Where to place a smoke detector: rules and locations
Where to place a smoke detector: bedroom hallway, ceiling, one per floor. Legal requirements in France, locations to avoid and maintenance.
All guides and comparisons
Every Maison Décodée guide and comparison: security cameras, Wi-Fi, smart home, video doorbells and robot vacuums.
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Guides explain a technology, an installation or a rule, without promoting any brand. Comparisons rank products with a grid published at the end of each article. The most recent come first.
View a security camera remotely on a smartphone: the guide
How to view a security camera remotely on a smartphone: how it works, steps to connect a Wi-Fi camera to your phone, video storage and account security.
Security camera in a rental: what a tenant can install
A tenant can install a security camera at home under certain conditions: landlord consent, neighbours and the privacy of flatmates.
Powerline or Wi-Fi extender: which one covers the whole house?
Powerline or Wi-Fi extender: how each works, speed, range and installation, and the right choice depending on the home, its walls and its floors.
Modem or router: what is the difference and what does each do?
Modem or router: the role of each device, what a router is for, why the internet box combines both, and when to add a router to a home setup.
IP65 meaning: the IP protection rating explained
IP65 meaning: fully protected against dust and water jets. How to read an IP rating, how IP66 and IP67 differ, and what it means for outdoor cameras.
How to wire an intercom: a step-by-step guide
Wiring a wired intercom: switch off the power, pick the right cable, run the conduits, connect the door station and monitor, then test the setup.
How many Mbps for a good Wi-Fi connection: a guide by use
How many Mbps for a good Wi-Fi connection: recommended speed by use and household, what Mbps means, how to measure speed and tips to improve Wi-Fi.
How does a robot vacuum work: navigation, sensors, base station
How does a robot vacuum work: brushes and suction, navigation, sensors, mapping, return to the base station and maintenance, explained simply.
Home security camera rules in France: what the law says
Home security camera rules in France: areas you may film, CNIL guidance, neighbours, co-ownership buildings, home employees, penalties and remedies.
Home automation: definition, how it works and uses
Home automation definition: the techniques that automate heating, lighting, shutters and security in a home. Principle, protocols, uses and cost.
Home automation hub: role, protocols and how to choose
Home automation hub: definition, its role as controller and gateway, the protocols it links (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Matter) and how to choose one.
Security camerasTapo vs Ring: which camera brand to choose in 2026?
Tapo and Ring compared on storage, subscriptions, voice assistants and outdoor range, with a published scoring grid.
Security camerasBest outdoor security camera: the 2026 top 10
Wired, wireless, 4G or solar: 10 outdoor security cameras ranked with a published grid (image, coverage, connection, storage, price).