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A modern bedroom and living area showcase stylish furniture. A large window frames greenery outside, while cozy decor enhances the inviting atmosphere.

Innovations for Life

A glowing light bulb emits bright light, suspended against a smooth gray background, highlighting its transparent glass and metallic base.

Family Handyman’s homeLAB is an urban testing ground where editors test the latest products and share with readers how new advancements in the marketplace can offer a path to a life well lived.

Because innovations aren’t just happening with “smart” products, we aim to keep you up to speed on all the latest improvements in both smart home and traditional DIY home products. 

Inside Your Home

A woman touches a black speaker on a wooden table, while holding a phone. A cozy living room with a gray couch and decorative pillows is in the background. Have You Heard of IFTTT? Here’s What to Know
A wine glass lies overturned, spilling red liquid onto a light-colored carpet, creating a pool and splatter effect in the surroundings. Cleaning Myths That Don't Actually Work (And What To Do Instead)
A bowl of blue liquid and a bowl of white powder sit on a white wooden table, accompanied by scattered wooden clothespins. Liquid vs. Powder Detergent: Which Is Better to Use?
A security sign stands in front of a brick house, indicating protection by Brickhouse Security, with a notable QR code displayed on the sign. 12 Everyday Items That Can Be HUGE Security Risks
A smiling boy holds a marker while sitting at a table with a baby and a man, in a kitchen filled with natural light. Alexa Commands Kids Will Love (or Hate)
A large, modern house with a porch and columns sits on landscaped grounds, featuring a stone wall and manicured bushes under a clear sky. 8 Most Popular Home Design Styles
A smart speaker sits on a wooden table, surrounded by stacked books, with a green plant nearby, in a cozy interior setting. 11 Super Cool Things Alexa Can Do
A man in a hard hat uses a power drill to secure solar panels on a rooftop, with residential buildings and trees visible in the background. Are PV Panels Are Right For Your Roof?
A gray air conditioning unit stands on a concrete slab beside a brick wall, surrounded by green grass and trees in the background. What’s Changing in Home Air Conditioning?
A woman paints a tray with a brush while a man observes, both sitting on a covered floor in a brightly lit room with a ladder nearby. New Paint Colors and Trends in 2020
A schematic diagram displays interconnected tanks and pipes transporting fluids, situated above a cross-section of layered earth, including mountains and trees. What to Know About Geothermal Heating and Cooling
A hand writes on a notepad listing indoor pollutants, while a scenic background features a tree in a grassy field under a cloudy sky. Why You Should do a Home Air Quality Test
A woman rolls blue paint onto a wall, beside white and black paint samples, with green tape marking off sections in a well-lit room. The One-Coat Paint Test: Does it Work?
A smart switch is displayed, allowing wireless control of devices. It's packaged with an illustration of an interior setting and labeled for Wi-Fi use. 7 Savvy Answers to Common Questions About Smart Light Switches
A smart speaker sits on a wooden table, surrounded by stacked books, with a green plant nearby, in a cozy interior setting. Do Amazon Echo’s Security Features Really Work?
White toilet paper rolls are stacked closely together, showcasing their cylindrical shape and cardboard cores. The setting appears to be a storage area. What’s the Best Toilet Paper for Your Plumbing?

Outdoor Spaces

Vibrant green grass covers the ground, swaying gently in the breeze under natural sunlight, creating a lush, serene outdoor environment. What Is Liquid Aeration for My Lawn?
Clusters of white clover flowers grow among lush green clover leaves in a vibrant, sunny outdoor setting, indicating a thriving natural environment. Why Planting a Clover Lawn Makes More Sense
A sprinkler emits water in multiple directions, soaking the lush green grass in a garden surrounded by trees and foliage. What to Know About Smart Sprinklers
A long dining table is set outside, illuminated by soft lights, next to a rustic stone house surrounded by greenery and a scenic view at dusk. Homeowner's Guide to the Best Outdoor Lighting
A green digital irrigation timer adjusts watering schedules using knobs and buttons, designed for outdoor use to automate plant care. 15 Best Lawn Care Products for 2020
Three colorful bracelets (red, blue, green) labeled Do Mosquito Bracelets, Clip-Ons and Patches Actually Work?
A hand interacts with a smartphone displaying temperature and humidity readings. In the background, greenery suggests a gardening or greenhouse setting. Gardening Apps Every Gardener Should Download
A child runs joyfully through green grass, splashing water from nearby sprinklers under a bright sky, surrounded by trees and distant hills. 5 Benefits of a Smart Sprinkler System

Innovative Products

A table displays four portable lamps, illuminating the wooden surface, with a dark couch in the background, creating a cozy indoor ambiance. 4 Innovative Camping Lanterns and Emergency Lights
A wall-mounted air purifier operates with a power cord, positioned above a wooden dresser displaying a vase with dried flowers and decorative candles. We Tried It: Aura Air Purifier
A device is mounted on a wall near copper pipes, indicating a water monitoring system. It's connected to a power source with a wire. We Tried It: Flo By Moen Smart Water Valve
A robotic vacuum is docked against a wall, charging. Sunlight illuminates a spacious, modern living room with a couch and a decorative lamp. 36 Home Tech Items for Your Wish List
A woman stands in a kitchen, holding a green cup. A smart screen displays the message, Best Smart Refrigerators for 2020
A square speaker emits light blue illumination, surrounded by a perforated surface, designed for sound output in a modern audio environment. Best Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors for 2020
A blue paint roller is being used to paint a yellow wall, positioned against a ceiling. The roller is attached to a yellow extendable handle. New Pro-Recommended Painting Products for DIYers
A green, modular paving surface lays beside a gravel pathway, with mounds of soil partially covering the green sections, surrounded by trees and natural debris. The 10 Best Home Innovations of the Decade