Chris Hachey-Contributor

Chris Hachey

Contributor

October, 2025
Tech journalist with over 15 years of writing experience
Smart Home, Smart TV, Entertainment
  • 231
    articles
  • 157
    Features
  • 73
    Lists
  • 1
    Guides

About Chris Hachey

Chris Hachey is a contributor for MakeUseOf with years of experience covering consumer tech. He has been published on XDA-developers.com, Pocket-lint.com, BGR.com, and other tech sites. He is passionate about finding great deals on tech, testing out new consumer electronics, and sharing his insights into smart home devices.

From Bluetooth speakers and earbuds to 2-in-1 laptops, Chris has tested hundreds of products to provide his audience with real analysis on how well something works. When he's not looking for the latest and greatest in tech, he's probably spending too much time on his phone, playing with his dog or daughter, or watching his favorite sports teams. Follow him on X @hach_tag 
MuckRack

Latest

Revolv
Google bought this smart home hub just to kill it

Nest saw something it liked and pounced.

m18 high output battery milwaukee
I love Milwaukee, but the red tax makes no sense on these tools

Save some money and don't buy premium.

1
A photo of a laptop using Google My Maps
Google Maps can't plan road trips — but this forgotten Google tool can

Get from A to B by way of U.

1
A person holding a Scott's corded hand trimmer
I went cordless everywhere, but these 3 power tools are still better with a cord

Vintage works in these instances.

Home Assistant Green held in hand
If I built my smart home again, these are the devices I'd set up first

It's never too late to start fresh.

Wispr Flow in action writing an email
I ditched typing for dictation and now I'm writing twice as fast

This blew away my thoughts of being a fast typer.

A list of display settings within the Roku menu
Your Roku could be stuck at 1080p and you’d never know

Your TV could be taking it easy.

A RYOBI ONE holding in front of a fridge
The best Ryobi tool investment isn't a tool — it's the ONE+ battery system

This makes power tools easier to handle.

Dewalt dcl044 light hangin on overhauls wire crimping
5 DeWalt tools under $100 that outwork their price tags

Build up an inventory on a budget.

2
Velux shades pulled to watch TV during the day
I stopped fighting daytime glare on my TV after this upgrade

The room feels perfect for movies now.

Connected Devices settings on Samsung Frame TV
I gave my TV a second job and now it runs my whole smart home

I can have everything in one place.

2
The list of devices in Amazon Alexa's app on an iPad
Your old tablet is a few steps away from becoming a free smart display

A useful redo for something I wasn't using anymore.

2
Amazon Echo show 21 widget gallery
This is what your smart home needs, not another random gadget

Simplify and go forward into the future.

Clue available for streaming on Hoopla
My library card unlocks a free streaming service that beats Netflix's catalog for my taste

I can't believe this is free.

6
A pair of Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones outside on a post.
I don't do any work outside without this gadget

I'm locked in while I'm outside.

A Rachio sprinkler system set up lawn.
I let this app take over my sprinklers, and my lawn looks better for less

Set your lawn up for better success.

A smart home controller showing buttons
I never add a smart device to my home without doing these 4 things first

Set your home up for immediate success.

A Google Pixel 5 and a Google Nest Hub.
You probably already have a Thread router in your home that you're not using

Your smart home could be better than you realize.

3
Matter-Smart-Home-2
Look for these 4 logos before buying any smart home device — they show what actually works together

If you see this, you're all set.

Ryobi yard tools on driveway
I never pay full price for power tools because the sale calendar never changes

I always keep an eye out for deals.

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