Security
Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro review: a Thread border router that also watches the porch
Matter, Thread, local RTSP, and a surprisingly good night image — if you can live with Aqara’s still-busy app.
August 4, 2026 · 11 min read
Smart home field notes · 2026
Device Radar publishes independent reviews of the newest smart home devices, from Matter locks and lights to thermostats and robots. Buy the boring infrastructure first, then the toys — written for one hallway and limited patience.
33
Guides in the library
Matter
First, always
Local
When the WAN dies
No cults
Apple, Google, HA
Security
Matter, Thread, local RTSP, and a surprisingly good night image — if you can live with Aqara’s still-busy app.
August 4, 2026 · 11 min read
Radar occupancy, a real air-quality sensor, and Matter that no longer feels bolted on.
July 18, 2026 · 10 min read
Matter over Thread, a quieter motor, and a keypad that does not look like a science fair.
June 22, 2026 · 9 min read
Flagship mopping, obsessive obstacle avoidance, and an arm that can move a sock — once.
August 19, 2026 · 12 min read
Hardware, software, and the extra purchases that come with each device. Comparisons stay inside one category. Feature blurbs are marked AI-generated.
Bulbs, switches, gradients, and HDMI sync that still look good after 11 p.m.
Locks, cameras, doorbells, and sensors that respect local control.
Thermostats, vents, and air quality that do more than chase a schedule.
Robot vacuums and mops that map once and stay out of the way.
Matter controllers, Thread border routers, and the boxes that keep scenes reliable.
Speakers and displays that pull double duty as home controllers.
Every iPhone, Galaxy, and Pixel pair has its own keyword page. The link text is the primary keyword.
Porch, hallway, and local-storage picks that do not require joining a video cult.
September 12, 2026 · 10 min read
Frigate, Reolink, and UniFi against Ring and Nest — what you actually trade for no monthly fee.
September 12, 2026 · 11 min read
Battery, solar, and mesh kits that do not fall off the network every thunderstorm.
September 12, 2026 · 9 min read
Local SD, NVRs, and HomeKit Secure Video — the options that still record when you cancel the plan.
September 12, 2026 · 8 min read
LG ThinQ, Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, and the Matter-shaped ones — who actually ships local control.
September 12, 2026 · 10 min read
Ovens, coffee, and counters that earn a radio — and the gadgets that should stay dumb.
September 12, 2026 · 9 min read