If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your kitchen countertop, a smart air fryer is one of the most practical moves you can make in 2026. These aren’t just dumb convection ovens anymore. The latest models connect to your home Wi-Fi, let you control cooking from your phone, and even suggest recipes based on what’s in your fridge. I’ve spent the last three weeks testing the top contenders to help you figure out which one fits your cooking style and budget.

Let’s get this straight right away: you don’t need to spend $300 to get a good air fryer. But if you want features like built-in cameras, voice control, or precise temperature probes, you’re going to pay a little more. Below, I break down the four best models I tested, with real prices and real pros and cons.

Quick Comparison Table

Cosori Pro II Smart 5.8Qt

The Cosori Pro II is the air fryer I recommend to almost everyone. It’s got a 5.8-quart basket, which is enough for a whole chicken or a large batch of fries, and it connects to the VeSync app on your phone. The app is surprisingly good—you can pick a recipe, set the temperature and time, and the fryer starts automatically. I used the “shake reminder” feature more than I expected; it buzzes your phone when it’s time to toss the food for even cooking. At $119.99, this is the sweet spot for price and performance. You can check price on Amazon.

What’s Good

• Consistent, even cooking across all batches
• App works with Alexa and Google Assistant
• Square basket maximizes usable space

What’s Not

• No built-in temperature probe
• App can occasionally disconnect from Wi-Fi

Ninja Foodi XL Smart 10Qt

If you’re cooking for four or more people regularly, the Ninja Foodi XL is your best friend. It’s a beast at 10 quarts, and it’s actually two baskets split down the middle with a divider. You can cook two different foods at two different temperatures simultaneously—chicken thighs on one side, fries on the other. The smart features include a “Smart Finish” function that syncs both sides to finish at the same time. I used this for Sunday meal prep and it cut my cooking time by almost 30 percent. It’s $219.99 on Amazon right now.

What’s Good

• Dual-basket design is genuinely useful
• Smart Finish is not a gimmick—it works
• Large capacity without being too bulky

What’s Not

• Heavy to move around
• App is less polished than Cosori’s

Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is the budget king for a reason. At $99.95, it’s a 6-quart air fryer that also dehydrates, roasts, broils, bakes, and reheats. It’s not “smart” in the sense that it connects to Wi-Fi—there’s no app and no voice control. But it does have a built-in smart cooking program that adjusts time and temperature based on what you select. For someone who just wants a solid air fryer without the frills, this is it. I made frozen chicken wings in 22 minutes that came out crispy and juicy. You can check price on Amazon.

What’s Good

• Excellent value for money
• Simple, tactile controls that anyone can use
• Dehydrate function works well for jerky

What’s Not

• No Wi-Fi or app connectivity
• Basket is round, so less usable space than square baskets

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the premium option, and it feels like it. This is a full-sized countertop oven that air fries, bakes, broils, roasts, and dehydrates. It has a 1.0 cubic foot interior that fits a 14-pound turkey. The “Element IQ” technology adjusts the power of the heating elements based on what you’re cooking, and it works brilliantly. I baked a pizza that was crispy on the bottom and perfectly melted on top. The smart features include a built-in food thermometer that connects to the oven’s computer. At $399.95, it’s expensive, but if you cook a lot, it replaces your regular oven for most tasks. You can check price on Amazon.

What’s Good

• Exceptional build quality and cooking performance
• Element IQ delivers precise results every time
• Large capacity for a countertop oven

What’s Not

• High price point
• No Wi-Fi connectivity—it’s “smart” in cooking, not in app control

How to Choose the Right Smart Air Fryer

When you’re shopping, think about two things: capacity and connectivity. If you live alone or with one other person, the Cosori Pro II is plenty. If you have a family, go with the Ninja Foodi XL or the Breville. For the budget-conscious, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a steal, even without Wi-Fi. Remember that smart features like app control and voice commands are nice, but they don’t matter if the cooking quality isn’t there. All four of these models cook well, so you can’t go wrong.

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2026 Smart Outdoor Lights: The Complete Buyer’s Guide

Outdoor lighting has come a long way from the old motion-sensor floodlights that would turn on every time a cat walked by. In 2026, smart outdoor lights are brighter, more energy-efficient, and a whole lot smarter. They integrate with your home automation system, change colors for holidays, and even act as security cameras. But with so many options on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I’m going to walk you through exactly what to look for, and I’ve tested the five best models you can buy right now.

Whether you want to light up a pathway, secure your front door, or just make your backyard look like a nice place to hang out, there’s a smart light for that. Prices vary from $30 for a single bulb to over $300 for a full security spotlight system. Here’s my breakdown.

Quick Comparison Table

What to Look for in Smart Outdoor Lights

Before you buy anything, you need to understand a few key specs. First is brightness, measured in lumens. For a pathway, 300 to 500 lumens is plenty. For a floodlight, you want 1,500 lumens or more. Second is weather resistance—look for an IP65 rating or higher. That means it’s dust-tight and can handle rain from any direction. Third, consider the ecosystem. If you use Apple HomeKit, make sure the light supports it. If you’re an Alexa person, check for that.

Philips Hue Lily Outdoor Spotlights

The Philips Hue Lily system is the gold standard for landscape lighting. The starter kit comes with two spotlights and a hub, and you can add more lights as you go. They’re fully color-adjustable, so you can set them to warm white for a cozy evening or change to red and green for Christmas. The app is fantastic—you can set schedules, create scenes, and even sync the lights with music. They’re expensive at $179.99 for the starter kit, but the build quality is top-notch. You can check price on Amazon.

Ring Smart Floodlight Pro

If you’re looking for security first and lighting second, the Ring Smart Floodlight Pro is the way to go. It’s a bright 2,000-lumen floodlight with a built-in 1080p camera, two-way audio, and motion detection that can tell the difference between a person, a car, and a stray animal. The spotlight turns on automatically when it detects motion, and you can adjust the sensitivity and zones in the Ring app. It’s $249.99, which is steep, but it replaces both a floodlight and a security camera. You can check price on Amazon.

Govee Outdoor String Lights

For ambiance, you can’t beat the Govee Outdoor String Lights. These are 48 feet of LED string lights that you can control via the Govee app or voice commands. They’re color-changing, so you can set them to a warm glow for dinner parties or a vibrant blue for a pool party. The lights are well-sealed with an IP65 rating, and I’ve had mine up through two rainstorms with no issues. At $89.99, they’re a fantastic value for transforming your patio. You can check price on Amazon.

Wyze Outdoor Spotlight

The Wyze Outdoor Spotlight is the budget champion. It’s a 1,500-lumen floodlight with a built-in camera that records in 1080p. It has color night vision, motion alerts, and two-way audio. The catch is that you need a Wyze subscription for cloud recording, but the local microSD card slot means you can skip the subscription. At $59.99, it’s a steal for basic security lighting. The app is a bit clunky compared to Ring, but for the price, I’m not complaining.

Lutron Caseta Outdoor Smart Plug

Sometimes you don’t need a new light—you just need to make your existing outdoor lights smart. The Lutron Caseta Outdoor Smart Plug plugs into any outdoor outlet and lets you control whatever is plugged into it via the Lutron app or a remote. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. It’s $59.95 and it’s the simplest way to add smart control to your string lights or landscape transformers. You can check price on Amazon.

Installation Tips

Most smart outdoor lights are designed for DIY installation, but there are a few things to keep in mind. For floodlights that replace existing fixtures, turn off the breaker first. If you’re installing path lights, you’ll need to bury the low-voltage cable or run it along the ground. Always use silicone sealant around outdoor outlets and connections to prevent moisture damage. And test everything before you finalize the installation—it’s a pain to move a light after you’ve buried the wire.

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How to Set Up Home Assistant in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

Home Assistant is the ultimate smart home platform. It’s free, open-source, and it works with pretty much everything—Philips Hue, Ring, Ecobee, SmartThings, Z-Wave, Zigbee, you name it. But setting it up can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before. I’ve been running Home Assistant for three years, and I’ve helped friends set up their own systems. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to get up and running, step by step, with real hardware recommendations and prices from May 2026.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a fully functioning Home Assistant system that can control your lights, thermostat, locks, and sensors from one dashboard. No cloud subscriptions required.

Quick Hardware Comparison

Step 1: Choose Your Hardware

Home Assistant runs on a variety of devices. The most popular is the Raspberry Pi 5, which costs $79.99 for the 8GB model. It’s cheap, quiet, and uses very little electricity. However, if you’re planning to run a lot of automations or use voice assistants, the Pi can start to feel slow. That’s where the Home Assistant Green comes in. It’s a pre-built device from the Home Assistant team that costs $99. It comes with Home Assistant pre-installed and a 32GB eMMC drive. You literally plug it in, connect to your network, and you’re done. It’s the easiest option for beginners. If you want maximum performance, look for a used Intel NUC on eBay. You can find one for around $150 to $250. It’s overkill for most people, but it’s rock-solid. You can check price on Amazon for the Raspberry Pi or Home Assistant Green.

Step 2: Install Home Assistant OS

If you bought a Home Assistant Green, skip this step—it’s already installed. For the Raspberry Pi, you need to flash the Home Assistant OS onto a microSD card. Download the Raspberry Pi Imager from the official Raspberry Pi website. Insert a 32GB or larger microSD card into your computer. In the Imager, choose “Choose OS,” then “Other specific-purpose OS,” then “Home Assistant,” and select the correct version for your Pi model. Click “Write.” It takes about 10 minutes. Once done, put the microSD card into your Pi, connect it to your router via Ethernet, and plug in the power. Wait about 15 minutes for the first boot.

Step 3: Access the Web Interface

After the Pi boots, open a web browser on your computer or phone and go to http://homeassistant.local:8123. If that doesn’t work, check your router’s DHCP client list to find the IP address of your Pi, then go to http://[IP-address]:8123. You’ll see a welcome screen. Create an account (username, password, and name). This is your local account—no cloud needed.

Step 4: Discover and Add Devices

Home Assistant will automatically scan your network for compatible devices. This is called “discovery.” If you have Philips Hue, Ring, Ecobee, or any other major brand, they should show up in the “Integrations” tab. Click “Configure” for each one and follow the prompts. For Zigbee and Z-Wave devices, you’ll need a USB dongle like the Sonoff ZBDongle-E ($19.99) or the Zooz ZST39 ($34.99). Plug it into the Pi, then go to Settings > Devices & Services > Add Integration > Search for “ZHA” (Zigbee Home Automation) or “Z-Wave.” Follow the pairing instructions for each device. It’s usually just putting the device into pairing mode and clicking “Add.”

Step 5: Create Your First Automation

Now for the fun part. Go to Settings > Automations & Scenes > Create Automation. Choose “Create new automation.” You can start with something simple: “Turn on the porch light when the front door opens.” Click “Add Trigger” and select your front door sensor. Then “Add Action” and select your porch light. Save it. That’s it. You can get as complex as you want—multiple triggers, conditions (like only after sunset), and actions that send notifications to your phone. The automation engine in Home Assistant is incredibly powerful once you learn the basics.

Step 6: Install Add-ons

Add-ons are like apps for Home Assistant. Go to Settings > Add-ons > Add-on Store. I recommend installing “File Editor” for editing configuration files, “Samba Share” to access your Home Assistant files from your computer, and “Node-RED” if you want a visual way to build advanced automations. For remote access, install the “Home Assistant Cloud” add-on (requires a $6.50/month subscription to Nabu Casa) or use the “Let’s Encrypt” and “NGINX” add-ons for free SSL access. The cloud subscription is easier for most people.

Final Thoughts

Setting up Home Assistant takes an afternoon, but it’s worth it. You end up with a system that respects your privacy, works offline, and integrates almost every smart device you own. Start small—maybe just lights and a door sensor—and expand as you get comfortable. The community is huge and helpful, so if you get stuck, there’s almost certainly a forum post or a YouTube video that covers your exact problem. You can check price on Amazon for the recommended hardware to get started.

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