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CNN
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
24 home finds from this year's HGTV Smart Home we're currently eyeing, starting at $30
HGTV Smart Home 2025 home finds quick picks Colorful smart speaker: Amazon Echo Pop Minimalist bed frame: Article Basi Bed Frame Playable wall art: Archtwain Wall Games Playable Football Decor The HGTV Smart Home 2025 is officially move-in ready, and the fully furnished San Antonio abode features all the bells and whistles you'd hope to see, plus some unexpected surprises (cold plunge anybody?). But the excitement doesn't just end with a new house. This year's HGTV Smart Home Sweepstakes winner will also be walking away with a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-In Hybrid SUV and $100,000 in cash. Are you wondering what to expect inside and outside the home? Honestly, we don't blame you. We got a sneak peek at this year's smart home and pulled together some of our favorite products, which includes some items we love and have tested, like the Samsung Frame TV, so you can shop the actual picks for yourself even if you don't win the sweepstakes. To see how everything came together, check out this tour of the home given by this year's HGTV Smart Home designer Poonam Moore. You have until May 23 to enter the Sweepstakes — good luck! Samsung 43-Inch The Frame We've reviewed both the 2021 version of this TV and the 2024 version (which is featured in the home), so we can't say we're surprised that it's earned a spot in this year's smart home. With its beautiful design and large gallery of artwork that can be displayed when it's not in use, Samsung's The Frame TV has continued to impress us with how effortlessly it transforms blank walls and spaces. Read our review Simplehuman Rechargeable Sensor Soap Pump CNN Underscored's home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel has this rechargeable dispenser from Simplehuman, which she uses for both hand soap and hand sanitizer. We love that the design eliminates the need to touch anything, which is especially useful when you're handling things like raw meat. Zstarr Motorized Smart Blind for Window With Remote Control With these motorized smart blinds, having to manually close your window blinds is a thing of the past. Ozarke Rusee Smart Table With Speaker Far from your standard end table, the Rusee smart table from Ozarke doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and even has a built-in wireless charger, so you can juice up your devices in style. We love the table's simple, modern design, which is perfect for the minimalist at heart. Amazon Echo Pop Also making an appearance in this year's smart home? The Amazon Echo Pop, which we love for its budget-friendly price and color selection. We also couldn't help but notice that the Echo Pop isn't the only Amazon device in the home. The clockless version of our favorite budget-speaker, the 5th Generation Echo Dot, is also our review Amazon Fire HD 8 With the Amazon Fire HD 8, you can browse the internet or dive into a new book with the touch of a finger. We reviewed an older version of the tablet in 2020 and found it to be well worth the price. BroadLink IR/RF Smart Home Hub This smart home hub can be used to control shades, light switches and more within your home. The best part? It's compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, so you can set up voice prompts. Huupe Smart Mini Basketball Hoop Game Console It's easy to see why this basketball hoop game console caught the eye of CNN Underscored senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus. Complete with shot and distance tracking, so you can keep a tab on your stats, the Huupe Mini gives you access to tons of subscription-free games, all while letting you stream your favorite music and shows. Chiltern Velvet Tufted Sofa Everyone's dream sofa looks different, but regardless of where you imagine kicking your feet up, there's no denying the comfiness factor of this velvet, tufted sofa from Chiltern. Four Hands Cairo Chair We couldn't take our eyes off of this upholstered chair from Four Hands, which features wraparound arms and a loose seat cushion. We love that the chair comes in four neutral colors to complement any style. Article Harmon Checkerboard Side Table We love a good piece of multi-functional furniture, like Article's Harmon Checkerboard Side Table. The wooden tabletop flips over to reveal a checkerboard and a hidden storage space underneath where you can stash game pieces or other knickknacks. Avant 76-Inch Metal Articulating Floor Lamp With Fabric Shade Floor lamps help pull a room together, and we couldn't be more obsessed with this decor pick. It works perfectly in a modern home, like this one, thanks to its unique silhouette and burnished finishing. OneFortyThree Tablet Stand Having a tablet stand nearby comes in handy when you need to prop up your iPad or Kindle. We love how design-forward this made-to-order tablet stand is, with its curved shape and rounded brass feet. Fire Cold Plunge 3.0 Interested in reaping the benefits of cold plunging? This year's smart home features the Fire Cold Plunge 3.0, which has medical-grade lining, ambient lighting in the form of LED lights and slip-proof flooring, so you can go in and out of the tub with confidence. AllModern Padua Nightstand As AllModern's Padua Nightstand proves, your bedside table does not have to be boring. The drawer space gives you plenty of room to stash your book, blue-light glasses, nighttime snacks, sleep mask and more, while its top gives you a spot to place your water bottle. Article Basi Bed Frame When it comes to bed frames, simple ones can make just as much of a statement in the bedroom. I love the look of this minimalist frame which, depending on the vibes you're going for, can be pushed up against the wall or paired with a nice headboard. Pottery Barn Bouclé Pillow Cover Patel said the interior designers she's interviewed have always recommended switching up your pillow covers if you're looking for a quick way to freshen up your space for less. She likes this one from Pottery Barn, which is used in the living room and has a boucle side and a solid flax side. Lavauk Mango Wood Fruit Bowl Another one of Patel's picks is this handmade, wooden fruit bowl, which appears in the kitchen of the smart home and can also double as decor. Archtwain Wall Games Playable Football Decor We can't imagine a cooler piece of wall art for a gaming room than this handcrafted piece. When mounted, it's an incredible statement piece soccer fans are sure to love. When you pull it down from the wall, it transforms into a fun tabletop-style game for loads of family fun. Ruggable Outdoor Offset Stripe Black Rug Ruggable's stylish selection of interchangeable and machine-washable rugs is part of what makes the brand so popular. Case in point: Kraus has several Ruggable rugs throughout her apartment. The deck area outside features this striped one, which helps to cozy up the space. Ozarke Floating Shoe Shelf If you thought the soccer wall art was cool, you'll love this unique floating shoe shelf from Ozarke, which Patel thinks is a great piece of decor for shoe lovers. Plus, with Father's Day coming up, she thinks it would make a unique gift for Dad as well. Aerlo Ceramic Candle Holder Set Patel loves the look of this candle holder set from Amazon, which she described as 'a unique, easy piece of decor that will make your place look fancy.' This set appears in the kitchen, but we can see it working in other parts of the home, like a bedroom or the living room, as well. Dupray Air Purifier If you're concerned about the level of dust and other pollutants in your home, an air purifier is a great buy. This one from Amazon doubles as a planter or an accent table (depending on the version you get), which is what makes it particularly cool in our eyes. It offers real-time air quality monitoring and has fans that can automatically adjust their speed level. Hiendure 12-Inch Brass Clothes Hanger Patel loves the functionality of these types of clothes racks, since they give you a place to hang your items when you need it but can fold away when not in use. Though this hanger is used in the laundry room, depending on your needs it can be used in other spaces, too, including outdoors. Where is the HGTV Smart Home 2025 located? Where is the HGTV Smart Home 2025 located? This year's HGTV Smart Home is located in San Antonio, Texas. What happens if you win HGTV Smart Home? What happens if you win HGTV Smart Home? In addition to winning the HGTV Smart Home 2025, this year's HGTV Smart Home Sweepstakes winner will also walk away with a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-In Hybrid SUV and $100,000 in cash. How does HGTV notify you if you win? How does HGTV notify you if you win? For specific information on when the winner of this year's HGTV Smart Home will be chosen and how they will be contacted, please visit and review the rules. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, associate lifestyle editor Rachel Dennis, alongside home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel and senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus, curated a list of some of the best home finds featured in this year's HGTV Smart Home.
Telegraph
27-03-2025
- Telegraph
Amazon Fire HD 8 review: is this budget tablet worth buying?
This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service. What is the Amazon Fire HD 8? Amazon is well-known for a number of reasons. It isn't just a go-to online retailer because of its competitive prices and quick delivery through Amazon Prime, it is also the company responsible for Kindle, along with some of the best budget tablets and best kids tablets on the market. Amazon's tablets fall under the Fire brand, with the Fire HD 8 sitting in the middle of the portfolio. The Fire HD 8 (2024) is an 8-inch tablet with an HD display. It sits alongside the Fire HD 10, Fire Max 11 and the Fire 7 within Amazon's tablet range, which is considerably more affordable than the likes of Apple's iPad or Samsung's Galaxy Tabs. The Fire HD 8 costs a penny shy of £100 with adverts, though you can pay £10 extra to have no adverts. There is also a specific Fire HD 8 Kids version of the device that comes with a child-friendly bumper case, six months of Amazon Kids+ and a two-year worry-free guarantee. Is the Amazon Fire HD 8 a good buy if you're in the market for a tablet under £100? How we test tablets I've been reviewing consumer technology for 12 years and in that time, I've seen a broad range of tablets, from Apple and Samsung's premium offerings, to models from OnePlus, Lenovo and Amazon's budget-friendly options. When we test a tablet, we primarily consider five key testing metrics: design, display, performance, battery and software and AI. We also test cameras, but while the front camera is important for video calls, I would always recommend using your smartphone if you want the best image results. Testing tablets is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet, however. We use each tablet we review for a long period, spending time watching movies, making notes and playing games to test battery life, processing power, software capabilities and screen quality. Sound performance and ease of use have been taken into account too and for Amazon's Fire HD 8 specifically, I have also tested the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids model. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, independent, real-world tests will always help you find the best product at the best price. No manufacturer ever sees copy before publication and we do not accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Design: 7/10 The Amazon Fire HD 8 has a simple, no-thrills design but in some ways that's a good thing. There's no aluminium frame like you'll find on even Apple's entry-level iPad and there are no fancy inclusions like a stylus in the box as you'll find with many of Samsung's Galaxy Tabs either. You also won't find an official IP rating so you'll need to keep this tablet away from the beach, bath or swimming pools. What you do get from the Fire HD 8's plastic design is a surprisingly solid build quality. It is basic, but there's a textured finish on the back that's tactile in the hand while offering a decent amount of grip and the 8-inch size is lovely and compact – something I said of the iPad mini 7 too. The edges of this tablet are also slightly curved, which makes a nice change from flat edges you'll find on the Galaxy Tab S10 series and Apple's iPads. When held in a landscape orientation, there's a microSD slot on the bottom for storage expansion (something you will likely need), while speakers are positioned at the top. The power button, volume buttons and USB-C port for charging are all on the right edge, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Display: 7/10 The Amazon Fire HD 8 has an 8-inch display with an HD (1,280 x 800 pixel) resolution, which effectively leads to an average screen overall. It's an LCD panel so you don't get the same inky blacks and pops of colour that you do with an OLED panel, but you won't come across an OLED panel within the Fire HD 8's price bracket either. Even the iPad Air (M3) that costs five times the price of this tablet has an LCD panel. The bezels around the display are thick, though this does give you somewhere to place your thumbs when watching content so their chunkiness can be somewhat forgiven. The brightness of the Fire HD 8 is also more than adequate for indoor use, though take it outside into the sunshine and you may notice some glare as there is no anti-reflective coating here. Performance: 7/10 Just as the Fire HD 8's display is fairly average, so too is its performance. Amazon doubled the memory (RAM) for this model compared to its predecessor and the Fire HD 8 is capable enough of running day-to-day tasks, whether that's browsing the web through the Amazon Silk browser or controlling smart home devices through Alexa. If you're looking for a tablet with slick performance however, you'll need to pay a little more as the Fire HD 8 doesn't deliver that. Apps can be slow to load, switching between tasks and profiles takes a couple of seconds and you might encounter the occasional freezing of an app too. All that said, the Fire HD 8 is a great tablet for streaming video content on the various streaming platforms and running casual games, you just need to be mindful of its limitations and I advise connecting up a pair of headphones over using the built-in speakers. Battery life: 8/10 The Amazon Fire HD 8 does a decent job when it comes to battery life and while I didn't get the touted 13 hours during my testing, it lasted over 10 hours and sometimes 11 hours depending on what I was asking of it each day. That's certainly not bad and it will easily see you through a commute to and from work, or an evening watching content on the sofa, or browsing the web. Where the Fire HD 8 could improve on the battery front is charging speeds. It's not surprising given its price but if you use the 5W adapter that's included in the box, it will take around 5 hours for this tablet to charge. It supports 15W wired charging so if you have a faster charger at home, you can halve the charging time. That's something you'll want to consider if you're expecting the same charging experience as you get with a smartphone. Software and AI: 7/10 The Fire HD 8 runs Amazon's Fire OS, which is simple and easy enough to navigate but it's more restricted than iPadOS and Android tablets that offer access to the Google Play app store. Most of the streaming apps you might want are available, including Netflix and Disney+, but there are some apps missing like Google's Calendar and Chrome, neither of which are offered through Amazon's App Store and sometimes you'll find a slightly older version of an app compared to Android or Apple. You will also encounter adverts and sponsored content on the lock screen if you haven't paid the extra £10 for the model without ads. If you're considering this tablet for a child however, the software allows for easy switching between adult and child profiles – something iPads don't – and the child profile locks everything down including available apps in the Amazon App Store. I would recommend choosing the specific Kids version however as the included case and Amazon Kids+ subscription makes it better value than buying those separately. Technical specifications I've compared the Amazon Fire HD 8 to the Fire HD 10 because there are a couple of differences between these two affordable tablets, other than size and cost that are worth considering when choosing one of Amazon's Fire tablets. Telegraph verdict: 7/10 The Amazon Fire HD 8 is an excellent budget tablet that's great for playing casual games and watching content. The screen is average, performance is quite slow and Amazon's user interface isn't as good as Apple's iPadOS or native Android, but the design is solid and battery life is good. The compact build makes it portable, while the Amazon App Store has most of the top streaming apps, a number of games and apps like the Kindle app. It's not the most powerful budget tablet around or the smoothest performer but as a day-to-day tablet, the Fire HD 8 is one of the best in its affordable price range and it's excellent value. FAQs Amazon Fire HD 8 vs Fire HD 10 The Amazon Fire HD 8 is smaller and more compact than the Fire HD 10, offering an 8-inch display over a 10-inch display, as well as the option of more RAM. The Fire HD 8 is lighter than the Fire HD 10. Claimed battery life is the same between the two models at 13 hours, but the Fire HD 10 has a higher resolution display than the Fire HD 8 and it charges faster too. Is the Fire HD 8 good for streaming? Yes, the Fire HD 8 is a great tablet for streaming, as long as you aren't looking for the highest quality screen to watch your favourite series on. Can you play games easily on the Fire HD 8? Yes, the Fire HD 8 is a great tablet for playing casual games, whether Candy Crush or a crossword. What is the battery life of the Amazon Fire HD 8? Amazon claims the Fire HD 8 battery life is around 13 hours, which is the same as offered on the Fire HD 10 too. Is the Fire HD 8 suitable for kids? Yes, you can set up a child's profile on the Fire HD 8. There is also a specific Kids version of the Fire HD 8 too, which comes with a protective case, six months of Amazon Kids+ and a two-year worry-free guarantee. Can you use the Fire HD for reading? Yes, you can use the Fire HD 8 for reading. The Kindle app is available on the Amazon App Store so you can access thousands of books through that.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Error?! Why the Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Pro kids tablets are on sale for the same price today
This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, Digital Trends and Yahoo Inc. may earn a commission. If used properly, a tablet can be a portal to education or entertainment for your child, just like the Gameboy COLOR was for you back in the day. But, nonetheless, picking out a tablet for your kids isn't easy. And right now a quirky deal that makes both the Amazon Fire HD 8 and Amazon Fire HD 8 Pro just $85 makes the decision even more confusing, right? Not necessarily. Both of these tablets, which originally cost $140 each, are discounted by $55 today, and its pretty clear which one is best for your child. If you have a younger child, the regular version makes more sense and if you have an older child the 'Pro' version makes more sense. The naming convention is awful, but that's how it is. Tap the buttons below to see the tablets yourself and keep reading to see how to shop these deals. BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS PRO BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS If both the regular Fire HD 8 and the Fire HD 8 Pro are the same price, then the Pro is the way to go, right? In fact, the two tablets are essentially the same. 13 hour battery lives, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, 8-inch HD resolution, etc. Each even comes with a 6-month subscription to Amazon Kids+ for ad-free educational and entertainment content. Both are even have similarly high ratings from Best Buy customers. Listening to descriptions of the tablets alone is enough to leave anyone thinking they are the same. However, the Pro version also includes some built-in web browsing with guardrails (and easy-to-use parental controls), as well. In fact, in a complete reversal of what we usual tell growing children, it is (mostly) what is on the outside that counts. The regular version has a thicker protective casing with 'younger' colors and themes like Disney's Cars and Disney princesses, while the Pro version has a slimmed-down look and themes (like Marvel heroes) that fit older kids. As you read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet review, which praises the device for its easy setup and curated content, keep this in mind — the 'Pro' version is going to be largely the same, but with more ability to use the internet and a more 'mature' theme. Grab either one of these tablet deals today by tapping the correct button below. Remember, each tablet is just $85 today following a $55 discount from the usual $140. The regular version is recommended for kids 3-7 and the Pro for kids 6-12, but you can make your own decision based on the wants and needs of your child. BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS PRO BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Error?! Why the Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Pro kids tablets are on sale for the same price today
This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, Digital Trends and Yahoo Inc. may earn a commission. If used properly, a tablet can be a portal to education or entertainment for your child, just like the Gameboy COLOR was for you back in the day. But, nonetheless, picking out a tablet for your kids isn't easy. And right now a quirky deal that makes both the Amazon Fire HD 8 and Amazon Fire HD 8 Pro just $85 makes the decision even more confusing, right? Not necessarily. Both of these tablets, which originally cost $140 each, are discounted by $55 today, and its pretty clear which one is best for your child. If you have a younger child, the regular version makes more sense and if you have an older child the 'Pro' version makes more sense. The naming convention is awful, but that's how it is. Tap the buttons below to see the tablets yourself and keep reading to see how to shop these deals. BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS PRO BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS If both the regular Fire HD 8 and the Fire HD 8 Pro are the same price, then the Pro is the way to go, right? In fact, the two tablets are essentially the same. 13 hour battery lives, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, 8-inch HD resolution, etc. Each even comes with a 6-month subscription to Amazon Kids+ for ad-free educational and entertainment content. Both are even have similarly high ratings from Best Buy customers. Listening to descriptions of the tablets alone is enough to leave anyone thinking they are the same. However, the Pro version also includes some built-in web browsing with guardrails (and easy-to-use parental controls), as well. In fact, in a complete reversal of what we usual tell growing children, it is (mostly) what is on the outside that counts. The regular version has a thicker protective casing with 'younger' colors and themes like Disney's Cars and Disney princesses, while the Pro version has a slimmed-down look and themes (like Marvel heroes) that fit older kids. As you read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet review, which praises the device for its easy setup and curated content, keep this in mind — the 'Pro' version is going to be largely the same, but with more ability to use the internet and a more 'mature' theme. Grab either one of these tablet deals today by tapping the correct button below. Remember, each tablet is just $85 today following a $55 discount from the usual $140. The regular version is recommended for kids 3-7 and the Pro for kids 6-12, but you can make your own decision based on the wants and needs of your child. BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS PRO BUY THE FIRE HD 8 KIDS
