On this episode of Mac Power Users, Stephen and David compare notes on their Apple smart home setups and cover what you need to know to build one yourself. They get into the weeds on Matter, Thread, HomeKit Secure Video, smart locks, and which cameras are actually worth buying. David also shares his ongoing tension between a HomeKit-only setup and Home Assistant. If you’ve spent any time with HA, you already know the feeling. Plus a lightning round of their favorite devices and a walkthrough of the best automations to get running first.
Episode Links
- Tour My 100% Apple Smart Home (2026) – YouTube
- 5 Smart Home Wins…and 3 Big Mistakes – YouTube
- Get Started with Apple Smart Home in 2025 – YouTube
- Obsidian Brew — Bluesky
- Aqara Doorbell Camera G400
- Aqara UWB Smart Lock U400
- Govee Floor Lamp 2
- meross Matter Smart Plug Mini
- Canisteo Automatic Smart Blinds
- Aqara Smart Thermostat W200
- Google Nest Learning Thermostat
- ecobee Smart Thermostat
- Eve Aqua
- meross WiFi Water Timer for Garden Hose
- Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2
- Eve Motion (Matter)
- Aqara Water Leak Sensor
- Eve Water Guard
- Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
- TP-Link Tapo 2K QHD Pan/Tilt Camera
- Eve Cam (Apple Home)
- ECOVACS DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI
- SmartWings Hardwired Motorized Roller Shades
- ThorBolt X1 Apple Home Key Lock
- Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410
- ecobee Smart Video Doorbell
- Arlo Video Doorbell 2K
- Aqara 2K Indoor Camera E1
- meross Smart Garage Door (for Chamberlain)
- meross Smart Garage Door Opener (Older)
- Lutron Caseta Smart Fan Speed Control
- GE Cync Reveal HD+ Smart Undercabinet Light
- Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K
- meross Smart Table Lamp
- Philips Hue Twilight
- Eve Flare
- Govee RGBWWIC Strip Light 2 Pro
- Leviton Decora Smart Controller Switch
- Airversa Smart HomeKit Button
- Aqara Wireless Mini Switch
- Lutron Diva Smart Dimmer Light
- Aqara Presence Sensor FP300
- Govee 1600 Lumens Smart Light Bulbs
- eufy Robot Vacuum S2
- Apple approves drivers that let AMD and Nvidia eGPUs run on Mac
This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:
- Mercury Weather: Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free.
- Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.