Ten smart home products. Ten honest verdicts. Five are a straight Buy, four come with conditions, and one I would send back. You will have to watch to find out which is which.
This is *The Showcase*, a new monthly series on Automate Your Life. Every month I take the newest smart home gear, run it through a Reality Check (one that I can't fake), and give you a hard verdict: *Buy, Buy If, or Skip.* Then one product takes the *AYL Pick of the Month.*
We'll have a new episode around the 15th of every month! Tell me in the comments whether you agree with my verdicts, and what you want tested next.
👇 Every product and links to my full reviews below.
_All links are Amazon Affiliate links unless otherwise stated._
*1. Ecovacs GOAT A3000 LiDAR Pro* (Sponsored Segment)
$2,000 to $2,500 USD
Amazon: https://geni.us/lpKz
*2. Tapo DL130 Palm Vein Smart Lock*
$230 USD
Amazon: https://geni.us/1zSEt0
Full Review: https://youtu.be/c9mx_Wvg-iw
*3. Amazon Ember Artline 4-Series 55 inch*
$459.99 USD
Ember 4-Series (shown): https://geni.us/M4jMp
Ember Artline: https://geni.us/BVipI9
*4. Govee Lantern Floor Lamp* (Sponsored Segment)
$129.99 USD
Amazon: https://geni.us/Bf4p7AR
Full Review: https://youtu.be/ek34SsWFD_w
*5. Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2*
$69 USD
Amazon: https://geni.us/ox0oWmh
Full Review: https://youtu.be/OIBGNvdmQhs
*6. Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2*
$49 USD
Amazon: https://geni.us/wit3H
Product Page: https://www.home-assistant.io/connect/zbt-2/
*7. Ring Spotlight Cam (2nd Gen)*
$170 to $230 USD
Amazon: https://geni.us/ia34
*8. Aqara G350 Camera Hub*
$140 USD
Amazon: https://geni.us/uE4HWB
Full Review: https://youtu.be/QXaI9aJK0iI
Automation Ideas Guide: https://automateyourlife.net/products/39-aqara-automations-that-actually-work-guide (PS. Channel Members level 2 or higher get full access to our guides as part of your membership)
*9. Nanoleaf Blocks*
$200 USD
Amazon, Combo 10 Pack: https://geni.us/PsP1
Full Review: https://youtu.be/bAz_h6EhSTw
*10. IKEA GRILLPLATS + BILRESA Kit*
$12.99 USD
IKEA USA: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/grillplats-plug-with-remote-control-smart-20620056/
đź“Ś *ALSO MENTIONED*
Thread Network Setup Guide: https://youtu.be/RI2SCyc0zM0
Tapo C465, used in the Ring comparison: https://youtu.be/soHNZyFvmoI
Mid-Year Roundup, the Best Smart Home Tech of 2026 So Far: https://youtu.be/OIBGNvdmQhs
⏱️ *TIMECODES*
00:00 - Ten Products, Ten Verdicts
00:27 - The Beast From The East (Ecovacs GOAT A3000 LiDAR Pro)
07:25 - The New Speed King of Smart Locks
12:17 - Smart TVs That Look Like Art (Amazon Ember 4-Series)
18:09 - What The Showcase Is
19:19 - I LOVE (This) Lamp
24:16 - The Stick(s) That Fix(es) Your Z-Wave and Zigbee and Thread
28:33 - Z-Wave Has A Spectrum Problem
29:38 - The Old Standard Camera (Ring Spotlight Cam 2nd Gen)
34:11 - Bunny Ears and Local Recording (A Better Camera)
42:59 - The Crazy Looking Thing Behind My Head
48:18 - Matters Of The Logo
49:02 - The $13 Bundle of Joy (From Ikea)
54:36 - The AYL
