Most smart plugs and their app-based controls are designed for indoor use. For outdoor smart plugs, you need to find a specialized model — which is where our hours of testing at CNET come in handy.

My smart home extends to both my front and back yards. But I have only one weather-protected duplex outlet in each location, which isn’t enough to accommodate all the smart devices I need to plug in.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The smart home industry has steadily evolved over the years, and it's now possible to equip your abode with smart lights, smart alarm clocks, ...

I'm not sure if this even exists, or if I'm overthinking it and there is a completely different/better way of accomplishing this. Here's the setup: I have a patio light controlled by a switch inside.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. When people think about smart home technology, they typically think of things inside the house such as a smart speaker or a smart thermostat.

John Carlsen has more than a decade of experience testing and reviewing home tech products, with a major focus on smart home security. He earned his BS in journalism from Utah Valley University. In ...

If you have any kind of outdoor lights, Christmas lighting, speakers, or other outdoor electronics, chances are they aren’t really smart. And if you try to add smart home functionality, regular smart ...