John Carlsen

2 weeks ago | safewise.com | Katie McEntire |John Carlsen |Cathy Habas |Alina Bradford

research hours in 25+ in-home testsyears of combined experiencehomes and people protectedLooking for a smart lock that doesn't scream "smart lock" from the front porch? You should check out the Abode Smart Lock. We tested this low-profile device at home for two months, and it's got a lot going for it—especially if you're into smart home gear but not complicated installations or clunky designs. After living with it, here's what we liked (and didn't like).

2 weeks ago | cnet.com | John Carlsen

Why You Can Trust CNET Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Home Smart Home Considering a switch to smart or USB wall outlets? These popular types should be your first choice. John Carlsen John Carlsen has more than a decade of experience testing and reviewing home tech products, with a major focus on smart home security.

2 weeks ago | cnet.com | John Carlsen

Home Home Security You may need a bigger screen to use this security camera effectively. Article updated on April 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM PDT Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

3 weeks ago | safewise.com | John Carlsen |Cathy Habas |Alina Bradford |Rebecca Edwards

After our most recent round of testing and researching security systems, SimpliSafe is our top pick for 2025—thanks to smart live monitoring, affordable gear, and no-pressure plans.

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | John Carlsen

The water refill station in my grocery store is a paradox. While I love the potential of cheap purified water refills cutting back on bottled water purchases, I can't get over the chore of lugging many small jugs around on my grocery trips. I'd invest in a massive 5-gallon jug, but it's too big to use without a dispenser. Until recently, I believed that traditional water coolers -- typically found in office buildings -- were the best option.