2025 has been an interesting year for HomeKit and Apple Home. The ecosystem didn’t suddenly reinvent itself, but what did happen this year is far more meaningful: my smart home finally started working the way I always wanted it to. With Thread becoming mature, Matter stabilising, and manufacturers refining their integrations. Then reflecting on my setup I found that I had been relying heavily on certain devices. Not because they’re the latest hype, but because they’ve made my everyday life smoother, faster, and more convenient.

This list isn’t about what’s “trending,” or which manufacturers published the most dramatic press releases. It’s about the devices I’ve actually used and some without even paying much attention throughout 2025. Some were launched this year, others have been around longer, but every device here has earned its place because it genuinely improved the way my smart home operates.

Whether it’s small conveniences like lights that turn on exactly when they should, or larger quality-of-life upgrades like automated blinds or precise presence detection, these devices made my home feel more responsive, more intelligent, and more enjoyable to live in.

If you discover a device that you might want to purchase you can find links in the description below that help this channel out at no extra cost to you.

Aqara Smart Lock U200 (Apple HomeKey Support)

The U200 is one of those devices you don’t realise you rely on until you try living without it as I found out when I rented an Airbnb this year that I had to use a key. HomeKey changed the way I enter my house, there’s no more fiddling with keys, long Bluetooth delays, or getting out an app. I simply tap my Apple Watch or iPhone and walk in.

As someone who reviews smart home tech, I’ve tried plenty of locks, and most fail in some way wherever it be realliablity over time or just general performance. The U200 has been in my home since July 2024 and its passed all my checks. It’s quiet, responsive, and most importantly reliable and predictable. The auto-lock works exactly when it should, the motor isn’t obnoxious, and its Matter Over Thread integration just works well with Apple Home.

I’ve especially appreciated how seamlessly it works with my automations: when the U200 unlocks, my hallway lights activate in the evening so I am greeted in the right way.

This lock didn’t just improve convenience — it made the entire home feel smarter and been happy with it on my door since 2024.

Meross MS605 Presence Sensor

The next one is the Meross Presence sensor and while it only was introduced to my Home in November 2025, its already made a massive difference because Presence detection has been the biggest smart home breakthrough for me in 2025. I installed the MS605 sensor around my ensuite and it’s will be one of the first devices I recommend to anyone who wants to automate lighting properly.

Unlike traditional motion sensors, the MS605 actually recognises that you’re still in the room even if you’re still, working quietly, or in the shower. Because it uses mmWave , the accuracy is miles better than previous Meross sensors, and Thread means the responsiveness is almost instant. It also is battery powered, meaning you can install it in places previous wired sensors could not reach.

What I like most about using this sensor in my home is that it finally eliminated the most common frustration in smart homes — lights turning off when you’re still there. My ensuite experience alone has improved dramatically: lights stay on during the shower, switch off after I leave, and remain active only in the areas where presence is detected.

It’s small, subtle, but one of the most impactful upgrades of the year.

Eve Room

The Eve Room isn’t something I primarily use in my house, but it has become an essential part of my campervan setup. Those who follow me on my outdoor Instagram account will already know how often I’m travelling, spending weekends in the mountains, or parking up somewhere remote in the van. While I haven’t fully converted the campervan over to HomeKit control just yet, I do run a capable mini smart-home setup on the road: a HomePod mini, a Netgear 5G wireless router, Starlink for connectivity, and even an Apple TV connected to a projector for film nights in the middle of nowhere.

What I did add, though, was the Eve Room — not for convenience, but for health and peace of mind. Anyone who spends long periods in a campervan, especially in colder months, knows how quickly air quality can deteriorate. Running a diesel heater, cooking inside, and keeping windows shut to stay warm can all reduce air quality faster than you might expect.

The Eve Room solves this perfectly. It connects over Thread to the network and gives me real-time updates on air quality levels. More importantly, I’ve set up an automation so that when the air quality drops to Fair, the HomePod mini plays a custom Siri voice prompt reminding me to open a window or slide open the side door to let fresh air in. It’s subtle, practical, and genuinely helpful — especially during winter trips when ventilation is easy to forget.

The other benefit is that it just connects locally and does not need cloud to process anything. That means if I dont have an internet connection for whatever reason. The Eve Room will works.

I created the Siri voice alert using a Shortcut, and if you’d like to try it yourself, I’ve included a link to it in the description below.

The Eve Room may be small, but in the campervan it has become one of the most important health-focused smart devices I use, keeping long mountain trips comfortable, safe, and just a little smarter.

eufyCam S3 Pro

Security cameras don’t often wow me anymore, but the eufyCam S3 Pro has earned its place on my list because of how much I trust it. It offers clean, crisp 4K video in the Eufy app, excellent night colour performance, and — crucially — on-device AI detection. Previous I had fallen out with love for Dufy due to its security issues a couple of years, but they have taken steps to address them

I like the camera lights that provide an illumination on my front drive and it would be a enough of a deterrent for someone hanging around the front of the house.

I love using it in my home because it gives me fast, reliable alerts without relying heavily on cloud processing. When someone approaches my door, the notification is immediate and accurate. The local AI is genuinely impressive, identifying people, packages and vehicles with far fewer false alarms than some cloud-heavy brands.

Inside Apple Home, the integration is polished and responsive. HomeKit Secure Video works well with the S3 Pro cameras and it’s all stored in iCloud securely. But If I am completely honest I do tend to use the Eufy app to view and playback recordings as it appears to work better.

It’s the camera I check the most, trust the most, and recommend the most for Apple Home households.

Ecovacs Deebot X8

I’ve been using robotic vacuums since around 2018, and it’s taken several generations of trial, error, and refinement for me to finally say this: robotic vacuums have genuinely become convenient. The Deebot X8 is the first model that feels like a proper, reliable part of my smart home rather than a gadget I occasionally babysit. Its integration with Apple Home has been one of the biggest reasons it made my list this year. I can trigger it through automations. At 3am each morning, the clean begins — and all controls sit neatly inside the Home app without bouncing between multiple interfaces.

What really stands out is the combination of accuracy and power. The mapping is incredibly precise, allowing the X8 to navigate confidently around furniture without repeatedly tapping or nudging anything. The suction performance is strong enough to lift debris that previous vacuums would simply skate over, especially on carpets and room edges.

The mop function has been an unexpected highlight. I run it twice a week, and that simple routine keeps the floors looking fresh with almost no involvement from me. It doesn’t replace a deep clean, but it dramatically reduces how often I need to do one.

Overall, the X8 has taken a meaningful amount of housework off my hands. It behaves like a true member of the HomeKit ecosystem, not an outsider with its own rules — and for me, that’s what finally turned robotic vacuums from a novelty into a genuinely valuable home upgrade.

Hue Gradient Lightstrip Indoor

Hue still holds the crown for ambient lighting, and the Gradient Lightstrip remains one of my favourite additions to my living space. I installed it behind my TV and along my living room cabinet, and it completely transformed the atmosphere of the room. Whether I’m unwinding in the evening, settling in for a film, or just wanting subtle background ambience, the Gradient Lightstrip delivers the smoothest and most natural colour transitions I’ve seen.

What I’ve grown to love is how adaptable it is to whatever I’m doing. When I’m watching a film, I use it to deepen the mood with warm tones or cinematic blues that make the viewing experience feel more immersive. Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of Formula 1, and because I’m a McLaren fan, I even created a custom scene in the Hue app that matches the team colours. It adds a fun, personal layer to the room — especially during races — without feeling over the top.

Scenes trigger instantly, the colours shift fluidly, and the lighting blends into the environment rather than pulling attention away from what’s happening on screen. That’s what sets Hue apart for me. Some RGB lighting feels loud or gimmicky, but Hue strikes the perfect balance: elegant, polished and genuinely atmospheric. It enhances the room without overwhelming it, and it’s one of those smart home upgrades that I appreciate every single day.

Eve MotionBlinds

Eve MotionBlinds have been in my home for over 2 years ago, and I didn’t fully appreciate how much they added to my daily routine until I stayed in an Airbnb recently. Waking up and having to manually open blinds every morning felt… outdated. It was a reminder that smart home automation genuinely adds value when you have the right devices installed — the ones that quietly improve comfort without demanding attention.

At home, MotionBlinds have become one of those effortless conveniences I now can’t imagine living without:

• They open as part of my morning routine

• They close automatically at sunset without me thinking about it

• They help reduce heat loss on colder evenings

• They respond instantly thanks to Matter over Thread

• The perfectly work in automations in Apple Home

Matter support keeps them future-proof across ecosystems, and all updates managed by the Matter Distributed Compliance Ledger, allowing Apple Home to download updates directly without the Eve app. This means you can turn auto updates on and just let them update in the background.

It’s a subtle upgrade, but one that makes the house feel more polished, more automated and ultimately more mine. HomeKit blinds proved that when smart home tech is done right, it’s not about gimmicks — it’s about making everyday living smoother and more enjoyable.

Apple TV 4K Thread Border Router + Home Hub

Last but absolutely not least — and genuinely one of the best devices in my entire home — is the Apple TV 4K.While it’s easy to see it as just a streaming box, it has become the centrepiece of my entertainment setup. Whether I’m watching films, catching up on shows, or diving into gaming, the Apple TV delivers a smooth, responsive and high-quality experience that makes everything feel premium. I have one in my living room and one in my bedroom. I even take one in my camper van and use it with my projector too!

One of the biggest advantages is how effortlessly it pairs with my HomePods to support Dolby Atmos. The moment you enable Atmos through HomePods, the entire living room transforms. Dialogue becomes richer, surround effects feel more immersive, and the overall soundstage becomes far more cinematic — all without needing a bulky soundbar or complicated speaker setup. The combination of Apple TV 4K and HomePods creates a balanced, room-filling audio experience that elevates everything from movie nights to F1 races.

On the smart home side, the Apple TV is still the quiet hero of my setup. It acts as both a Matter Controller and a Thread Border Router, ensuring all my Matter and Thread devices stay responsive and reliably connected. It also functions as my Home Hub, keeping automations running smoothly, maintaining remote access, and ensuring scenes trigger without hesitation. Secure Video uploads remain stable, presence updates happen instantly, and the entire network feels far more cohesive because the Apple TV is managing it in the background.

It never demands attention, but it’s the backbone of my smart home — exceptional for entertainment, essential for automation, and easily one of the most valuable devices I own.