Smart-home help for renters and homeowners

Plan, choose and set up smart-home gear with fewer surprises.

WesternTechy helps you figure out what will work in your home before you spend money or change anything. Use our guides for setup, buying pages for comparisons, free tools for planning, and the blog for important updates.

Browse setup guides → Open free tools →
Check compatibility firstA device is only useful if it works with your setup.
Renting? We keep that in mind.We call out permissions, reversible installs and move-out issues.
We say how we researched itResearch is not presented as hands-on testing.
We think about the long termUpdates, account access and handover matter after setup too.

Latest from the blog

Recent smart-home updates worth knowing about

We cover changes that can affect what you buy or how your setup works. Each post explains what changed, who it affects and what to check next.

See all blog posts →

Need help with a setup?

Start with the job you are trying to do.

Our guides walk through setup, networking, security, climate, energy and automation in plain language. The newest guides are shown below.

Browse all guides →

Buying & Reviews

Compare products before you spend money.

We look at compatibility, installation, storage, subscriptions and support. If an article is based on research rather than hands-on testing, we say so.

See all buying guides →

Free tools

Plan the job before you start it.

These tools help you make a plan, work out a budget, keep track of a rental install and record who owns or controls each device.

See all free tools →
01 / Plan

Smart Home Planning Worksheet

Work through rooms, devices, Wi-Fi, power, permissions, privacy and a manual backup.

Open the worksheet →
02 / Budget

Cost & Budget Calculator

Add your own prices, labour, supplies, subscriptions and a buffer so you can see the real cost.

Open the calculator →
03 / Move

Renter Install & Move-Out Checklist

Keep permissions, original hardware, account access and what needs to be restored in one place.

Open the checklist →
04 / Record

Device Inventory & Transfer Tracker

Record who owns each device, which app controls it, shared access and what needs to happen before handover.

Open the tracker →

How we write our guides

We try to make the important checks easy to see.

Smart-home products change. Firmware, apps, subscriptions and compatibility can all shift after an article is published. We use current sources where we can and point out the things you should verify before buying or changing your setup.

Use primary sourcesManufacturer documentation and standards pages are our first stop for model-specific claims.
Know when to stopElectrical, HVAC, plumbing and access work may need the manufacturer or a qualified professional.
Keep renter limits clearRenter-friendly does not mean every landlord, lease or surface will allow the same install.
Fix mistakesIf something looks wrong, send us the page, the claim and a source so we can check it.

Not sure where to start?

Pick one room or one problem first.

You do not need to automate the whole house. Start with something useful, check that it fits your setup, and build from there.

Read the beginner guide → Use the planning worksheet →