Methodology

Scores are out of 10 and weighted toward reliability, local control, and whether a normal person can live with the app. Spec sheets can add a point. They cannot subtract one for a lock that lies about its state.

The 2 a.m. test

We pull WAN for an hour and use lights, locks, and climate from the same controller the owner would use. If a device becomes a brick, that lands in the review — even if the marketing site says Matter.

Money

We buy or borrow hardware. Affiliate links, when present, never change a score. If a company pays for a sponsored brief, it is labeled and it is not a review.

Updates

Guides get a new dateModified when firmware, pricing, or a replacement product changes the recommendation. Old URLs stay put.