I'm a creature of habit, and nothing gets my endorphins flowing like daily smart home routines that run like clockwork. Over the years, I've set up an elaborate array of smart automations that control my lights, switch fans on and off, take charge of my robot vacuums, and warn me about rogue water leaks (the latter of which has yet to happen, thankfully). Indeed, I depend on these eight smart routines for keeping our household perfectly lit, clean, and protected from water damage and backyard threats. Here's a rundown on the smart automations that I absolutely, positively depend on. While they're probably not perfect for you, they might spark some ideas for automating your own household.

One of the most confounding moments after I got my first Amazon Echo Dot was when its light ring began pulsing yellow, signaling… well, what exactly? Indeed, Echo devices such as the standard Echo, the Echo Dot, the Echo Pop, and the Echo Show can display flashing indicator lights in a range of different colors, and they can be pretty confusing–even aggravating–if you don't know what they mean, or how to make them stop. Luckily, deciphering the flashing lights on your Echo device is simple, and once you know the code, the lights can warn you when something's amiss with your Echo, let you know when you have incoming messages, alert you when Alexa is listening, and more. Let's start with the light that confused me the most when I got my first Echo (the ever-popular Echo Dot). Generally accompanied by a cheerful "bum, bum!" alert tone, the flashing yellow light lets you know when Alexa has a notification for you, or if you missed a reminder.

Eufy is teeing up a pair of networked security video recorder and camera kits that will--eventually--use AI agents to warn you of possible threats in real time. Both systems offer connections for PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras, with the ProSecure NVR arriving in various packages that combine 4K bullet Pan/tilt/zoom and turret-style cameras with color night vision, cross-camera tracking (a Eufy feature that stiches together video events from different vantage points), and up to 8X digital zoom. The ProSecure NVR supports a total of 16 connected cameras. The ProSecure NVR arrives in various packages that combine bullet PTZ and turret-style cameras. In addition to PoE cams, the Zigbee-enabled HomeBase Pro can connect to everything from Eufy keypads and smoke detectors to video doorbells and water leak sensors.

Robot vacuums have become indispensable in our homes. From pet hair to daily dust, these devices keep floors clean with minimal hands-on help. But like any tool, a robot vacuum needs regular upkeep to keep running at peak performance--and to avoid early retirement. Fortunately, the steps to extending your vacuum's lifespan are simple, and many are directly recommended by manufacturers. Here's what you need to know to get the most out of your robo-cleaner.

Our household only recently discovered the glorious, hands-free reality of a AI-enabled, self-emptying robot vacuum, one that scooted expertly around our apartment, busting dust for weeks on end with little input from us. But even with our trusty Roomba busting dust left and right, we knew something was missing: The bot was only sweeping, not mopping. We'd long dismissed the idea of a robot mop--after all, the earliest ones did little more than drag a damp cloth across the floor. But robot mopping tech has advanced at a furious pace, with the latest robot vacuum-and-mop combos boasting mop heads that apply downward pressure and lift themselves to avoid carpets, while base stations can clean the mop pads themselves--with hot water, no less. Could a vacuum-and-mop robot really measure up to a standard stick mop?