10 gadgets that will prevent everyday problems and make your life easier

1. An app-controlled smoke detector for the kitchen

You can quickly silence your Halo if you burn food while cooking. (Photo: Halo)

Next time you sear tuna or burn popcorn, you’ll be glad you have a Halo+ smart smoke detector in your kitchen. If there is enough smoke to trigger the emergency alarm, you can quickly silence it from your smartphone—no chair climbing or towel waving required. This award-winning smart smoke detector can also alert you about severe weather, and it connects to Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings.

2. A two-zone, temperature-controlling mattress cover

Get a better night's sleep with the Eight Sleep Tracker. (Photo: Eight Sleep)

To get a good night’s sleep, you have to be a comfortable temperature. If you’re always cold and your partner is hot, you need the Eight Sleep Tracker, a smart mattress cover that can regulate different temperatures on separate sides of the bed. Additionally, Eight will track your sleep patterns and provide suggestions on how you can catch more Zs.

3. A connected plug for your bathroom accessories

Never leave your hair straightener on again. (Photo: iDevices)

This one is for the women out there: How many times have you forgotten to turn off your hair straightener or curler? Not only does this use up electricity all day, but it’s also a fire hazard! The simple solution? Get an iDevices Switch (our top choice for smart plugs) and create a schedule so it turns off your bathroom accessories when you leave the house. You’ll save energy, and have peace of mind.

4. A remote-less entertainment hub for your living room

Turn your smartphone into a universal entertainment remote. (Photo: Logitech)

I have three remotes for my TV, and at any given time, at least one of them is missing. Sound familiar? If so, you need the Harmony Home Hub, which turns your smartphone into a universal remote for all your entertainment devices, including your TV, speakers, and more. Plus, you can even integrate the Hub with Amazon Alexa to turn on your TV via voice commands!






5. An app-controlled garage door opener

Remotely open or close your garage door from anywhere. (Photo: Nexx)

Ever rush off to work, only to get there and wonder if you remembered to close the garage door? Now you don’t have to worry. The NEXX Garage lets you remotely check if your garage door is closed, and if it’s not, you can remedy the situation with a simple tap—no need to rush back home or call your neighbor to help.

6. A smart parental control unit for the playroom

Get comprehensive parental controls for all your home's devices. (Photo: Circle)

If your children are always sneaking onto the internet before they finish their homework, you can get serious about parental controls with Circle With Disney. This smart device recognizes every gadget in your home, from phones to laptops and gaming systems, and can filter out inappropriate content. You can also “pause” the internet during homework time, or set limits on how long kids can use a given device.

7. A smart robot vacuum to clean under the couch

Clean under the couch and bed—without shifting the furniture! (Photo: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan)

Be honest: Do you really vacuum under the couch or bed when you’re cleaning the house? I know I don’t, and once every few months, I realize how much dirt has accumulated under my furniture. Keep your house cleaner than ever with the new Eufy RoboVac 11c. This smart robot vacuum will navigate under your furniture, sucking up dirt on all floor types. The best part is you don’t have to lift a finger, even to tell the vacuum to start cleaning, because it can connect to Amazon Alexa and your smartphone.

8. A motion-activated smart light for the bathroom

No more turning on bright lights when you go to the bathroom at night. (Photo: Philips)

If you frequently visit the bathroom at night, you have to choose whether to turn on the bright lights, navigate around in the dark, or leave a nightlight on 24/7. Philips Hue solves this dilemma with its Smart Motion Sensor. When paired with a Philips Hue Smart Bulb, the Motion Sensor will automatically turn on the lights for a set amount of time, and you can even set it to use a gentle light that won’t blind you.

9. An internet security firewall for your office

Protect sensitive information on your home network with CUJO. (Photo: CUJO)

You might not even realize this is a problem, but chances are your home computer’s security is pretty lax. Even if you have antivirus software, you still could be vulnerable to hacking and other internet attacks. CUJO is a smart internet security firewall that guards your entire network, keeping your sensitive financial and personal information safe.

10. An affordable, all-in-one security solution

Protect your home without breaking the bank. (Photo: Canary)

If you just moved into a new house or apartment, you might want to install a security system, but they can be pretty pricey. Luckily, the Canary All-in-One Home Security Device can provide all that peace of mind with a much lower price tag. Canary lets you monitor your home 24/7 with live and recorded video, as well as motion detection alerts, a startling siren, and instant access to authorities.