Smart home technology and self-hosted server solutions are no longer just for the tech-savvy elite. Over the past few years, these innovations have quietly crept into everyday life, offering everything from automated cleaning to seamless digital organization. On September 20, 2025, two in-depth reviews—one by Jon Bitner and another by Ayush Pande—shed light on the latest must-have smart home gadgets and the evolving landscape of home lab server management. Their insights reveal a world where convenience, control, and customization are at the heart of modern living.
Let’s start with the devices that are changing the way people live at home. According to Jon Bitner, who has spent years testing hundreds of smart devices, only a select few have earned a permanent place in his household. Many products, he notes, are little more than overcomplicated gimmicks destined for the back of a closet. But a handful stand out for their genuine utility, making daily life easier and more enjoyable.
Bitner’s top pick is the Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum, priced at a hefty $1,599.99. While the sticker shock might make some balk, Bitner argues it’s worth every penny for those with busy schedules. The Saros 10 doesn’t just vacuum—it also mops, empties its own dustbin, and even self-cleans its mops. "It can go weeks without any manual intervention," Bitner writes for The Guardian. Setting it up is a breeze: plug it in, sync it to your phone, and let it map your home. After that, it handles the rest, only requiring you to refill its clean water tank and empty the dirty one on a weekly basis. The main dustbin can last months before needing attention. With tangle-free brushes, vibrating hot-water mops, and best-in-class suction, it’s as close to hands-off floor care as you can get.
For those seeking a simpler entry into the world of smart home automation, Bitner recommends the Wyze Smart Bulb. At just $26.26, it’s an affordable way to experiment with automation. The bulb supports millions of tunable colors and can be programmed to mimic sunrise, gently waking you up each morning. Bitner uses it to gradually brighten his bedroom before his alarm goes off, and to dim or color the lights for movie nights. Control is easy via smartphone, eliminating the need to stumble around in the dark or fiddle with switches.
Security and convenience also get a boost from the Yale Assure Lock 2, which retails for $259.99. Bitner admits he was once a skeptic about smart locks, but now he’s a convert. The Yale Assure Lock 2 allows for keyless entry via passcode, remote status checks, and the creation of temporary codes for visitors. "I used to forget whether I locked the door before heading out, but now I just check the status of my door remotely on the companion app," he shares. The lock also provides a detailed door history, showing exactly when it was opened, closed, locked, or unlocked—a boon for anyone who values peace of mind.
Video doorbells have become ubiquitous, and Bitner’s experience with the Ring Video Doorbell—priced at $49.99—explains why. The device sends motion alerts to your phone, allows two-way communication with visitors, and stores video footage either via subscription or local storage (for those who opt for alternatives like the Eufy C210). Whether you’re monitoring package deliveries or chatting with guests while away from home, the Ring Video Doorbell proves remarkably helpful. Bitner jokes, "Just be careful not to succumb to video doorbell derangement syndrome with your newfound powers."
Rounding out Bitner’s list is the Aera Smart Diffuser, a $199 device that keeps homes smelling fresh without the safety concerns of candles. The diffuser is hypoallergenic, runs automatically on customizable schedules, and can be controlled remotely. Fragrance capsules cost $60 but last up to three months, making it a cost-effective solution for maintaining a pleasant home environment. Bitner notes, "It solves a frustrating problem without much manual input, and is one of my favorite smart home devices."
While smart gadgets make life easier, managing the digital backbone of a connected home—especially for those who self-host services—presents its own set of challenges. Enter Ayush Pande’s deep dive into Linux Containers (LXCs) and their role in efficient home lab management. Published the same day as Bitner’s review, Pande’s article explores how LXCs, when paired with platforms like Proxmox, can transform even underpowered hardware into robust self-hosting workstations.
Pande points out that containers are often preferable to virtual machines (VMs) on older or resource-limited hardware, due to their lower processing overhead. He shares his own experience converting an aging laptop into a Proxmox host, ultimately relying on LXCs after VMs proved too demanding. Debian-based LXCs are highlighted for their stability and compatibility, making them ideal for development and self-hosting tasks. For those who like to tinker, add-ons like Tailscale and Code Server can turn a basic LXC into a powerful development environment.
Managing containers doesn’t have to be daunting, thanks to user-friendly platforms such as Cosmos, CasaOS, and Runtipi. These platforms offer web-based interfaces, customizable app repositories, and streamlined network and storage management. Pande praises Cosmos for its "mouth-watering UI" and built-in cron scheduler, while CasaOS and Runtipi are lauded for their unique features—like file explorers and minimalist design—that cater to a range of user preferences.
NextcloudPi, another LXC template, is promoted as a viable Microsoft 365 alternative for personal cloud storage. Although Pande notes that heavy document loads can slow it down, NextcloudPi shines when equipped with productivity apps like Collabora Online and Nextcloud Office. With additional utilities for notes, PDF annotations, tasks, and forms, it can become a full-fledged productivity suite for home users.
Home automation enthusiasts will appreciate Pande’s discussion of Home Assistant LXC, a platform that enjoys widespread acclaim for its compatibility and automation capabilities. However, he cautions that the LXC version lacks the Add-on Store, meaning users must run additional apps on separate containers or Docker setups. Despite this limitation, Home Assistant remains a favorite among smart home aficionados for its customizable dashboards and robust automation features.
Server monitoring gets a boost from Pulse, a tool designed for Proxmox environments. Pulse tracks resource consumption and uptime for both nodes and guests, connects to Proxmox Backup Server, and features a visually appealing interface with built-in alerts. For basic network-attached storage (NAS) tasks, OpenMediaVault LXC is recommended, though Pande warns that advanced configurations can be tricky and prone to bugs.
Ultimately, Pande advises a balance between LXCs and VMs, depending on the complexity of workloads and available resources. For most everyday needs, containers suffice, but for more demanding computing projects, virtual machines may still be necessary.
Together, the insights from Bitner and Pande paint a picture of a future where smart devices and self-hosted solutions work hand-in-hand. Whether automating chores, enhancing security, or building a digital home lab, today’s technology offers unprecedented control and customization—without requiring an engineering degree. As these tools become more accessible and user-friendly, it’s clear that the smart home revolution is just getting started.
