Devices that still work when the internet doesn't
Every entry answers one question: what does this device require in order to work? Not which is best — which ones keep working when a vendor shuts down a server, mandates an account, or moves a feature you paid for behind a subscription. Every claim is sourced and dated.
What is in here
131 verified devices across 14 categories, plus 11 devices we checked and would not recommend — because a reader searching for a popular product deserves an answer rather than silence. Start with a category below, or read the whole catalog in one table.
The four tiers
Every device gets one of four grades, and the grade describes the hardware — never the vendor's reputation. A company behaving badly is recorded separately, in the ledger.
- D0 No Radio
- No radio at all. It cannot phone home.
- D1 Local Only
- Speaks only to hardware you control.
- D2 Cloud-Optional
- Full function with the router off.
- D3 Liberatable
- Cloud-bound as sold; a local path exists.
The grade you want depends on what you are buying. Method explains how a device earns one, and How to check a device yourself is the same procedure written so you can run it on something we have not covered.
Browse by type
| Kitchen & Cooking | Refrigeration, cooking, and countertop appliances. | 12 |
| Laundry & Cleaning | Washers, dryers, vacuums, and floor care. | 8 |
| Climate & Air | Heating, cooling, and air quality. | 10 |
| Lighting & Electrical | Bulbs, switches, outlets, and power. | 9 |
| Security & Access | Locks, cameras, alarms, and entry. | 9 |
| Automotive | Dashcams, head units, and everything in the car. | 9 |
| Audio & Video | Displays, speakers, and playback. | 13 |
| Computing & Networking | Routers, printers, storage, and peripherals. | 10 |
| Cameras & Optics | Photography, trail cameras, and optics. | 8 |
| Health & Personal Care | Measurement and personal devices. | 8 |
| Baby & Pet | Monitors, feeders, and care devices. | 10 |
| Tools & Outdoor | Power tools, yard, and workshop. | 9 |
| Watches & Wearables | Timekeeping and body-worn devices. | 8 |
| Office & Hobby | Desk equipment and hobbyist gear. | 8 |
Recently verified
| Anova Culinary | Precision Cooker 3.0 (AN525-US00) | sous vide | D2 | 2026-09-05 |
| Bosch | SHE41CM2N | dishwasher | D2 | 2026-09-05 |
| Denon | AVR-S770H | AV receiver | D2 | 2026-09-05 |
| Epson | Home Cinema 980 | projector | D0 | 2026-09-05 |
| Fellow | Stagg EKG+ | kettle | D1 | 2026-09-05 |
| GE Appliances | Dishwashers without WiFi Connect | dishwasher | D0 | 2026-09-05 |
| Kanto | YU4 | powered speaker | D1 | 2026-09-05 |
| Klipsch | Bar 48 | soundbar | D1 | 2026-09-05 |
Everything that changed, including devices that got worse.