The systems thatrun your home,compared.
Buying guides for hubs, thermostats, heat pumps, air purifiers, backup power, EV chargers and leak protection, starting with what works with your wiring, your HVAC and the ecosystem you already use.
Plan by system
Each system has its own compatibility questions. Start with the one you are upgrading.
Smart home
Hubs, Matter, switches and sensors
Climate & air
Thermostats, heat pumps, air quality
Power & energy
Batteries, generators, EV charging
Security & access
Locks, doorbells, cameras and alarms
Water protection
Leak sensors, shutoffs and water heaters
Networking & electrical
Mesh Wi-Fi, smart panels and wiring
Installation & interoperability
Wiring needs, pros and warranties
Know before you install
Size an air purifier with CADR: the two-thirds rule, air changes per hour, true HEPA, filter costs and noise, plus why to avoid ozone-producing purifiers.
Compare automatic water shutoff valves with standalone leak sensors by coverage, detection method, response, plumbing access, alerts and backup behavior.
Build a home backup-power plan by listing essential loads, checking starting watts and runtime, separating 120V and 240V needs, and sizing transfer equipment.
- 04
Home Battery vs Generator vs Portable Power Station
Backup power
- 05
How to Choose a Level 2 EV Charger: Amps, Plugs and Connectors
EV charging
- 06
Keypad vs Fingerprint Smart Locks
Smart lock access
- 07
Level 1 vs Level 2 Home EV Charging
Home EV charging
- 08
Matter Controller vs Thread Border Router
Smart-home hubs
- 09
Matter, Thread, Zigbee and Z-Wave: Which Smart-Home Standard?
Smart-home standards
Home Systems questions, answered
What is a good CADR for an air purifier?
At least two-thirds of the room's square footage for smoke CADR, assuming 8-foot ceilings. Higher is better for allergies or wildfire smoke.
Read: Air Purifier CADR and Room Size →Do leak sensors shut off the whole house?
Some work only as alerts; others pair with a compatible valve. Verify whether the specific kit includes a valve and what it controls.
Read: Automatic Water Shutoff Valve vs Leak Sensors →How do I estimate how much backup power I need?
Make a list of devices, their input ratings and hours of use. Add simultaneous loads and any motor starting demand, then compare with the backup unit's continuous and surge ratings.
Read: How to Plan Home Backup Power Loads →How much backup power do I need?
List the loads you must run, add their watts for peak power and multiply by hours for energy. A fridge, lights, internet and a furnace blower need far less than a whole house.
Read: Home Battery vs Generator vs Portable Power Station →What size breaker do I need for an EV charger?
The breaker must be rated for 125 percent of the charger's continuous current. A 32 A charger needs a 40 A circuit; a 48 A charger needs 60 A.
Read: How to Choose a Level 2 EV Charger →Is a fingerprint lock better than a keypad lock?
Neither is best for every household. Choose based on who needs access, whether temporary codes matter and how the reader works with your hands and environment.
Read: Keypad vs Fingerprint Smart Locks →Compatibility before features
Every recommendation is checked against wiring, HVAC type and smart-home platform before features.
Each guide says who the system suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The home systems index
- 01Smart homeHubs and bridges, Matter and Thread devices, smart switches, sensors and automation.2 pages
- 02Climate & airSmart thermostats, heat pumps and mini splits, ventilation, air purifiers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers.4 pages
- 03Power & energyHome batteries, solar, standby and portable generators, transfer switches, EV chargers and energy monitors.4 pages
- 04Security & accessSmart locks, video doorbells, security cameras, alarm systems and garage controllers.2 pages
- 05Water protectionSmart water shutoff valves, leak sensors, sump monitoring and water heaters.2 pages
- 06Networking & electricalHome networking for connected systems, smart electrical panels, load management, structured wiring and intercoms.0 pages
- 07Installation & interoperabilityWiring and permit requirements, when to hire a pro, interoperability between platforms, warranties and maintenance.0 pages