Adrienne Maxwell

Surround-sound receivers have become increasingly less mainstream. Hardcore home theater DIYers tend to prefer separate AV processors and multichannel amplifiers, while the more casual cinephile who’s starting from scratch is probably best served by a high-performance soundbar. But if you already own home theater speakers that you love, or if you’re looking for more customization and installation options than even a top-tier soundbar can offer, an AV receiver represents a great middle ground.

Fewer people need a universal remote control these days, which explains why the category is dying and great options are hard to find. But if your home-entertainment system is more complex than the basic media player, TV, and soundbar combo, and you’re looking for one remote to control all your gear, the Sofabaton U2 Universal Remote Control is the best option we’ve found under $100.

As a single woman and a single parent, I spend a lot of time thinking about security. Of course that includes big-picture questions of the financial and emotional variety, but it also covers a lot of little, everyday thoughts about the safety of my home. Since moving into a rental a little over a year ago, I’ve found that all those minor concerns seem to coalesce into one nagging question: Did I lock the door? Suffice to say, my door is not always open.