Home Safety
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The Best Smart Doorbell Camera
by Rachel Cericola
A smart doorbell camera allows you to see who’s on the other side of your front door so you can screen visitors and package deliveries—even if you aren’t home.
The Best Emergency Weather Radio
by Thom Dunn
After 36 hours of research and tests of more than a dozen emergency weather radios, we’re confident the Midland ER310 is the best choice for most people.
The Best Power Outage Tools and Supplies
by Erica Ogg
When preparing for a blackout, here’s the best gear for backup power and lighting.
The Best Indoor Security Camera
by Rachel Cericola
Security cameras keep a watchful eye on all your prized possessions—not only your stuff, but family and pets, too—and send an alert when motion is detected.
The Best Outdoor Security Camera
by Rachel Cericola
An outdoor security camera can alert you to prowlers, package deliveries, and visitors, as well as animals in your trash and things that go bump in the night.
The Best Smart Security Devices to Make Your New Home Feel Safe
by Rachel Cericola
New homeowners quickly discover that they also have new worries. These smart security devices provide peace of mind whether you’re home or away.
The Best Smart Home Devices to Help Aging in Place
by Rachel Cericola
Smart-home devices can make it easier for you to help an older loved one age safely and securely in their own home.
The Best Smart Locks
by Jon Chase
A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your door remotely. Our pick, the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, isn’t the smartest lock, but it is sturdy, simple, and reliable.
Why We’re Pausing Our Recommendation of Wyze Smart Home Devices
by Rachel Cericola and Jon Chase
Wyze doesn’t seem to understand its responsibility to customer security and privacy. We won’t review Wyze smart devices until it learns to do better.
The Best Home Security System
by Rachel Cericola
A good home security system should make it easy to find peace of mind. It can alert you to an open door or window, frighten away prowlers, and call for help.
The Best Home Air Quality Monitor
by Tim Heffernan
Get reliable, accurate air quality information with these apps and tools.
The Best Smart Smoke Alarm
by Roy Furchgott
Smart smoke alarms are pricey, but unlike traditional ones, they can alert you to a problem even when you’re not home. The Google Nest Protect is our pick.
The Furnace and Air Conditioner Filters We Would Buy
by Tim Heffernan
We help you pick the right filter for your HVAC system and tell you what those MERV numbers mean. Our pick is Nordic Pure's MERV 12.
The Best Shower Mat
by Shannon Palus and Anna Wenner
These grippy, easy-to-clean mats can help prevent a fall in the bath or shower, offering peace of mind that anyone can use.
The Best Security Cameras for Your Home
by Rachel Cericola
Wi-Fi security cameras can help protect your family and possessions. We’ve reviewed and picked the best models for every area of your home.
The Best LED Light Bulb
by Thom Dunn and Anna Perling
The best LED bulbs offer long life and efficiency, plus a look that matches that of a traditional incandescent.
The Best Smart Home Devices for Apple HomeKit and Siri
by Jon Chase
HomeKit is a straightforward smart-home system for anyone who uses Apple devices. Here’s how it works and our pick of the best compatible smart devices.
The Best Water Quality Test Kit for Your Home
by Tim Heffernan
SimpleLab’s Tap Score Advanced City Water Test offers comprehensive analysis of your drinking water with easy-to-read results.
The Best Portable Power Station
by Sarah Witman
Our top pick for three years running, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is the best portable power station for going off the grid or prepping for an emergency.
The Best Flashlight
by Doug Mahoney
The best flashlights, such as the ThruNite Archer 2A V3, offer unmatched illumination, versatility, and durability.
The Best Fireproof Document Safe
by Nick Guy
We tested seven new safes and found the models that offer the best combination of fireproofing, waterproofing, size, and price.
Essential Tools to Ride Out a Winter Storm
by Doug Mahoney
Winter storms are coming. Prepare with standout tools that’ll save your back—and your pipes. Then enjoy playing in the snow or cozying up inside.
Wirecutter’s 100 Most Popular Lifestyle Picks of 2023
by Wirecutter Staff
Here are some of the most popular home and lifestyle Wirecutter picks from 2023.
The Best Fire Extinguisher
by Doug Mahoney
The First Alert PRO5 is available, affordable, and UL-certified—and it’s one of many similar extinguishers that can also get the job done.
How to DIY an Air Purifier
by Tim Heffernan
If your air quality is bad and you don’t have an air purifier, an HVAC filter taped to a box fan is better than nothing.
The Cure for Stolen Packages Is Here, If Only Delivery People Would Use It
by Rachel Cericola
Smart delivery boxes keep packages safe and alert you when they arrive. But in our testing, we found that they’re useful only if the delivery person uses them.
The Best Fire Escape Ladder
by Doug Mahoney
The X-It 2-Story Emergency Escape Ladder is simpler to set up, easier to climb, and more convenient for storage and practice use than any other ladder we tested.
The Best Basic Smoke Alarm
by Doug Mahoney
Here are our recommendations for several types of home smoke alarms with and without carbon monoxide detection.
The Best Door Lock
by Tim Heffernan
After 40 hours of research and interviews with locksmiths and security experts, the Schlage B60N deadbolt is the best door lock for most homes—it’s tough, secure, widely available, and universally recommended.
The Top 10 Tools for Earthquake Preparedness
by Eve O'Neill and Ellen Airhart
A little advanced planning can keep you safe and offer comfort after an earthquake strikes.
The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies
by Doug Mahoney and Ellen Airhart
How to plan and protect yourself in areas at risk of hurricanes.
The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag
by Doug Mahoney and Joshua Lyon
These items will meet your needs for water, nourishment, comfort, and more while you evacuate to a safe location.
One Option You Shouldn’t Overlook When Setting Up a Security Camera
by Rachel Cericola
You probably spend plenty on subscriptions already, but if you plan to have a home security camera, we think paying for a cloud storage plan is essential.
The Best Smart Outdoor Lighting for Backyards, Pathways, and More
by Rachel Cericola
Outdoor lighting enhances home security. Smart lighting makes it versatile and attractive. Here are our picks for smart bulbs, path lights, and fixtures.
The Best Emergency Preparedness Supplies
by Ellen Airhart
After hundreds of hours of research, we narrowed down the items that could prove indispensable in a natural disaster—and most are helpful in everyday life, too.
Before You Buy or Sell a Home, Do These Things to Prevent Smart Devices From Doing Something Dumb
by Rachel Cericola
If you’re buying or selling a home with smart devices installed, take these steps to preserve your safety, security, and privacy.