It’s been nearly four years since we last explained how we use smart home technology to make daily life easier. Since then we’ve moved homes, changed states, and updated much of our smart setup. Below I’ll outline what we’ve added, what we no longer use, and which devices still earn a permanent spot in our home—plus one surprising pick that Sherry pushed for.
As always, none of the products mentioned here are sponsored or gifted—these are things we bought and used, loved, or decided didn’t work for us anymore. Let’s get into the details.
STILL LOVE: Alexa Voice Assistant
We’ve embraced Alexa as the central hub of our smart home. After downsizing our house we actually increased the number of Alexa devices: from one Echo and two Echo Dots in our previous home to two Echo units in common areas and three Echo Dots—one in each bedroom—so the kids can use voice control easily. These aren’t the newer globe-shaped models; they came from our beach house, but they work perfectly for everyday use.
We use Alexa daily to play music, set timers, check the weather, add items to shopping lists, and even call the kids to dinner—Alexa acts as a whole-house intercom. The kids also ask Alexa for the temperature, jokes, stories, or to play games like Akinator. Voice control makes interacting with lights, shades, and routines effortless for everyone in the house.
DITCHED: Alexa Auto
I bought an Echo Auto when it was available at a discount and even talked about it on a podcast. In practice it proved glitchy in our car—having trouble hearing or responding over music and often lagging in its replies. After about a year of intermittent performance and the clutter of wires on the dashboard, we passed the device along. Your mileage may vary; it might work well for others, but it wasn’t reliable enough for our daily driving needs.
ADDED: Smart Blinds
Motorized roller shades are far and away our favorite recent addition. We installed blackout motorized shades in each bedroom and control them with voice commands or scheduled routines. Nearly two years in, they’ve become indispensable. Because Sherry gets lots of questions about these, she wrote a detailed smart blind FAQ, but the short version is: we installed Bali blackout roller shades with smart motors in Acadia Vintage Veil fabric and haven’t looked back.
Sherry was hesitant to splurge at first, but since we only needed a handful, she agreed—and now she loves the convenience. A single command like “Alexa, it’s bedtime” can lower lights and close shades throughout the house, which never fails to impress guests.
STILL LOVE: Kasa Smart Light Switches, Bulbs, & Plugs
Alongside the blinds, our Kasa smart bulbs, switches, and plugs remain essential. We use smart switches for overhead fixtures, smart bulbs for lamps, and smart outlets for items like fans, salt lamps, and holiday decor. An outdoor smart plug controls our string lights. The Kasa system is reliable, integrates with Alexa for voice control and routines, and supports schedules tied to sunrise and sunset—features we use constantly.
Most devices are easy to install; switches require basic wiring, but the instructions are clear. We control lights individually, in groups, or as part of larger routines—covering most of our lighting needs without fuss.
How To Install A Smart Plug
Installing a smart plug is a quick way to add automation. We filmed a step-by-step video showing the simple setup, and though the video is older the process hasn’t changed much. It’s a fast upgrade that brings immediate convenience.
DITCHED: Flo Smart Water Monitoring
We had Flo by Moen devices installed at our beach house and duplex to detect leaks and shut off water remotely. While the idea—automatic leak detection and app control—sounded ideal for properties we didn’t live at full-time, the reality brought more problems than solutions. Unreliable internet at those properties made app control spotty, and we received one faulty unit that caused a small leak. In a seasonal rental situation the leak-detection logic also created false alarms when guests used water normally, triggering alerts and threatening to shut off water unless we cleared them quickly. After consulting with support and trying to find fixes, we deactivated the system and removed it.
These devices might work very well in other scenarios, but for our intermittently occupied vacation rental properties they caused more hassle than peace of mind.
ADDED: “The Frame” Smart TV
We added a Samsung Frame TV when we moved because we liked the idea of a TV that looks like framed art. It’s low-profile, hugs the wall, and uses a single thin wire connected to a control box. The customizable bezels help it read as a picture frame rather than a black rectangle, and the art mode lets you display photos or curated artwork when it’s not in use.
- Low-profile design that sits close to the wall.
- One small wire to a control box, which can be hidden out of sight.
- Interchangeable bezels that create a realistic frame appearance.
Uploading your own photos could use clearer instructions, but the end result looks much nicer than a traditional TV. Tip: if you want your photos to fill the screen with even mats, resize them to 3814 x 2145 pixels to match the Frame’s aspect ratio.
STILL LOVE: Nest Learning Thermostat
This is the ninth Nest thermostat we’ve installed across multiple homes, and for good reason. The Nest Learning Thermostat’s auto-away feature sets the system to eco mode when no motion is detected, conserving energy when we’re out. Its learning algorithm builds a schedule based on seasons, motion, and manual adjustments, so it automatically adapts to our routine while still allowing manual edits.
- Auto-away detects when the house is empty and switches to eco mode.
- Learning scheduling adapts to your habits and creates an automatic program.
We use the learning model with a white outer ring, but there are several finishes available. There’s also a less expensive non-learning model if you want voice control without auto-scheduling—just check compatibility with your HVAC system before buying.
DITCHED: Racchio Smart Sprinkler Controller
We don’t use the Racchio smart sprinkler controller in this house because there’s no irrigation system here, but it’s still a product we recommend for homes with automatic sprinklers. Its app-based scheduling and weather-aware watering save water and money by skipping runs when rain is forecasted—no external rain sensor needed. If you’ve ever watched sprinklers run during a storm, this feature alone can be worth the upgrade.
ADDED: Pura Smart Fragrance
Sherry chose the Pura smart diffuser, and it’s become a subtle but appreciated addition. It’s a modern, more natural alternative to old plug-in air fresheners. You plug it into an outlet, insert two fragrance vials, and use the app to switch between scents, control intensity, and set schedules. For people who are fragrance-sensitive like us, the ability to run scents at a very low intensity and automate them is perfect.
Sherry currently runs two back-to-back schedules: a light Anthropologie candle scent in the morning and a mild citrus scent in the afternoon and evening, both at a very low intensity. The Pura app offers many scent options and the ability to fine-tune intensity and schedules so the fragrance always feels controlled and subtle.
STILL LOVE: HP Smart Printer
We rely on an HP Envy wireless printer and an HP Instant Ink subscription. The HP Smart app makes printing from multiple devices and scanning documents with a phone camera effortless. During months of remote learning the Instant Ink subscription was invaluable: the printer detects low ink levels and sends replacements automatically. The subscription price depends on pages printed each month, and the service includes recycling for empty cartridges—one less thing to worry about.
ADDED: Smart Outdoor Cameras
For the first time we added exterior cameras to monitor our pool and front porch. Modern outdoor cameras and doorbells from leading providers offer advanced motion detection that can be tuned by area and type of motion, reducing false alerts from wildlife or moving foliage. Our cameras are wireless, battery-powered, and connect over Wi‑Fi. We added solar panels to keep batteries charged and installed a wireless video doorbell as well. Outdoor cameras have provided peace of mind and were straightforward to set up.
Most major security brands offer good options with features like phone alerts, human detection, and add-ons such as glass-break sensors for more comprehensive protection.
Here’s a quick recap of the devices currently in use at our home:
- Amazon Echo and Echo Dots
- Kasa smart light bulbs and switches
- Kasa smart plugs and an outdoor plug
- Bali blackout roller shades with smart motors
- Nest Learning Thermostat
- Samsung Frame Smart TV
- Pura Smart Diffuser
- HP Envy wireless printer with HP Instant Ink
- Outdoor security cameras and indoor alarm components
It may seem like a lot, but we focus on devices that truly improve daily life rather than buying every new gadget. We pick tools that save time, add convenience, or actually cut costs—everything else gets passed on. And while I remain curious about emerging tech, I’ll skip the Alexa-enabled sunglasses for now.
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