The best Apple Home devices that launched in 2025 -- tested

Apple users had a banner year when it came to new smart home devices. Of all the ones I tested, here are my favorite Apple Home-compatible ones that launched in 2025.

Heading into the year, I had high hopes. I'd expected to see Apple's smart home display launch, alongside new Apple TV and HomePod hardware.

That didn't pan out, but it wasn't a total bust. We got multiple new versions of Matter — including 1.5 with camera support, robot vacuums joined Apple Home, and there was a huge number of new and unique devices that made their way to market.

Of all the ones I tested out, there were a few devices that I was excited about the most and still use every single day.

Starting out, there is the Aqara G5 Pro camera. This is by far the most capable and reliable camera I have tested, and it has extra benefits for Apple Home users.

The camera itself comes in both USB-C/Wi-Fi and PoE flavors, so you can choose the model that makes sense for your setup. It is weatherproof, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor placement, and includes a spotlight.

You can record to Aqara's cloud services, a local NAS, or to Apple's HomeKit Secure Video. I ended up subscribing to the Aqara subscription for some added AI features, but still use HomeKit Secure Video as the primary option.

It also acts as a Matter and Thread router. In my setup, I'm able to place Thread devices far away outside — like a contact sensor in my mailbox — and have them still connect through the G5 Pro.

It's fast, reliable, works both indoor and outdoors, and there is even a PoE version

Best of all though is how shockingly fast and responsive it is. When I open up the live feed in the Apple Home app, it populates nearly instantly.

It never goes offline, and this all happens with the Wi-Fi version. The wired PoE model would likely be even faster.

If you want to try it out, you can find it on Amazon, currently no sale, for $149.

2025 was the year we finally got robotic vacuum cleaners in Apple Home, thanks to Matter. Roborock was one of the very first to support it, including with the Saros Z70.

This model not only supports Apple Home and Matter, but has a built-in robotic arm that can be used to pick up small items throughout a cleaning cycle.

This vacuum cleans very well, but also has a robotic arm for picking up socks and tissues

To be clear, the robotic arm is only semi-useful. It isn't 100%, and many of the items it picks up are small like socks, flip-flops, tissues, and the like.

But I also applaud the unique design and ingenuity in bringing this to market in a real product. A robot arm that works 75% of the time is still better than no robot arm.

It's comical sometimes as I turn around just to see the robot meandering down the hall, holding a toddler sock, on a mission to put it in its place. I'm excited to see how this space evolves.

Not to mention, it's still a very capable vacuum that mops and cleans well throughout the home. I love controlling it with Siri, just by telling it to "mop the kitchen."

You can currently find it on Amazon for $1,299.

This one may be silly, and I'll admit I rolled my eyes slightly when it was announced, but now I've fallen in love with it after picking it up. It's just as the name sounds — a Matter-enabled warming light for a candle.

Instead of burning an open flame, a bulb will heat the wax from above. It's a much safer alternative that heating from below.

I miss the flame, but this candle warmer is so much safer with kids and pets

For me, I spend all day in the studio, but I often have to run out. Checking mail, getting food, refilling my coffee all pull me away.

The last thing I'd want to do is leave a burning candle unattended — especially with kids and multiple cats milling about. By using this Siri-controller candle warmer, I can easily turn it on and off whenever I please.

When I come into the studio, my morning scene will turn on the lights and start the candle. My studio and office then smell great all day, without the worry.

I even included it in my leaving scene so whenever I leave the home, the candle is automatically turned off if I forget to do it myself. It burns a lot of candles, so this is a much safer alternative, even if the base is a little small.

Amazon currently has them listed for $33.

The last major one for me was the launch of the Level Lock Pro. This new model didn't change much, as it is still an entirely hidden smart lock right within the frame of your door.

So far, though, it has been my go-to smart lock for this compact design and excellent hardware. With Matter, it works over Thread, which has done wonders to extend the battery life for me.

It barely looks like a smart lock, plus it supports Thread and Home Key

It also supports Apple Home Key, which few locks on the market still do. As I approach, I can just tap the back of my watch to unlock it and get inside — even if my hands are full.

So far, it's been very reliable, fast to respond, and doesn't look like an overcomplicated smart lock. I can't wait to see if they launch a new version with UWB support in the future.

You can add it to your front door for $349 on the company's website.