Separate networks may isolate smart home devices, but complicate control

Separating smart home devices on a home network can improve reliability for some gadgets and limit the risk that a compromised device can reach a phone or laptop. But the article says these benefits depend on the home’s setup, and dividing devices across networks can make everyday control and setup more difficult.

Using a separate 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network may help devices that need better range, while a guest network can provide some isolation. However, mesh systems generally rely on a single network name, and guest networks may block devices from communicating with phones or other accessories. The article recommends weighing actual connection or security concerns against the effort of reconfiguring devices.