Many of us are overscheduled and pulled in many directions—so if you often feel like you can’t keep up with all those household chores, you’re not alone. An entire industry has sprung up from the need to tidy up quickly: self-cleaning tech.

Self-cleaning technologies date back to the late 1990s, when the 

 hit the market. These devices were among the first to offer a glimpse into a future where household cleaning could be automated.

Fast forward to today, and the landscape of self-cleaning home tech has expanded exponentially. Innovations now range from self-cleaning windows and toilets to advanced air purification systems and beyond.

Below, we’ll tell you more about the different self-cleaning technologies available today and share some of our favorite products for making your life easier.

Benefits of Automated and Self-Cleaning Devices

The primary benefit of self-cleaning technology is the substantial time and effort it saves. They maintain a clean household environment with minimal intervention, allowing people to spend more time doing things that are more fun or meaningful.

In addition, automated cleaning technologies can be a huge help for people with limited mobility, ensuring a clean, odor-free environment without the physical demands of traditional cleaning methods.

Robot cleaners may even help people reduce their exposure to allergens. Automated vacuums sweep away dust and pet hair before it can pile up, while robot lawn mowers keep the yard tidy without anyone having to be present.

Despite the obvious advantages, there are hurdles to the widespread adoption of self-cleaning technologies. The cost remains a significant barrier for many, with the most advanced systems coming with a hefty price tag.

There’s also the question of repair and maintenance, which can be complex and expensive. Additionally, the environmental impact of manufacturing, using, and disposing of these technologies is a growing concern that needs to be addressed.

Self-cleaning home technology encompasses a wide range of automated and semi-automated solutions designed to reduce the time and effort required for household cleaning and maintenance tasks. This technology leverages advances in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and materials science to keep living spaces cleaner without constant human intervention.

Here are the top categories of self-cleaning technology on the market today:

These autonomous devices navigate around your home, vacuuming or mopping floors as they go. They can be programmed to clean at specific times, and some even automatically empty the canister when it gets full. Robot vacuums and mops use sensors to avoid obstacles and drop-offs, and they return to their charging docks when their battery is low.

Some models offer smart technology that allows them to map your home for more efficient cleaning routes, and you may also be able to control them with a smartphone app.

Self-cleaning litter boxes automatically sift and remove waste into a sealed compartment after the cat has used it, reducing odor and the need for daily scooping. This is a great investment if you are going out of town for the weekend and want to make sure your cat has a clean and tidy litter box, but it can also help reduce day-to-day odors in busy feline households.

Self-cleaning toilets may use UV light, electrolyzed water, or special glazes to break down debris, bacteria, and mold, preventing unsightly streaks and limiting the need for harsh chemicals. Usually these toilets include a few other gadgets to help users stay clean and fresh too, such as bidets and air dryers.

Self-cleaning ovens use high temperatures (usually between 800°F to 1,000°F) to incinerate food residues and spills inside the oven cavity, turning them into white ash that can be easily swept away once the cycle is complete and the oven cools down.

An excellent gadget for maintaining large, hard-to-reach windows, these robots stick to vertical glass surfaces and clean them systematically, using built-in squeegees and cleaning solutions. They operate autonomously once set in place.

Leveraging UV-C light, these robots move around the home or office, disinfecting surfaces by destroying bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. They are especially useful during heightened health concerns and can often be controlled via smartphone apps.

These materials are treated with special coatings that react with sunlight or artificial light to break down organic materials and dirt on their surfaces. They are used in various applications, including windows, tiles, and outdoor furniture.

Like robot vacuums, robot lawn mowers intelligently map out your lawn and efficiently cut the grass, all while avoiding obstacles. They’re battery-powered and tend to work best on small yards about half an acre or less.

Vacuuming the pool becomes a “set it and forget it” chore with a robot pool cleaner. Some will even climb the walls of the pool, leaving no surface un-scrubbed. This is a great way to cut down on algae when you’re out of town.

How to Choose the Best Automated Cleaning Tools

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, stick to a more basic device to save money.

Consider your existing smart home system. 

Some smart cleaning products can be controlled through voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Make sure you find one that’s compatible with your voice assistant.

Who wants to clean a cleaning machine? Or spend money to replacing expensive filters? Make sure you’re comfortable with future costs and upkeep before buying a smart cleaning device.

Find out if you can get a refund if you use the device and it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Self-cleaning tools can be expensive. Keeping these tips in mind could help you save money:

 Use price comparison tools or browser extensions to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Verify the warranty and what it covers before purchasing.

 Review professional and customer reviews to gauge performance and reliability.

 Some retailers might throw in extra filters or accessories as part of a holiday promotion.

1. iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot + AutoWash Dock: Best Robot Vacuum and Robot Mop

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Best Robot Vacuum and Robot Mop

 is a high-end robotic vacuum cleaner and mop produced by iRobot, a leading home automation and robotics company. A special brush pushes debris from the edge of the wall to the mouth of the vacuum cleaner, and two mop pads spin in opposite directions to thoroughly mop the floor at the same time.

Its built-in AI system recognizes obstacles, including socks, stairs, and pet waste, and maneuvers around them to avoid clogs, tumbles, and smears.

When it returns to the docking station, the Roomba Plus 505 empties its canister, cleans and dries its mop pads, and recharges.

Gets close to edges and walls for a thorough clean

Cleans and dries mop pads to avoid spreading dirt during the next cleaning cycle

Can vacuum for up to 75 days and mop for up to 4 weeks without emptying the dock canister and water reservoir

Learns which rooms tend to get dirty fast and prioritizes those areas

Works on carpets and hard surfaces, and won’t mop the carpet

Syncs with a smart app for custom instructions as needed

Syncs with AI voice assistants like Amazon Alexa for verbal commands

You may want to dry hardwood floors after mopping if too much water is used

2. PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Classic: Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box

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Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box

We like the PetSafe ScoopFree self-cleaning litter box because it’s reasonably priced, fits in the same spaces as most traditional litter boxes, and has a removable hood for cats who prefer an open design. It senses when your cat enters and exits the box, then rakes the litter. Any solid waste is pushed under a flap, where it stays out of sight (and out of … smell?).

The tray itself is made of cardboard. When the litter is past its prime, the tray is simply thrown out.

Removable hood makes the litter box appealing to a variety of cats

Optional top entry hood helps reduce litter tracking

Disposable tray means there’s no need to awkwardly bag the litter

Automatic scooping provides quick odor control

Less bulky than other self-cleaning litter boxes

Only works with crystal litter, which has advantages but may not be right for everyone

Waste may get stuck to the rake if cats don’t cover it with litter first

3. DeerValley DV-1S0029-V3: Best Self-Cleaning Toilet

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Best Self-Cleaning Toilet

Self-cleaning toilets are definitely a luxury item with a luxury price tag, but the DeerValley DV-1S0029-V3 could be worth every penny. It has a self-cleaning wand that wipes the toilet bowl before and after it’s used. UV sterilization adds another layer of cleanliness and odor control.

And no more worrying about touching a dirty toilet handle—this commode automatically flushes when the user walks away, but it can also be flushed by tapping a button with your foot. The lid also lifts as users walk towards the toilet. It’s about as hands-free as a toilet can get.

The DeerValley DV-1S0029-V3 also cleans its users with front and rear bidet nozzles. It even has a heated seat.

Hands-free flush and lid reduce spread of bacteria

Discover the best automatic and self-cleaning devices for homeowners that save time, reduce effort, and keep your home sparkling with minimal maintenance.

Best Automatic and Self-Cleaning Devices for Homeowners

Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular. One study found that the number of homes reporting having a smart device 

 from 2023 to 2024. And it’s understandable why this trend keeps growing! Installing the right smart devices around your home makes it easier to manage with voice commands no matter where you're standing. You may already have smart speakers, but smart displays can be the next technological upgrade and connect your home.

Buy Now 

Smart Home Buyers Guide 

A smart home display is like a smart speaker but with a touch screen. You can control your smart home display with voice commands and ask it to play music, tell you the weather, or answer a question. However, the touch screen allows for extra capabilities, such as displaying the time, photos, video, temperature, and more.

Many smart home displays come with the following features:

Control smart TVs and sync with streaming services

Ability to control other smart devices like alarms, lights, cameras, and thermostats

You've probably already used smart technology in your everyday life and seen the benefits. Maybe you use your smartphone's connection to your car to voice-command calls and texts, so you don't have to use your phone while driving. Or you've used an app to check on your home's security system when you receive an alert of suspicious activity. Well, smart home displays are another convenient addition to your home that can make everyday life just a bit easier.

Imagine being able to ask your smart display to show you the weather forecast for the next week or set a five-minute timer while you're baking. Smart home displays are convenient, easy to set up, and affordable, allowing you to navigate your home hands-free.

This list is entirely made up of Amazon and Google displays, but that's for a few reasons. First, most people have an Alexa or Google Home product, so you want a smart home display that syncs with those existing products. Second, Amazon and Google are simply the innovators and leaders in this field and are hard to beat.

Here are the top four smart home displays you should consider in 2024:

 was released in 2023 and is a sleek smart home display with an 8" HD touchscreen. Its sound is great, and it even offers automatic acoustic adjustments. Your Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Generation) will perform fast, have a high-resolution display, and sync with many Alexa voice control features.

However, one notable con of this display is that people have noted the bass is limited.

 is perfect for any home with smart Google products. The screen for this display is small (seven inches), which makes it a great fit for anyone looking for a display for their nightstand. In fact, if you use it on your nightstand, the Google Nest Hub (2nd Generation) can report on your sleep quality! It does this by using a microphone and motion sensors to track your breathing and movement at night.

One major con is that this display does not have a camera, so you cannot make video calls.

You can currently purchase the Google Nest Hub (2nd Generation) for $84.99.

If you're looking for something compact and affordable, the 

) is the smart display for you. This display only has a five-inch screen, which doesn't make it an excellent choice for watching videos. But it has a camera, so you can use it for video calls.

Despite its small size, this display offers loud volume, so you'll hear anything it broadcasts loudly and clearly.

Currently, the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Generation) sits at $79.99

 if screen size matters most to you. This display has a large 15.6-inch screen! However, the large screen size comes at a tradeoff—unfortunately, this display has less-than-average audio and video quality.

The Amazon Echo Show 15 is perfect for acting as a home control center. Just leave it in your kitchen or living room and give family members easy access to leave notes, check on the Ring doorbell feed, or change the house's temperature.

The Amazon Echo Show 15 currently sells for $279.99.

These are just four out of dozens of smart displays on the market. Not only are there many models, but new generations of each model are released almost every year!

So, how do you know which one to buy? This list is a good starting point for some of the best options on the market.

You can also narrow down the choices by deciding which features are most important to you. Ask yourself the following questions:

Does screen size matter to you? If so, what's your ideal screen size?

Do you want your display to have a camera for video calling?

Do you want your display to have excellent audio and video quality?

Once you have that figured out, you should be ready to start shopping. Remember, the right smart display will make life at home much smoother.

 to feel like you are living in the future.

Smart home displays can help your home be more connected and accessible. But how do you know which one to buy? This guide walks you through the top four choices on the market right now. 

The Best Smart Displays to Enhancing Your Home | Popular Living

The Best Smart Displays to Enhance Your Home

We may not live in a time of flying cars or with devices that let us talk to our pets, but technology has made some impressive leaps. Notably, your home can now be much smarter and more efficient than ever. Of course, not all smart home appliances are created equal. Some simply don't deliver on what's promised, or their functionality isn't that useful. If you're ready to modernize your home, here are the four best smart appliances to buy in 2024.



LG Electronics WashTower Stacked SMART Laundry Center

A smart appliance connects to the internet, allowing people to monitor and control the machine remotely. Typically, you connect to a smart appliance via your smartphone or a tablet.

As the name suggests, a smart appliance is smart, making it more useful than a conventional appliance. And you're smart for buying one. A smart device can make every day home chores more efficient, help you reduce energy costs, and even help you stay safe.

Here are a few other benefits of smart appliances:

Here are our picks for the best smart appliances for each of the major home categories:

When smart refrigerators first came out, they had fancy features like telling you when you’re out of milk. Well, gone are those days as people realized they don’t need a fridge to monitor their groceries - they need a fridge they can simply control.

LG LRMXC2206S French Door Refrigerator, 36" Width

If you're looking for a large refrigerator with impressive technological features, this is the best option for its price point. This fridge is beautifully designed with four doors, an ice maker, and great counter space. But the reason people buy it is for its smart features.

 features ThinQ Technology to control and monitor your fridge from your phone. With the ThinQ app, you can:

Receive an alert if there is a malfunction

Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, so you can use voice commands to control your fridge

Many smart toaster ovens on the market today have fascinating, innovative technology that "reads" your food and adjusts the cooking temperature and time as needed. But this technology hasn't really made its way to standard-sized ovens just yet. Instead, conventional ovens offer smart technology that allows homeowners to connect to their ovens remotely.

Bosch 500 Series, Single Wall Oven, 24'', HBE5452UC

Bosch 500 Series Single Wall Oven Model HBE5452UC

 is perfect for you. This European design is meant to take up less space without taking away any features or capabilities. In addition to being compact and sleek, this oven has many useful smart features. How often have you left your house and wondered if the oven is still on? Or, have you been driving home just wishing your oven could already be preheated as soon as you arrive? Well, this oven can do all that and more.

The Bosch 500 Series, Single Wall Oven, 24", HBE5452UC can:

Connect to your oven from your smartphone so you can see its current status and have peace of mind.

Get quicker, more convenient support. This oven offers remote diagnostics. If your oven breaks down, the technical support team can access the oven remotely to identify the problem. This means the technician can show up with the right parts and tools to fix your oven quickly.

You might not think there’s value in being remotely connected to your dishwasher, but you’d be wrong. Let’s take a look at how great a smart dishwasher can really be.

300 Series 24-Inch Smart Built-In Dishwasher with Home Connect

Bosch is a winner in the dishwasher category, too, with the 

Bosch 300 Series 24-Inch Smart Built-In Dishwasher with Home Connect

. This Wifi-enabled dishwasher comes with all the classic dishwasher functions. But it also comes with a Home Connect system. You can download an app to control your dishwasher from anywhere remotely. So, you can turn on your dishwasher after you've left the house or when utility rates are lowest.

Other smart dishwashers on the market, like the 

LG Electronics 24-inch Top Control Smart Dishwasher

, use smart technology to notify you when a wash cycle is done. But, if you have to pick between turning on your dishwasher remotely or being informed of it being done, we pick the former.

Your washing machine can be doing so much more for you than it is now. A smart washing machine may be costly, but it has many perks.

LG Electronics WashTower Stacked SMART Laundry Center 5.0 Cu.Ft.

One of the best smart washing machines on the market today is the 

 This appliance comes with the ThinQ app, which allows you to:

Receive notifications when the cycle is done

Uses AI technology to select optimal wash and dry settings

Performance and Efficiency of Smart Appliances

There's no denying that a smart appliance is typically more expensive than its not-so-smart counterpart. But you get some clear benefits at this higher price point.

Typically, smart appliances help lower your energy consumption and save on daily utility costs. These machines can:

Notify you when they're broken. When an appliance is broken, it's not running as efficiently. Finding this out immediately (versus after running several cycles) can save you money.

Notify you when you've left the fridge door open.

Allows you to turn on the appliance remotely so you can run it when energy consumption rates are lower.

Provide suggestions for how you can conserve even more energy.

Smart appliances are a newer market offering, so the models are typically just a few years old. This means you're benefiting from the latest technology, which usually comes with increased performance.

The average cost of a home appliance can be between 

. In comparison, smart appliances typically start around $1,500. Smart appliances are notably more expensive, and not everyone can afford to invest in smart machines.

When evaluating if this is an option, remember to consider warranties and repairs. Smart appliances are more technologically advanced, making them more expensive to repair when they break. Always read the warranty details and estimate if you can cover repair costs if the appliance has issues later.

And remember that most home appliances last 

You'll have to break down if the price tag is worth it if your appliance only lasts a decade.

Tips for Setting Up and Using Smart Appliances

If you think you’ll spend all this money on a smart appliance but will save by going the DIY route for installation, think again. YouTube may have lots of tutorials on installing a regular dishwasher, but installing a smart version is another story. If you’re going to invest in a smart appliance, you should also invest in proper installation by a professional.

Take the time to read the manual so you know how to operate the appliance properly. Plus, the manual will carefully detail all the smart features you’ll want to take advantage of.

There’s no denying that smart home appliances make your life easier. If you can afford them, these appliances can be a great way to give your home a modern technological edge. Now that you know the best smart appliances for 2024, all that’s left to do is decide which one you’ll purchase first!

 This website uses affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Looking to modernize your home, impress your guests, and make life easier? Here are the four best smart appliances to give your home a technological facelift. 

Upgrade your home with the best smart appliances of 2024: LG LRMXC2206S fridge, Bosch 500 Series oven, Bosch 300 Series dishwasher, and LG WashTower.

The Best Smart Appliances That Will Modernize Your Home

The Best Smart Appliances to Feel Like You're Living in the Future

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It was once hard to imagine your home appliances—lights, speakers, door locks, thermostats, even your coffee maker—communicating and working together. Well, this is no longer science fiction thanks to a pivotal piece of technology called the smart home. 

 integrates your smart devices into a cohesive ecosystem, seamlessly delivering your household a safer, cozier, more energy-efficient living experience you can access from a single application.

In this guide, we'll cover the basics and compare top smart home hubs like Google Home, Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings so you can make a confident decision for your home. 

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Smart Home Hub

Matching the Smart Home Hub with Your Needs

A smart home hub unifies your home by making your individual devices work together, offering you a tailor-made domestic experience that makes your everyday life easier. It also ensures your home is better protected from invasions and privacy breaches, more environmentally friendly, and easier on your finances.

 is a central device or platform that serves as a unifying point, facilitating communication among all your smart home devices. It essentially "translates" various device protocols into a common language, bridging communication gaps and ensuring all your devices can understand and work in unison.

The functionality of a smart home hub extends beyond device connection. It allows you to automate tasks and routines according to your preferences, control your devices remotely, and manage your entire smart home ecosystem from anywhere, anytime. Imagine waking up to a 

, a warmed-up bathroom, and your favorite morning news, all triggered by the alarm on your smartphone. 

 Zen your den with these home automation gadgets. 

 smart home households in the US, yours will be tailored to you. Selecting the right smart home hub is fundamental to ensuring a smooth and intuitive smart home experience. It's not about picking the most expensive or the most popular hub on the market but about identifying the one that caters to your specific needs. Here are some factors to think about when making your choice.

It's essential to choose a hub that is compatible with your existing devices and appliances. If the hub doesn't support a particular device, you may have to consider replacing the device or compromising on the seamlessness of your smart home. You don't want to be stuck with a 

The user interface of the hub is another crucial factor. Opt for a hub with an 

. An overly complex hub could turn your dream of a hassle-free smart home into a nightmare. After all, the point of a smart home is to make your life more convenient and less of a cluster.

A hub's integration potential determines the range of devices and services it can support. A hub with broad integration capabilities allows for extensive automation and customization. From streaming your favorite tunes to serving you that timely weather update just in time for your outdoor event, the smarter the integration system, the more helpful the experience.

In an era where data is the new gold, it's critical to consider the security and privacy measures the smart home hub provider provides. No one wants to be a victim of a security breach resulting in a hacked camera or leaked information. Given that your hub will have access to your personal data, it should employ robust security protocols and respects your privacy.

Make sure your digital castle is secure and private.

Technical Specifications and Communication Protocols

Okay, so you have a few smart devices, how do you get them to all chat? First, you have to figure out the device's protocol (aka the language they speak) so they communicate properly with your smart home hub. Here are some of the top protocols smart homes use today:

: Designed specifically for smart homes, Z-Wave protocols create a wireless mesh connection that allows other Z-Wave devices within range of each other to communicate. The more devices you add to the network, the stronger it becomes. Higher in cost and quality. 

Fueling Alexa, Zigbee is a low-power protocol that is best for close-range devices. Has a massive network and is very reliable. 

 Devices use low-power radio waves on a 2.4 GHz spectrum to connect to other devices. Ideal for devices in the same room. Think of that speaker that you bring into the kitchen that you trigger as you toggle playlists and scope out dinner recipes at the same time on your phone.

 Similar to Bluetooth-enabled devices, Wi-Fi devices communicate via radio waves. It has a wider range than many protocols, but it's generally not recommended for homes with a lot of devices. Many people use a guest Wi-Fi network for smart home devices. A good router is a must. 

A low-power, low-bandwidth mesh network that has the ability to self-heal. The protocol doesn't need a hub or bridge and directly connects to the cloud. Best for devices like CO detectors and motion sensors but not recommended for cameras. 

Now that you know what to look for in a smart home hub, let's explore some of the leading smart home hubs currently dominating the market:

, powered by Google Assistant, offers robust functionality and is compatible with an extensive array of devices. With the power of Google's voice recognition, controlling your smart home is as easy as saying, "Hey, Google."

, featuring Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant, is popular among many smart home enthusiasts. Its wide range of device compatibility and user-friendly interface make it a solid choice for your smart home hub.

 may be a perfect choice. It integrates seamlessly with all Apple devices and supports various smart home devices. With Siri as your assistant, you'll enjoy an intuitive and streamlined user experience.

Renowned for its broad compatibility, user-friendly interface, and excellent performance, 

 has won the hearts of many smart homeowners. It also supports a wide variety of third-party applications, further enhancing its appeal.

Making the Final Choice: Matching the Smart Home Hub with Your Needs

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/man-leaving-the-house-with-his-baby-and-locking-the-door-using-a-home-automation-gm1338106337-418813348

Selecting the perfect smart home hub is not a one-size-fits-all process. Your unique needs, preferences, and lifestyle should guide the decision. Consider your budget, the smart devices you currently own, the devices you plan to add in the future, and how you envision controlling your smart home.

Can I use multiple smart home hubs in one home?

A: Although technically possible, using multiple smart home hubs can create a complex, confusing, and redundant system. Having one central hub that can manage all your devices is generally more efficient.

How can I ensure the security of my smart home hub?

Always ensure you use strong, unique passwords for your devices and enable two-factor authentication if available. Regularly update your hub's software to protect it against any potential 

Can I control my smart home hub from anywhere?

Absolutely! Most smart home hubs come with a companion mobile application, allowing you to control and manage your devices wherever you are.

Will I need a professional to install my smart home hub?

While most smart home hubs are designed for straightforward self-installation, some may require professional installation, especially if they involve complex setups or integration with hardwired systems.

Make your smart home dreams a reality! Our buyer's guide helps you choose the perfect smart home hub for your unique needs.

Want to tailor your smart home hub? This guide discusses factors to consider, integration points, and how to customize your hub to match your needs.

A Buyer's Guide To Choosing the Perfect Smart Hub For Your Home

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Best Automatic and Self-Cleaning Devices for Homeowners

The Best Smart Displays to Enhance Your Home

The Best Smart Appliances to Feel Like You're Living in the Future

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