Chris Wedel is a fan of all things tech and gadgets. Living in rural Kansas with his wife and two young boys makes finding ways to stay online tricky — not to mention making my homestead smarter.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Setting up smart home automations can feel overwhelming, and at times, downright ridiculous. You might wonder if you really need a machine ...

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. A modern smart home calls for modern smart home automation tech ...