Smart homes advice guides

48 articles

12 essential safety and security products you need for your home

Stay safe and well prepared with our roundup of high-scoring essentials backed by our rigorous testing

24 July 2025

Could your home security camera or video doorbell be breaking the law?

You must consider privacy laws when installing outdoor security cameras and video doorbells. We explain what is and isn't legal when it comes to recording footage at your home

25 March 2025

Smart device brands must put privacy over profits

From air fryers sharing data with TikTok to smart TVs demanding to know your postcode, we're calling on smart device brands to do better at protecting your privacy

5 November 2024

Cheap and easy ways to build a smart home

Our tests uncover the best connected devices ahead of the Christmas sales, including Great Value speakers and Best Buy smart plugs

5 November 2024

Online marketplaces flooded with illegal smart tech

Nearly 90% of smart products in a snapshot check on Amazon, eBay and Temu did not seemingly meet new legal requirements for security support transparency

11 July 2024

How long will your smart tech last? Big brands fail to deliver on new laws

Despite new security laws being a legal requirement, many smart device brands are still unclear on how long they will support their products, or offer shockingly short policies

20 June 2024

New security laws for smart devices: what it means for you

Requirements for a ‘best before’ date for smart devices will improve transparency and help you choose a product that will last

29 April 2024

How to save money on smart tech subscription costs

Smart device subscriptions for devices like Ring doorbells and wireless cameras can ramp up to more than £100 per year. Find out how to make savings

9 February 2024

Big brands leave consumers in the dark over smart product updates

Smart products are being sold with pitifully short support policies, and many say nothing at all, despite transparency becoming a legal requirement this year

13 January 2024

Great value smart tech to keep your home secure this winter

Check in on your home from anywhere in the world with smart alarms, cameras and doorbells. We reveal the features worth paying for, how to save, and offer tips on the ideal home setup

14 December 2023

Get a smart home for less than £150 in the sales

Take advantage of big discounts in the sales to get a security camera, doorbell, smart bulb, plug, and an Amazon Alexa smart display

14 December 2023

Why a smart plug makes the perfect Christmas gift

A smart plug can help you save energy, make your home easier to run, and even scare off burglars. And with models available from around £10, they make for the ideal Christmas gift

7 December 2023

The smart device brands harvesting your data

With security cameras sending data to TikTok, washing machines demanding to know your age, and TVs watching you while you watch them, why are our smart homes spying on us?

7 September 2023

What is ChatGPT, and is it safe to use?

ChatGPT puts the power of artificial intelligence in our pockets, but how exactly does it work, and can you trust what it tells you?

30 August 2023

The deadly smoke alarm still being sold on eBay

The unbranded and dangerous 'SS-168' alarm was found for sale at eBay, AliExpress and Wish despite having repeatedly failed our tests

18 May 2023

Smart products abandoned by big brands after just two years

With smart washing machines, phones and televisions coming with as little as two years of guaranteed support, consumers are losing out when it comes to sustainability, cost of living and digital security

12 January 2023

How to set up smart devices on your router and home wi-fi

Got a new iPad or tablet, smart speaker or smart plug for Christmas? Find out how to set everything up seamlessly in your smart home

26 December 2022

Smart doorbells with security risks found in Which? tests

Cheap smart doorbells from Chwares and Kamep could expose you to hackers. Find out how to get a great value doorbell you can trust

22 December 2022

5 things you need to know about smart devices

Smart products such as doorbells, cameras and alarms make our lives easier, but convenience can have its drawbacks. Find out how to buy smart, when it comes to smart tech

25 August 2022

Are smart burglar alarms safe to use?

We've tested smart burglar alarms from Yale, Hive and Ring - and a model from Yale failed our security tests. Can you trust a smart alarm to keep you safe?

5 August 2022

Hive security cameras and Homeshield to be discontinued: what you need to know

Hive cameras and smart security systems will be dropped from 2025, forcing owners to replace the defunct smart devices

25 July 2022

Enabot Ebo Air smart robot hacking flaw found, and fixed

An attacker could have used this vulnerability to hack the cute smart Enabot Ebo Air robot and use it as a mobile surveillance device in someone's home. Flaw shows the need for legislation in smart product security

22 July 2022

Outdoor security cameras on test: wireless cameras from under £100

Keep an eye on your garden with a weatherproof camera – we've just put models from Xiaomi, Ring and Nest to the test

6 July 2022

Smart products from the biggest tech brands easily hacked in Which? tests

Popular smart devices including phones, doorbells and smart speakers could be posing a security risk to consumers

1 June 2022

Ring vs Nest: smart video doorbells on test

From premium models to cheaper alternatives, we've tested a range of smart video doorbells to see which are worth the investment

2 February 2022

The smart home tech to look out for in 2019

Smart doorbells, alarm clocks, fridges and more at the Consumer Electronics Show - but is any of this tech worth taking home?

2 February 2022

Cheap wireless security cameras from TP-Link, Victure and Ezviz on test

The latest security cameras to return from the Which? test lab are a mixed bunch, made up of reliable Best Buys and dismal Don't Buys

10 January 2022

5 ways smart tech can keep an eye on your home

From alerts when someone arrives at your door to getting back to a cosy and warm home, find out how smart gadgets can offer convenience and peace of mind

4 January 2022

Millions of CamHi wireless cameras made more secure after hacking risk

Security improvements to the popular CamHi app, along with a Yale burglar alarm, have been implemented following a Which? investigation

22 December 2021

Security issues with TP-Link routers and cameras fixed following Which? testing

TP-Link Archer routers and Tapo wireless security cameras have been patched to fix vulnerabilities - find out what to do if you own one

29 November 2021

UK government announces crackdown on insecure products

The move follows many Which? investigations highlighting smart products on sale that put your privacy and security at risk

24 November 2021

Online marketplaces flooded with insecure smart products

We've found more than 1,800 individual smart products on Amazon, eBay and AliExpress, including smart doorbells, wireless cameras and tablets, that could pose a risk to your security and privacy.

16 November 2021

Which? Security Notice will warn about at-risk smart devices

Mobile phones, tablets and other smart devices that no longer receive updates, or products with security flaws, will be clearly signposted to consumers.

22 October 2021

Cheap wireless security cameras from Littlelf, Eufy and Blink on test

With prices starting from just £24, a wireless camera could be the ideal way to shore up your home

19 October 2021

Cheap smart plugs from TP-Link, Amazon and Hive on test

Our top-scoring Best Buy smart plug costs less than £10 - but other more expensive plugs failed to impress

7 October 2021

Can a smart lock keep your home safe? Nuki smart door lock reviewed

We installed Nuki's home security smart gadget to find out if it can add convenience, and peace of mind

21 September 2021

How a smart home could be at risk from hackers

We set up our own smart home and detected more than 12,000 scanning or hacking attempts in a single week

1 July 2021

ieGeek security camera removed from sale following Which? investigation

The £40 Amazon's Choice camera failed our security tests - find out what to do if you own one

1 July 2021

Smart products must come clean on security under new laws

Under the Secure by Design legislation, manufacturers will soon have to adhere to new rules to help keep consumers safe

20 April 2021

Cheap smart plugs could expose you to hackers, or even cause a fire

A Which? investigation exposes poorly made smart plugs that could not only put your privacy and security at risk, but your physical safety, too

15 April 2021

The smart video doorbells letting hackers into your home

All 11 doorbells we tested demonstrated high-risk security issues

23 November 2020

TP-link camera security flaw discovered in Which? tests as 'IoT law' moves closer

A vulnerability discovered during Which? testing that could have posed a risk to you and your data has now been fixed

16 July 2020

More than 100,000 wireless security cameras in the UK at risk of being hacked

Wireless cameras that use the CamHi app, including popular marketplace brands Accfly, ieGeek and SV3C, might be allowing someone to spy on your home

12 June 2020

New law proposed to help protect millions from unsecure smart devices

The UK government has introduced proposals to improve security for consumers, following half a decade of research by Which?

29 January 2020

The cheap security cameras inviting hackers into your home

More than 50,000 internet-connected cameras being sold at Amazon and other retailers could have critical security flaws putting consumers' privacy at risk

1 October 2019

Which? investigation reveals 'staggering' level of smart home surveillance

Printers, toothbrushes and TVs are tracking how you live your life. Corporate surveillance goes beyond Facebook and into the products you use at home

1 June 2018

Should you buy a Netatmo Weather Station?

The Netatmo Weather Station enables you to keep track of your local environment, both inside and outside of your home. But is it any good?

17 August 2017

Is Hive's £6 a month smart home plan worth it?

We look at Hive's Welcome Home Plan as a way to smarten up your home

13 June 2017