Matter is finally taking off. The new smart standard has long promised to make it easier for smart home manufacturers to build devices that work across smart home ecosystems, while simultaneously making it easier for customers (like you) to find devices that work with their other devices, and are easy to set up. With Matter, compatible smart home devices will work with Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and yes, Alexa. Amazon recently switched on Matter support for millions of Echo devices, as well as the ability for many of those Echo devices to work as Thread border routers--basically meaning that they'll integrate with a modern smart home's mesh network. With all this commotion around Matter and Alexa, you might be wondering how to connect Matter devices to your own Alexa-based smart home.

Black Friday typically presents lots of opportunities to smarten up your abode, with everything from connected bulbs to robot vacuums undergoing deep discounts for the holidays. We've already seen a few of these items go on sale as part of early Black Friday efforts, and we'll definitely see more today and over the weekend. These devices include not just the aforementioned bulbs and robot vacuums but also sous vide machines, Instant Pots, Nest Hubs and more. To prevent you from sifting through all these sales yourself, we've done the hard work for you. Here are some of the best ones we've seen so far. One of our favorite robot vacuums, the iRobot Roomba 694, is now $95 off, which brings its price down to $180. It does a great job cleaning both hard and carpeted surfaces, plus the app is easy to use.

Across the board, Philips Hue LED lights topped all of our tests thanks to an easy setup, a robust suite of features, and an intuitive app. Additional support with smart assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri adds tremendous benefit to an already impressive portfolio. Once you throw in the additional rainbow of possible light colors, these are without a doubt the best smart bulbs you can buy. The only downside is that unlike some other options, Philips Hue lights do require a hub (the Philips Hue Bridge) in order to work remotely. While they can be controlled over Bluetooth, that will only work when you're physically near the bulb.

If you've ever used an iPod, the Nest Thermostat will be familiar to you--in fact, it was designed by Tony Fadell, the designer of the original iPod hardware. Changing the temperature is as simple as rotating the thermostat's dial. You can use the app to set a traditional time-of-day schedule--far simpler than most non-smart thermostats--or let the Nest learn your daily habits and adjust the temperature automatically. This feature is great for those who don't want to put in any effort, but might be a bit too confusing for people who like to fine-tune their schedules, so you can turn it off if you wish. Like many other smart thermostats, the Nest can save you energy by adjusting the temperature when you aren't home, as determined by your phone's location and the Nest's built-in motion sensors, and it's also compatible with the energy-saving plans and rebates offered by many utility companies.

Since 2008, HGTV has built--and given away--12 brand new houses outfitted with the latest smart home products. Located in Roanoke, Texas, a 33-mile drive from Dallas, the 2019 HGTV Smart Home is valued at over $1.2 million. Step inside of the Old World oasis, and the home you'll find is anything but archaic. The impressive smart home is loaded with dimmers, switches, light bulbs, shower systems, toilets, and more--all of which can be controlled by voice, tablet, or smartphone. Although a winner for the latest HGTV Smart Home has already been selected, there's no reason you can't create your own "smart home" with the help of the right products.

For iPhone users who don't want to venture far to control their smart homes, look no further than Apple HomeKit. Like Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant, you can use HomeKit to control and command your favorite HomeKit-compatible smart devices. Apple HomeKit isn't compatible with quite as many devices as the aforementioned digital assistants, but unlike smart home systems such as Samsung SmartThings, it doesn't require a specific hub to configure. All you need to get started is to scope out the compatible hardware--door locks, smart bulbs, and so on--and once these gadgets are synced up, you can walk through the door and ask Siri to turn on the lights! The Apple Home app lets you control connected devices.

Summer is winding down and that means the return to the classroom just around the corner, however, the school supply list isn't the only way to prep for the upcoming academic year. Outfitting your residence with smart home gadgets can make the busy back-to-school-season easier for the whole family. Does your student walk home from school? A digital smart lock can be a lifesaver if your child ever loses his or her house keys. Don't want your child fiddling with the air conditioner after coming home from soccer practice?

The Leviton Decora Smart Switch integrates with Apple HomeKit to control lights, ceiling fans, and other compatible products. The Leviton Decora Smart HomeKit Switch works over WiFi and packs a special chip that makes it compatible with Apple HomeKit. It connects to an app called Leviton Decora Smart Home that is only available for iPhone. To set up the switch, Apple HomeKit uses special barcodes that you scan with your phone. We preferred the Decora Smart Home app over the My Leviton app, finding it to be more polished and intuitive.

With tons of useful accessories designed to pair with Apple HomeKit, it's easier than ever to put together a smart home. The HomeKit smart home system is unique because all of the hardware accessories that function with the system are made by third parties, but HomeKit allows you to control them seamlessly. HomeKit is Apple's smart home interface that communicates with all compatible gadgets and appliances in one app ("Home"). HomeKit-compatible devices are easy to set up--a quick scan of a QR code--and can respond to "Hey Siri" commands. Smart home companies have been a bit slow to embrace the HomeKit platform, but it's becoming more likely as the industry changes that your new smart bulb, switch, plug, etc. will play well with Apple's software, and therefore Siri.

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. After spending more than two years testing 41 smart outlets, we're confident that the Wemo Mini is the best smart outlet plug-in adapter for people who want to add remote control and automation to their existing lamps, fans, or other electrical devices. It's the most reliable Wi-Fi smart plug we tested, it's simple to use, and it works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. The Wemo Mini is the only model that has been rock-solid reliable over long-term use, offers a compact design that won't block both outlets on a wall plate, and supports all the major voice-control platforms. Like most of the smart plug-in switches we tested, the Wemo Mini is easy to set up: Just plug it into an outlet, download an app to your phone, set up the wireless connection, and then control lamps, small appliances, and even higher-draw devices like fans and air conditioners. The Wemo family also includes light switches and dimmers, so it's easy to expand your system. The Lutron Caséta Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer costs quite a bit more than the Wemo Mini, but it has two outlets, allowing you to control two lamps or strings of lights at once (though not independently).