After a decade in IT engineering, I’ve seen the same pattern repeat. Smart home companies overpromise battery life by 40%. Devices brick when servers shut down. Basic features get locked behind subscription paywalls. Manufacturers copy-paste specs across product lines without testing.
That’s why this site exists. I research IoT devices the way an engineer would evaluate enterprise equipment – by verifying every spec against manufacturer documentation, cross-referencing claims with published performance data, and calling out the gaps between marketing and reality.
When marketing and reality don’t align (like security cameras advertising 6 month battery life when real world performance shows 3 months, or thermostats requiring cloud connectivity for features that should work locally), I highlight exactly where and why. If I wouldn’t recommend a device to family, I won’t recommend it here, even when it costs an affiliate commission.
The result: Fewer wasted purchases, fewer abandoned apps, and smart devices that keep working years after setup.
Start Here
New to IoT? The complete beginner’s guide explains how connected devices work, what protocols matter, and which features justify the cost.
Shopping for devices? Jump to the most researched guides:
- Best Smart Rings – Verified battery life and accuracy data
- Best Fitness Trackers with Long Battery Life – Real world performance, not marketing claims
- GPS Trackers for Dogs – Subscription costs, coverage gaps, and battery performance
- Smart Air Purifiers – Which models actually improve air quality vs. just connect to an app
Building a connected home? Understand the protocols that determine whether devices work together: Matter, Zigbee, Thread, and Z-Wave.
Browse the full blog archive for detailed coverage of smart home devices, security guides, setup tutorials, and emerging IoT technology.
What You’ll Find Here
This site covers IoT technology that solves real problems, not devices that create new ones:
- Device Reviews & Comparisons: Smart home technology including health and fitness wearables, home wellness devices and pet technology
- Protocol Guides: Deep dives into Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Z-Wave and connectivity standards that determine device compatibility
- Setup & Troubleshooting: Step-by-step tutorials that get devices working without requiring an engineering degree
- Security & Privacy: How to protect IoT devices from vulnerabilities, explained in plain English
No regurgitated press releases. No marketing fluff. Just detailed research backed by over a decade of IT engineering experience, focused on helping you make informed decisions about IoT technology.