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CNET updated a guide to smart-home gifts on October 9, 2026, recommending devices chosen for ease of setup, practical use and limited reliance on subscriptions. Its picks range from cameras and smart locks to leak sensors, smart plugs and connected pet products; compatibility, privacy and ongoing costs remain important considerations for gift buyers.
CNET updated its 2026 smart-home gift guide on October 9, highlighting tested devices including a subscription-free security camera, a smart lock and household sensors. The recommendations focus on gifts that are relatively easy to set up, provide practical benefits and avoid requiring extra subscriptions, issues that can make connected-home products harder to give than ordinary electronics.
The guide’s selection spans security, lighting, home safety and everyday convenience. Featured products include the EufyCam C35, a Level Lock Pro, an Aqara alarm kit, smart bulbs, a smart plug, a wallet tracker and a leak detector. CNET also lists devices for heating, garage access, pets and cleaning, including a smart pet fountain and an automatic litter box.
CNET says the Eufy camera supports local video storage on a microSD card and offers features such as human detection and privacy zones without a subscription. The publication suggests buying a memory card with the camera so the recipient has storage available. It describes Level Lock Pro as a way to add connected features while retaining the appearance of a traditional lock; listed functions include remote locking, door-status detection and automatic locking.
The recommendations are based on products tested by CNET’s reviewer, whose biography says he has worked with and tested smart-home and security technology for more than 12 years. CNET frames its picks as options for different recipients, including renters, older family members and people who already own many devices. The guide does not provide a single price range or establish that every listed product will suit every home.
Smart Home Upgrades To Consider When Buying Gifts In 2026
A thoughtful connected-home gift should be easy to set up, useful in daily life and clear about privacy and ongoing costs. CNET’s updated picks span security, safety, lighting and household care.
Useful beats novelty
CNET’s tested gift recommendations cover practical tasks around the home. The guide considers ease of setup, everyday value and subscription dependence, while noting that the right choice depends on the recipient’s home and devices.
See and secure
EufyCam C35 camera, Level Lock Pro and an Aqara alarm kit bring connected monitoring and access features.
Catch problems early
Leak detection and household sensors can alert recipients to issues that are easy to miss.
Simplify the ordinary
Smart bulbs, plugs, pet products, heating, garage access and cleaning devices broaden the options.
Two picks, two practical checks
The guide highlights products with distinct benefits. Their features are CNET’s assessments; confirm current specifications and suitability before buying.
Local video storage
CNET says the camera supports microSD storage and includes human detection and privacy zones without a subscription. A memory card may need to be purchased separately.
Check storage needs, privacy settings and whether the recipient wants a camera in their home.
Connected, understated
The guide describes a traditional lock appearance with app-connected features such as remote locking, door-status detection and automatic locking.
Check the door’s physical fit, installation needs and compatibility with the recipient’s phone or platform.
Make the gift fit the home
Smart products often depend on apps, accounts and a compatible home platform. A few checks can prevent setup friction or unexpected costs.
Before you buy
- Confirm support for Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or the recipient’s preferred system.
- Check whether desired features require a subscription or extra purchase.
- Review privacy controls and storage choices for devices that record or send alerts.
- Confirm installation, physical fit and setup requirements.
- Consider whether the recipient is comfortable using another app or account.
Compatibility is specific
CNET notes that many products use platforms people may already have, but the source does not establish that every device works with every platform version or feature set.
Prices, availability, warranties and software support can change. Check current details with the manufacturer or retailer.
From recipient to ready-to-use
Match the product to a real need, then check the details that shape the experience after unwrapping.
Know their setup
Identify their phone, smart-home platform and comfort with apps.
Pick a task
Choose security, lighting, safety or a daily household routine.
Check the costs
Review subscriptions, accessories and any installation needs.
Verify today
Confirm current product details before completing the gift.
A smart-home gift works best when it solves a clear problem, fits the recipient’s existing setup and does not add surprise fees or difficult setup. CNET’s guide offers ideas across home security, convenience, safety and pet care, but no single pick is right for every household.
Quick answers for gift buyers
What changed?
CNET updated its 2026 smart-home gift guide on October 9 with tested recommendations across security, convenience, safety and pet care.
Which camera is featured?
The EufyCam C35, described as supporting local microSD storage and subscription-free human detection and privacy zones.
Does the guide include a lock?
Yes. The Level Lock Pro adds connected functions while keeping a traditional appearance. Check fit and platform support.
Are the picks right for every home?
No. Fit, compatibility, availability, features and costs vary. The supplied guide does not establish universal suitability.
Source: CNET. Product descriptions and recommendations reflect the publication’s assessments. The supplied material does not include full prices, detailed test results for every item, or a scheduled next update.
Practicality Shapes Smart-Home Gifts
Connected devices can add useful features, but a gift can become a burden if setup is complicated, the recipient must pay for a subscription or the device does not work with their existing system. CNET’s criteria point buyers toward ease of use, clear benefits and ongoing costs, rather than novelty alone.
Privacy and home compatibility matter especially for products that record video, control entry or send alerts. A camera that stores footage locally may appeal to someone who does not want cloud storage, while a smart lock should be checked against the recipient’s door and preferred phone or home platform. These are practical checks, not guarantees that a particular model will fit every household.
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What the Guide Recommends
CNET says its use of “smart” generally refers to devices that use an app for operation or alerts. It notes that many products connect through platforms recipients may already use, including Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa. Buyers still need to confirm support for the specific platform and features they expect to use.
The guide’s security section reflects a common purchase trade-off: some cameras depend on paid plans for features such as cloud storage. CNET says the EufyCam C35 instead supports local microSD storage and includes listed features without a subscription. Its Level Lock Pro recommendation emphasizes a less visibly modern appearance alongside app-connected functions. Other picks broaden the guide beyond security to low-cost smart plugs, leak detection, lighting and devices for pets and household chores.
“The best gift choices are devices that are easy to understand and set up, don’t require any subscriptions or extra steps to use and offer real, useful benefits.”
— CNET’s 2026 gift guide
Fit, Costs and Compatibility Vary
The source does not give full prices, availability, warranty terms or detailed test results for every product listed. Nor does it establish that each device works with every version of Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa. Buyers should check current compatibility, installation requirements and any optional or required fees before purchasing.
CNET’s descriptions and recommendations are the publication’s product assessments; the supplied material does not include independent comparisons or a complete explanation of testing methods for each item. The guide also does not state whether product listings or prices changed after its October 9 update.
Check Details Before Buying
Before giving a connected device, buyers can confirm that it fits the recipient’s home, phone and preferred smart-home platform. For cameras, that includes checking storage choices, privacy settings and whether any desired feature carries a fee. For locks and other installed products, check physical fit and setup needs; for app-based gifts, consider whether the recipient will be comfortable managing another account or device.
The guide is dated October 9, 2026, so product availability, pricing and software support may change. CNET does not identify a scheduled follow-up or announce a next update in the supplied material.
Key Questions
What is the main news in CNET’s 2026 smart-home gift guide?
CNET updated a list of tested smart-home gift recommendations on October 9, 2026, covering products for security, convenience, safety and pet care.
Which security camera does the guide recommend?
CNET highlights the EufyCam C35, saying it supports microSD local storage and includes features such as human detection and privacy zones without requiring a subscription.
Does the guide recommend a smart lock?
Yes. It features the Level Lock Pro, which CNET describes as retaining the look of a traditional lock while adding connected functions such as remote and automatic locking. Buyers should verify door fit and platform compatibility.
What should I check before buying a smart-home gift?
Check compatibility, setup requirements, privacy options and subscription costs. Also consider whether the recipient uses the required app or smart-home platform and whether the device suits their home.
Are the guide’s products guaranteed to work in every home?
No. The source presents CNET’s recommendations, but it does not establish universal compatibility or suitability. Product fit, features, availability and costs can vary, so confirm current details with the manufacturer or retailer.
Source: CNET
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