TL;DR

Before you orderOffer from Amazon

Get home appliances delivered free with Prime

• Fast, free delivery on millions of items
• Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
• Member-only deals all year

Start your free Prime trial →Free trial for eligible customers · Cancel anytime

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.Hide

CNET updated its smart-home gift guide on October 9, 2026, recommending devices its reviewer says were tested for practical use as gifts. The selections span security, lighting, home safety, pet care and household convenience, with ease of setup, useful features and subscription costs among the stated considerations.

CNET updated its 2026 smart-home gift guide on October 9, presenting tested devices for shoppers looking for practical upgrades across security, lighting, home safety and pet care. The recommendations emphasize ease of setup, useful everyday functions and subscription requirements—factors that can affect whether a connected device works well for the person receiving it.

The guide’s reviewer, Tyler, says he has spent more than 12 years working with and testing smart-home and security technology. CNET says its selections are intended for a range of recipients, including renters, older family members and people who already have many household gadgets. In the guide, “smart” generally refers to products that use an app for controls or alerts; some can connect with platforms recipients may already use, including Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa.

Among the named products is the EufyCam C35, which CNET recommends as a security-camera gift. The publication says it supports local recording to a microSD card and offers features such as human detection and privacy zones without a subscription. Its magnetic base is described as easy to install and remove for recharging. CNET suggests a microSD card could be added to the gift so the recipient has storage available.

The guide also recommends the Level Lock Pro for people who want smart-lock functions without changing the traditional appearance of a door lock. CNET lists support for Apple Home Keys, Google Home and Alexa, as well as remote locking, door-status detection and automatic locking. Other categories named in the guide include smart plugs, wallet trackers, smoke detectors, bulbs, leak sensors, heaters, garage controllers, speakers, fans, vacuums, pet fountains, litter boxes and pool-cleaning robots.

Gift Choices With Fewer Setup Hurdles

Smart-home products can be difficult gifts because the recipient may need to install an app, connect the device to a home network or pay for ongoing service. CNET’s guide makes those tradeoffs part of its recommendations, rather than treating a long feature list as enough. For shoppers, that offers a practical way to compare a device’s convenience with its setup demands, subscription costs and privacy implications.

The camera recommendation illustrates the issue: cloud recording can involve recurring fees and may not suit someone uncomfortable storing footage online. CNET says the Eufy model can instead record locally to a microSD card. That does not mean every recipient will prefer local storage, but it gives gift buyers a concrete feature to check before choosing a camera.

Compatibility matters, too. A smart lock or speaker may be less useful if it does not work with the recipient’s existing devices or preferred home platform. The guide’s broad selection—from simple plugs and bulbs to connected security and pet-care equipment—also lets shoppers consider whether a modest, standalone upgrade is a better fit than a product that adds a new system to manage.

How CNET Frames Its Picks

The article is a consumer buying guide, not an announcement that the products are new or that a single technology has changed. CNET says the recommendations draw on its reviewer’s testing and experience. The source page also describes CNET’s review operation as having more than 25 years of experience, 23 product reviewers and 15,000 square feet of lab space, and links to its testing and review-ethics information.

The guide’s stated selection criteria favor gifts that are easy to understand and set up, provide a useful benefit, avoid unnecessary subscriptions and do not create avoidable privacy concerns. Its product list ranges from low-cost smart plugs to more involved purchases such as smart locks, security cameras and automated pet equipment. The source material identifies products and summarizes some features, but it does not provide a complete price comparison or detailed test results for every item.

“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 that won’t endanger anyone’s privacy.”

— CNET guide

Prices and Compatibility Still Vary

The provided source does not give current prices for most recommendations, a full set of test measurements or a detailed comparison of each product with competing models. Prices and availability can change, so shoppers should check the seller’s current listing before buying. It is also not clear from the supplied material which versions of all the listed products were tested or whether every feature works across every supported platform.

Even a device described as subscription-free may depend on other requirements, such as a compatible phone, home Wi-Fi or an additional storage card. A smart-home gift can also involve access to an account or home network. Buyers should confirm compatibility with the recipient’s setup and consider whether the device’s app, data practices and installation needs suit the household. The guide’s recommendations are CNET’s editorial judgments, not a guarantee that every product will suit every user.

Check Listings Before You Buy

CNET’s guide is marked updated on October 9, 2026; the supplied source does not announce a later update or a future testing milestone. Before purchasing, shoppers can use the guide as a shortlist, then verify the latest price, availability, included accessories, platform support and any service fees. For cameras, check how recording and storage work; for locks and other installed devices, confirm that the recipient’s door or home setup is compatible.

Gift buyers should also think about who will handle installation and account setup. A simple plug or bulb may require little more than an app and a compatible socket, while a camera, smart lock or garage controller can require more planning. The final choice depends on the recipient’s needs and existing equipment; CNET’s list supplies options, but the source does not name one product as the right choice for every home.

Key Questions

What is the news in CNET’s 2026 smart-home gift guide?

CNET updated its guide on October 9, 2026, listing tested smart-home products it considers suitable for gifts across categories including security, lighting, home safety and pet care.

Does CNET recommend a security camera without a subscription?

Yes. CNET recommends the EufyCam C35, saying it supports microSD local storage and includes features such as human detection and privacy zones without a subscription. The guide suggests purchasing a microSD card as well.

Which smart-home platforms are mentioned?

The guide says many devices can work with apps people may already use, including Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa. Buyers should confirm support for the exact product and the recipient’s setup.

What should I check before buying a smart-home gift?

Check the current price, compatibility, app and network requirements, installation needs, storage options and whether any features require a subscription. Consider the recipient’s privacy preferences and existing devices before choosing.

Source: CNET