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CNET updated its 2026 smart home gift guide on October 9, recommending devices chosen for practical use, simple setup, and clear costs and privacy considerations. Its picks span security cameras, locks, sensors, lighting, appliances and trackers; the best option depends on the recipient’s home, preferences and existing technology.

CNET updated its 2026 smart home gift guide on October 9, highlighting devices it says it has tested and recommending that shoppers prioritize simple setup, useful features, privacy and ongoing costs. The selection ranges from a subscription-free security camera and a smart lock to plugs, lighting, leak sensors and household devices, giving gift buyers options for different homes and budgets.

The guide’s central advice is to choose a device the recipient can use without a complicated setup or recurring fees they did not ask for. CNET says a smart gift should offer a clear everyday benefit and avoid creating privacy concerns. Many products require an app, but the guide notes that some work with familiar platforms such as Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa.

For security, CNET highlights the EufyCam C35, citing local microSD storage and features it says are available without a subscription, including human detection and privacy zones. The camera has a magnetic base for installation and removal for recharging; the publication suggests including a microSD card so the recipient has storage. CNET also recommends the Level Lock Pro for people who want smart-lock functions while retaining the appearance of a traditional lock. According to the guide, it supports Apple Home Keys, Google Home and Alexa and does not require a subscription.

Other picks cover a range of needs rather than one kind of smart home. The guide lists an Aqara security kit with a 2K camera and sensors, a wireless Nest video doorbell, an affordable Emporia smart plug, smart bulbs, a leak detector that connects directly to an app, and a garage-door controller that can work with an existing motor. Its broader list also includes a wallet tracker, smoke detector, heater, speakers, fan, pet products and pool-cleaning robot. The source material does not provide complete prices or specifications for every listed item.

Match the Device to Its Recipient

A connected device can be a useful present, but it can also leave someone with extra setup, ongoing payments or a product that does not work with their home. CNET’s recommendations make those practical questions part of gift selection: who will install it, what it connects to, and what it costs after purchase. Those details matter particularly for security devices, where storage and alerts may be tied to subscription plans.

The variety of products also points to a lower-commitment route into smart home technology. A smart plug or bulb may add a modest convenience without requiring a major installation, while a lock, camera or heating device can have more significant implications for access, privacy or household routines. A thoughtful buyer should weigh those differences against the recipient’s preferences, rather than assuming that more features make a better gift.

CNET’s Criteria for Smart Gifts

The source is a product recommendation guide, not a report of a new product launch or a change in smart-home standards. CNET says its recommendations are based on devices tested by its reviewers and describes its review operation as having more than 25 years of experience, 23 product reviewers and 15,000 square feet of lab space. The guide was updated on October 9, 2026, at 3:20 a.m. EDT.

CNET’s selection spans both connected devices and products with app-based controls or alerts. Its definition of “smart” in this guide is broad: the device typically needs an app to operate or provide notifications. That framing helps explain why the list includes items such as trackers and pet equipment alongside conventional home-security and lighting products. The guide’s recommendations and product assessments are attributable to CNET; they do not establish that every device is suitable for every household.

“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

Check Compatibility and Recurring Costs

The guide’s recommendations do not settle whether a particular device will work with a recipient’s existing equipment, network, preferred voice assistant or home layout. Shoppers should check compatibility, installation needs and account requirements before buying. The source also does not give full pricing, availability or detailed test results for every product in the list, so those details cannot be confirmed here.

Subscription terms and features can change, and a device that supports a platform may not offer identical functions across all platforms. CNET describes certain features as subscription-free for its highlighted products, but buyers should verify current product terms and storage options at purchase. It is also not clear from the supplied guide how every device handles data, what information it collects, or whether the recipient wants a camera or other monitoring device in their home.

Verify Details Before Buying

The next step for shoppers is to narrow the list to the recipient’s actual needs, then check the manufacturer’s current specifications and retailer listing. Confirm whether the device works with their existing phone, smart-home platform and home setup, and whether it needs a hub, paid plan, extra storage or professional installation. For a camera, make sure the recipient is comfortable with its placement and data-storage approach; for a lock, confirm fit and installation requirements.

Prices, product availability and software features may shift after the guide’s October 9 update. Buyers should check those details close to purchase and include any necessary accessories, such as a microSD card for the camera CNET recommends. The guide does not identify a later update date or announce a follow-up review.

Key Questions

What does CNET say makes a good smart home gift?

CNET recommends products that are easy to understand and set up, offer a practical benefit, avoid unwanted subscriptions and take privacy into account.

Which security camera does the guide recommend?

The guide highlights the EufyCam C35, citing local microSD storage and features it says do not require a subscription. CNET suggests bundling a microSD card; buyers should confirm current product terms before purchasing.

Do smart home gifts need to work with a particular app?

Many devices rely on an app for operation or alerts. CNET says some products work with Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa, but compatibility varies by device and should be checked against the recipient’s setup.

Are all the products in the guide subscription-free?

No. CNET’s general advice is to avoid unwanted recurring costs, and it identifies some specific products as subscription-free. The guide does not establish that every item has no paid services, so check each product’s current plan and feature requirements.

Source: CNET