Smart Home Guides, Tips and Tricks in 2026

Best Window Security Sensors of 2025: 8 Top-Rated Models Tested - ofzenandcomputing

8 Best Window Security Sensors in February 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

Windows are the second most common entry point for burglars after doors, yet many homes leave them completely unprotected. After testing security systems across three different properties and helping friends…

Best Driveway Alarm Systems: 10 Expert-Tested Options for Home Security - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Driveway Alarm Systems in February 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

Living on a long driveway means you get about 30 seconds of advance notice before unexpected guests arrive. That’s not enough time to prepare, especially when you’re working from home,…

Best Smart LED Light Bulbs [cy]: 8 Top-Rated Picks Tested - ofzenandcomputing

8 Best Smart LED Light Bulbs in February 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

After testing 15 different smart bulbs across my home over the past two years, I’ve learned that not all “smart” lighting is created equal. Some bulbs drop offline randomly, others…

Best Programmable Thermostats: 10 Models Tested for Energy Savings - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Programmable Thermostats in February 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

After spending three months testing 10 different programmable thermostats in my own home, I tracked exactly how much each model saved on my energy bills. Some cut my heating costs…

Best Home Security Systems for DIY Installation: 10 Top Picks Tested - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Home Security Systems for DIY Installation in February 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

After testing 15 different DIY security systems over the past 8 months, I can tell you that not all “easy installation” claims are equal. Some systems took me 20 minutes…

Best Wireless Security Camera Systems 2025: 10 Top-Rated Systems Tested - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Wireless Security Camera Systems in February 2026 (Tested)

Smart Home

After watching package theft rates rise 40% over the past five years, I decided it was time to secure my home properly. Wireless security camera systems have become the go-to…

Best Indoor Security Cameras with Night Vision [cy]: 10 Models Tested - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Indoor Security Cameras with Night Vision in February 2026 (Tested)

Smart Home

After testing security cameras in my home for the past three years, I’ve learned that night vision quality makes or breaks indoor monitoring. Most security incidents happen after dark, and…

Best Floodlight Security Cameras [cy]: 10 Models Tested for Brightness & Detection - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Floodlight Security Cameras in February 2026 (Tested)

Smart Home

Installing outdoor security cameras used to mean accepting grainy night footage and paying monthly fees forever. I’ve spent the last three years testing floodlight security cameras across different homes, and…

Best NVR Security Systems [cy]: 8 Top Systems Tested & Compared - ofzenandcomputing

8 Best NVR Security Systems in February 2026 (Tested)

Smart Home

After testing security systems for 60 days and spending over $3,200 on different NVR setups, I’ve identified the systems that actually deliver reliable protection without draining your wallet with monthly…

Best Video Doorbell Cameras [cy]: Complete Guide - ofzenandcomputing

12 Best Video Doorbell Cameras in February 2026 (Complete Guide)

Smart Home

Porch piracy reached an all-time high in 2024 with over 260 million packages reported stolen from American doorsteps. I’ve spent the past three months testing 12 different video doorbell cameras…

Best Garage Door Openers [cy]: 8 Top Models Tested and Compared - ofzenandcomputing

8 Best Garage Door Openers in February 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

I’ve tested garage door openers for the past decade, and the difference between a cheap chain drive and a quality belt drive is night and day. When my neighbor’s 20-year-old…

Best Smart Displays for Kitchens - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Smart Displays for Kitchens in January 2026 (Tested)

Kitchen Appliances

I’ve spent countless hours cooking with sticky hands, fumbling through recipe books on my phone while trying not to get flour everywhere. After testing smart displays in my own kitchen…

Best Smart Home Hubs for Beginners [cy]: 10 Easy-Setup Options Tested - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Smart Home Hubs for Beginners in January 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

I remember standing in my living room six years ago, staring at three different smart home apps on my phone. I had smart lights from one brand, a thermostat from…

Best Smart Dimmer Switches [cy]: Expert Reviews & Top Picks - ofzenandcomputing

10 Best Smart Dimmer Switches in January 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

After spending three months testing 10 different smart dimmer switches across my home, I’ve learned that not all smart lighting is created equal. Some switches forgot their settings after power…

Best Smart Plugs for Home Automation: 12 Models Tested for Reliable Control - ofzenandcomputing

12 Best Smart Plugs for Home Automation in January 2026 (Tested)

Buying Guides

When I first started building my smart home, I made the mistake of buying random smart plugs from different brands. Within six months, half of them had disconnected from my…

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