The Smart Cave

04/27/2023

Believe it or not, a smart faucet can actually be a useful kitchen gadget that allows you to multi-task more easily. However, only one of the 3 brands I reviewed is worth buying.

These voice-activated faucets from Moen, Kohler, and Delta can be a useful timesaver in the kitchen. Click to see which ones I recommend.

12/15/2022

The MyQ system for smart garage doors is really popular. But, for some reason they don't have a native integration with Alexa. Considering nearly EVERYTHING works with Alexa, this seems inexcusable to me.
However, I did find a metod that let's you use Alexa with your MyQ products and it works perfectly. It doesn't cost a cent, but it does take a few minutes to set up.
Fortunately, I've already done the hard work so all you have to do is follow my tutorial right here:

In this article, I’ll show you how to use Alexa with your MyQ garage door. You DON’T need to pay for any subscriptions, and it’s not some highly technical, brain-bending task that will take all afternoon. All you need is an app called SimpleCommands. SimpleCommands or IFTTT? MyQ doesn’t inte...

03/08/2022

On hard floors, the Narwal T10 will get you the cleanest clean of all the high end robovacs. However, its vacuum feature lacks the cleaning power to perform well on carpet. https://thesmartcave.com/narwal-robot-review/

09/17/2021

I know this Roborock S6 has been out for awhile, but I'm just not a fan of paying the premium price required to get the newest models.
I think we've reached a point with robovacs where "last year's models" are still really good at what they do and offer a much better price to performance ratio.

The Roborock S6 Pure works really well as a vacuum. It handles wood floors and carpet equally well. It efficiently navigates around chairs and under couches and back to its base without any trouble. Plus, it does all its work at night while we’re sleeping. All we have to do is empty its dustbin on...

08/19/2021

I recently finished a bathroom remodel project and my favorite addition is this smart fan/light/Alexa speaker that hovers quietly above my new porcelain tile shower. https://thesmartcave.com/home-netwerks-smart-bathroom-fan-review/
When I bought it, it totally seemed like another ridiculous smart home device that I didn't need. But after using it for a few months, I gotta say, I love the ability to adjust lighting and sound as I'm showering.
It lets me cater the "mood" of my shower to whatever the occasion: bright white light and upbeat music to get me going in the morning...or warm, dim light with relaxing music to unwind.

12/11/2020

Wow, it's been way too long since I published something. These C by GE smart switches are a lot better than people give them credit for. The app kinda sucks, but during regular use, you shouldn't need to use it anyway. Other than that, they make it super easy to quickly set up a room with switches and lights that just work.

When C by GE switches were first released, I saw a lot of negative feedback from users citing unreliable WiFi behavior. For that reason, I initially avoided testing them out. However, since the release, the line has expanded to multiple switches and bulbs which promise to work together and simplify....

07/10/2020

I put the finishing touches on my porch remodel with this smart ceiling fan. 😎

I recently installed a Modern Forms Mykonos smart ceiling fan in my 3 season porch. The fan is super quiet. It perfectly matches the color and style of the room. And, it easily integrates into my smart home. I wouldn’t call myself an expert on ceiling fans, but I don’t need to be an expert […]

05/01/2020

You probably don't like buying products that require you to buy a subscription to have full access to all the product's features. Neither do I. This Eufy doorbell stores its video clips locally - no cloud service, no subscription.

I purchased the Eufy Doorbell a little over 6 months ago and I don’t regret it. It comes with nearly everything I could want in a video doorbell. You’ve probably heard of the big names like Ring Pro and Nest Hello. Those are good products if you plan on buying in to their respective ecosystems. ...

04/15/2020

Haha,maybe one day her likeness will pop up on the Echo Show screen when she speaks.

In this post, I answer the burning question: What does Amazon Alexa look like? We'll explore the facts and a few theories & where Alexa's voice comes from.

03/13/2020

I think I may have found the world's most expensive smart lock.

A smart lock is a vital part of the smart home. Without one, your home automation project is incomplete. The most popular smart locks are for standard deadbolt locks where the latch is separate from the deadbolt. There is no shortage of those types of smart locks. But, if you’re looking for a mort...