For those who have everything: The Nest

last updated 10 January 2015

Now that winter’s over, the most-talked-about thermostat of last fall is finally available for immediate delivery. The Nest “really is unlike any other thermostat.” Created by two ex-Apple engineers, it initially takes instructions on where to set the temperature of your home, but then starts freelancing. During a three-month test run, the device performed as advertised, learning our comings and goings and trimming energy use accordingly. It also afforded us a level of control via smartphone that was “truly mind-boggling.” But worry-free it’s not. “Because the device is constantly tinkering with the temperature” in the house, we find ourselves “frequently second-guessing its intentions.”

$249, nest.com