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Consumer Reports’ reported standouts and low scorers span six smart-home categories, but they are category-specific results—not a single ranking of every connected device. BGR’s roundup summarizes those findings; its product rankings should be read as secondary reporting, not as tests conducted by BGR. The table below keeps the reported distinctions tied to each product and notes where an accessible Consumer Reports product page provides additional detail.
What the roundup reports for all nine gadgets
| Category and model | Reported result | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Security camera: TP-Link Tapo C660 | BGR says it topped Consumer Reports’ camera rankings, with perfect marks for day and night video quality and smart features such as voice-assistant compatibility and person, animal, and vehicle recognition. | Consumer Reports’ accessible model page confirms 3840 × 2160 resolution, battery and solar-panel power, and optional local microSD recording up to 512 GB. It also reports an average app-alert response of 6.2 seconds and describes the brand’s data-privacy controls and transparency as mediocre. Local recording does not mean every feature is free: the page also lists paid cloud storage. |
| Robot vacuum: iRobot Roomba Max 705 | BGR says it received perfect scores in six of nine Consumer Reports tests: bare-floor cleaning, navigation, pet-hair pickup, ease of use, noise, and data security. | BGR notes its height could prevent it from reaching under low furniture. These model-specific test details are reported by BGR; an accessible Consumer Reports model page was not available for independent confirmation here. |
| Smart thermostat: ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium | BGR identifies it as Consumer Reports’ highest-scoring smart thermostat, citing strong Smart IQ and manual-use results. | Consumer Reports’ 2026 thermostat guide describes occupancy and indoor-air-quality sensors, built-in voice options, music streaming, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. That overview does not establish that this model remains the top scorer across all current ratings. |
| Smart lock: Yale Assure Lock SL | BGR reports that it earned Consumer Reports’ highest score for a keyless lock, citing break-in resistance and remote access and monitoring. | The ranking and model-specific test claims are BGR’s account of Consumer Reports results. |
| Smart speaker: Sonos Era 300 | BGR says it was the highest-rated Sonos among Consumer Reports’ top five smart speakers. The roundup describes very good sound and ease of use, spatial audio, stereo pairing, multiroom use, Sonos Voice, and Alexa support. | The rank and test findings are reported by BGR, rather than independently verified against an accessible Consumer Reports model page. |
| Video doorbell: Logitech Circle View | BGR reports top marks from Consumer Reports for data security, an average alert-delivery time of 4.5 seconds, HomeKit compatibility, and clear daytime and nighttime imagery. | These model-specific results are secondary reporting in the roundup. |
| Video doorbell: Eufy S220 | BGR says Consumer Reports rated it poorly for data security and response time, despite acceptable day and night image quality and several assistant integrations. The roundup reports an average alert-delivery time of 9.2 seconds in Consumer Reports’ testing. | BGR also relays a separate reviewer’s notification result of about five seconds and a delay in two-way audio. Those different timings reflect different reported test results or conditions; neither should be treated as a universal response time. |
| Smart scale: Inevifit EROS | BGR reports that Consumer Reports gave it the lowest ratings for weight accuracy and repeatability, while it scored perfectly on unbalanced weighing. | Retailer feedback cited in the roundup was more favorable, but customer impressions and app-derived body-composition figures do not resolve the specific accuracy and repeatability concerns from the reported tests. |
| Robot vacuum: Lefant M210 | BGR says Consumer Reports found it good on bare floors and quiet operation, but poor at carpet cleaning, ease of use, and data privacy. | The roundup reports scattered debris and trouble navigating around furniture. It also relays more favorable customer impressions and a separate reviewer’s view that it is closer to a sweeper, noting its lack of mapping and a main brush roller. These are distinct kinds of evidence, not interchangeable test results. |
How to interpret these Consumer Reports results
Consumer Reports’ 2026 smart-home guide describes tests tailored to each device type: sound quality for speakers, cleaning capability for robot vacuums, and data security for cameras and doorbells. Its Senior Home & Appliances Writer Daniel Wroclawski says: “Here at Consumer Reports, we put these products through rigorous tests, such as analyzing the sound quality of smart speakers, judging the cleaning capabilities of robotic vacuums, and evaluating the data security of cameras and doorbells to help you avoid hacks.”
The nine-product roundup says its selections represent high or low results in their respective categories and that BGR compared Consumer Reports findings with comments from other reviewers. A category result is therefore not a universal measure of smart-home quality: strong camera imagery, for example, does not by itself settle alert speed, privacy, storage cost, or ecosystem fit. Consumer Reports’ Tapo C660 details illustrate that distinction directly.
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Consumer Reports’ 2026 guide projects that almost two billion people worldwide will use smart-home technology by 2029. This is a future estimate presented by the guide, not a count of people currently using it.
#1 Best Overall
Outlet Extender with Night Light, Multi Plug Wall Outlet, Surge Protector
- 【Versatile 10 in 1 Outlet Extender】- 4 usb charging ports, 5 wide spaced outlets, 3 side power stip provides large space and saves you another charger head space. 360°night light around makes it easy for you to see the outlets in dark corners or at night. With the removeable screw and the plastic prong, the multi plug outlet is firmly attach to your DUPLEX and DECOR outlets, and perfect for bedroom, dorm room etc
- 【Smart & Soft Night Light】- With the light sensor, the outlet extender will automatically turns on only when ambient lighting becomes dim. With sensitive touch sensor on the top logo, you could also choose to turn on/off the nightlight manually. The night light is soft, warm and does not dazzling, will not disturb to your sleep
- 【USB C Fast Charge & Wide Space】- 1.7 inches large space beetween 5 adapter outlets on the side which can easily fit for big head chargers. The 4 usb ports total 3.1A, and the USB C ports built in smart technolohy, can detect and charge your devices quickly, up to max 5V/3A,compatible with most type c devices.(NOTE: The UCB-C port doesn't support any other devices which need 14-22V charging voltage)
- 【Surge Protector Outlet】- This product is made of safe and reliable fireproof material and 3 level complementary Surge Protector Circuit, which can effectively provide protection for your equipment, with minimum 1050J energy absorbing capacity. ("SURGE PROTECTED" indicator light on to show your devices are protected)
- 【Super Safety & After Sale Service】- ETL Certified. This plug extender has overload protection, short-circuit protection, over current protection, over-voltage protection and overheating protection. It will automatically cut power to protect connected devices when voltage surge is overwhelming
What to check before choosing a device
- Camera or doorbell: Decide whether local storage meets your needs, check the exact cloud features and any paid plan, and consider alert speed, data-security findings, and compatibility with your existing smart-home system.
- Robot vacuum: Match cleaning performance to your floors, measure clearance under furniture, and consider navigation, ease of use, noise, and privacy—not just a result for one floor type.
- Thermostat: Confirm that the model suits your HVAC system and wiring, then check sensor functions and compatibility with the ecosystem you use.
- Smart lock: Check that the lock fits your door and that its access and monitoring options work with your preferred system.
- Smart speaker: Prioritize the sound and voice features you will use, and verify that it fits your preferred assistant and multiroom setup.
- Smart scale: If dependable weight readings matter most, distinguish repeatability and accuracy testing from app features, body-composition estimates, and customer ratings.
Before buying, verify the exact model, current availability, firmware-supported features, and storage or subscription terms. Retail prices and listings can change, and the roundup’s retailer details are not a durable basis for a current purchase decision.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Best Value
Kasa Smart Plug HS103P4, Smart Wi-Fi Outlet, Touch Actuator, Works with Alexa, Echo, Google Home, No Hub Required, 15 Amp, UL Certified, 4-Pack, White
- Voice control: Kasa smart plugs that work with Alexa and Google Home Assistant. Enjoy the hands free convenience of controlling any home electronic appliances with your voice via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Compatible with Android 5.0 or higher and iOS 10.0 or higher
- Smart Outlet Control from anywhere: Turn electronics on and off your smart home devices from anywhere with your smartphone using the Kasa app, whether you are at home, in the office or on vacation
- Scheduling: Use timer or countdown schedules to set your wifi smart plug to automatically turn on and off any home electronic appliances such as lamps, fan, humidifier, Christmas lights etc. The Kasa app is free and compatible with iOS 10.0 or later.
- Easy set up and use: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection required. Plug in, open the Kasa app, follow the simple instructions and enjoy
- Trusted and reliable: Designed and developed in Silicon Valley, Kasa is trusted by over 5 Million users and being the reader’s choice for PCMag 2020. UL certified for safety use.
Rank #4
Amazon Echo Show 11 (newest model), Vibrant Full-HD 11" display with more viewing area and spatial audio, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite
- New size, more viewing area: The 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen with 60% more viewing area versus Echo Show 8 (2025 release), built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for powerful performance, and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Content looks and sounds incredible: Watch shows on Prime Video, Netflix, and more on the vibrant Full-HD 11" screen and enjoy room-filling spatial audio, crisper vocals, wider sound stage, and up to 2x bass versus Echo Show 8 (2023 release). With Alexa+, find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your preferences.
- Your everyday assistant: The 11" display makes it easy to see recipes and calendars at a glance, find meal inspo, and manage your shopping lists. With Alexa+, find recipes based on foods you love, make reservations, order groceries, and more.
- Simple Smart Home control: Pair and control thousands of devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. Easily view your camera feeds. Manage lights, thermostats, and more using the display or your voice. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature, presence, or visual ID detection.
- Crystal-clear video calls: Video calls feel natural on the vibrant 11" screen with a centered, auto-framing camera, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction technology. Use live view to check in on your family, pets, and more while you're away.
Rank #3
Amazon Echo Dot (newest model) - Vibrant sounding speaker, Designed for Alexa+, Great for bedrooms, dining rooms and offices, Charcoal
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Rank #2
Sale
Linkind Matter Smart Plug, Work with Apple Home, Alexa, Siri, Google Home
- 【Easy Setup, One Control】With Matter, Skip the step of downloading and registering multiple manufacturers' apps every time you buy a new device. Instead, head straight to certified smart home platforms like Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, or AiDot to control all your Matter devices.【TIP】Matter-certified hub or controller (HomePod, Echo Dot, Nest, SmartThings Hub) is required for Apple Home/Alexa/Google Home/SmartThings platforms. Alternatively, the AiDot app can be used without hub
- 【Offline-Ready Control】Once you've set up your Matter-certified devices on your LAN, they'll be able to communicate with each other directly, using the Matter protocol. This means that if your home internet connection goes offline, your Matter-certified devices will still be able to communicate and be controlled within your LAN, without relying on the internet or cloud services.
- 【Remote Control from Anywhere】Use the app to turn electronics on before you arrive home and off after you leave, no matter where you are. Using the smart plug that work with alexa manage your power usage and save money.
- 【Hands-free Voice Control】Control linkind homekit plug using simple voice commands through Apple HomeKit, Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings, without the need for physical input such as buttons or switches.
- 【Flexible Scheduling & Timer】Effortlessly reduce energy usage with automatic device shutdown after a set time. For example Chrismas Tree, TV, Lamp, Fan, Humidifier,Blenders, Lightbulbs
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
