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CNET updated its smart home gift guide on October 9, 2026, highlighting devices its reviewer says were tested and selected for practical use, straightforward setup and lower dependence on subscriptions. The recommendations span security, lighting, home comfort, tracking and pet care, but the supplied source gives limited model details for many picks.

CNET updated its 2026 smart home gift guide on October 9, recommending tested devices for security, home comfort, tracking and pet care, including options like smart home security systems. The guide says its picks prioritize useful features, straightforward setup and fewer subscription requirements—considerations that can affect whether a connected device works well for the person receiving it.

The article, written by CNET reviewer Tyler, says the recommendations come from experience testing smart home and security technology over more than a dozen years. Its stated gift criteria include devices that are easy to understand and set up, provide practical benefits and avoid unnecessary privacy risks. The guide also favors products that do not require subscriptions or extra steps, while acknowledging that price matters to gift buyers.

Among the more fully described products is the EufyCam C35. CNET says the camera supports local recording to a microSD card and provides features including human detection and privacy zones without a subscription. It has a magnetic base that can be removed for recharging; the article suggests including a microSD card so the recipient can use local storage.

The guide also names the Level Lock Pro, described as a smart lock designed to preserve the appearance of a traditional lock while adding connected features, similar to the connected gear in Apple and LG’s smart home lineup. CNET lists compatibility with Apple Home Keys, Google Home and Alexa, and says the lock does not require a subscription. Other picks named in the supplied material include an Aqara security kit, a Nest video doorbell, an Emporia smart plug, a SwitchBot wallet tracker, smart lighting, leak detection, speakers, a smart garage controller, pet-care devices and a pool-cleaning robot, alongside products such as these smart video doorbells.

Practical Gifts Without Extra Fees

Connected devices can add convenience or help address specific household needs, but the purchase price may not tell the whole story. A camera that depends on a recurring plan for key features, for example, can leave the recipient with an ongoing cost. CNET’s emphasis on local storage and subscription-free functions gives shoppers a way to compare the longer-term requirements of security products, not just their initial price.

Compatibility and setup are also part of whether a gift will be useful. The guide notes that many devices use apps or platforms recipients may already have, such as Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa. Still, a product’s listed compatibility does not establish that it will work with every home setup or that the recipient wants another connected device. Shoppers may need to check the person’s existing equipment, privacy preferences and comfort with app-based controls before buying.

The range of recommendations reflects different needs rather than a single upgrade path. A smart plug or bulb may be a relatively simple introduction to connected technology, while a lock, camera or heater involves more consequential choices about access, monitoring or placement. The article’s advice to weigh privacy, fees and ease of use is relevant because a technically capable device can be a poor fit if it adds unwanted complexity or collects data the recipient would rather keep private.

How CNET Chose Its Picks

CNET presents the list as a collection of products its reviewer has tested, rather than a report of a new product launch or a change in smart home standards. The page says the reviewer has worked with and tested home and security technology for more than 12 years. The supplied material also describes CNET’s review operation and points readers to its testing and ethics information.

The guide defines “smart” home gifts as devices that typically use an app for operation or alerts. It says many work with widely used platforms, but that does not mean every item supports every ecosystem. The article’s examples range from devices that can be added to an existing setup, such as a smart plug, to equipment such as a lock or camera that may require a more deliberate review of installation, access and privacy needs.

““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

Details Missing From the Product List

The supplied source provides full descriptions for only a small portion of the products named in the guide. It does not include complete pricing, model specifications, test results or detailed trade-offs for most of the recommendations. Those details matter when comparing devices, particularly for products involving home security, heating, locks or pet care.

CNET’s descriptions and judgments are the publication’s review findings, not independent guarantees of performance in every home. The material does not establish how each device handles all data, what platform or network requirements apply, or whether a particular gift will work with a recipient’s existing setup. Shoppers should verify current product details and compatibility before purchase.

Check Fit Before Buying

The guide was updated October 9, 2026; the supplied material does not identify a later publication date or a scheduled follow-up. Readers considering a recommendation can use the full product reviews to check current specifications, pricing, testing notes and any limitations not included in the short guide descriptions.

Before buying, confirm the recipient’s preferred smart home platform, internet and installation needs, and willingness to use an app. For cameras, check whether local recording or cloud storage suits their privacy preferences; for devices with recurring plans, verify which functions are included without payment. These checks can help shoppers choose a useful upgrade rather than an unwanted subscription or setup burden.

Key Questions

What is CNET’s 2026 smart home gift guide?

It is a list of smart home and security devices CNET says its reviewer tested and selected as potential gifts, updated on October 9, 2026.

Which camera does the guide recommend?

The supplied guide names the EufyCam C35. CNET says it supports local microSD recording and includes features such as human detection and privacy zones without a subscription.

Does the Level Lock Pro require a subscription?

CNET says the Level Lock Pro does not require a subscription and lists support for Apple Home Keys, Google Home and Alexa. Buyers should confirm compatibility with the recipient’s setup.

What should shoppers check before buying a smart home gift?

Check the recipient’s existing platform, installation needs, privacy preferences and whether important features require a recurring fee. The guide identifies ease of setup, usefulness and subscription requirements as key considerations.

Source: CNET