Best Smart Home Devices of 2026, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

Top-scoring connected cameras, doorbells, speakers, vacuums, and more gear from Consumer Reports' tests

By Daniel Wroclawski
Senior Home & Appliances Writer

Updated January 1, 2026

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.

Clockwise from top left: Google Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen, Logitech Circle View Doorbell, Flo by Moen Smart Water Shutoff System, Arlo Go 2 LTE WiFi, iRobot Roomba Combo i5, Sonos Era 300 Smart Speaker. — At Consumer Reports, we rate all kinds of smart home devices, including robotic vacuums and smart thermostats.

The “home of the future” has been promised for decades, but smart home devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Amazon Echo are finally making it a reality. By 2029, it’s estimated that almost two billion people around the world will be using smart home tech, and you might very well be one of them.

In this article

Best: Smart Speakers Home Security Cameras Video Doorbell Cameras Smart Locks Smart Thermostats Robotic Vacuums Combination Robotic Vacuums and Mops Smart Sprinkler Controllers Combination Smoke & CO Detectors

Best Smart Speakers

Best Home Security Cameras

Best Video Doorbell Cameras

Best Smart Locks

Best Smart Thermostats

Best Robotic Vacuums

Best Robotic Vacuums and Mops

Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers

Best Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Daniel Wroclawski

Dan Wroclawski is a home and appliances writer at Consumer Reports, covering products ranging from refrigerators and coffee makers to cutting-edge smart home devices. Before joining CR in 2017, he was an editor at USA Today’s Reviewed, and launched the site’s smart home section. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with one of the over 70 connected devices in his house. Follow Dan on Facebook and X: @danwroc.