Choose with confidence

Matter, Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave and Wi-Fi compared: what each does, which need a hub or border router, local control, and how to plan a smart home that lasts.

Size an air purifier with CADR: the two-thirds rule, air changes per hour, true HEPA, filter costs and noise, plus why to avoid ozone-producing purifiers.

Check smart thermostat compatibility before you buy: what the C-wire does, heat pump and multi-stage wiring, line-voltage heaters, and how to read your wires.

Backup power compared: home batteries, standby and portable generators, and power stations, by capacity, runtime, transfer method, noise, safety and cost.

Level 2 EV charger guide: circuit size and the 80 percent rule, plug-in vs hardwired, J1772 vs NACS connectors, smart features, permits and panel capacity.

Choose a smart lock: deadbolt fit and door prep, BHMA security grades, keypad, fingerprint and app entry, Matter and Wi-Fi, batteries and lockout backups.

Smart water shutoff valves explained: inline motorized valves vs DIY valve actuators, flow-sensing leak detection, pipe sizes, power, and when to call a plumber.