly. But recently, I set a timer for 20 minutes and I’d checked the time before I requested the timer so I knew it’d hit the time limit. I wasn’t notified and when I asked how long was left on the timer, it said 12 minutes, so I’m not sure what time Gemini actually set the timer for – not ideal when you’re cooking, let me tell you.

The initial set up process was easy and I liked the usability of the app. It responded quickly and was extremely self-explanatory, and when I wasn’t sure how to do something, I was always given an explanation or taken to a support page. At times, though, I found that the app didn’t always correspond to the speaker, so while I set a reminder in the app, the Google Home Speaker didn’t notify me when I’d requested.

Google Home Speaker review: verdict

Is the Google Home Speaker a good smart speaker? My answer is both yes and no. For the former, I can’t deny how attractive the Google Home Speaker is, and I appreciate its sensors and audio. However, the ‘no’ part of my answer is all down to Gemini.

I think the Google Home Speaker maybe needed a few more months of work before it was released. I found Gemini to be very conversational, easy to talk to and most of the time, extremely helpful. However, I also experienced a few bugs and faults that were hard to overlook.

Personally, I’d use the Google Home Speaker for listening to music and setting the occasional timer – just not when I’m cooking – but for automations, I’d look for a different brand.

Google Home Speaker review: alternatives to consider

Since the Google Home Speaker’s launch, the Google Nest Mini and Audio have been discontinued so you won’t be able to buy one of these anymore. However, if you have an existing one, I’d recommend holding on to them as you can still use them, and Google has stated it’ll still undergo necessary updates on them.

I’m a fan of Amazon Echo devices, and the Echo Dot is hard to beat. The Echo Dot Max is its latest launch and I rated it highly in my review. It's got the looks, has both manual and voice controls, and it’s a great device to have as part of your smart home ecosystem.

Ever since Jony Ive and Sam Altman announced that they were working together, speculation has been rife about what the result might be.

Jony Ive is best known for his design work at Apple - he's a hardware guy - while Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. That hardware and AI software puzzle might have something of a solution, thanks to a recent interview from Joanna Stern.

Stern talks to Greg Brockman, OpenAI's company president about a wide range of things, but focuses in on hardware at one point during the interview. Brockman responds that "we are building a family of devices".

When asked whether this device "needs a screen", the response is "we'll just have to see". That's neither a confirmation nor a denial, but the emphasis on not being limited to voice suggests that it's more than just a microphone and speaker pairing.

Brockman was keen to emphasise that this isn't about one device, it's about delivering experience across a range of devices because that's how they get value out of their own silicon that they are developing. The company previously-announced Jalapeño, developed with Broadcom, which is aimed at data centres, with the hardware for personal devices still to be revealed.

So the best guess that we can take out of the interview follows current speculation that Jony Ive is designing a family of speakers and that might include a screen on one of them, which sounds like an Echo Show running ChatGPT.

Brockman wouldn't be drawn on a date, only saying "you should expect them soon". That "soon" timeline from Brockman could see an announcement in 2026, although we've previously heard that shipping wouldn't happen until February 2027. The discussion starts at around 6:30 in the video.

We've previously seen speculation that the first OpenAI device would basically be a wearable device, like the Humane AI Pin. The fate of Humane might have caused a pause for thought, as the device was discontinued. It was also speculated that OpenAI might launch earbuds, but that was shot down by Tang Tan from Open AI.

A phone with no apps has been suggested, but everything is rounding on a device that might fit in your pocket or have on your desk, with a report saying it is a speaker, lamp and glasses are coming.

If nothing else, OpenAI is revelling in the fact that no one knows what the result might be. From the outset there's been talk of a completely new type of device, so there's no shortage of expectation.

With Apple expected to unveil a screen-based HomePod soon, it might be that we'll see Ive and Altman make the big reveal in the not too distant future.

The Philips Hue Play Table Lamp is now available to buy after being unveiled last month. It launches alongside several other new Hue products, including two additional Play lamps, new candle smart bulbs and smart switches.

The Play Table Lamp looks like a mini version of the original Philips Hue Signe Floor Lamp, standing at 60cm tall. It's designed to sit neatly beside your TV, monitor or gaming setup, and is fully compatible with the Philips Hue entertainment system.

Priced at £69.99/$79.99, the Play Table Lamp is available now from the Philips Hue online store. The brand is also currently running a Member Days promotion, where signing up gives you a 20% discount code when you add two or more Hue products to your basket.

The Play Table Lamp features RGBWWIC gradient lighting alongside Chromasync precision colour matching, creating smooth lighting effects. As with the rest of the Hue Play range, it can synchronise with your TV using either the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box or the Hue Sync TV app on compatible televisions.

Early impressions have been overwhelmingly positive, with one customer writing: "I have two of these either side of my desk monitor, having previously used the old Play Bars. They look fabulous and the gradient effect is stunning. The price is good, too."

If you're looking to expand your smart lighting setup, it's well worth checking out the other best Philips Hue lights, especially whilst the current promotion is running.

Apple is thought to be working on a new operating system that's going to power the anticipated Home Hub, which is expected to launch in late 2026 or 2027.

The move could see a long-awaited push in smart home from Apple, having originally struggled to gain traction through early HomeKit efforts, with slow evolution of devices like the Apple HomePod.

Rumours point to Apple launching a device with a screen - like the Echo Show - which will run the new operating system, thought to be called homeOS.

The details were revealed by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, laying weight to their probability. Accordingly, the interface will use a grid of icons, apps and widgets, with customisable clock faces.

It's expected that Apple's revamped Siri AI will be integrated into the system, bringing a welcome boost to the intelligence offered, and better competition with Alexa+ on Echo devices or Gemini on the new Google Home Speaker.

Additional details of the Apple Home Hub suggest that it will have a 7-inch display (which sounds rather small), while the size of the content will scale up or down depending how far you are from the screen. Amazon calls that Adaptive Content, pulling a similar trick on the Echo Show.

Another element that seems to be inspired by the Amazon Echo is facial recognition to personalise the content. Amazon has a Visual ID system that will see who is looking at the Echo Show and make adjustments for them - for example giving access to their personal calendar.

That at least suggests that there will be multi-user support, something that Apple hasn't always been good at in the past.

The new homeOS is expected on the Apple Home Hub, which is expected to launch alongside refreshed HomePod and Apple TV models, looking like a complete repositioning of Apple's smart home offering.

With Apple it's always difficult to pin down a launch date, but it's being suggested that Apple will target an event after the September launch of the iPhone, perhaps in October. We're also expecting to see a wide update of Mac models at the same time.

I can’t quite believe we’re already saying goodbye to July! The past month has been scorching hot and full of smart home launches, despite this time of year being quite slow for new products.

Amongst July’s smart home releases are new and improved security cameras from the likes of Ring, Reolink and SwitchBot, and colourful smart lights to illuminate your outdoors and enhance your streaming.

Below, I’ve rounded up the seven best smart home launches from July 2026 in case you’ve missed them.

1. Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) and Ring Peephole Camera 2K

Not a month goes by without Ring launching something new, and for July, it announced two new outdoor cameras. Starting with the Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) has 2K video resolution, up to 6x Enhanced Zoom and true colour low light vision.

The star of the launch is the Ring Peephole Camera 2K, an outdoor camera that also acts as a video doorbell. It replaces your existing peephole without any major installation required, and it has wide views and motion detection so you don’t miss anything. Pre-orders are open for both the Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) and the Ring Peephole Camera 2K at Amazon with shipping expected in early-mid August.

2. Reolink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

Reolink also had a busy July, launching security cameras and video doorbells, like the new Reolink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen). Reolink’s second generation video doorbell has 2K 4MP resolution, head-to-toe views and smart detection that identifies people, pets, vehicles and packages.

The most impressive feature of the Reolink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is its battery life. It uses Qualcomm's QCC730 micro-power Wi-Fi technology, which Reolink claims extends the doorbell’s runtime by up to 50% and delivers up to 10 months of battery life.

3. SwitchBot Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K

The SwitchBot Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K is seriously impressive, as it doesn’t just detect intruders but it also reacts to them. Using AI, the SwitchBot Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K summarises events in natural language to tell you exactly what’s happening.

Not only does the SwitchBot Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K make it easier to understand what’s going on at your property, but it also makes going through footage easier as you can use natural language prompts like "show me when the car was scratched”. It also has 360° horizontal rotation, 90° vertical movement and a 110° wide-angle lens so you won’t miss a thing.

4. Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera

A new trend in outdoor cameras is having two lenses instead of one to maximise coverage. The Tapo C575D 4K is a perfect example of this, as it has two 4K dual lenses, with one larger camera sitting on top of a smaller one.

Able to monitor two separate areas at one time, the Tapo C575D 4K’s top camera has 170° views while the bottom telephoto lens camera has a motorised pan/tilt movement. As the top camera stays in a fixed position to give you an overview of your home, the bottom camera moves side to side and up and down, and when the top detects events, the bottom follows the action.

5. Govee Outdoor Wall Floodlight

Designed for gardens, patios and driveways, the Govee Outdoor Wall Floodlight is one of the brightest outdoor lights on the market with 3000 lumen of white light. It also comes with up to 16 million colours thanks to its RGBWW technology, and colour temperature can be adjusted between 1,000K - 10,000K.

The Govee Outdoor Wall Floodlight has a surprising amount of tech under its hood. It comes with a built-in PIR motion sensor with a 120° field of view which allows it to detect movement and switch on the light when someone approaches your home. It’s also incredibly easy to install and affordably priced at £99.99/€99.99/$99.99.

6. Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor Stand

Heading inside, the Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor Stand combines customisable smart lighting with desk organisation. Created in partnership with Fantaqi, the stand is a solid wood base that measures 100cm x 22.5cm x 12.1cm and supports between 28kg - 70kg – the latter is with a central support column.

To illuminate your desk set-up, the Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor Stand has dual flux RGB lighting with up to 550 lumens and plenty of colour options. The stand has a front-facing task light and ambient rear light so the desk is illuminated all the way around. It also comes with voice and touch controls, and is compatible with Matter.

7. Shelly Wall Display X1i

The Shelly Wall Display X1i is similar to the Echo Hub but it comes in a smaller, more streamlined package. Measuring just 4 inches, the Shelly Wall Display X1i can sit easily on your wall, and even replace your light switch.

For easy smart home control, the Shelly Wall Display X1i connects your devices together in one centralised location. It has proximity, gesture and luminosity sensors so the hub responds naturally to what’s happening around your home. It also has an ultra-fast quad-core processor for quick and smooth responses.

Donald Trump has introduced a ban on the import of advanced robotic devices into the US, which includes many of today's best robot vacuum cleaners. The move forms part of the Trump administration's AI Action Plan, which aims to encourage more technology manufacturing within the United States.

Whilst the original announcement was fairly broad, the FCC has now published a document clarifying exactly what the ban covers. Under the new definition, robots that can move autonomously, are equipped with sensors, connect to a network and weigh more than 4.4lb (2kg), including any docking stations, can no longer be imported into the US.

That means the ruling applies to most robot vacuum and mop combinations, robot lawn mowers and even certain transport, pool-cleaning and industrial robots.

There is some good news for anyone who already owns one of these devices. Robots that have already received FCC certification can continue to be sold, and products that are already in homes will continue to work as normal. The ban only affects the import of future products that fall under the new rules.

Whilst it's impossible to know exactly which brands will be impacted, upcoming robot vacuums from the likes of Roborock, Dreame, Ecovacs, Narwal and Xiaomi could be delayed in the US or miss out on a launch entirely if they don't receive the necessary approvals or exemptions.

It's also worth reiterating that this is US-specific legislation, so there's currently little reason for buyers in the UK or elsewhere to worry about similar restrictions. For now, the biggest impact is likely to be on the timing and availability of future robot vacuum releases in the American market.

AI is still one of those words that sparks a strong mix of excitement and hesitation, and that's largely because it's increasingly finding its way into our homes. It almost feels expected to be woven into the latest gadgets, to the point where every new product seems to need an AI feature to be considered worthwhile.

However, as someone whose job is to cover, review and test the latest smart home tech, I don't think that's what makes this area truly useful.

I've come to realise that the best smart home gadgets are often the ones that make the annoying tasks disappear. It might be controversial to say, but none of that necessarily needs AI – it just needs technology that solves a problem you actually have.

There's always going to be a temptation to focus on the flashy side of smart home technology, and whether that comes from childhood fantasies about being a spy or living on a spaceship is another question entirely. Most launches these days can certainly make it feel that way, but some of the most useful gadgets are also the least exciting.

One of the best smart plugs isn't going to be the most impressive gadget in your home, and it's certainly not going to be the most attractive, but it can automatically turn a lamp on before you arrive or switch off an appliance when you don't need it. The same goes for smart lighting. You don't need an AI-powered bulb that understands your mood if all you want is for the hallway light to turn on when you walk through the door. All you need is a simple schedule or perhaps a motion sensor to trigger it automatically.

A robot vacuum is another good example. As a smart home reviewer, my attention naturally goes to things like suction power, mopping capabilities and the quality of its navigation and cameras. AI features such as automatic carpet detection and smart object recognition are impressive, but if the robot doesn't actually clean my home to a good standard, then I don't really care how clever it is.

That's not to say AI doesn't have a role to play. In fact, a lot of the time, it's quietly ticking away in the background without us even noticing. It can help security cameras better recognise people and pets, allow voice assistants to understand more complicated requests and even help your home adapt to your routines automatically.

However, the latest AI features shouldn't be the benchmark for deciding whether a smart home product is useful. You shouldn't have to think about whether your lights will turn off or whether you've left the heating running. When smart home tech works properly, these things just happen.

Homey has received Matter 1.5 certification for the Homey Pro, Homey Pro mini and Homey Self-Hosted Server, making it one of the most advanced Matter-compatible smart home platforms available today.

The update means supported devices already connected to Homey can now be exposed to other major smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant, through Homey's Matter Bridge app.

The certification is effective immediately, so Homey users can start taking advantage of the latest Matter 1.5 capabilities from today.

Matter 1.5 arrived last November as one of the more significant updates to the smart home standard in recent years. The new version introduced support for several long-requested device types, whilst also giving manufacturers more tools to build and certify new Matter-compatible products.

Homey's certification now puts it among a relatively small number of smart home systems running on the latest version of the standard. For comparison, Amazon Alexa currently supports Matter 1.0, whilst Apple and Google are on Matter 1.4 and Home Assistant is on Matter 1.3.

Despite covering smart home technology for several years now, I’ve never really gotten the appeal for indoor security cameras. I’ve tested a few in my day, but as soon as I’m done, I tend to give them to people in my life who have pets and kids who they want to check up on while they’re away.

But after seeing the new Tapo TC72 Pan/Tilt AI Home Security Wi-Fi Camera, it might have convinced me to give indoor cameras another try. This pocket-sized model may be small and cheap, but it packs some serious smarts under its hood.

Starting with video quality, the Tapo TC72 offers 2K 4MP QHD resolution, so it captures every detail clearly. It even has enhanced night vision, so you can see clearly in low light and dark conditions, with a visibility of up to 30 feet.

Thanks to its small and inconspicuous size, the Tapo TC72 can comfortably sit on shelves in your home without being too much of an eye sore. It has a pan and tilt design which offers 360º horizontal and 114º vertical coverage to cover all areas of your home. When it detects motion, the camera will even follow it so you don’t miss anything.

Speaking of detection, the Tapo TC72 has smart AI detection. It can detect humans, pets, vehicles and even babies crying, so it’s a handy device that can double as a baby monitor if needed. When it detects these events, it’ll send you quick notifications.

Other notable features include a built-in microphone and speaker so you can talk to people in your home with two-way talk, and a sound and light alarm which can scare off unwanted visitors. The Tapo TC72 is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant so you can use it with voice commands.

In terms of storage, the Tapo TC72 stores footage on a microSD card with a maximum capacity of up to 512GB. Alternatively, you can sign up to Tapo Care to use cloud storage, but if you want to keep things subscription-free, you’ll have to use a microSD card which you can buy separately.

The Tapo TC72 is available to buy for £39.99 at Tapo and select retailers, like Amazon.

It's no secret that building a smart home is an ongoing process. What starts with one smart speaker or a single security camera can quickly turn into dozens of devices, multiple apps and an increasingly complicated web of automations.

I've spent years adding, testing and reviewing smart home gadgets, and whilst I'm happy with the setup I've ended up with, there are plenty of things I'd approach differently if I were starting again today.

So, if I could wipe the slate clean and build my smart home from scratch, these are the five things I'd prioritise from day one – and a few mistakes I'd make sure not to repeat.

1. Invest in solar-powered smart security

Solar-powered security cameras are often overlooked, largely because of concerns about how reliable they can be in the UK's unpredictable climate. I used to have the same reservations, but after paying more attention to the solar options available, I've now found myself avoiding wired cameras altogether.

In fact, not making the switch sooner is one of my biggest smart home regrets.

The obvious benefit is that solar cameras don't add to your electricity bill, but I've found the biggest advantage to be how convenient they are. As long as the solar panel gets enough direct sunlight, you have far more freedom over where you can install the camera, and many models offer a range of mounting options.

The Tapo C660 Kit has been one of my favourite solar security additions. Since installing it last summer, I've never seen the battery level drop below 90% – even through the middle of winter. It's not positioned in an especially high-traffic area, as it mainly overlooks the bottom of my garden, but it still alerts me when it detects movement, and that's really all I need from it.

It's one of the easiest and most reliable smart home additions I've made, and if I were starting my smart home again, I'd have prioritised solar security much earlier.

2. Put more focus on smart garden gadgets

The garden wasn't exactly a core part of my smart home setup when I started building it, and I completely underestimated how much enjoyment I'd get from bringing smart technology outdoors.

Smart outdoor lighting has been brilliant for summer evenings and hosting, but there's one category I wish I'd discovered much sooner – smart bird feeders and bird houses. Birdfy's models have brought me an enormous amount of joy in recent weeks, and if you enjoy spending time in your garden or like seeing the wildlife around your home, I think you're missing out if you haven't considered one.

The Ebony Nest Ebony Bird House and Ebony Lite Bird Feeder have been the focus of my recent garden upgrades. Both provide somewhere for birds to feed or nest, whilst also incorporating a camera that can film and identify the birds that visit. The Birdfy app can then notify you when birds arrive, tell you what species you're looking at and even let you watch them live.

Both models have built-in solar panels, so once you've set up the camera, it can start charging immediately. You don't have to worry about constantly removing the camera to charge it indoors, although that's still an option if you want to position the feeder or house somewhere covered and away from direct sunlight. I've mounted mine on different walls around my garden, where they get plenty of sun whilst giving me a great view of the birds visiting.

I just wish I'd discovered the Birdfy gadgets sooner. My smart home is no longer limited to the four walls of my house, and that's made the whole experience much more enjoyable.

3. Don't abandon smart lighting

Smart home security has evolved dramatically in recent years, and as a smart home reviewer, a huge amount of my time is spent testing the latest security cameras, video doorbells and motion sensors. The downside is that I've found myself putting smart lighting to one side, which is something I wish I hadn't done.

Yes, smart security helps protect your home and keeps your smart home working in the background, but smart lighting can do far more than simply make a room look nice.

You can use schedules to mimic natural daylight throughout the day, automatically turn lights on and off when you're away, or even use certain models as visual timers for things like cooking, working or getting ready for bed.

I wish I'd built more of these automations into my setup from the beginning. Security might be the most obvious place to start when building a smart home, but lighting is arguably where you'll notice the benefits every single day.

4. Stick to one brand for security devices

As I've mentioned, I have security cameras and other gadgets from multiple brands spread across my smart home. Whilst I have plenty of favourites – including Reolink, Tapo and Aqara – sticking to fewer brands is one thing I wish I'd done differently from the start.

On paper, having cameras from different manufacturers doesn't sound like a big deal. I can view and control many of them through my Echo Show 8, which acts as the central hub in my smart home. When I'm at home, I can simply ask Alexa to show me a specific camera feed, and it works well.

The problem becomes more obvious when I'm away, and when I want to quickly check multiple cameras from my phone, I often have to jump between different apps. That's not exactly difficult, but it's unnecessarily frustrating when all I want to do is quickly see what's happening at home.

It's one of those lessons you only really learn after you've built your smart home over time. Having the latest and greatest camera from every brand might seem appealing, but sometimes consistency is more valuable than having the "best" individual product.

5. Make Matter a priority from the beginning

Finally, and probably my biggest regret of all, is that I didn't prioritise Matter from the beginning.

Matter is becoming increasingly important to the smart home, giving compatible devices a common standard that helps them work across different platforms and ecosystems. With support from major names including Google, Apple and Amazon, it's also a standard that's designed to make smart home devices more interoperable as the industry evolves.

Smart home gadgets aren't always cheap, and the last thing I want is to spend money building a setup that becomes increasingly difficult to integrate as my needs change. Buying Matter-compatible products can help give you more flexibility in the future, particularly if you decide to switch platforms or introduce devices from different manufacturers.

There are also important benefits around privacy and security, including local control in supported setups, although the exact features depend on the individual device and ecosystem.

If I were starting my smart home from scratch today, I'd make Matter compatibility one of the first things I checked before buying anything. It might not be the only factor I'd consider – device quality, features and ecosystem support still matter – but I'd want to know that whatever I buy has a better chance of fitting into my smart home for years to come.

If you have a first generation Google Home device, like the Google Nest Mini or the Google Nest Hub, you can now use Gemini Live. Thanks to a recent update, Gemini Live is now available on these older devices but there’s a slight catch – you’ll need a Google Home Premium subscription.

Google finally launched its new Google Home Speaker this year after six years of no new speakers or displays from the company. But while Google has its Nest Mini and Nest Audio after this new launch, users who still have these devices just got a handy update which means they don’t have to replace their gadgets any time soon.

As of 23rd July 2026, Google has given access to Gemini Live to its first generation smart speakers and displays. What’s better is Google has also increased Gemini’s conversation memory window to 15 minutes so you can ask Gemini follow-up questions within this time frame and the voice assistant can carry on the chat and understand the context.

But there is a bit of a catch with this new update, and that’s that you’ll need to have a Google Home Premium subscription, and be part of the Gemini for Home early access program. Prices on the Google Home Premium plans start at £8 / $10 a month for a standard plan or £16 / $20 a month for an advanced plan.

If this is all set-up for your old Google Nest devices, then you should be able to start using Gemini Live. All you have to do is say “Hey Google, let’s chat” to try it out.

Google has also introduced other upgrades and improvements to its Google Home app. Firstly, automations are now easier to create as you can save them without any starters. App navigation has also been improved so when you click on a device set-up or settings, you’ll be taken directly to the right page.

Other improvements include better labels for smart blinds, and passcode reminders for smart locks if you remove a member. Google has also fixed playback error updates for iOS users of the Google Home app, as well as video playback issues and missed battery alerts.

Google is clearly working hard to fix any issues which is a blessing to both old and new users, as even the new Google Home Speaker recently experienced some problems.

Nanoleaf has launched a new Smart LED Monitor Stand, expanding its ambient RGB lighting portfolio. Created in partnership with Fantaqi, the stand combines a practical monitor riser with customisable RGB lighting, as well as Matter compatibility, voice assistant control and touch controls.

The brand's Pegboard Desk Dock won Best Smart Light at the T3 Awards 2025, combining customisable lighting with practical storage in a space-saving design. The new monitor stand has a similar approach, putting the focus on keeping your desk tidy whilst adding a more immersive lighting setup.

The Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor Stand is priced at £179.99/$169.99 and is available via the Nanoleaf online store.

The stand itself features a solid wood base with a natural walnut veneer top, measuring 100 x 22.5 x 12.1cm. It can support up to 28kg without the central support column and up to 70kg with it, providing users with plenty of flexibility.

Nanoleaf has used dual-flux lighting technology to combine independent front-facing task lighting with an ambient rear light. There are 102 individually addressable LED zones in total, with the front task lighting delivering up to 550 lumens and the rear ambient lighting reaching up to 480 lumens.

You can also adjust the colour temperature from 1,700K to 6,500K, allowing you to switch between warmer lighting and cooler illumination depending on what you're doing.

Smart home tech that's easy to use, install and monitor is always a big win in my book, so when the Reolink Argus MagiCam arrived, it couldn't have been more up my street.

Unlike most of the best security cameras, the Argus MagiCam has been designed with portability and flexibility in mind rather than permanent installation. It's an excellent option for renters, but it's equally suited to anyone who wants hassle-free home security without getting the drill out.

You'll find my full thoughts below, but if you couldn't tell already, I was seriously impressed by this small-but-mighty camera.

Price and availability

The Argus MagiCam is available in a 1-pack (£49.99), 2-pack (£94.99) or 4-pack (£169.99), all of which can be purchased directly from Reolink's website. The 1-pack and 2-pack are also available on Amazon.

I actually think it's very competitively priced, especially if you're planning to cover multiple areas of your home. Opting for the four-pack brings the cost down to just over £42 per camera, making it excellent value if you're building out a wider security setup.

Unboxing and setup

As with any Reolink camera, getting the Argus MagiCam set up is incredibly easy, with the whole process guided through the app. You simply connect the camera to your Wi-Fi, follow the prompts to pair it with your account and, within a few minutes, you're ready to start using it.

The camera itself comes with multiple mounting options, but as I've been using mine to keep an eye on my puppy, I mainly relied on the magnetic back to attach it to his crate. The magnetic connection is strong, although because it's positioned on the bottom half of the camera, it can sometimes swing around rather than staying perfectly in place. I ended up using a cable tie as a bit of extra security, just in case my puppy decided to knock it off.

If you're installing it somewhere more permanently, I'd recommend using the included magnetic mounting pad. It gives you a little more flexibility over where you position the camera and keeps it securely in place, whilst still allowing you to remove the camera whenever you need to. For me, the built-in magnet has been ideal because I regularly move the camera around.

Design and features

Measuring just 68 x 68 x 28.9mm and weighing only 108g (without batteries), the Argus MagiCam is one of the smallest cameras Reolink has ever produced. It has a neat rounded-square design with softly curved edges, whilst the front houses the 2MP Full HD camera, infrared LED, PIR motion sensor, ambient light sensor and microphone.

As mentioned, the Argus MagiCam also comes with a magnetic mounting pad that lets you attach it to almost any flat surface in minutes. If you've already got a metal surface available, you can snap the camera straight onto it.

Reolink also includes a rotary mounting bracket with 360° horizontal rotation and 180° vertical adjustment, and its IP67 weatherproof rating means it's equally at home indoors or outside.

It records in 1080p Full HD with a 132° diagonal field of view, whilst a 120° PIR sensor detects motion up to 10 metres away. Smart detection can distinguish between people, vehicles and animals to help reduce false alerts, and you also get infrared night vision, two-way audio and time-lapse recording.

Connectivity comes via dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, with footage stored either locally on a microSD card (up to 256GB) or through Reolink Cloud.

Rather than relying on a built-in rechargeable battery, the Argus MagiCam uses replaceable AA lithium batteries, which Reolink claims can last for up to nine months, depending on usage. However, if you'd rather leave it in one place permanently, you can also power it continuously via USB-C.

Performance

The biggest thing I noticed during testing is just how easy the Argus MagiCam is to live with. For a relatively affordable camera, I was also impressed with the overall image quality. The 1080p footage is clear enough for keeping a close eye on what's happening, and features such as colour night vision and AI detection are a particularly welcome bonus at this price point. As I already use other Reolink devices, I also opted for Reolink Cloud storage, as it works best for my existing setup and means I can easily access footage alongside my other cameras.

The one area where I did come up against a slight issue was battery life. Reolink claims the Argus MagiCam can last for up to nine months, but in reality, how long it lasts will depend heavily on how much movement the camera is picking up.

During my first week of testing, I positioned the camera within my puppy's crate, which is a fairly high-traffic spot with plenty of movement. With the motion sensor constantly being triggered and regular notifications coming through, the batteries lasted around six days.

For the second week, I decided to turn off motion detection and notifications, and the battery life almost doubled, lasting around 13 days. Based on my experience, I can't quite see the camera lasting for nine months in a busy area with regular activity, although I can imagine this being much more achievable if it's positioned somewhere with very little movement.

Thankfully, the Argus MagiCam can be powered via USB-C, making the battery life much less of a concern. I wouldn't personally do this with my puppy, as having cables around him isn't exactly ideal, but if I ever change how I use the camera in the future, this is the option I'd choose.

Verdict

Overall, the Argus MagiCam has been a really pleasant little camera to use. It's incredibly simple to set up, easy to move around and offers strong image quality in a tiny package. The battery life could be better for high-traffic areas, but the ability to switch to USB-C power gives you plenty of flexibility. For such a small and affordable camera, that combination of portability, simplicity and useful features is what ultimately pushes it into five-star territory for me.

Alternatives to consider

The TP-Link Tapo C425 is probably the Argus MagiCam's closest rival. It also offers a wire-free magnetic installation, although it steps things up with a 2K QHD resolution. Instead of replaceable batteries, it uses a built-in 10,000mAh rechargeable battery, which TP-Link says can last for up to 300 days on a single charge.

Another alternative is the EufyCam C35, which also features a magnetic mounting system. However, our reviewer found it only really comes into its own when paired with the HomeBase Mini.

Watch out, Echo Hub – Shelly has just launched its new smart wall display to the UK market. The Shelly Wall Display X1i is a centralised smart home hub in the form of a 4-inch high-resolution colour display which is easy to install and can even replace your home’s light switches.

Founded in 2018, Shelly is still a relatively new smart home brand, but it’s seriously expanded into all categories within the sector. Its range of sensors, switches, dimmers, smart plugs and more offer an affordable way to upgrade your home into a smart one.

Having a centralised smart hub for all your devices is paramount to keeping your home running smoothly. While you can achieve this by apps, a smart speaker or display, sometimes a dedicated hub makes things that much easier, and this is what Shelly has become known for.

Shelly previously launched its Wall Display XL in late 2025. Measuring 6.5-inches, it was a pretty sizable device that took up a lot of wall space. Shelly’s newer model, the Wall Display X1i offers much of the same features and functionality but in a smaller 4-inch size.

Available in black or silver, the Shelly Wall Display X1i is designed to fit standard European flush-mount wall boxes so it’s easy to install and doesn’t look like an eyesore. It can even replace your traditional light switches, which is especially helpful if you have smart lights already set up around your home.

The Shelly Wall Display X1i connects your smart home devices together and keeps them in one central place. Powered by an ultra-fast quad-core processor, it has a built-in relay for direct control of lighting and appliances, and it responds quickly and smoothly.

Within the Shelly Wall Display X1i are proximity, luminosity and gesture sensors, so the hub responds naturally to you and what’s happening around your house. For example, it can trigger automations when it notices changing conditions in a room, like temperature fluctuations.

The display itself is all colour, and the home screen can be personalised with shortcuts. Aside from customising your devices, the Shelly Wall Display X1i also monitors your energy consumption to help you save on your household bills.

Alongside its new smart control panel, Shelly has also launched the new Shelly BLU Motion ZB, its latest smart sensor. Both devices can be used together to make your smart home automations more seamless.

As a wireless motion sensor, the Shelly BLU Motion ZB detects movement and ambient light levels using PIR technology. This allows the sensor to respond quickly to changes and notify the display which then makes adjustments or starts automations if necessary.

The Shelly BLU Motion ZB comes with Bluetooth and Zigbee connectivity, and it’s powered by a CR2477 battery which allows it to operate for up to five years without needing to be replaced. It can sit on surfaces or be mounted on walls via its mounting pad, so installation is easy, too.

Both smart devices are available to buy now, with the Shelly Wall Display X1i priced at £162, and the Shelly BLU Motion ZB costing £18. The former is a similar price to the Echo Hub which goes for £169.99, so there’s not a huge cost difference.

However, if you don’t fancy diving into the Amazon ecosystem just yet, the Shelly Wall Display X1i is a great – and simpler – alternative.

Amazon has issued an update to its Alexa+ assistant that will allow it to connect with more smart home devices than ever before. The update expands Alexa+'s compatibility with products from brands including Bosch, Delta, Ecovacs, Sonoff, Govee, iRobot, Twinkly, Yale Home, Whirlpool, Tapo and Eufy, with the AI assistant also able to automatically route requests to the right device.

With the new update, customers can simply describe what they want to do, and Alexa+ will map the request to the relevant device and feature. Alexa+ will also learn your preferences and suggest Routines that make better use of your connected devices.

The update comes just days after Amazon rolled out Alexa+ via Alexa.com in the UK, allowing users to access the assistant directly from their browser. Together, these updates are expanding both who can access Alexa+ and what it can actually do.

Alexa+'s ability to interact with third-party services is also set to improve. Since Amazon launched its revamped AI assistant earlier this year, its integrations have been relatively limited, with existing support for services including Ticketmaster, OpenTable, Uber, Thumbtack, Expedia, Yelp, Square and Angi.

Now, Amazon is looking to expand those capabilities by adopting the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source standard that allows AI models to connect with external systems and tools. This should make it easier for more companies to build integrations with Alexa+, with Canva, Headspace, Priceline, Lyft, Cengage, Virgin Atlantic and Weekend, among others, expected to launch support later this year.

Finally, Alexa+ is getting an update related to payments, with Amazon Wallet allowing customers to check out using the payment method already saved to their Amazon account. Brands including Atom Tickets, Cengage, Fandango, Priceline and Taskrabbit plan to build task-completion experiences with Amazon Wallet this year.

Expanding its ever-growing line-up, Ring has just announced two new outdoor security cameras with its simplest installation yet. The standout from the new launches is the Peephole Camera 2K which can be easily set-up on your existing peephole without any drilling required, an option that renters are sure to love.

Starting with the Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen), this new model has 2K video resolution and up to 6x Enhanced Zoom, a feature Ring is slowly but steadily adding to its range of cameras and video doorbells. Available in wired and battery versions, the Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) has a wide angle lens that covers 140 degrees horizontally and 85 degrees vertically for enhanced views.

The Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) keeps its 2K resolution throughout the day and into the night, so you can clearly see who’s at your property, even in low light. For low light conditions, the camera shows everything in true colour and automatically switches to black and white night vision when it gets dark.

With similar looks to the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus, the Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) can be installed anywhere with its mount. This camera also comes with the usual Ring features like live view, two-way talk, motion detection and privacy zones which are available in the Ring app.

The second – and in my opinion, the most impressive – launch from Ring is the Ring Peephole Camera 2K. If you live in rented accommodation or a flat, this camera gives you the chance to add technology and an extra layer of security to your front door without any fussy or permanent installation.

The Ring Peephole Camera 2K looks like a video doorbell with its long triangle shape, and it kind of acts like one, too. It has a camera at the top with Retinal 2K resolution and 6x Enhanced Zoom, and a button just beneath it which visitors can press to talk to you, thanks to Ring’s live view and two-way talk features.

The best part of the Ring Peephole Camera 2K is its easy to set up. There’s no drilling required or cables required as it’s a wireless model with a quick release rechargeable battery. To install it, you just unscrew your existing peephole and install the camera – that’s it!

When you move, you can just reverse the installation and take the Ring Peephole Camera 2K with you to your next place. It’ll need to be ‘compatible’ with your existing peephole which Ring states needs to be from 12mm to 14mm in size, and for doors between 32.5mm and 60mm.

The Ring Peephole Camera 2K also comes with motion detection and 140 degree horizontal and vertical views, so it should be able to see down to your doorstep.

The Ring Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) is available to pre-order now at Amazon for £99.99 with expected shipping dates from 12th August. The Ring Peephole Camera 2K arrives slightly later on 19th August and will cost £79.99. As of writing, US pricing hasn’t been announced, but the prices are usually quite similar.

Philips Hue could be about to launch a giant smart lounge table, despite initially being revealed as an April Fools' joke. According to Fabian from Hueblog, the massive lounge table has appeared multiple times in video footage from Capital Markets Day 2026, where the rumoured Hue Play Screen Sync Camera was also spotted.

From the few glimpses we've seen, the lounge table appears to be designed for outdoor use, with a power cord clearly visible in the footage. That means it won't be portable like the standard Hue Go 2.0, but it's a small detail that adds more credibility to the rumours. After all, why would Philips Hue include a visible power cable on a product that was supposedly only intended as a joke?

Signify has since edited the video, removing almost all of the sections that showed products that haven't yet been officially announced. However, the image used as the cover for the article is still online, whilst another brief glimpse of the product can also be spotted for just a second in the video.

Fabian has also reportedly heard that the launch was originally planned for spring but was later postponed. Hopefully, we'll get some more concrete information in September at IFA, where Philips Hue is expected to unveil several new products.

IFA 2025 saw one of the biggest Philips Hue launches in years, including the long-awaited Hue Bridge Pro, so it remains to be seen whether this year's event will be quite as exciting. However, if the giant smart table does make an appearance, it would certainly be one of the more unexpected products we've seen from the brand.

The UK government has announced that plug-in solar panels will be legal in the UK from next month, following years of waiting for the rules to change. According to research conducted by the government, the move could help homeowners save around £70-£110 a year on their energy bills.

That said, there are a few requirements to note. Plug-in solar setups must be limited to 800W of output, and they can't currently "import electrical energy" from your home to store and use at a later date. The government has also said that you shouldn't need professional installation or planning permission, making these systems much easier to set up and potentially a great option for renters.

We're still waiting to see exactly when companies will start launching their plug-in solar kits in the UK, but after a quick look around, a few manufacturers have already got products on the way. I've listed the ones I've got my eye on below.

As mentioned, the current rules don't allow you to import energy from your home and store it for later use, suggesting battery storage could hopefully be the next big step for plug-in solar.

Aaron James Darvill, Strategic Sales Director at Anker Solix, explained that "Plug-in solar generates the most electricity during the day, but most households use the most energy in the evening. Without battery storage, consumers can't store surplus energy to use when they need it most, limiting the savings and flexibility the technology can deliver."

Anker Solix launched its Solarbank 4 E5000 Pro in Europe a few months ago as a combined solar and battery storage system. This makes it one of the more interesting options that isn't quite legal under the current UK rules, but hopefully that will change in the near future as plug-in solar becomes more widely adopted.

Philips Hue has confirmed that it will replace a select number of Hue Bridge Pro units affected by a recent firmware update issue, after users reported that their devices became completely unresponsive.

At the time, Philips Hue advised affected users to get in touch and apply for a replacement under warranty. Now, the company has confirmed that it will replace every affected unit free of charge, regardless of its warranty status.

Philips Hue hasn't yet provided a specific timeline for when the free replacement units will be sent out, although it continues to process affected cases as more reports come in.

Philips Hue told Ars Technica that the issue appears to be limited to users who had switched off automatic updates and were running older firmware for some time. The problem was reportedly triggered when an update that had already been downloaded to the Bridge was manually installed more than 10 days later, outside the device's usual update window.

Unfortunately, getting a replacement won't necessarily make the whole process seamless. Anyone affected will still need to set up their best Philips Hue lights, scenes and automations again from scratch, which could be a headache if you've spent a while building your setup.

It’s been extremely hot in the UK over the past few months, so now is as good a time as any to upgrade to a solar security camera – and these five options are sure to be the perfect fit.

Instead of using electrical wiring, solar security cameras use a built-in or accompanying solar panel to convert sunlight into electricity. Not only is this a more natural and renewable source of energy, but your security camera is powered 24/7, even on cloudy days and dark nights.

If you already have a security camera installed, most home security brands offer add-on solar panels, so you can buy one separately and incorporate it in your set-up for constant battery life. There are plenty of solar security cameras on the market right now, and I’ve rounded up our five top picks from the likes of Eufy, Arlo, Tapo and more.

Best solar security camera overall

1. Eufy SoloCam S220

Starting off strong, the Eufy SoloCam S220 is an excellent security camera with a built-in solar panel at the top. It only needs three hours of sunlight a day to keep the camera up and running, so you don’t miss a thing happening outside your home.

Despite its low price of £99.99 / $99.99, the Eufy SoloCam S220 is packed full of impressive features, including 2K resolution, AI human detection, and infrared LEDs for night vision. It’s easy to set up, has a wire-free design and is completely subscription-free. Read our five-star Eufy SoloCam S220 review for more details.

Best solar security camera with set up options

2. Tapo C660 Kit

Tapo offers a full range of solar-powered security cameras, but our personal favourite is the Tapo C660 Kit. It’s not as inconspicuous as the Eufy SoloCam S220, as the Tapo C660 Kit has a large rectangular solar panel extended on top of the main camera – but it’s low maintenance and can be connected directly to the wall mount or fixed separately.

The Tapo C660 Kit offers an impressive security experience, including 4K resolution and colour night vision, thanks to its built-in spotlights and sensors. It even has 360 degree AI tracking so when it detects movement, it follows it and identifies humans, pets and vehicles – not bad for just £129.99 / $119.99. Read our Tapo C660 review for more details.

Best premium solar security camera

3. Arlo Ultra 2 with Solar Panel Charger

Compared to the other options on this list, the Arlo Ultra 2 – as well as its Ultra, Essential and Pro siblings – has a different solar panel set-up. Rather than being built into the camera or integrated in the overall design, you’ll need to buy an Arlo solar panel charger separately.

The one downside to this is that the cameras with a solar panel can get expensive. But once you have everything installed, it really is a valuable investment. The Arlo Ultra 2 with Solar Panel Charger especially is one of the best home security systems you can buy, and it comes with 4K video clarity, colour night vision and an easy-to-use app.

Best budget security camera

4. Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam

If you’re on a tight budget, the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is a great choice at just £99.99 / $109.99. It looks similar to Blink’s Outdoor cameras, with its main cube-shaped camera in the centre that’s flanked by two spotlights, but its solar panel is what’s most impressive.

Using SolarEase technology, the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam only needs an hour of sunlight to power the camera all day. The solar panel still delivers a charge in low-light conditions, and when its 7,800mAh battery has a full charge, the camera should last for up to three months without solar input.

Best quick-charge solar security camera

5. Swann EVO 2K Solar Security Camera

If you liked the look of the Eufy SoloCam S220 but want a quicker charge, the Swann EVO 2K Solar Security Camera is a good alternative. It only needs 45 minutes of sunlight to generate enough power for daily use, and the camera can withstand extreme conditions, including heat, rain and snow.

The design of the Swann EVO Wireless Solar security camera keeps everything compact with the solar panel built directly into the top of the camera – just like the Eufy in spot one of this list. It also has 2K HD day and night resolution, two-way talk and it only costs £99.99 / $129.99.

Solar security cameras: do they actually help with battery life?

Despite having nothing but glorious sunshine over the past few months, the UK is known for its grey and gloomy weather. Due to this, it’s unsurprising that not many households have upgraded to a solar security camera just yet.

However, this is a major misconception about solar security cameras – that it has to be intense or direct sunlight that charges them. Instead, solar panels use photovoltaic cells that absorb daylight rather than heat. Yes, they perform best with sunlight, but they still produce power without it as they respond to all natural light.

In terms of battery life, solar panels take in this light and convert it into direct current electricity. This power is stored within the security camera’s battery which is why your camera stays up and running during the nighttime. These types of cameras and panels also have a controller that regulates and manages power, so your camera stays consistently charged at all times.

So yes, solar panels do make a major difference to your battery life. What’s even better is you don’t have to worry about any power outages with a solar security camera, unlike if you had a wired security camera. See 3 reasons why you should switch to a solar security camera for more details.

Philips Hue could soon be launching its own TV backlight camera, according to a new report from HueBlog. Rumoured to be called the Philips Hue Screen Sync Camera, it's expected to make its debut at IFA 2026 alongside several other new Hue products.

Govee has long dominated the TV backlight camera market, with several popular models that use a camera mounted on top of the TV to mirror on-screen colours with compatible smart lights. Whilst Philips Hue already offers an impressive entertainment setup with the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, it relies on an HDMI connection, making it less flexible than a camera-based system..

Pricing and an official launch date are still unknown, but if HueBlog's report is accurate, IFA in September is expected to reveal all.

From the single leaked image, the new accessory appears to clip onto the top edge of a TV or monitor, where it uses a built-in camera to monitor what's happening on screen. It then analyses the image and sends colour data to compatible Philips Hue lights, extending the action beyond the display and into the room.

TV backlight cameras have been a huge success for Govee in recent years, so it'll be interesting to see how Philips Hue's take compares. Personally, I think it could be a fantastic addition, especially for anyone looking to create a more immersive home entertainment setup without relying on an HDMI Sync Box.

The best smart locks make it easier than ever to secure your home, automating access as you come and go. If you've decided Yale is the brand for you, choosing the right model can still be tricky, as its range caters to different homes, budgets and security needs.

Whether you're a renter looking for a simple retrofit solution or want the latest smart home features, these are the three Yale smart locks worth knowing about before making your decision.

Best renter-friendly option

1. Linus Smart Lock L2 Lite

The Yale Linus Smart Lock L2 Lite is a great choice if you're after something discreet and easy to install, making it particularly well suited to renters. It retrofits onto the inside of your existing door in just a few simple steps, with no drilling or permanent modifications required.

One of its standout features is the KeySense button, which lets you press once to lock the door automatically after a short delay as you leave. You can also share digital keys or PIN codes with family members and guests, as well as track who comes and goes via the activity log in the Yale Home app.

Best advanced option

2. Linus Smart Lock L2

The Yale Linus Smart Lock L2 is the brand's most advanced smart lock, offering a range of features designed to make everyday access even easier. DoorSense Technology lets you check whether your door is open, closed, locked or unlocked, whilst Smart Unlock detects when you're approaching and automatically unlocks the door for you.

It's slightly larger than the L2 Lite but is just as straightforward to install, mounting onto your existing lock and running on a removable rechargeable battery pack.

Best budget option

3. Keyless Connected Smart Lock

If you already have a nightlatch, the Yale Keyless Connected Smart Lock is probably the one for you. Whilst it's not as advanced as Yale's newer Linus models, it offers a simple way to secure your home using a PIN code, key tag or remote fob instead of a traditional key.

Powered by four AA batteries, the lock warns you when power is running low and also features an 80dB tamper alarm that sounds if someone attempts to interfere with it. Through the Yale Home app, you can lock and unlock the door remotely (or locally via Bluetooth), manage virtual keys, view access history and receive real-time notifications.

Having a smart plug in your house is invaluable, especially if you’re just starting out with creating your own smart home. But there are some gadgets you should never use with a smart plug – here’s why.

Plugging non-smart appliances into a smart plug means you can use them remotely, set timers, and turn things on and off using your voice. Most importantly, you can add smart technology to your home in an affordable way, without having to replace all of your devices.

Despite being fairly underrated, many people tout smart plugs as someone you can use all over your home. However, there are definitely appliances that they work best with, like lights if you haven’t upgraded to smart bulbs yet, and TVs if you want to save energy by taking it off of standby.

But there are five appliances you should never use with a smart plug – some because it isn’t safe, and others where there isn’t much point and you’re having to do more work to use them in this way.

1. Coffee machines

I’ve tested a few smart plugs for T3, and the main appliances I found to not work well with them are bean to cup coffee machines and kettles. Of course, it’ll depend on the type of coffee maker or kettle you have, but in general, you still need to manually select a drink or temperature in order for your machine to work.

In this instance, a smart plug can ‘wake up’ your coffee machine and kettle, so when you get downstairs in the morning, you can simply tap your drink of choice, and push down your kettle’s lever. But this really isn’t saving you very much time. Instead, you can get coffee machines and smart kettles that come with their own apps and Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can use them remotely in a more cohesive way.

2. Toasters

If you want my advice, I’d avoid using smart plugs with any kind of kitchen appliance, especially toasters. Similar to kettles, toasters still require manual assistance as you need to add your bread and push the lever down. Some may put bread in the toaster the night beforehand, but there’s still that manual action required to get the toaster to actually toast your bread.

3. Blenders

Again, depending on the type of blender you have, there’s still some manual operation needed for it to make your morning smoothie. Regardless of whether you add your ingredients the night before and attach it to your blender, some models require you to press buttons and in the case of Nurtibullets, you have to physically push down the blender to activate the blade.

4. Heaters

If you take any advice from this list, it’s that you should never use a heater with a smart plug – or any kind of appliance that generates heat. Heaters use a large amount of electricity, and this can exceed smart plug limits. In fact, heater manuals strictly dissuade users from using them in extension cords or smart plugs.

The main safety concern here is if the electricity and wattage between a heater and smart plug isn’t compatible – more on this below – this can cause the smart plug to short circuit which can cause an electrical fire.

5. Appliances over 1500W

Most smart plugs are rated between 10 to 13 amps, so any appliance that exceeds this limit shouldn’t be used with a smart plug as it becomes a safety concern. I’d recommend avoiding plugging anything into a smart plug that uses over 1500W of power, especially large appliances, like fridges, washing machines, tumble dryers and air conditioners.

Reolink's second-generation video doorbell has launched, following the arrival of its first 2K 4MP Battery Doorbell back in 2024. The new model brings a pretty significant upgrade to battery life, using Qualcomm's QCC730 micro-power Wi-Fi technology, which Reolink claims can extend runtime by up to 50% and deliver as much as 10 months of battery life.

That's particularly good news because battery life was one of the few things that let down the original model. The Reolink Battery Doorbell earned four stars in our full review last year, impressing us with its 2K resolution and subscription-free approach. So, seeing the brand focus on battery performance with its second-generation model is a welcome change.

The Reolink Video Doorbell 2nd Gen has an RRP of £119.99/$149.99 and is available from the brand's online store, where launch discounts are currently available.

The new doorbell keeps the original's 2K 4MP Head-to-Toe View, alongside on-device smart detection that can identify people, vehicles, animals and packages. This means you can keep an eye on what's happening outside your home and receive real-time alerts without relying entirely on cloud processing.

It also retains two power options, so you can either run it from the battery or connect it to compatible 8-24VAC doorbell wiring if your home already has the necessary setup.

The doorbell also remains subscription-free, with footage stored locally on a microSD card of up to 512GB, keeping your recordings under your control. There's also an optional cloud storage plan if you'd rather have your footage backed up online for a monthly fee.

Apple could be preparing to launch multiple new smart home devices next year, according to AppleInsider. After years of rumours and only whispers of an updated HomePod, it would certainly be welcome news for anyone invested in the Apple Home ecosystem.

According to the report, Apple is planning to refresh both the HomePod mini and Apple TV as early as 2027, whilst the long-awaited Apple Home Hub is expected to make its debut later in the year. If true, it would mark Apple's biggest smart home push in quite some time.

As with most Apple rumours, nothing is confirmed just yet. September's iPhone keynote could give us our first hints, although AppleInsider's Wesley Hilliard believes the announcements are more likely to arrive during a Mac-focused event in October, where Apple Home could get its own dedicated segment.

The rumoured Apple Home Hub is expected to launch as a standalone smart display that can be paired with a range of accessories, including speakers, wall mounts and articulated arms. Last year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also reported it would be priced around $350 or £300, though Apple is apparently still exploring ways to reduce costs before launch.

For now, it's all speculation, but we'll be keeping a close eye on Apple's upcoming events. With just a few months until keynote season begins, hopefully we won't have long to wait before learning what the company has planned.

Alexa.com has officially arrived in the UK, allowing users to access Alexa+ straight from their web browser. Alexa+ first launched back in March as Amazon's biggest AI assistant upgrade yet, but at the time, the company only teased that browser access was on the way. Now, it's finally here.

Alexa.com brings the full Alexa+ experience to your computer, letting you manage your calendar, update to-do lists, control compatible smart home devices, ask questions and complete everyday tasks without needing to open the mobile app. It also means you don't necessarily need to be sitting in front of an Echo smart speaker to use Alexa+, as everything can now be accessed through your browser.

Alexa.com is available now, with Alexa+ Early Access customers able to head to Alexa.com and start chatting with the assistant from any supported web browser.

Amazon describes Alexa.com as a new way to interact with Alexa+, complementing the recently redesigned Alexa mobile app, which has also been updated with a more AI-focused interface. Together, they make it much easier to move between your phone, computer and Echo devices without losing the flow of a conversation.

Like Alexa+ itself, browser access is included at no extra cost for Amazon Prime members. If you already have access to Alexa+, you can start using Alexa.com today.

If you're curious about everything the upgraded assistant can do, be sure to check out the three things that impressed us most when we first tried Alexa+.

The new Reolink OMVI 3i WiFi outdoor security camera is now available to buy in the UK, almost two months after its initial announcement. It's one of three cameras in Reolink's new OMVI Series, which the brand first unveiled at CES earlier this year.

The standout feature across the range is its triple-lens design, which combines a 180-degree panoramic view with 360-degree pan-and-tilt tracking in a single device. Instead of installing multiple cameras to cover different angles, the OMVI 3i WiFi is designed to monitor large outdoor areas all on its own.

The Reolink OMVI 3i WiFi is available on the brand's website as either a single camera (£259.99) or a two-pack (£507.99), but Reolink is currently offering 15% off both options for a limited time. The camera is also already available in the US.

The camera uses a single cable to provide both power and data, reducing cable clutter and making setup much easier. It can be installed on a wall, ceiling or corner mount, providing users with plenty of flexibility.

Like many of Reolink's latest cameras, the OMVI 3i WiFi also features on-device AI, allowing it to distinguish between people, vehicles, animals and general motion without relying on cloud processing. Through the Reolink app, you can customise detection zones, create virtual boundaries and set loitering alerts for even more precise monitoring.

Another big selling point is Reolink's flexible storage options. You can record footage locally using a microSD card of up to 512GB, or connect the camera to a Reolink NVR, NAS or FTP server without paying a monthly subscription. If you prefer cloud storage, that's available too as an optional paid service.

I like to think I’m a very organised person, and for the most part, this statement is true. But my husband and I have recently started working from home on the same days which has made our house slightly more cluttered, and it’s apparently made me more forgetful of where I put my things.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been testing the new Google Home Speaker. It’s been extremely helpful with timers and reminders, but where it’s really helped me is remembering things for me – and not just where I’ve put my keys.

The Google Gemini Memory feature is incredibly useful for remembering things that you simply don’t have the brain capacity for at the time – we’ve all been there. For example, you can ask Gemini to remember where you left things, like your keys or purse, but you can also ask it to remember personal details, like people’s names, birthdays and other key details.

Gemini Memory can remember a wide range of things, including dates, names, family information and clothing sizes. For more personalised things, it can even log books or movies you want to try, gift ideas for a friend and even travel inspiration for a future holiday.

For example, by saying ‘Hey Google, remember I wanted to get my mum a hamper for her birthday’. Gemini ‘remembers’ this and when you ask ‘Hey Google, what should I get my mum for her birthday’, it should respond with what you’d previously mentioned.

Now, I know what you might be thinking – doesn’t this feature already exist? It’s true that other smart speakers, including Google’s previous Nest speakers and Amazon’s Echo line-up, have used this feature previously. But with the introduction of Gemini and it being more natural and conversational, Gemini’s Memory feature does exactly that and overtime.

When asking Gemini to remember something, it’ll log this information so you can ask about it again later. This is all done in a more natural way, and when prompted, Gemini can remember where you’ve left something, what family member is coming over, and even gift ideas suited to a friend that you’d previously discussed with Gemini.

As the Gemini Memory feature develops over time, Gemini builds a personalised profile for you based on the information you’ve shared with it. Not only does this make conversations flow easier but it means you don’t have to re-teach Gemini about who someone is and it continues chats that you’ve had in the past.

For anyone who thinks this would be sharing too much personal information, don’t worry. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t be getting Gemini to remember anything you deem too personal, like passwords or banking details as anyone can activate your speaker and ask about these things.

But you can also delete things from Gemini memory if needed. In the Google Home app, you can go to settings, select Personal Context and delete any saved details. You can also ask your Google speaker to ‘forget that I mentioned this’.

I love my video doorbell but ever since I went on holiday earlier this year, it’s been acting up. As I was away for two weeks, I turned off my Wi-Fi before I left so I wasn’t wasting any unnecessary energy, and this inadvertently turned off my video doorbell.

When I returned, my video doorbell didn’t immediately go back online. I had to completely reboot my Wi-Fi before recharging the doorbell battery, and updating a few things in the app. Finally, I was back online but the problems didn’t go away immediately.

Recently, I’ve been realising how delayed my video doorbell is with notifications and detection. As a hybrid worker, I work from home most days and I can see when people come to my door. I’ve started to realise that even though someone has come and gone in front of my doorbell, I only get a notification after the interaction, so at least five to 10 seconds after the event has occurred.

As you can imagine, this was becoming extremely annoying and I was missing deliveries, so I decided to look into why my doorbell was doing this and how to fix it.

Why is my video doorbell on a delay?

There are a few reasons why your video doorbell may be delayed. The main culprit is a slow or inconsistent Wi-Fi connection. Battery video doorbells tend to be affected by this more, as they’re powered by batteries and Wi-Fi which can take a few seconds to catch up.

Slow Wi-Fi doesn’t just affect your doorbell, either. Your smartphone can also be affected which causes even more of a delay. If you have any power settings on your phone and in your doorbell app – you can extend your doorbell’s battery life if you select certain settings – these can also impact how quickly your doorbell responds.

How to fix your video doorbell’s speed

To improve your video doorbell’s speed, go into your doorbell app and select your Device. Depending on the brand you have, you can check Device Health if you have a Ring or Blink doorbell or Signal Strength for others. Look at the RSSI section which stands for Received Signal Strength Indicator.

RSSI is shown in negatives. Your signal should be between -30 dBm and -67 dBm, but if it’s anything ‘over’ -67 dBm, this means your signal is very poor and this is likely affecting your doorbell’s response time. To fix this, you may want to move your router closer to your doorbell or invest in a mesh Wi-Fi system.

If your power settings are slowing things down, you’ll want to go to the Power Settings and update this. Alternatively, device updates could be impacting your app’s cache so you may want to clear this and reinstall the app to speed up your doorbell’s detection and notifications.

The Amazon-owned Ring is a brand name that you'll quickly come across when you're researching the best home security cameras on the market, and this second generation Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is immediately one of the most capable models in the Ring range.

Compared to the various iterations of this model that came before it, it ups the video resolution to 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), and the dual LED spotlights have been boosted to 600 lumens. There's also a taller and slimmer design here, compared to older versions.

What you don't get this time around (at least not yet) is a battery version. This camera can be hardwired, connected to Ethernet, or plugged into a standard mains socket – and it's the last of those three options I've been testing. Find out what I thought of it below.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd gen) review: price and availability

You can buy the 2nd gen Ring Spotlight Cam Pro right now from Ring or Amazon: the official retail price is £219.99 / $249.99, but if you check the widgets embedded on this page, you'll find the best deals for the camera currently available on the web.

We also have to mention the subscription, as with every Ring camera. That will set you back from £4.99 / $4.99 a month, and is needed for features like video history, smart alerts, and 'home' and 'away' modes – everything besides the basic alerts and live view, really.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd gen) review: design and setup

As previously mentioned, the new Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is taller and slimmer than previous versions: it measures 152 mm tall by 76 mm wide by 52 mm deep (5.98 inches x 2.99 inches x 2.05 inches), so in size it's similar to a portable bluetooth speaker that you can hold in one hand.

You get all the brackets and screws needed to mount it, plus the plug and power cable – it has to be mounted on a ceiling or a wall (there are connector sockets available on the back near the top and in the centre), and won't stand on its own because of the curved bottom speaker. You could mark the camera down for a lack of versatility in this regard, but this is very much an outdoor camera (it's officially "weather resistant"), so you don't really want to leave it perched on a ledge anyway.

As usual, the Ring app for Android and iOS takes care of installation, and I was up and running in just a few minutes. The app includes a tutorial for screwing the camera into its mounting brackets and then into a flat surface somewhere, and during the setup process you'll also be asked if you want to configure motion settings and privacy zones as well (you can always do this after if you prefer).

This isn't really the most aesthetically pleasing security camera I've ever seen, and you could argue Ring could've made this a little smaller and more stylish – though I don't mind a slightly bigger size if it means a better camera and brighter lights. Ultimately, it's the video and motion performance that matters most.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd gen) review: video and features

Given the price of this camera and Ring's product history, you won't be surprised that all the core features are included here: two-way audio, lights, a siren, customisation options for which parts of the 'frame' motion is detected in, instant voice warnings that can be played automatically and so on. It holds its own against any other camera for features.

When it comes to the 4K video quality, it's hard to fault. Every time I checked in on the camera or reviewed one of the motion alerts, I was met with video that was crisp, clear, and bright – so there are no problems there. The night vision really impresses too, whether illuminated by the built-in lights or using the infrared mode.

There's a decent 140-degree horizontal and 85-degree vertical field of view here, which is ideal for back gardens and front yards. All but the biggest properties will be well covered. The camera also offers a 10x enhanced zoom feature: it's digital (so is essentially cropping the original 4K image), but it's good enough to get a closer look at faces and license plates if you need to.

Another feature I liked was the radar-powered 3D motion detection, which can plot the movement of unexpected visitors across your property and appears to be more accurate than the standard 'in-camera' motion sensing. You do lose some range with the 3D radar option though, so it's best for smaller areas (like my back garden).

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd gen) review: performance and app

You get 30 days of a Pro subscription when you buy the camera, which meant I was able to try out some of the extra features available for a monthly fee. They include AI-powered descriptions of what the camera is seeing, and in my experience they worked flawlessly – identifying me walking to and fro, carrying a shopping bag, and even using a phone.

Every time I tried doing something different in front of the camera – including simply crossing and uncrossing my arms – the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro spotted it. Perhaps this level of accurate analysis shouldn't be surprising given where AI is up to now, but it's still helpful to have – we're a long way from the basic 'something's happened' alerts of the first security cameras for smart homes.

More broadly, the Ring app is the usual polished and intuitive experience. If you're upgrading from another Ring camera or adding additional cameras from the brand, you'll be well used to it. You can quickly customise notifications and alerts, for example, and set up familiar faces for people you don't want alerts about.

While a battery-powered option would give you more flexibility with positioning, I think I actually prefer not having to worry about battery life or recharges (with 4K video and constant recording events, that battery is likely to deplete pretty quickly). There's something to be said for the reliability that comes with a plugged-in solution.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd gen) review: verdict

I've reviewed a lot of smart home security cameras down the years, and there's no doubt that the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd gen) is one of the best. It offers top-tier video quality and motion sensing, as well as stacks of features that are genuinely useful and not just gimmicks – including the AI-powered descriptions of events.

It's solidly built, it's easy to set up, and the Ring app for smartphones works really well (which applies as a benefit to any Ring camera of course). If you're already invested in the Ring ecosystem with other cameras and doorbells then this is a no-brainer if you're in the market for an extra camera or an upgrade.

However, it's not quite perfect: I understand that Ring is just one of many smart home manufacturers using subscriptions to pay the company bills, but when there are alternatives on the market that do have local video storage capabilities, it seems a shame that Ring never includes the option. I would also have liked to see the option to mount this on a stand as well as a ceiling or wall.

All things considered, the 2nd-gen Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is going to do an excellent job of keeping eyes on your property and letting you know what's happening, day or night, from wherever you are. You just need to be prepared to sign up for yet another monthly subscription to make the most of it.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd gen) review: alternatives to consider

As good as this Ring camera is, there's no shortage of worthy competitors. The Arlo Pro 6 is another model I've reviewed recently, and it offers something similar to the 2nd gen Ring Spotlight Cam Pro – specifically a long list of features and excellent video performance, but also a relatively high price and a subscription that you really need to take out to make the most of your purchase.

For more of a contrast, you might consider the Eufy Security eufyCam C35. It's easier on your bank balance than the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro, and it offers local storage options that mean you don't have to take out a subscription or connect to the cloud. You can get two cameras and a hub for less than the Ring model I've reviewed here, though the video quality tops out at 1080p rather than 4K.

Ring has just announced a new optional subscription service, designed to better protect your property. Rolling out to regions across the UK, if your Ring video doorbell spots anything suspicious, you can use Ring Guard Response to send a licensed security guard to your home.

Having a Ring video doorbell or security camera set up around your home is incredibly useful, but what if you spot someone trying to break into your house? That’s where Ring Guard Response comes in, a 24/7 service that dispatches licensed security guards to your home as quickly as possible.

Ring Guard Response is compatible with Ring’s line-up of video doorbells, alarms and security cameras. If you have a Ring Alarm, Ring Guard Response can be set to automatic, on demand or both. For those who have it set to automatically, a guard will be sent to your home if your Ring Alarm is triggered and you’re unable to respond to the alert.

For your Ring doorbell or security camera, you can request a guard to your home via the Ring app. For these devices, Ring Guard Response is only available on demand. After a request is received, a third-party licensed security guard is dispatched. When they get there, the guard will check your property, including exteriors and entry points, and will contact emergency services for you if needed.

Ring states that they should arrive at your home within 30 minutes, and you can track their progress and arrival updates via the Ring app. Users can also cancel a guard at any time before they get to the property without being charged.

While Ring Guard Response is a new feature for the UK, it was previously launched in the US back in 2021. Called the Ring Alarm Verified Guard Response, it received mixed reviews but as a new launch to the UK, we can only hope it’s been improved.

I have a Ring doorbell for my house, and while I check the live feed regularly when a notification pops up, I genuinely don’t know what I’d do if someone was actually trying to get into my home. Having the Ring Guard Response to hand definitely sounds like it’ll give peace of mind to a lot of households but as it’s an additional cost, we’ll have to see how many people will invest in it.

The Ring Guard Response is available for £29.99 a month or £299.99 a year. This subscription also includes the Ring Protect Pro plan where you can unlock features like video descriptions and smart alerts. As of writing, it’s currently available to use in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester with plans to expand in the future.

I’ve worked in tech for a few years now, but I never thought I’d see the day that household robots would become a thing. Clearly I was wrong, as Weave Robotics has announced its Isaac 1 home robot – and it’s available for pre-order for $7,999.

Household robots were all anyone was talking about earlier this year. At CES 2026, brands like LG and SwitchBot were showing off their full-sized home robots that are designed to do your daily chores, like folding laundry and unpacking groceries.

While the LG CLOiD has no official launch date, SwitchBot’s onero H1 seems to be in motion. It’s not yet available but it has popped up on the brand’s US website and is listed for a massive $9,999. But one brand that’s actually got their own household robot available for pre-order is Weave Robotics.

For those new to Weave Robotics, the US start-up was founded in 2024 by former Apple engineers and specialises in personal home robots. The brand first launched the Isaac 0, a stationary AI robot that completes chores using arms and grippers. But its latest home robot is much more advanced – and it moves and grows.

The Weave Robotics Isaac 1 is a full-sized autonomous robot that’s designed to tackle boring household chores for you. As a default, the Isaac 1 moves around your home and completes tasks like folding clean laundry, picking up dirty clothes, making your bed, fluffing pillows and putting items away, like toys and shoes.

Unlike its predecessor, the Isaac 1 looks more like an actual robot. Made from soft fabric, the Isaac 1 has a ‘face’ with two eyes – presumably these ‘eyes’ are the cameras’ – a collapsible torso, arms, hands and a large wheeled base which allows it to move and prevents it from bumping into furniture.

The Isaac 1 is height adjustable, so it can be as small as 3-inches and can grow to 5.9-inches. The video of the Isaac 1 growing in size feels quite ominous but I’ll let you be the judge of that. When it’s not in use, the torso can collapse down so it’s out of the way, although it’s still quite a bulky shape, size and design.

The tech inside the Isaac 1 is built using the company’s own actuators, remote actuation and safety systems. Weave Robotics states that the Isaac 1 only works when you want it to, and it connects to the Wi-Fi so you can use it via its accompanying app while you’re at home or away.

The Isaac 1 has an eight hour battery life and takes around two hours to fully charge. With privacy in mind, the Isaac 1 has physical cues to indicate when it’s working and when it’s not, plus you can start it on-demand or schedule it for specific times.

To blend into the background – I’d say that’s hard for it to do but that’s just me – the Isaac 1 comes in five different colours. I’m not a fan of household robots and really hope they don’t catch on, but the Isaac 1 from Weave Robotics is the first home robot to actually be available to buy, so this might become a trend – whether I want it to or not.

As you might expect, it’ll cost you though. To pre-order the Weave Robotics Isaac 1, you can pay an up-front fee of $7,999 or $449 a month as part of a subscription.

References to a Google Home Display have been spotted in the latest version of the Google Home app, according to a report from Android Authority. It hints that the company is working on a device with a large screen and built-in camera, making it similar to the Nest Hub Max.

The leak comes just weeks after Google finally launched its long-awaited Google Home Speaker, as well as following the discontinuation of selected Nest devices and Google's decision to cancel the Pixel Tablet 2. If the rumours are true, it has the potential to become the company's main smart home hub going forward.

For now, Google hasn't confirmed the device exists, and there's no information yet on its specifications, launch date or pricing. We will update you as soon as we know more.

Android Authority reports that the display's built-in camera could double as one of the best security cameras, storing up to three hours of video footage by default. Subscribers to Google Home Premium would reportedly be able to access up to 60 days of motion-triggered recordings or a continuous 24-hour video history covering the previous ten days.

The integrated microphone would also allow the device to record audio and respond to voice commands for controlling compatible smart home devices.

Plug-in solar batteries could soon become much more common in the US, with proposals now being considered in more than half of the country's states. The technology is already widely available across parts of Europe, particularly in Germany through brands such as Anker Solix and IKEA, so seeing it expand further is a really positive sign. Unfortunately, the systems are still not legal in the UK.

This is frustrating for many as energy bills remain high and UK heatwaves become more common. Plug-in solar batteries offer a more affordable way for homeowners and renters to generate and store their own electricity without installing a full rooftop solar system.

However, the good news is that UK regulations are expected to be reviewed later this year, so there's hope they could finally arrive here before too long.

According to TechRadar, the movement began when Utah became the first US state to pass House Bill 340 in March 2025, allowing portable solar panels or rooftop systems of up to 1,200W to be plugged directly into a standard household socket. Rather than sending electricity straight to the grid, the power is used by your home first, helping reduce reliance on mains electricity and lower energy bills.

Now, other states are following Utah's lead. According to The Cool Down, more than 30 states have introduced some form of legislation, whilst six states have already passed related laws. Progress across the country can be tracked using the Bright Saver Tracker, which shows where each state currently stands.

Some proposals have faced delays over safety concerns, but the introduction of the new UL 3700 safety certification is expected to address many of those issues. Products carrying this certification include built-in protections against overloading and prevent electricity from feeding back into the grid, making the systems much safer to use.

If the UK follows a similar path, plug-in solar batteries could become one of the easiest ways for households to cut energy bills and reduce their environmental impact. In the meantime, it's worth reading up on the 3 things to know before buying a plug-in solar battery so you're ready if the rules do change.

Home Assistant has announced that its Companion app will soon drop support for a number of older Apple operating systems. The change will arrive with Version 2026.8.0, with version 2026.7.1 becoming the final release to support iOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS 11.

The move follows Apple's recent decision to end developer tool support for watchOS 8 and macOS 11 from September, making it increasingly difficult for developers like Home Assistant to continue building and maintaining apps for those platforms.

Home Assistant hasn't confirmed exactly when version 2026.7.1 will finalise, but it has confirmed that it will be the final release compatible with iOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS 11 before version 2026.8.0 becomes the new version.

The good news is that Home Assistant has claimed fewer than 1% of users still run these older operating systems, so by ending support, the team can focus its development efforts on the platforms most people actually use.

That said, if you're using an unsupported Apple device, you won't lose access to Home Assistant completely. The platform's web interface will continue to work as normal and will still receive its regular monthly updates. Version 2026.7.1 will also remain on the App Store, and its source code will stay on GitHub for anyone who wants to compile the app themselves.

Govee has launched its new Outdoor Wall Floodlight, arriving as one of its brightest outdoor lights with an impressive 3,000-lumen output. It's designed to combine security lighting with customisable ambient illumination for gardens, driveways and patios.

Designed to be wall-mounted, the floodlight also features a built-in PIR motion sensor with a 120-degree field of view, allowing it to automatically detect movement and switch on when someone approaches. The sensor can also be adjusted during installation, giving you more flexibility depending on where it's mounted.

The Outdoor Wall Floodlight is available now from Govee's online store for £99.99/€99.99/$99.99, with the choice of either a single light or a two-pack.

As mentioned, the Outdoor Wall Floodlight produces up to 3,000 lumens of white light, whilst the colour temperature can be adjusted anywhere between 1,000K and 10,000K. Thanks to RGBWW technology, it can also display 16 million colours.

The Outdoor Wall Floodlight supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Matter, meaning it can also be easily integrated into a wider smart home setup.

Tapo has quietly launched its latest outdoor security camera, and it comes with one (or two, I suppose) of my favourite features. The new Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera offers wider views and fuller monitoring than before, thanks to its dual lenses.

A new trend that’s begun to emerge in the world of security cameras is having two lenses in one device. Both indoor and outdoor models are adopting this design, which tends to feature one camera on top of the other.

The Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera is no exception, as it comes with two 4K dual lenses in one device. With one larger camera sitting on top of a smaller one, the Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera can monitor two separate areas at the same time.

The top camera of the Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera is a wide-angle lens which offers 170° views and works to eliminate blind spots. It can also be manually adjusted to cover more areas. The bottom camera is an 8mm telephoto lens with motorised pan/tilt views – and this is the lens you should be most excited about.

Not only does the bottom lens move side to side and up and down, but it also supports up to 18x digital zoom. So, when the top camera detects events, the bottom lens automatically pivots and zooms in to follow the movement.

For clarity in all lighting conditions, the Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera offers smart night vision. Users can view footage in full colour with spotlights, or black and white infrared. There’s also a smart mode that uses AI light detection to make your camera resolution clearer during the nighttime.

Speaking of AI, the Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera comes with free AI detection. When the camera detects people, pets and vehicles, it’ll send you notifications in the Tapo app – and there’s no subscription required.

As you’d expect from an outdoor camera, the Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera is weather resistant. It also has Wi-Fi 6 dual band or ethernet connectivity, and there’s an option to add PoE technology to keep your connection stable.

The Tapo C575D 4K Outdoor Security Camera is available to buy for £188.99 at Tapo.

Tapo has quietly listed the RV50 Omni on its website as a more affordable alternative to the flagship RV50 Pro Omni, which launched earlier this year. Both models look almost identical and share many of the same standout features, including Tapo's anti-tangle brush system that automatically cuts and clears wrapped hair as it cleans.

The RV50 Pro Omni earned four stars in our review, although we found its 15,000Pa suction slightly underwhelming compared to some rivals. The new RV50 Omni features 12,000Pa of suction, making a small compromise on power in exchange for a lower price.

Both robot vacuums are now listed on Tapo's online store, with the new RV50 Omni expected to launch on 30th July.

In terms of pricing, the RV50 Pro Omni originally launched at a hefty £749.99, but it wasn't long before discounts brought it down to around £400. The new RV50 Omni has an RRP of £499.99, but it's launching with an introductory offer of £319.99, so even the two models' pricing is very similar.

Looking more closely, both use the same chassis, self-cleaning dock, LiDAR navigation and many of Tapo's cleaning technologies. The biggest omission on the RV50 Omni is DeepEdge Adaptive Mopping, which allows one of the mop pads on the Pro model to extend outwards and clean right up against skirting boards and into corners.

That said, the standard RV50 Omni still looks like excellent value. If you don't mind sacrificing the extending mop pad and a little extra suction power, you're getting a robot vacuum that delivers most of the flagship experience for significantly less.

On the other hand, if the price gap between the two models narrows during future sales, I'd be tempted to spend the extra and opt for the Pro. It really comes down to which features matter most to you.

Apple has confirmed that its upcoming Apple Intelligence smart home features will only be available with its top-tier 2TB iCloud+ subscription. Whilst the company previously revealed that the new AI tools would require iCloud+, it hadn't specified which plan users would need.

Unveiled at WWDC last month, the new features will bring AI-generated video summaries and natural language search to HomeKit Secure Video, making it much easier to find specific moments in your security camera footage by simply typing a phrase.

However, rather than being included with the standard HomeKit Secure Video plans, these Apple Intelligence features will now be exclusive to subscribers on the 2TB iCloud+ tier.

The 2TB plan currently costs £8.99/$9.99 per month, compared to the entry-level 50GB iCloud+ plan, which starts at just £0.99/$0.99 per month. There's also a 200GB tier for £2.99/$2.99 per month, which supports up to five HomeKit Secure Video cameras.

That means the upgrade isn't quite as affordable as many people had hoped, particularly when you compare it with the subscription plans offered by some rival smart home brands.

That said, the 2TB tier does support an unlimited number of HomeKit Secure Video cameras. So, if you've already invested heavily in Apple's ecosystem, the higher monthly cost may be easier to justify.

I'm usually the first person to tell you not to spend more than you need to. There are hundreds of products out there where cheaper alternatives are just as good – the Dyson Airwrap is a perfect example, and I've tested countless cordless lawn mowers that have outperformed rivals costing twice as much.

The best robot vacuum cleaners, though? That's where I draw the line.

After testing more robot vacuums than I can remember, I've come to the conclusion that this is one category where you really do get what you pay for. That doesn't mean you need to spend thousands on the latest flagship model, but I'd always recommend stretching your budget if you can.

The biggest giveaway of a cheap robot vacuum isn't actually the suction power – it's the navigation.

A robot vacuum is supposed to clean your home without you thinking about it, so if it can't work out where it's going, it completely defeats the point. I've tested budget models that spend half their time bouncing off furniture, cleaning the same patch of floor three times and somehow still missing an entire corner of the room.

Manufacturers love throwing around terms like LiDAR and AI nowadays, but not all systems are created equal. A premium robot uses those technologies properly, creating an accurate map of your home, recognising obstacles and cleaning in logical rows. A cheaper model might tick the same boxes on paper, but the experience can be worlds apart.

That said, suction power is still important, especially if you want a robot vacuum that lasts. I hear about so many people that buy a certain model because it's £200 cheaper than the competition, only to find it struggles to pick up pet hair or clean carpets properly six months later.

Personally, I wouldn't even look at a model with less than around 20,000Pa these days. Suction naturally drops as components wear over time, so it makes sense to start with something that's got plenty in reserve. That said, don't get distracted by massive numbers either. A robot claiming 40,000Pa isn't automatically better if its mapping is poor or it gets tangled in charging cables every other day.

At the end of the day, a robot vacuum isn't just another appliance – it's supposed to remove a chore from your life entirely. If you're going to spend money on something that's designed to save you time every single day, I strongly recommend spending a bit more and buy one that does exactly that.

A smart meter is one of those things almost everyone has heard of, but not many people know exactly how it works or how easy it is to get one installed. We often invest in the best security cameras to protect our homes or the best robot vacuum cleaners to make cleaning easier, but when it comes to saving money on your energy bills, a smart meter is probably one of the smartest home upgrades you can make.

If you've dismissed the idea before or simply aren't sure what one actually does, don't worry – I've done the research so you don't have to.

What is a smart meter?

A smart meter is a digital device that records your home's gas and electricity usage and automatically sends those readings to your energy supplier.

Whilst one of the best smart thermostats can help you monitor and control your heating remotely, it only manages your home's heating system. A smart meter goes one step further by communicating your energy usage directly to your supplier, ensuring your bills are based on what you've actually used rather than estimated readings.

What are the advantages of a smart meter?

One of the biggest advantages of having a smart meter is that it gives you a much clearer picture of how much energy you're using. By keeping an eye on your usage, it's easier to spot where you could cut back, whether that's turning off appliances left on standby or running certain devices during off-peak hours. Over time, these small changes can add up to noticeable savings on your energy bills.

As mentioned, smart meters automatically send readings to your supplier, so you'll never have to submit meter readings yourself again. This means more accurate bills, less chance of surprise payments and a smoother experience if you ever decide to switch energy suppliers or move home.

How much does it cost?

The best part is that, in most cases, having a smart meter installed doesn't cost you anything upfront. Simply contact your energy supplier and, if they offer the service, they'll arrange an installation and provide you with an display unit that lets you see your energy usage in near real time.

It's also worth checking your supplier's website first to see whether they currently offer installations. Most major UK energy providers do, and they'll usually have a dedicated smart meter page explaining how to book an appointment and what to expect during the installation process.

The T3 Awards are back for 2026, and this year, the world of smart home got even smarter. Almost every item around your home has been given the smart treatment, allowing users to unlock hands-free controls, easier customisation and full routines to make their daily lives more connected.

Our team of smart home experts have taken a look back at the past year and marveled at the latest and greatest innovations. From AI-powered detection to clearer-sounding speaker audio, smart home devices are better than ever, so it was hard to narrow down our favourites.

However, after months of testing, we finally have our winners! Below is the full list of Smart Home winners, highly commended and nominees, from speakers to lighting and beyond.

Best Smart Speaker / Hub

Philips Hue Bridge Pro

This year, we’ve expanded our smart speaker award to include smart home hubs. Why? Since the first models hit the market, smart speakers and displays have been the go-to way for people to group all their devices together in one place. That said, many brands have made their own hubs to act as the ‘brain’ of their home, and the Philips Hue Bridge Pro is the brainiest device we tested in 2026.

We’re big fans of Philips Hue and its extensive collection of smart bulbs, but the Philips Hue Bridge Pro is where the brand really shines. It offers more device support than before, Matter integration and an easy set-up process. Compatible with up to 150 lights, the Philips Hue Bridge Pro also unlocks MotionAware and SpatialAware features to make your smart home brighter and smarter than before.

Read our Philips Hue Bridge Pro review for more details.

Highly Commended: Amazon Echo Dot Max

Best Smart Speaker Shortlist: Aqara Panel Hub S1, Eufy Smart Display E10, Amazon Echo Show 8

Best Smart Security Device

Blink Outdoor 4

The award for Best Smart Security Device has always been tricky to choose, as it covers security cameras, smart locks and more. However, after extensive testing, the Blink Outdoor 4 came out on top, with Blink’s latest security camera proving that protecting your home doesn’t need to come with extortionate prices.

Blink is arguably one of the most affordable smart home brands on the market, but while it may be low in price, it’s not low on quality. The Blink Outdoor 4 is the perfect example of this, as the outdoor camera offers a long-lasting battery life, an easy set-up process and a simple yet stylish design.

Read our Blink Outdoor 4 review for more details.

Highly Commended: Eufy S4

Best Smart Security Device Shortlist: Arlo Essential 3 2K Indoor Camera, Philips Hue Secure 2K Wired, TP-Link Tapo C660, Nuki Smart Lock Pro

Best Smart Video Doorbell

Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410

The winner for the best smart video doorbell for 2026 is the Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410. A top-quality doorbell packed with plenty of features, there’s a lot to like about the Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410, including its 2K video quality and 175-degree field of view.

The Aqara app unlocks a lot of extras for the Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410, including night vision, live view and motion and face detection. Users can also adjust its sensitivity to custom the amount of notifications you receive. The Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410 is also easy to set up and comes with a chime included – a rarity with a lot of video doorbells.

Read our Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410 review for more details.

Highly Commended: Ring Wired Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

Best Smart Video Doorbell Shortlist: Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), Reolink Video Doorbell (Battery), EZVIZ EP8 Ultra Dual-Lens Video Doorbell

Best Smart Lighting

Govee Lantern Floor Lamp

Smart lighting is one of our favourite things to test at T3, so we had plenty of products to choose from for this year’s Best Smart Light winner. The model that came out on top for 2026 is the Govee Lantern Floor Lamp, a fun, stylish smart lamp that blends in beautifully with your decor.

Put together in minutes, the Govee Lantern Floor Lamp beautifully displays an array of colours, all softly diffused to create a pretty and immersive atmosphere. Physical controls are located on the top of the lamp, but the Govee app unlocks even more, including colour scenes, music sync modes, automations and schedules.

Read our Govee Lantern Floor Lamp review for more details.

Highly Commended: Philips Hue Play Wall Washer

Best Smart Lighting Shortlist: Meross Smart Table Lamp, Philips Hue Festavia Globe string lights, Govee Outdoor UpDown Wall Light

Best Smart Energy Product

Tapo P304M strip smart plug

Best Smart Energy Product is another award that covers many bases, including smart plugs, thermostats and switches. This year, the Tapo P304M strip smart plug has taken the win, thanks to its versatility and energy-efficiency. In our opinion, smart plugs are seriously underrated, so having a smart plug win in this year’s T3 Awards is very exciting.

The Tapo P304M strip smart plug is a great solution to home owners who want to make their non-smart appliances smarter without having to replace them. With four outlets available and compatibility with multiple ecosystems, the Tapo P304M strip smart plug is easy to set up and has plenty of custom settings, timers and schedules to play with.

Read our Tapo P304M strip smart plug review for more details.

Highly Commended: Aqara W600

Best Smart Energy Product Shortlist: Wiser 2nd Gen, Hive Thermostat, Tewke Tap smart light switch

Google’s long awaited smart speaker is already experiencing problems just a week since pre-orders were shipped. According to users posting on Reddit, many people have stated that the Google Home Speaker is lagging, and taking far too long to respond – and it’s apparently not the only device that’s been affected.

After years of waiting for a new Google speaker, the brand finally launched the Google Home Speaker in June 2026. With a completely new look and the first ever smart speaker to use Gemini for Home, many fans were excited to get their hands on the new model – although they might be regretting that choice now.

According to threads on Reddit, many users of the Google Home Speaker are finding it to take between 30-60 seconds to respond to questions and commands. The initial post had a user stating that “First day all was smooth… the second day every single question (even “hello”) needs at least 30s of answer time.”

From there, other users commented that they were experiencing the same problems with the Google Home Speaker, and that it was continuing to listen to requests for far too long, and taking even longer to respond. Aside from it taking up to a minute to answer, some users found that the Google Home Speaker failed to complete a request or timed out before an answer was found.

Other Google Home Speaker users posted that the speaker would go offline without any trigger, and overall, it’s been extremely sluggish. But that’s not all – Nest devices also seem to be having the same issue. Users of older Nest devices, like the Nest Audio and Nest Mini, have also reported that response times have been extremely delayed.

While it hasn’t been officially confirmed, this seems to be a global widespread issue with the Google Home Speaker. So, what is Google doing about it? According to users, troubleshooting and clearing cache hasn’t made a difference.

Thankfully, the GoogleNestCommunity has responded to the Reddit post saying that “We’re aware of an issue causing increased latency or timing out. We are working on a fix ASAP and will circle back once this is resolved. Thanks for your patience.” So, a fix is on its way but we’re not exactly sure when.

The smart home market has long been dominated by Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home, but a new contender has recently entered the scene. Earlier this year, Sky officially launched Sky Smart Home as a separate service, bringing together smart home gadgets, a dedicated app and affordable monthly plans in one simple ecosystem.

Whilst it's still early days, I think Sky Smart Home has the potential to become a strong competitor to the big name brands, and below are the three reasons why.

1. It's far more affordable than many rivals

One of Sky Smart Home's biggest advantages is its pricing. Instead of asking customers to spend hundreds of pounds upfront, Sky offers a hardware-and-subscription bundle from just £5 a month. That significantly lowers the barrier to entry for anyone who's been tempted by smart home technology but put off by the initial cost.

2. It keeps everything in one ecosystem

Whilst Alexa, Google and Apple all support thousands of third-party devices, that flexibility can also make setup and management feel overwhelming. Sky is taking the opposite approach by focusing on a curated ecosystem that's easy to install and manage.

The new Sky Smart Home app brings together live video, motion alerts, cloud recording and device controls in one place, with guided setup, live technical support and straightforward subscription options. For people who value simplicity over endless customisation, that's a strong selling point.

3. It's only just getting started

At launch, Sky Smart Home centred around a smart doorbell, indoor camera and companion app, but the brand has already added additional devices, including leak detectors, motion sensors and contact sensors.

If the company continues adding compatible devices and broadens its ecosystem over time, it has the potential to become a strong alternative to Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home – particularly for customers who prefer buying into one integrated system.

SwitchBot has launched a new outdoor security camera designed to offer wider coverage, sharper image quality and smarter AI-powered home monitoring. Rather than simply notifying users when motion is detected, the new SwitchBot Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K can actually explain what's happening, helping you understand events at a glance.

The launch comes just three days after the brand unveiled its new smart ceiling light, meaning SwitchBot has delivered two major smart home announcements in less than a week.

Better still, the Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K is also competitively priced, costing $79.99/£89.99 from SwitchBot's official website and Amazon.

Instead of acting like a traditional security camera that simply records movement, the Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K uses AI to summarise events in natural language. Whether it's a parcel being delivered or an unfamiliar person approaching your property, the camera tells you exactly what's happening rather than leaving you to work it out yourself. It also makes going through footage much easier, allowing users to search with natural language prompts like "when did the cat go into the garden?" or "show me when the car was scratched."

The camera also works seamlessly with other SwitchBot devices to create automated security routines. For example, it can trigger compatible smart lights to turn on when someone enters your garden whilst you're away, adding another layer of home protection.

The camera also offers 360° horizontal rotation, 90° vertical movement and a 110° wide-angle lens, giving it excellent coverage with very few blind spots. Motion tracking allows it to automatically follow moving subjects and record their journey, making it much easier to see how an event unfolded.

It carries an IP66 weather-resistance rating and can operate in temperatures as low as -20°C. It also supports RTSP, allowing more advanced users to connect it to Home Assistant, NVR and NAS systems for flexible local storage and monitoring.

Nanoleaf has launched the Smart Multicolor Ceiling Light, complete with dual-sided illumination, 2,600 lumens of brightness and 28 individually controllable colour zones. Whilst the brand is already well known for its modular wall and ceiling panels, this is its first all-in-one ceiling light designed for everyday rooms.

Interestingly, the Smart Multicolor Ceiling Light arrives just two days after the launch of the SwitchBot RGBICWW Ceiling Light, which is notable because SwitchBot acquired Nanoleaf last month. However, despite costing less, the SwitchBot alternative is available in two sizes and offers a higher maximum brightness.

The Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Ceiling Light is available now in the US for $79.99. Those in the UK can currently pre-order it for an introductory price of £69.99, saving £10 ahead of its official launch price of £79.99.

It's clear Nanoleaf has put a strong focus on wellbeing with this launch, continuing the trend we've seen with its recent wellness products. The Smart Multicolor Ceiling Light features RG0 Low Blue Light technology, which delivers an even spread of light to reduce eye strain and minimise blue light exposure. It also offers an adjustable white light range from a warm 2,200K to a cool 6,500K, so it can adapt to your daily routine using schedules in the Nanoleaf app.

Alongside its vibrant 28-zone lighting effects, the Smart Multicolor Ceiling Light supports Rhythm Music Sync, so your lighting can react to your favourite songs. It's also Matter-compatible and can be controlled through the Nanoleaf app, where you can customise brightness, create lighting scenes and set schedules with ease.

You'll already know that Prime Day took place last week, and you'll probably also know that the deals weren't exactly spectacular. I say that because, despite the UK sweltering through a heatwave, there were barely any discounts on cooling products. Ridiculous, right?

Now that the weather has cooled down a little and we can all think straight again, it's the perfect time to give your smart home setup an upgrade. I went hunting across Amazon, B&Q, John Lewis and more to find the best deals on smart home gadgets that are actually worth buying.

There are plenty of bargains below, from some of the best security cameras to the best smart lights, so have a browse and see if any of these sub-£20 deals deserve a place in your setup.

It's been reported by Hueblog that the latest firmware update for the Philips Hue Bridge Pro appears to be causing significant problems for a number of users. Alongside reports on Reddit, users are describing that after installing the latest firmware update, the Hue Bridge Pro becomes completely unresponsive and displays only a solid red status LED.

Unfortunately, the issue seems to be fairly serious for those impacted. According to Hueblog, restarting the bridge doesn't resolve the problem, with the only solution currently being to have the Hue Bridge Pro repaired or replaced by Signify.

Several users commenting on the original article have echoed this experience, with some saying they've had to switch back to the original Hue Bridge whilst waiting for a replacement Pro model to arrive under warranty.

The Hue Bridge Pro only launched at IFA last September, and we recently awarded it a full five stars in our review, so it's disappointing to see a minor firmware update cause such a significant issue.

For now, it's being recommended that users who haven't yet installed the latest firmware temporarily disable automatic updates until more is known. That's especially important because the Hue Bridge Pro still doesn't offer a backup or restore function, meaning recovering from a failed update isn't as straightforward as it could be.

We'll keep you updated as soon as Philips Hue or Signify shares more information on the issue or confirms when a fix will be available.

Apple and Google have both taken another step towards making smart homes work more seamlessly, rolling out Thread 1.4 support to their latest streaming devices. The update introduces a standardised way for Thread Border Routers to share network credentials with one another – something earlier versions of the protocol promised but never fully delivered.

If you're unfamiliar with the term, a Thread Border Router acts as the bridge between your Thread smart home devices and your home's Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. Therefore, rather than each ecosystem creating its own isolated Thread network, compatible border routers will eventually be able to securely share network information with one another.

The news comes after Matter Alpha reported that Thread 1.4 first arrived on compatible Apple TV models through the tvOS 27 developer beta, whilst the Google TV Streamer received the same specification via a separate software update, according to 9to5Google.

That said, whilst both devices now support the Thread 1.4 specification, some of its headline features are still being implemented. For example, the Google TV Streamer's QR code credential-sharing feature isn't working reliably just yet, whilst Apple's tvOS 27 developer beta currently doesn't include a user-facing interface for credential sharing.

We'll keep you updated as and when we know more, but until then, it's clear we're one step further towards the interoperable smart home that Matter has been promising all along.

The month of June was full of exciting smart home launches, including a long-awaited smart speaker, security cameras and doorbells, and plenty of exciting smart lights, so here’s what you might have missed.

Amongst the new launches were plenty of updates to existing products. For example, the Amazon Echo Hub was upgraded with better customisation, while Blink added AI tiers to its subscriptions. These updates, alongside new integrations and app features, just go to show that smart home devices are still getting smarter everyday.

Below, I’ve highlighted the best smart home launches from June 2026, featuring the likes of Google, Ring, Philips, SwitchBot and more.

1. Google Home Speaker

After months of speculation, the Google Home Speaker finally launched this month. The new smart speaker from Google is the brand’s new flagship model, and it comes as a replacement for Google Nest Mini and Audio speakers which were recently discontinued.

The Google Home Speaker is a big change from its previous Nest speakers. It has a look more similar to Amazon’s Echo Dots and the Apple HomePod, with its spherical shape and flat base. It also comes with Gemini voice commands and smart home assistance, and 360 degree sound – and it’s surprisingly affordable at £99 / $99.

2. Ring Spotlight Cam (2nd Gen) and Floodlight Cam (2nd Gen)

This month, Ring expanded its security camera line-up with two Retinal 2K models. Ring has been seriously upgrading its camera quality this year, and the Spotlight (2nd Gen) and Floodlight Cam (2nd Gen) are no exception, with both devices offering sharp image quality and flexible power options.

Both the Ring Spotlight (2nd Gen) and the Ring Floodlight Cam (2nd Gen) have built-in lighting, with the former offering 550 lumen and the latter 2000. The lights illuminate the outside of your home so you can see everything clearly even in low light. They’re also handy to scare off potential intruders. Prices start at £149.99 / $169.99.

3. Philips Skylight

Signify unveiled a new ceiling light range called the Philips Skylight, designed to mimic natural daylight indoors. The Philips Skylight uses advanced LED technology to capture the brightness, depth and rhythm of sunlight, including automatic Day Rhythm adjustments and vitamin D support.

As part of the new Philips Smart Lighting range, the Philips Skylight isn’t technically a smart light in the traditional sense. Instead, the light is operated by a remote control and not an app. However, I’ve included it in this round-up as it still has five pre-set lighting scenes and its Day Rhythm function that adjusts throughout the day.

4. EZVIZ EP8 Ultra

Ever wanted your video doorbell to greet you with an AI-powered animal? Of course you have, and EZVIZ’s latest video doorbell does just that as the brand’s smartest, most interactive model yet. The EZVIZ EP8 Ultra (which we gave five stars in our review) has a built-in AI screen which has three animal characters that respond to your guests and actions.

Alongside its raccoon, husky and panda characters, the EZVIZ EP8 Ultra has dual camera lenses to capture all the action. The top camera has 6MP 3K+ resolution, and a 162° field of view to see visitors, while the bottom camera has a 2MP 1080p downward-facing lens to see your doorstep.

5. Philips Hue Play Lamps

This month, Philips Hue expanded its Play Lamps collection with three new versions – the Play Table Lamp, Play Floor Lamp Compact and Play Floor Lamp Large. Featuring RGBWWIC gradient lighting, the new Philips Hue Play Lamps have a maximum height of 135cm and a new, thin design.

The main focus of the Philips Hue Play Lamps – aside from colourful lighting – is syncing with your entertainment. They connect to your TV via its Hue Sync TV or Hue Play HDMI Sync Box products, so the lamps can create lighting scenes that bring out the colour and action of the TV series or movie you’re watching.

6. Reolink Argus MagiCam

Many Reolink security cameras arrived in the UK in June, including the Argus MagiCam. A pocket-sized wireless camera that can be used both inside and outside, the Reolink Argus MagiCam has a seriously clever installation as it comes with a magnetic mounting pad that you can attach to any surface you like.

Powered by AA batteries, the Reolink Argus MagiCam actually has a pretty good battery life with the brand claiming to offer up to nine months of charge. It has a similar design to Blink’s Mini range and has 2MP camera resolution. At just £49.99, it’s inexpensive and there’s no ongoing monthly fees, either.

7. SwitchBot RGBICWW Ceiling Light

June has been a big month for SwitchBot as it was announced that Nanoleaf was acquired by its parent company, OneRobotics. But the thing we’re most excited about is its new RGBICWW Ceiling Light, its latest Matter-compatible ceiling light.

Available in two sizes, the SwitchBot RGBICWW Ceiling Light has powerful, colourful effects, including 1-100% dimming and tunable white lighting. It offers up to 3,200 lumens and doesn’t require a hub to become part of your smart home ecosystem, as you can use it with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home.