(Credit: René Ramos; Birdbuddy, Husqvarna, Yale)
If you have a backyard, a lawn, or a pool, smart home devices can help you get the most out of your outdoor space. You can automate maintenance with a robot lawnmower, watch movies on a portable projector, and keep your property safe with a home security camera.
Before buying a gadget to keep outside, you should be aware of the most vital detail to check: weatherproofing. Any outdoor-friendly device needs to be able to handle rain and dust exposure. Otherwise, it might break as soon as it gets remotely wet, or worse yet short out and potentially start a fire. Most products built to be used outside have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating, a number indicating it has been tested to handle a certain level of moisture or dust. Check if the product you're looking at has an IP rating before you consider leaving it in the yard or by the pool.
If you're looking to bring the technological comforts of home to the great outdoors, look no further. Here are our top picks for outdoor smart devices.
Power
Outdoor smart plugs offer features like app-based control and scheduling for any device that needs power like holiday lights and lawn figurines, and they're weatherproof and sealed for safety.
Best Outdoor Smart Plug
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A
TP-Link’s dual-outlet Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A ($29.99) doesn't care what smart home system(s) you use: It works with all the major platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. That broad compatibility and an IP64 weatherproof rating make it a good choice for bringing smart features to your backyard appliances.
Best for Roku-Centric Households
Roku Outdoor Smart Plug SE
Roku's Outdoor Smart Plug SE features an IP64 weatherproof build, and makes it easy to control appliances and other electronics with your phone or voice and conveniently tracks how much power they use. It's appealing if you also use Roku devices since you don't need to set up anything else to control the plug from your couch. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but the TP-Link EP40A offers offers better third-party device support.
Security
You need to make sure your property is safe, and that means keeping it monitored and illuminated.
Outdoor security cameras can help you monitor your property no matter the weather, with features like floodlights and sirens to ward off intruders, and night vision so you can see what's going on in the dark. If you're afraid of thieves, there are smart padlocks and delivery boxes to consider.
Best Floodlight Camera
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight can help you monitor your property and shine a light on unwanted visitors. It offers sharp 2K video and color night vision with a bright floodlight, along with plenty of third-party compatibility. If you need to monitor a location that lacks electrical wiring, this battery-powered security cam is ideal. It’s a snap to install and recharge, and an optional solar panel accessory can keep it running indefinitely.
Best Wireless Outdoor Security Camera
Eufy SoloCam S340 Wireless Outdoor Security Camera
The Eufy SoloCam S340 is one of the most feature-filled wireless outdoor security cameras available, starting with a built-in solar panel for keeping its battery charged. It also features dual lenses, 3K video, color night vision, mechanical pan and tilt, a built-in spotlight, and local video storage. That's a lot packed into a single camera, and it easily justifies its high price if you want to keep a close eye on your home.
Best Budget Outdoor Security Camera
TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120
If you want to monitor the outside of your home without spending much money, the TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor is worth looking into. For just $40, it's loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models, including 2K resolution (2,560 by 1,440 pixels), color night vision, and local video storage. The camera records video when it detects motion and offers free intelligent alerts that differentiate between people, pets, vehicles, and other motion events, a feature many competitors charge extra for. It requires a nearby GFCI outlet for power but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives.
Protect Your Packages
Yale Smart Delivery Box
Packages get purloined from porches pretty often, so protect those parcels with the Yale Smart Delivery Box. It's a large drop box you can secure to your porch so delivery drivers can safely set anything that will fit inside. Share an access code in the delivery details section of your orders from Amazon and other services, the driver will enter it into a keypad, the box will open, you'll get a notification, and the lid will automatically lock.
Best Smart Padlock
Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge
Smart locks are good for homes, but what about sheds and backyards? The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 has you covered. It's a solid, waterproof padlock you can control via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It supports unlocking directly through the app, or you can control who can unlock it and at what times by issuing one-time or scheduled PINs and Bluetooth keys.
Maintenance
Whether you're looking to keep the grass short or the pool water chlorinated, these devices help automate maintaining your property and can notify you if anything goes wrong. There are robot lawnmowers, sprinkler controllers, pool cleaners, and water monitors, all of which you can monitor and control from your phone.
Best Robot Lawn Mower
Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD
As with every robot lawn mower we've reviewed, the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD doesn't come cheap, but it does an excellent job of mowing and trimming your lawn. It features both GPS and cellular radios, plus it connects to a slick companion app that enables remote controls, mowing schedules, and IFTTT integrations. Best of all (depending on your yard), it won't struggle to handle hilly terrain.
Best Smart Sprinkler System
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
If you love your lawn enough to install a sprinkler system, you need a good sprinkler controller. The Rachio 3 is one of the best: It supports up to eight separate sprinkler zones with automatic weather-based or custom app-controlled watering schedules. You can even control it with Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands and IFTTT applets.
Best Smart Hose Timer
Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer With Wi-Fi Hub
You don't need a full sprinkler system to automate watering your lawn. The Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer turns your ordinary garden hose into a smart watering system that you control from your phone, complete with programmed watering schedules and smart weather-based watering. It's a breeze to install and program, and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands.
Best Robot Pool Cleaner
Polaris Alpha IQ+
Polaris' robotic pool cleaners have long been our favorites because of their sturdy build and superb cleaning performance. It's no surprise then that the Polaris Alpha IQ+ also impresses. It's easy to use and comes with a debris canister that you can empty and clean without getting your hands dirty. The robot also offers a few new features, including water temperature readings, additional cleaning modes, and a more efficient navigation system. It's not cheap, but it can save you hours of work in your efforts to keep your pool spotless.
Best Pool Water Monitor
Crystal Water Monitor
The Crystal Water Monitor keeps track of your pool's health, with plenty of water analysis features beyond simple pH levels including oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and total alkalinity. It's a bit pricey and requires a subscription after the first year, but the subscription includes a continuous warranty and replacement sensors when needed.
Entertainment
A waterproof Bluetooth speaker is vital for parties, or you can make your own outdoor theater with a weatherproof projector or TV.
Best Battery-Powered Projector
Anker Nebula Mars 3
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is a capable 1080p projector that's ideal for use in the backyard or at a vacation rental thanks to its water-resistant design and its battery that can last up to five hours (in Eco Mode, or two hours at full-blast). It features Android 11, so you can stream from plenty of services without plugging in another device. Plus, it has a useful handle so you can lug it anywhere.
Best Portable Speaker
JBL Charge 5
JBL’s portable, outdoor-friendly Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker is an excellent choice for parties. It has a dust-tight build for the beach, with powerful drivers and dual passive radiators to deliver an impressive amount of sound for its size. You don't get a speakerphone function or an adjustable EQ in the companion app, but those are relatively minor drawbacks. For less than $200, you can't do much better.
Best Outdoor TV
SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series
Most TVs aren’t built to survive the elements, let alone pouring rain, blowing snow, flying sand, or scorching heat, but SunBriteTV’s Veranda Series 3 is up to the task. It offers a few key advantages over previous Veranda models, including a brighter and much more colorful picture with support for Dolby Vision, as well as a full suite of Android TV features such as streaming media services, Google Assistant voice controls, and the ability to mirror your phone.
Best Outdoor Party Lights
Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights
Light strips are ideal for subtle effects, but if you want a more festive way to illuminate your patio, porch, or any other outdoor space, you're better off with smart string lights like the Govee Lynx Dream. Available in lengths of 48 or 96 feet, each string has dimmable multicolor LED bulbs that you can control with your voice or phone. They also support IFTTT applets, and you get a generous selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun Music Sync mode that's great for parties.
Creature Comforts
Connected devices can even help you connect with wildlife, and exile unwanted pests. A smart mosquito repellent system will banish biting bugs so you can enjoy the backyard, while a smart bird feeder will attract avian visitors and help you identify their species.
Best Smart Bird Feeder
Birdbuddy Smart Bird Feeder
The Birdbuddy Smart Bird Feeder sends highly shareable snapshots and video postcards of the local bird population to your phone, while its companion app is smart enough to call out their species. Overall, the Birdbuddy is a charming piece of tech for naturalists and an Editors' Choice winner—if you're going to get a smart feeder, get this one.
Best Smart Mosquito Repellent System
Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System
Pesky mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening in your backyard, but traditional bug sprays are usually unpleasant to use. The Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System is a high-tech alternative that relies on heat-activated repellent cartridges to create 20-foot barriers of protection. The system worked well in testing and we didn't see any vapors or smell any chemicals. You get three repellers in the basic kit, but keep in mind that the system specifically defends against mosquitoes, which means other types of bugs might continue to buzz about. Regardless, it supports both app and voice controls for maximum convenience.
High-Tech Grilling
Of course, backyards are perfect for grilling. Cookouts and barbecues deserve a separate list of smart grills, smokers, and other handy devices for cooking outdoors. If you want to step up your meat (or veggie) game with technology, check out our guide to the best barbecue and grilling gadgets.
