Guides
How-to guides, troubleshooting, compatibility info and explainers — everything to get your smart home working.
Step-by-step help
How-To Guides
Step-by-step instructions to set up, configure and automate your devices.
How to Check If a Smart Device Is Compatible with Alexa
Not sure a smart device works with Alexa? Learn where to check, what 'Works with Alexa' really means and how to avoid devices that only half-work.
How to Choose a Smart Lock: The Complete Buying Guide
Not sure which smart lock to buy? This guide explains how to choose based on your smart home ecosystem, door type, connectivity needs, and budget.
How to Set Up Smart Lighting: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to set up smart lighting at home. This guide covers installation, app setup, voice assistant connection, scenes, and automations.
Smart Lighting for Renters: No Wiring, No Drilling
Smart lighting for renters — smart bulbs, smart plugs, and battery-powered lights that require no wiring and leave no permanent changes.
How to Avoid Smart Home Compatibility Issues
The most common smart home mistake is buying a device that doesn't work with your setup. Here's how to check compatibility before you buy — and what to do when things don't connect.
Troubleshooting
Fixes for the most common smart home problems — connectivity, pairing and more.
Smart Lock Not Responding: How to Fix It
Fix a smart lock that won't respond to the app, voice commands or keypad. Step-by-step troubleshooting for common smart lock connectivity problems.
Matter Device Won't Pair: How to Fix It
Fix a Matter smart home device that won't pair or connect. Covers QR codes, Thread, hub requirements, app setup and factory reset steps.
Smart Camera Keeps Going Offline: How to Fix It
Fix a smart security camera that keeps disconnecting or going offline. Covers Wi-Fi signal, power, firmware and router settings.
Alexa Can't Find My Device: How to Fix It
Fix Alexa not finding or discovering your smart home device. Step-by-step troubleshooting for Alexa device discovery problems.
Smart Bulb Not Connecting to Wi-Fi: How to Fix It
Step-by-step fixes for a smart bulb that won't connect to your Wi-Fi network. Covers 2.4 GHz issues, pairing mode, app problems and router settings.
Compatibility
Find out what works with what before you buy.
What Works with Apple Home? HomeKit & Matter Compatibility Guide
Which smart locks, cameras, lights and plugs work with Apple Home? See what needs a hub, what Matter changes and how to check any device before you buy.
Explainers
Plain-English breakdowns of protocols, ecosystems and smart home concepts.
How Smart Locks Work: The Complete Explainer
How do smart locks actually work? This plain-English guide covers connectivity, security, installation and what to look for before you buy.
Security Camera Subscriptions Explained: What You Really Pay
What do Ring, Arlo, Nest, eufy and Wyze charge for, what stays free and how to avoid monthly fees with local storage. A plain-English breakdown before you buy.
What Is Matter? The New Smart Home Standard Explained
Matter is the new smart home standard that lets devices from different brands work together. Here's what it means, how it works, and whether it affects your buying decisions.
Smart Home for Renters: What You Can (and Can't) Do
Renting doesn't mean you can't have a smart home. Here's what you can install without permission, what needs landlord approval, and what to skip entirely.
How Smart Home Works
Understand exactly how smart home devices connect, communicate and respond — without the technical jargon.
Smart Home for Beginners: Where to Start (Without Wasting Money)
New to smart home? This guide explains what smart home devices actually are, which ones to start with, and how to avoid the most common beginner mistakes.
Not sure where to start?
Our beginner guide covers ecosystems, protocols and what to buy first.