Written By Avery Lawson - Tech @ NewsTime News

Smart home devices are designed to simplify life and make everything a bit more convenient. But our tech team at NewsTime News knows that a lot of the time smart devices are a great way to gain control over systems in the house, and lock out any users that aren’t tech savvy or even just anyone that didn’t directly set up the device themselves. Here are our top 5 best smart home devices to annoy your wife into giving up even trying to lock the door or turn the lights on.

1. The Overengineered Smart Lights

Smart lighting is supposed to make turning lights on and off easier. But when your wife just wants to flip a switch and instead has to figure out whether to use the app, the voice assistant, or the motion sensor (which only works half the time), it becomes more of a headache than a help. Add to that the fact that dimmers are mysteriously set to “nightclub strobe mode” every time she tries to adjust them, and suddenly the good old-fashioned light switch doesn’t seem so bad.

Frustration Factor: Having to juggle three methods to control a single lamp, none of which feel intuitive.

2. The Smart Thermostat That’s Smarter Than Necessary

Setting the temperature should be straightforward, but a smart thermostat that constantly overrides your wife’s manual adjustments to “optimize energy savings” can feel like a battle of wills. Combine that with scheduling features she didn’t set up and geo-fencing that never detects her phone, and you’ve got a thermostat that makes her feel like you prioritized the thermostats wants over hers.

Frustration Factor: A device that insists it knows her comfort level better than she does—and refuses to listen, just like you.

3. The Voice Assistant That Never Listens to Her

Whether it’s Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, there’s nothing more infuriating than a voice assistant that works flawlessly when you’re using it but decides to “mishear” your wife every single time. Asking for something simple like playing a playlist or setting a timer becomes a comedy of errors as the assistant responds with, “Sorry, I didn’t catch that” or executes the wrong command entirely.

Frustration Factor: Feeling like the technology is outright ignoring her.

4. The Complicated TV Setup

A smart TV, universal remote, and streaming apps sound like the ultimate entertainment solution—until your wife has to navigate a labyrinth of HDMI inputs, remotes that require firmware updates, and an app menu that looks like it was designed to confuse her on purpose. Trying to simply “watch Netflix” turns into a 10-minute ordeal involving rebooting devices and troubleshooting why the soundbar isn’t working.

Frustration Factor: Feeling like watching TV now requires a degree in computer science.

5. The Overzealous Smart Security System

A smart home security system is great for peace of mind—unless it’s so sensitive that it sends 47 notifications every time a squirrel walks across the lawn. Add in doorbell cameras that only load on your phone, locks that sometimes take three tries to unlock via the app, and lights that flash like a disco when the alarm triggers, and suddenly the system feels more intrusive than protective.

Frustration Factor: Living in constant fear of being scolded by the tech for forgetting to “arm the system” correctly.

Final Thoughts

Smart home technology can genuinely improve your life, but only if it’s implement it so chaotically that everyone else in your house realizes that your are the only one qualified to use it. Overcomplicating systems or prioritizing cutting-edge features over usability is a surefire way to frustrate your spouse. If you’re diving into smart tech, make sure make every system work on a different app that only you have!

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