45 Journalists Who Review Smart Home Devices and Robot Vacuums (2026) | PromoteHour
45 Journalists Who Review Smart Home Devices and Robot Vacuums (2026)
The 2026 list of 45 journalists who review smart home devices, robot vacuums, security cameras and smart lighting, at Wirecutter, The Verge, CNET, WIRED, Tom's Guide and more.
Answer
Smart home devices, robot vacuums, security cameras and smart lighting are reviewed by dedicated smart home editors at Wirecutter, The Verge, CNET, WIRED, Tom's Guide, PCMag and CNN Underscored, plus home technology editors at Trusted Reviews and T3 and specialists at How-To Geek, AppleInsider and Android Authority. Below are 45 of them, grouped by outlet type, with each person's role and beat.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- This list covers 45 journalists across 31 outlets who review smart home devices, robot vacuums, security cameras or smart lighting.
- Wirecutter, WIRED and Tom's Guide each have three or more writers on this beat.
- Platform specialists (HomeKit, Google Home, Matter) are a good fit for products built around one ecosystem.
- The list comes from PromoteHour's media database of 1,100+ outlets, last enriched in August 2026.
How to use this list
Match the device to the writer. Robot vacuums fit home and appliance testers, security cameras and doorbells fit home security writers, and HomeKit or Matter devices fit ecosystem specialists. Shortlist 8 to 12 writers whose recent reviews are closest to your product, then pitch each one personally.
Major buying-guide and review outlets
These outlets publish the best-of lists and buying guides shoppers check before they buy, and their picks are widely cited by AI search tools.
| Journalist | Outlet | Role | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rachel Cericola | Wirecutter (The New York Times) | Senior Staff Writer | Home security, smart lighting, smart home |
| Grant Clauser | Wirecutter (The New York Times) | Senior Editor | Security cameras, smart home |
| Jon Chase | Wirecutter (The New York Times) | Editor and Writer | Smart home devices, security |
| Jennifer Pattison Tuohy | The Verge | Senior Reviewer, Smart Home | Robot vacuums, video doorbells, Matter, appliances |
| Barbara Krasnoff | The Verge | Reviews Editor | Smart home devices, reviews and how-tos |
| Tyler Lacoma | CNET | Senior Editor | Home security, smart home |
| Simon Hill | WIRED | Senior Writer and Reviewer | Smart home devices, networking |
| Nena Farrell | WIRED | Writer and Reviewer | Smart home devices, gadgets |
| Chris Haslam | WIRED UK | Contributing Editor | Smart home, consumer tech |
| Kat Merck | WIRED | Commerce Editor | Smart bird feeders, indoor gardens, home tech |
| Mike Prospero | Tom's Guide | U.S. Editor-in-Chief | Video doorbells, smart home gadgets |
| Kate Kozuch | Tom's Guide | Managing Editor, Social and Video | Smart home devices, connected fitness |
| John Velasco | Tom's Guide | Senior Editor | Smart home technology |
| Alex Colon | PCMag | Executive Editor, Reviews | Smart home reviews, electronics |
| Angela Moscaritolo | PCMag | Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics | Smart home testing, connected devices |
| Kerry Wan | ZDNET | Editor-in-Chief | Smart home ecosystems, consumer hardware |
| Joe Bloss | CNN Underscored | Testing Writer | Smart home, kitchen appliances |
| Andrea Smith | CNN Underscored | Contributing Writer | Smart home, lifestyle tech |
| Daniel Cooper | Engadget | Senior Editor | Connected home devices, gadgets |
| Leigh Harrington | Reviewed | Executive Editor | Smart home, cleaning and home products |
| Daniel Wroclawski | Consumer Reports | Home and Appliances Writer | Smart home, appliances, privacy and security |
| Leah Stodart | Mashable | Senior Shopping Reporter | Robot vacuum testing and reviews |
| Timothy Beck Werth | Mashable | Tech Editor | Smart home gadgets |
| Kimberly Gedeon | Esquire | Tech Commerce Editor | Smart home reviews and buying guides |
| Tyler Hayes | Business Insider | Freelance Contributor | Smart home appliances |
| Wes Davis | Gizmodo | Contributing Journalist | Smart home, networking, buying guides |
| Amanda Blum | Lifehacker | Freelance Journalist | Smart home, household robots |
UK home technology editors
UK outlets with dedicated home and appliance testing.
| Journalist | Outlet | Role | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Ludlow | Trusted Reviews | Home Technology Editor | Home automation, appliances, smart home |
| Jessica Gorringe | Trusted Reviews | Staff Writer | Smart home, home and wellness tech |
| Bethan Girdler-Maslen | T3 | Home Editor | Smart home, kitchen appliances |
| Lizzie Wilmot | T3 | Senior Staff Writer | Smart home, appliances, buying guides |
Ecosystem and tech specialists
Writers covering HomeKit, Google Home, Android and home automation in depth.
| Journalist | Outlet | Role | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew O'Hara | AppleInsider | Associate Editor | HomeKit, Matter, smart home |
| Rita Elkhoury | Android Authority | Senior Features Editor | Smart home products |
| Alexander Maxham | Android Headlines | Head Editor | Home automation, device reviews |
| Tim Brookes | How-To Geek | Senior Editor | Smart home reviews and advice |
| Patrick Campanale | How-To Geek | Senior Author | Smart home, homelabs, maker products |
| Bertel King | How-To Geek | Senior Author | Smart home reviews and guides |
| Patrick Hearn | Digital Trends | Writer | Smart home, home security |
| Chris Davies | SlashGear | Executive Editor | Smart homes, consumer tech |
| Justin Kahn | 9to5Toys | Editor-in-Chief | Smart home reviews and deals |
| Adam Juniper | Digital Camera World | Managing Editor | Home security cameras, NVRs |
Gadget sites
Gadget discovery and review sites that feature new smart home products.
| Journalist | Outlet | Role | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Smythe | Mighty Gadget | Editor | Smart home devices, home automation |
| David Novak | GadgetGram | Editor-in-Chief | Smart home product evaluations |
| Lauren Wadowsky | Gadget Flow | Editor | Connected homes, consumer devices |
| Julie Strietelmeier | Gear Diary | Contributor | Smart home devices, gadget reviews |
What these editors look for in a pitch
- Ecosystem support: say which platforms it works with: Matter, Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings.
- Privacy and security: local storage, encryption, subscriptions and data policy are frequent review criteria.
- The right comparison: name the Roborock, Ring, Eufy or Philips Hue product yours competes with.
- Review units ready to ship: smart home reviews involve weeks of real-home testing.
- Respect for their beat: one short, personal pitch beats a mass email every time.
When to pitch smart home products
- Launch window: pitch 3 to 4 weeks before launch; installation and testing take time.
- Holiday gift guides: many outlets plan these months ahead, so the earlier the better.
- CES and sales events: CES in January, plus Prime Day and Black Friday, which are big for robot vacuums and security cameras.
Frequently asked questions
Which journalists review robot vacuums in 2026?
Journalists covering robot vacuums in 2026 include Jennifer Pattison Tuohy (The Verge), Leah Stodart (Mashable), Leigh Harrington (Reviewed) and home technology editors such as David Ludlow (Trusted Reviews) and Bethan Girdler-Maslen (T3). The full list of 45 smart home journalists is in this article.
Which outlets review smart home devices?
Outlets that review smart home devices include Wirecutter, The Verge, CNET, WIRED, Tom's Guide, PCMag, ZDNET, CNN Underscored, Engadget, Trusted Reviews, T3 and How-To Geek.
How do I get my smart home device reviewed?
Pitch writers who recently tested similar devices, lead with ecosystem support and what's new, address privacy up front, offer a review sample, and follow up once or twice.
Does this list include journalists' email addresses?
No. This list shares names, outlets, roles and beats only. PromoteHour clients get matched contacts and a done-for-you pitching campaign.
How current is this list?
The list is drawn from PromoteHour's media database, last enriched in August 2026 and published in October 2026. Journalists change roles often, so always check a writer's recent bylines before pitching.
Source: PromoteHour media database (People records last enriched August 2026). Roles and beats change often; check each journalist's recent bylines before pitching. Journalists are listed for informational purposes and are not affiliated with PromoteHour. Spotted an outdated entry? Let us know and we'll update it.