# HomeSystemsTested

> Guides to installed home systems: smart-home hubs and Matter, thermostats, heat pumps, air quality, home batteries, generators, EV chargers, leak protection and security, compared by compatibility and lifetime cost.

HomeSystemsTested publishes home systems reviews, buying guides and reader discount codes. Every review states who the product suits, the current price from the brand's own store, and any active reader code.

## Key pages
- [Reviews](https://homesystemstested.com/reviews): every product we recommend
- [Buying guides](https://homesystemstested.com/guides): how to choose
- [Glossary](https://homesystemstested.com/glossary): home systems terms defined
- [How we test](https://homesystemstested.com/testing-methodology)

## Topics
- [Smart home](https://homesystemstested.com/category/smart-home): Hubs and bridges, Matter and Thread devices, smart switches, sensors and automation.
- [Climate & air](https://homesystemstested.com/category/climate-air): Smart thermostats, heat pumps and mini splits, ventilation, air purifiers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
- [Power & energy](https://homesystemstested.com/category/power-energy): Home batteries, solar, standby and portable generators, transfer switches, EV chargers and energy monitors.
- [Security & access](https://homesystemstested.com/category/security-access): Smart locks, video doorbells, security cameras, alarm systems and garage controllers.
- [Water protection](https://homesystemstested.com/category/water-protection): Smart water shutoff valves, leak sensors, sump monitoring and water heaters.
- [Networking & electrical](https://homesystemstested.com/category/networking-electrical): Home networking for connected systems, smart electrical panels, load management, structured wiring and intercoms.
- [Installation & interoperability](https://homesystemstested.com/category/installation): Wiring and permit requirements, when to hire a pro, interoperability between platforms, warranties and maintenance.

## Buying guides
- [Air Purifier CADR and Room Size: How to Pick the Right Size](https://homesystemstested.com/guides/air-purifier-cadr-room-size): Choose an air purifier by its CADR (clean air delivery rate) for smoke, which AHAM rates in cubic feet per minute. A simple rule: the smoke CADR should be at least two-thirds of the room's floor area in square feet for 8-foot ceilings. A 300 sq ft room needs a smoke CADR of 200 or more. Look for true HEPA, check filter prices and noise, and avoid purifiers that produce ozone.
- [Home Battery vs Generator vs Portable Power Station](https://homesystemstested.com/guides/home-battery-vs-generator-vs-power-station): A home battery stores 10 to 15 kWh or more per unit, switches over silently and pairs with solar, but runtime is limited by capacity. A standby generator runs on natural gas or propane for days and starts automatically. A portable generator is cheapest per watt but must run outdoors and connect through a transfer switch or interlock. A power station suits a few essentials. Size any of them to your critical loads.
- [How to Choose a Level 2 EV Charger: Amps, Plugs and Connectors](https://homesystemstested.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-level-2-ev-charger): A Level 2 charger runs on 240 volts and adds roughly 20 to 40 miles of range per hour for most cars. Size it with the 80 percent rule: a 40 A circuit supports a 32 A charger (7.7 kW), a 50 A circuit 40 A (9.6 kW) and a 60 A circuit 48 A (11.5 kW, hardwired). Match the connector to your car (J1772 or NACS), and have an electrician check panel capacity.
- [Matter, Thread, Zigbee and Z-Wave: Which Smart-Home Standard?](https://homesystemstested.com/guides/matter-thread-zigbee-z-wave-explained): Matter is a shared language that lets devices work with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings at the same time. It runs over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Thread, a low-power mesh network that needs a Thread border router. Zigbee and Z-Wave are older mesh networks that need a compatible hub. For a new system, Matter devices on Thread or Wi-Fi give the most choice and local control.
- [Smart Lock Buying Guide: Fit, Security Grades and Connectivity](https://homesystemstested.com/guides/smart-lock-buying-guide): Start with fit: measure your door's backset and thickness and choose a lock that fits your existing deadbolt holes, or a retrofit that keeps your current exterior hardware. Then compare BHMA security grades, entry methods (keypad, fingerprint, app, key), connectivity (Matter, Thread, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave), battery life and how you get in if the batteries die.
- [Smart Thermostat Compatibility: C-Wires, Heat Pumps and Wiring](https://homesystemstested.com/guides/smart-thermostat-compatibility-c-wire): Most smart thermostats need 24-volt low-voltage HVAC wiring and constant power from a C (common) wire. Heat pumps need O/B support, and two-stage systems need W2 or Y2 terminals. Electric baseboard heaters run on 120 or 240 volts and need a line-voltage thermostat instead. Photograph your current wiring, with the power off, before you buy.
- [Smart Water Shutoff Valves: Types, Installation and What to Check](https://homesystemstested.com/guides/smart-water-shutoff-valves-guide): A smart water shutoff closes your main water line when it detects a leak. Inline valves replace a section of the main pipe and usually need a plumber. Actuators clamp onto your existing quarter-turn valve and install without cutting pipe. Flow-sensing systems watch water use to spot hidden leaks; sensor-triggered systems close when a puck under a sink gets wet. Check pipe size, valve type, power and offline behavior.

Contact: info@homesystemstested.com