Amanda Blum
Freelance writer
Amanda writes about smart home technology and gardening.
MORE BY Amanda
Amazon's 'Blink Moments' Turns Your Camera Footage Into Shareable Videos
It's about to get easier to share videos of squirrels ringing your doorbell.
This Combo Robot Vac and Stick Vacuum Is a Mixed Bag
The Deebot T30S from Ecovacs promises a lot, and does it all decently enough for the price.
How to Keep Your Pets Safe From Toxic Plants
You can save a lot of grief (and money) by knowing if a plant is dangerous to your pet.
When to Harvest Scapes (and What to Do With Them)
The blossoms that alliums send up this time of year are a prized gourmet ingredient.
How to Keep Squirrels Off Your Bird Feeders
To manage your squirrel problem, you need the right tools—and also a shift in your mindset.
How to Get the Best Fruit Production From Your Plants and Trees
Even self-pollinating plants do better in pairs.
This Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Has the Most Backup Options
Reolink debuts a surprisingly robust camera that doesn't need batteries or a subscription.
Aqara's M3 Brings Every Smart Tech Protocol Under One Hub
It's the first brand-specific hub that shows enough promise to have a multi-hub future, if not just yet.
Everything I'm Seeding in June
It's time to direct sow the last of your summer vegetables and flowers, while starting perennials and succession crops inside.
All the Gardening Tasks You Should Do in June
It's time to harvest, prune, fertilize, plant, and be on guard for pests.
Why You Should Keep a Garden Journal
It's the single most valuable gardening tool I have.
How to Add Perlite to Your Soil (and When You Should)
Your soil, indoors and out, needs aeration and hydration.
You Can Do Better Than the MyQ Smart Indoor Security Camera
While it functions just fine, you can get better functionality from other cameras for the price.
The Switchbot S10 is a Truly Independent Robot Vacuum
This robo vac requires a bit of setup, but then it's happy to operate almost entirely on its own.
You Should Replace Your Dumb Ceiling Fan With This Smart One
Less than half the cost of competitors, the Dreo produces a nearly silent, natural-feeling breeze.
This Robot Lawn Mower Failed to Deliver on All Counts
Every feature on the GOAT GX-600 robot lawn mower failed to work.
Four of the Best Smart Grills, and Who They're For
Smart grills have come a long way.
This Robot Vacuum Has High-End Features at a Mid-Range Price
At $549, this robot has a lot of high-end features, and is well worth it—even without the mop you won't use.
The Brisk It Origin Is the Best Smart Grill I've Ever Used
The integration of AI, smart tech, and usability really cooks.
Why This Pool-Cleaning Robot Isn't Worth the Money
An autonomous robot that makes pool maintenance easier would be great—the Beatbot isn't that.