What is a Smart Home Hub
A smart home hub is a central portal that links every light bulb, doorbell, thermostat, music player and more in one easy-to-manage app. The hub “digitizes” the manual steps that homeowners and renters usually take when operating their devices, like flipping switches or toggling settings. It’s also where Jetsons-level creativity thrives, as users can design creative chains of automated tasks to suit their needs and lifestyles.
A dedicated smart home hub can be a worthwhile investment for those with multiple smart devices or a lot of plans to expand their setup in the future. However, it’s not a requirement, especially for those with only one or two products. Smart assistants from the biggest tech brands, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, can be used in place of a hub and still allow for device integration and voice control.
If you do decide to go the hub route, pick a brand that works with the majority of your existing and planned devices. For example, if you’re already using a lot of Alexa or Google Assistant-powered smart speakers and want to expand your system with a smart display, choose the corresponding hub model from that company. Amazon and Google’s ecosystems are so dominant in the smart home space that their first-party hubs are usually compatible with most third-party gadgets.
What is a Smart Home Hub and How Does it Work?
Once you’ve settled on a hub brand, consider what wireless protocols it supports. Smart hubs typically use one of four communication methods to interface with devices, such as Z-Wave and Zigbee. Think of each protocol as a language, with hubs that speak the same dialect most likely to communicate well with each other. A worth-while hub will support most of the major protocols, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Zigbee. The Broadlink RM4 Pro (about $45) and the Hubitat Elevation (about $150) are two solid options, though the former doesn’t work with Zigbee accessories from companies such as Aqara.
The deciding factors in choosing a smart hub often come down to cost, integrations and operating system compatibility. Many smart home hubs are iOS and Android-compatible, though some have more of a limited selection than others.
Some smart hubs include a touchscreen, which can be helpful in setting up and modifying automation. But the majority of these devices are operated via an app or voice assistant. Look for a smart hub that’s compatible with the apps and services you plan to use, as well as any other features you’re interested in, such as a speaker, smart security or energy management capabilities. Those that offer built-in voice assistants and have a built-in microphone tend to be less expensive than dedicated hubs with the same functionality. Some of the more expensive models also offer Wi-Fi, battery backup and other features to justify their price tags.