5 Smart Home Upgrades I Should’ve Done Sooner - and 3 Regrets

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I upgraded my smart home with a new video doorbell, Denon speakers, OLED TV, and more—but not everything was worth it. Here are the best smart home upgrades for 2026 (and the ones I’d skip).

🏠 Devices Mentioned

Aqara G400 Doorbell
https://geni.us/ZWBSY

Aqara W200 Thermostat
https://geni.us/Km3Din

Denon Home 600
https://geni.us/xCTb

Denon Home 400
https://geni.us/JeYFZml

LG G5 77" OLED
https://geni.us/okssfL

Denon S970H Receiver
https://geni.us/GlBB5

Philips Hue 75” Gradient Light Strip
https://geni.us/hDMby

Hue Large Light Tube
https://geni.us/YCray

Hue 8K Sync Box
https://geni.us/KpYM9

⭐️ Join my Shortcuts community!
https://shortcut.bot/join

🎙️ My tech podcast @PrimaryTechShow
https://primarytech.fm

Mac Power Users Podcast
@relaympu

📲 My Favorite iPhone Accessories

Best MagSafe Battery
https://geni.us/3ZJyCX

AirPods Pro 3
https://geni.us/Ui9iIw

Best HomeKit Lock with Home Key UWB
https://geni.us/3If3NI

25W MagSafe Car Charger
https://geni.us/WOBFRW

Favorite 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger
https://geni.us/4PBW1w

My 3-in-1 Travel Charger
https://geni.us/fDRule

AirPods 4 with ANC
https://geni.us/f5xhUl0

Multi USB-C Charger with Find My
https://geni.us/qHAMwS

Favorite Power Bank with Built-In Cable
https://geni.us/KcDLzl

Car Charger with Retractable Cable
https://geni.us/DUeO

🏠 Full List of My Smart Home Devices
https://beard.fm/homekit

📨 My Favorite Email Provider: Fastmail
https://join.fastmail.com/beardfm

🌎 Follow me on:

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenrobles.com
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Chapters ➡

00:00 Introduction
00:33 Aqara G400 Doorbell
03:45 Denon Home 600
07:12 Sponsor Break
08:57 Aqara W200 Thermostat
12:16 Denon Home 400
12:57 LG 77" OLED
14:32 Denon S970H Receiver
15:43 Regret No 1
17:03 Regret No 2
18:21 Regret No 3
20:00 Easter Egg

🛒 My Film Gear:

Sony A7C II (B-Roll Camera)
https://geni.us/klZFL

Sony 24mm GM f1.4 (B-Roll Lens)
https://geni.us/xbapXjH

Sony A7 IV (A-Roll Camera)
https://geni.us/PA1Qd (Amazon)

Sigma 35mm (Main Lens)
https://geni.us/YqQpgtx (Amazon)

Sennhesier MKH416 (Video Mic)
https://geni.us/VxF1g (Amazon)

Aputure Amaran 200x (Key Light)
https://geni.us/2KY3GV (Amazon)

Light Dome III (Soft Box)
https://geni.us/Rt08x (Amazon)

Earthworks Ethos (Podcast Mic)
https://geni.us/X7xC (Amazon)

Podcast Mic Arm
https://geni.us/5ydF0HM (Amazon)

Sony a6400 (Top Down Camera)
https://geni.us/VOyRX (Amazon)

Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 (Top Down Lens)
https://geni.us/lkuYqbH (Amazon)

Elgato Key Light Air (Fill and Hair Lights)
https://geni.us/UetzsS (Amazon)

ATEM Mini Pro (My Switcher)
https://geni.us/Dgiymx2 (Amazon)

Rodecaster PRO II (Powers All Mics)
https://geni.us/uMHZGgi (Amazon)

Sound Devices MixPre-3 (Travel Sound Gear)
https://geni.us/Nb6A4zo (Amazon)

DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Other links to third-party products and services may also be affiliate links.