As 2025 draws to a close, it's remarkable how quickly time has passed. This year saw significant growth in the smart home sector, with brands launching user-friendly devices that simplify installation and everyday operation.
Key advancements in 2025 centered on artificial intelligence, complemented by the ongoing adoption of the Matter protocol, which fosters greater interoperability across different manufacturers. However, challenges remain, particularly in standardizing categories like security cameras.
Now is the moment to highlight standout smart home offerings available throughout 2025. Consistent with our approach, this selection includes items released this year as well as established options currently on the market. With the year not fully concluded and some recent launches pending evaluation, updates to this roundup may follow soon. Stay tuned for potential revisions.
Philips Hue remains our preferred platform for smart lighting, featuring an extensive range of bulbs, fixtures, strips, exterior illuminations, surveillance cameras, and entryway buzzers. In 2025, the introduction of the Hue Bridge Pro elevates the system further, supporting over 200 connected items—up to 150 lights and around 50 peripherals—while enabling lights to detect movement. This expanded capability and zone-based motion detection solidify the Philips Hue setup as more robust than before.
For those aiming to upgrade traditional lights with intelligent switches, the Lutron Caséta suite stands out. Utilizing its exclusive Clear Connect protocol, devices such as the Diva Smart Dimmer excel in managing household illumination and integrate seamlessly with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Sonos audio systems. The ecosystem extends beyond lighting to include automated window treatments, detectors, fan controls, interface panels, and handheld controllers.
Resembling a standard door lock—which is intentional—the Level Lock Pro represents cutting-edge access control. It allows entry via NFC fobs, mobile devices, wearables, or numeric codes with an add-on pad. Geofencing functionality automatically secures or releases the door upon departure or arrival. Matter compatibility ensures operation within Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings environments, with Wi-Fi connectivity possible through Thread-enabled hubs like Amazon Echo devices, Apple HomePods, Google Nest Hubs, or similar smart audio and display units.
Although Amazon recently released updated Ring doorbells, we haven't tested them yet. The Tapo D225 earns its inclusion through merit alone. Priced affordably at around $90, it provides sharp 2K footage, a full-body perspective on callers, and an included wired ringer to ensure notifications aren't missed. Local storage via microSD eliminates subscription fees for video archiving, and it supports battery or wired low-voltage setups. Opting for wiring enables continuous recording around the clock. Our assessment noted its unassuming design belies robust capabilities and reliable performance.
Our evaluation of the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 captured its versatility in a straightforward title: 'It handles that as well.' This device excels across numerous functions and serves as a full-fledged Matter-supported hub using Thread and Zigbee connectivity—though Zigbee is restricted to Aqara's proprietary lineup. Its appeal spans beyond Apple Home users to include Amazon Alexa and Google Home integration, with particular value for iOS enthusiasts via HomeKit and HomeKit Secure Video support.
In reviewing the wired third-generation Nest Doorbell, we praised Google's Gemini AI for revolutionizing surveillance by narrating and condensing captured events. This technology also facilitates intuitive voice-based searches through high-definition archives, surpassing manual timeline navigation. A wired installation requires a low-voltage power source, but the sleek design offers a comprehensive visitor view.
Despite its budget-friendly cost, this interior surveillance unit delivers impressive specifications, such as 2K clarity and motorized adjustments for 360-degree horizontal and over 180-degree vertical coverage. Powered by Arlo Intelligence, it generates smart notifications for humans, cars, pets, and deliveries. Note that it requires constant AC power without battery support, and a paid plan is necessary to access advanced options.
While a full assessment of the third-generation wired Nest Cam Indoor isn't complete, initial use confirms its superiority for Google Home users. Matching the latest Nest doorbells and outdoor cams, it records in 2K, but the standout is Gemini AI integration, best experienced via a Google Home Premium subscription. Basic event clips are stored for three hours at no cost, yet full AI features demand payment. Like other recent Google cams, it lacks portability and needs outlet proximity, but it excels in Google-centric households.
The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro distinguishes itself as both a wireless outdoor security camera and a certified Matter hub for exteriors, incorporating Thread and Zigbee support. The Zigbee feature is confined to Aqara's devices, forming a reliable subset. Its 4-megapixel sensor yields 2688×1520 resolution video and fully aligns with Apple Home, including HomeKit Secure Video. For placement without outlets, the PoE variant allows Ethernet delivery of both power and data from a suitable router.
Our testing of the second-generation wired Nest Cam Outdoor remains ongoing, installed alongside the third-gen Nest Doorbell for extended evaluation. Gemini AI integration shines, offering event recaps from its view. Free cloud clips are minimal without subscription; a paid tier is essential for substantial storage and AI access.
More than a combined floodlight and camera, our top pick in this category features dual lenses—one 3K wide-angle and one 2K telephoto—mounted on a swivel mechanism for 360-degree panning and 120-degree tilting to monitor expansive areas. The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340's dual LEDs provide up to 2,000 lumens of illumination. Storage options include up to 128GB locally on a provided microSD or expansion to 16TB via the Eufy HomeBase S380, bypassing cloud dependencies.