They’re the easiest way to start building a smarter home. From Nooie and Ikea bulbs to Phillips Hue and ambient lighting kits, here are our favorites.
household
Keep This Gear at Home In Case of Emergencies

From flashlights to water purifiers, these items can be of immense help in case of a natural disaster or power outage.
16 Valentine’s Day Deals for Your Sweetheart (or Yourself)

From a bouquet of flowers to sex tech, you can save on gifts for your special someone.
The Best Electric Toothbrushes for Your Pearly Whites

Yes, you have to recharge a toothbrush, but these can actually make brushing a little easier. Here are our favorites.
Amazon’s Greatest Gadget Hits: Highlights of the Bezos Era

Amazon has made a lot of helpful, but also bizarre, stuff during CEO Jeff Bezos’s reign. Here are some of our favorites.
Why Insider ‘Zoom Bombs’ Are So Hard to Stop


Researchers have found that most calls to disrupt videoconferences originate with the participants, especially in high schools and colleges.
The Best Smart Plugs to Help Modernize Your Home

An internet-connected plug can give any basic appliance a brain. Here are our favorites (and a few we don’t like).
Sweet Jesus, Can Someone Just Tell Me What to Cook Every Day?

Fed up with pandemic-fueled meal-prep anxiety, I asked the Gray Lady to send me a weekly email telling me precisely what to buy and cook. It was the right move.
In Praise of Positive Reinforcement for Your Pets

You want to reward good behaviors, not use tools to punish negative ones.
Share Streaming Accounts? Set Up Separate User Profiles

Here’s how to keep your recommendations and history at least semi-private. No one needs to know how much Bridgerton you watched.