John Elliot

New York

Smart Homes Editor at Mansion Global

Articles

Cold to Go: Portable Air Conditioners Perfect for Your Home

1 week ago | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

As summer gets underway in the Northern Hemisphere, homeowners without central air face a daunting choice—wrestle with the installation of aesthetically unpleasing window units or suffer through the dog days of the season. Fortunately, there is another way. While once an afterthought, portable air conditioners have come into their own, packing room-chilling power and flexibility for spaces that are not accommodating to window units. Below, our picks for portable ACs to consider.
Entertainment Gadgets Perfect for Your Next Pool Party

3 weeks ago | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

Pool season is upon us, and if you’re feeling a little unsatisfied about your aquatic amenities, allow us to help. From a speaker that uses the water to amplify sound and a floating chair you can control with a joystick to a projector that can transform your pool floor to a work of art, we’ve found some high-tech gadgets that will bring a new sense of joy to taking a dip this summer.
High-Tech Gadgets to Fire up Your Grill Game

1 month ago | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

As the seasons turn, so do our thoughts toward cooking outdoors. Grilling offers a range of flavor and variety that the stovetop and oven, no matter how advanced, can’t replicate. But if barbecuing seems intimidating —or if you just want to brush up on your skills—there’s plenty of newfangled technology that can help. Below are a range of gadgets that will take the arduous guesswork out of outdoor cooking, setting you up to be a grill master and enjoy the best part of barbecuing: the food.
High-End Hammocks to Help You Hang Loose

1 month ago | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

It’s almost time to get into the swing of summer—literally. The hammock is the oft-idealized medium of warm-weather napping—and not without good reason. Not only do hammocks provide a comfortable conveyance for slumber in the sunshine, but that the gentle rocking of the hammock allows nappers to fall asleep quicker and lengthens the stage-two portion of their sleep cycle (light sleep transition to deep sleep).
Cities Are Doubling Down on Composting—These Kitchen Devices Are Small and Scrappy

1 month ago | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

Whether you have to compost as part of your city’s waste program or as a means of feeding your own garden but were turned off by the mess, smell and ease of use—we have some great news. The relatively high bar to kitchen composting has been shattered thanks to the hard work of smart-home developers. Below, we have some kitchen-based composting devices that will turn your trash into treasure (for the soil at least).
Rise & Shine: Start Your Day With These Sunrise Lamps-and More

2 months ago | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

Get into a solid sleep-wake cycle with these morning-mimicking devices By John ElliotOriginally Published April 15, 2025 Across millions of years of evolution, from ape to upright, email-answering, independent individual humans have developed an internal clock of alertness and exhaustion, driven primarily by the light in our environment. In the morning, it is time to start the day. At night, it is time to sleep.
Accessories to Create a Dream Closet-and We’re Not Talking Bags and Belts

2 months ago | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

If you have the space, a closet can do much more than store slacks and sun dresses. It can be a room of respite, of relaxation; a solitary space to prepare for the day or unwind before bed. So why not untap your closet’s full potential? From lighting and storage to style and user experience, we’ve identified high-tech devices that will transform your walk-in to the decadent dressing room you dream of.
Breathe Easy: The Humidifiers Doing the Most to Mitigate Mold Risk

Mar 4, 2025 | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

Seasonal shifts to climate—or the need to run a home heating source for an extended period of time—can lead many to suffer with an irritated nose, throat and skin, brought on by the low humidity of dry indoor air. Fortunately, this troublesome environmental issue can be tackled with a handy humidifier—a device that adds moisture to the indoor climate, alleviating the symptoms for inhabitants.
See Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Taylor Swift Better Than Before With These Big Screens for the Big Game

Feb 4, 2025 | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

We’re days away from America’s premiere sporting event, the Super Bowl, and whether you’re hosting a party of pigskin partisans or just watching the big game with family and friends, it’s the perfect opportunity to splurge on the sports-viewing screen of your dreams. From powerful projectors to a wall of TVs to your very own jumbotron, we’ve found some one-of-a-kind setups that will serve you well on Super Bowl Sunday—and every other day of the year.
High-Tech Chargers That Bring Form and Function

Jan 21, 2025 | mansionglobal.com | John Elliot

Everyone who exists in our modern era must contend with a common dilemma—the unending work of keeping our many digital devices charged. We’re here to share with you the good news: Gone are the days of your countertops existing as a dissolved mess of contending cables, today’s chargers are wireless wonders with no shortage of style. From multi-device sculptures to lighting-fast futuristic models, these charges have the juice and will keep you juiced.