About HomeTechTested

HomeTechTested is an independent smart home review site focused on one thing: helping you figure out which products are actually worth buying.

What We Do

We compare smart home devices head-to-head, break down confusing specs into plain language, and give honest verdicts. No sponsored rankings, no paid placements, no "best smart home device" lists where every product happens to have an affiliate link.

What We Cover

• Security cameras — Ring, Eufy, Reolink, Arlo, and Chinese alternatives
• Smart locks — keypad, fingerprint, Matter-compatible
• Robot vacuums — Roborock, Dreame, Ecovacs, budget options
• Smart lighting — Philips Hue, IKEA, Govee, Nanoleaf
• Thermostats & climate — Nest, Ecobee, Tado, smart radiator valves
• Protocols & ecosystems — Matter, Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave, WiFi
• Budget & Chinese brands — what works, what doesn't, what's safe

Our Approach

• We research specs, user reviews, and community feedback thoroughly
• We compare real prices including subscription costs
• We highlight what mainstream review sites won't tell you: hidden fees, privacy concerns, compatibility traps
• We focus on total cost of ownership, not just purchase price

Who This Is For

Anyone who wants a smarter home without wasting money on the wrong ecosystem, overpaying for subscriptions, or buying devices that won't work together. Whether you're a first-time buyer or upgrading an existing setup — we've got you covered.

The Team Behind This

Pieter (founder)

Runs Home Assistant on a mini PC, has TP-Link Tapo cameras and sensors throughout the house, a Dreame robot vacuum/mop combo, Wiz smart lighting, smart curtain openers, and smart-controlled aircos. The kind of person who won't buy a device unless it works locally without a subscription. Writes about budget-friendly setups, Home Assistant integrations, and Chinese brands that actually deliver.

Wout (the Niko guy)

Has a full Niko Home Control installation: wired switches, dimmers, motor controls, everything through one central unit. Represents the "spend more upfront, never touch it again" philosophy. Writes about wired vs wireless, professional installations, and whether premium systems justify their price.

Sander (Zigbee purist)

Everything runs on Zigbee via a ConBee stick and Zigbee2MQTT. No cloud, no WiFi devices, no subscriptions. Aqara sensors, IKEA bulbs, Sonoff switches, all mesh-networked with no internet dependency. Writes about local-only setups, Zigbee device reviews, and avoiding cloud lock-in.

Marie (Google Home family)

Three kids, doesn't want to spend hours configuring things. Everything runs through Google Home with Nest speakers in every room. Chromecast, Nest cameras, Nest thermostat. Values simplicity over customization. Writes about mainstream ecosystems, voice control for families, and "it just works" devices.

Bart (the security nerd)

Former IT professional. Runs Reolink POE cameras, Ubiquiti networking, local NVR storage, no cloud whatsoever. Paranoid about privacy. Writes about security cameras, NVR systems, privacy-focused setups, and why most "smart" cameras are surveillance devices you're paying for twice.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some articles contain affiliate links. These never influence our recommendations. See our full affiliate disclosure for details.

Contact

Questions, product review requests, or partnership inquiries: hello@hometechtested.com