My Smart Home Setup: What's Working and What's Not

After years of testing smart home devices, here's my honest take on what actually makes life easier—and what's just expensive tech that collects dust. From Eero mesh WiFi to Ring security to OTO Lawn care, this is everything in my connected home.

I've been building out my smart home for years now, and I've tried a LOT of devices. Some have become essential parts of my daily life. Others... well, they taught me expensive lessons about what not to buy.

Here's an honest look at everything in my smart home setup—the good, the frustrating, and the surprisingly life-changing.

The Foundation: Eero Max 7 Mesh WiFi

Let's start with the most important thing: your network. None of your smart devices matter if your WiFi is garbage.

I'm running an Eero Max 7 setup, and it's been rock solid. Mesh networking means consistent coverage throughout the house—no more dead zones in the garage or backyard.

Why Eero over other mesh systems:

Dead simple setup — The app walks you through everything
WiFi 7 support — Future-proofed for newer devices
Automatic updates — Security patches happen without me thinking about it
Eero Plus subscription — Ad blocking, threat protection, and VPN included

Verdict: ✅ Essential. Don't cheap out on your router. Everything else depends on it.

Security: Ring Alarm, Cameras & Video Doorbell 4K

I went all-in on Ring for my security setup—the alarm system, multiple cameras, and recently added the Ring Video Doorbell 4K.

The Ring Video Doorbell 4K is my latest addition and it's a significant upgrade from previous versions. The 4K resolution makes a real difference—you can actually see faces clearly and read license plates. Head-to-toe video captures packages and people you'd miss with a standard field of view.

What I like about the ecosystem:

Everything in one app — Alarm, cameras, doorbell all together
Professional monitoring option — $20/month for 24/7 monitoring isn't bad
Solid Alexa integration — "Alexa, arm Ring away" just works
4K doorbell clarity — Finally can identify faces and read text

The frustrations:

No HomeKit support — As an Apple user, this is annoying
Subscription required for video history — Another monthly fee
False motion alerts — Still getting notifications for shadows

Verdict: ✅ Worth it for the peace of mind. The ecosystem lock-in is real, but having everything work together is nice.

Lighting: Lutron Caséta

After trying smart bulbs (mistake), I switched to smart switches. Lutron Caséta is the gold standard here—and I mean that literally.

Here's what most people don't realize: Lutron isn't some startup trying to figure out smart home tech. They've been making professional lighting control systems for over 60 years. The same company that wires up commercial buildings, theaters, and high-end homes makes Caséta for consumers. That electrical industry pedigree shows in everything—the build quality, the reliability, the engineering.

It just works. I've had these switches for years now, and I can count on one hand the number of times I've had an issue. That's not something I can say about most smart home devices.

Why switches beat bulbs:

The switch always works — No more "who turned off the switch?" killing the smart bulb
Pico remotes — These battery-powered remotes are genius. Put them anywhere.
HomeKit, Alexa, Google — Works with everything
Rock solid reliability — Uses its own frequency, doesn't clog your WiFi

Verdict: ✅ The best smart lighting investment. Yes, they're expensive. Yes, they're worth it.

Door Lock: Schlage Encode Plus

The Schlage Encode Plus is the only smart lock I recommend for Apple users. Why? Apple Home Key.

Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch to the lock, and it unlocks. No app, no waiting, just tap and go. It's the closest thing to magic in my smart home.

Other benefits:

Built-in WiFi — No hub required
Keypad backup — Dead phone? Use the code.
Activity log — Know who unlocked when

Verdict: ✅ Home Key alone makes it worth it.

Climate: Nest Thermostat (4th Gen)

The Nest Thermostat 4th Generation is handling all my climate control, and it's been a solid performer.

What I appreciate:

Learning schedule — It figured out our routine and adjusts automatically
Home/Away sensing — Doesn't waste energy heating an empty house
Energy history — I can actually see how much I'm using
Remote control — Adjust from anywhere, perfect before coming home from vacation
Works with Alexa — "Alexa, set the temperature to 72" works perfectly

Minor gripes:

Google ecosystem — No native HomeKit (though it works with Matter now)
App could be simpler — Google Home app has a learning curve

Verdict: ✅ Set it and let it learn. Real energy savings and hands-off comfort.

Lawn Care: OTO Lawn Smart Sprinkler System

OTO Lawn (otolawn.com) completely changed how I think about lawn care. It's not just a smart sprinkler—it's a complete lawn treatment system.

Here's the thing: OTO connects to your existing sprinkler system and automatically delivers fertilizer, weed control, and pest treatment through the water. No more weekends spreading fertilizer or hiring lawn services.

What makes it special:

Automatic lawn treatments — Fertilizes, controls weeds, handles pests through your sprinklers
Weather intelligence — Won't treat before rain or in extreme heat
Seasonal programs — Different treatments for spring, summer, fall
App tracking — See what was applied and when, track lawn health

The catch:

Cartridge refills required — Ongoing cost for the treatment pods
Higher upfront investment — More than a basic smart controller

Verdict: ✅ My lawn has never looked better. If you want a truly hands-off lawn, OTO is incredible.

Cleaning: Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni

We have dogs. That means fur. Everywhere. All the time.

The Ecovacs X2 Omni has been a game-changer. It vacuums AND mops, and its station automatically empties the dustbin, washes the mop pads, and dries them.

Why this over Roomba:

Incredible suction power — Handles dog hair on carpet like a champ
True mopping — Not just dragging a wet rag around
Auto-empty station — Weeks without touching it
Square design — Actually gets into corners

Verdict: ✅ Essential with pets. It runs every day and I don't think about it.

Air Quality: Mila Air Purifiers

Mila air purifiers are the unsung heroes of my smart home. They're quiet, effective, and actually smart.

What sets Mila apart:

Real air quality monitoring — PM2.5, VOCs, humidity, the works
Auto-adjusts based on activity — Cooking? It ramps up.
Quiet sleep mode — Can't hear it at night
Beautiful design — Doesn't look like medical equipment

Verdict: ✅ Especially valuable during wildfire season or if you have allergies.

Smart Plugs: Kasa

For dumb devices that just need to turn on/off, Kasa smart plugs are my go-to. Christmas tree, fan, the occasional lamp—they're cheap, reliable, and the app is decent.

Why Kasa:

No hub required — Direct WiFi connection
Energy monitoring on some models — See what devices are drawing
Works with everything — Alexa, Google, HomeKit via Matter

Verdict: ✅ Cheap and effective for making dumb devices smart.

Voice Control: Alexa (Yes, Really)

Here's a confession: I'm an Apple user but Alexa runs my smart home voice control. I know, I know.

But here's why: Siri's smart home integration is still frustrating. Alexa just works better with most devices, and Echo Dots are cheap to scatter around the house.

What I use Alexa for:

Routines — "Alexa, goodnight" turns off lights, arms Ring, adjusts thermostat
Quick commands — "Turn off the kitchen lights" from the couch
Announcements — "Alexa, announce dinner is ready" broadcasts throughout the house

Verdict: ✅ Best voice assistant for smart home (even if you prefer Apple for everything else).

The Bottom Line

A smart home isn't about having the newest gadgets—it's about solving real problems and making your life easier.

My essentials (start here):

Nice to have (once you're hooked):

These are the main devices I use daily, but there's more to come. I'll be doing deeper dives on individual products and how I've set up specific automations.

If you're interested in the Eero setup specifically, I've already written about wired vs wireless backhaul and whether Eero Plus is worth the subscription.

Have questions about any of these devices? Drop a comment below or reach out—I'm happy to go deeper on anything specific.

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