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Best Home Automation Hub
A smart home needs a home automation hub. This is because you will have smart devices from various manufacturers, so you’ll need a home automation hub to get them functioning as one unit and controllable from one application.
Home automation hubs are available in various forms; you might already have a smart home hub in your home, meaning you don’t need to buy another device.
When people think of home automation hubs, they imagine a white box connected to a router.
However, some Amazon Echo and Google Nest smart speakers are home automation hubs. However, it depends on what tech you’d like and how you want to set up your home.
You’ll navigate protocols such as SmartThings, Thread, ZigBee, Z-Wave, etc. It can be a bit confusing, but no need to worry this review will help you find the perfect automation hub.
1. 3rd Gen Amazon Echo Show 10
Best Home Automation Hub – 3rd Gen Amazon Echo Show 10
The 3rd Gen Echo Show 10 from Amazon is one of the best home automation hubs incorporating a smart display, hub, and speaker in one device.
Like the Amazon Echo Plus, the 3rd Gen Echo Show has ZigBee built-in, allowing you to connect your smart gadgets directly.
In addition, this home automation hub also features Amazon Sidewalk, a new wireless protocol that links low-power devices to the web over long distances.
Key Specifications
- Connectivity Options: Bluetooth, IFTTT, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Z-Wave
- Battery: No
- Ports: No
- Speaker: Yes
- Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa
- Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 inches
- Weight: 5.65 pounds
2. 3rd Gen Samsung SmartThings Hub
3rd Gen Samsung SmartThings Hub
The 3rd Gen Samsung SmartThings hub is a top-notch home automation hub featuring both ZigBee and Z-Wave protocols allowing you to connect to hundreds of smart gadgets.
In addition, you get to use the SmartThings app, which is loaded with a ton of features allowing you to create a wide variety of scenarios for all the devices in your home.
Key Specifications
- Connectivity Options: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Z-Wave
- Battery: Yes
- Ports: Ethernet and USB
- Speaker: No
- Voice Assistant: Google Assistant and SmartThings
- Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 1.2 inches
- Weight: 8 ounces
3. 4th Gen Amazon Echo
4th Gen Amazon Echo
With Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee, the 4th Gen Echo is one of the best home automation hubs.
Thanks to its multiple frequencies, it can link to a massive number of low-power smart gadgets. What’s more, you get Alexa functionality to control your smart devices.
This home automation hub works with Alexa Guard, which checks for breaking glass or smoke alerts, after which it can turn on your smart lights and alert you on the incidence.
Key Specifications
- Connectivity Options: Amazon Sidewalk, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee
- Battery: No
- Ports: 3.5mm audio
- Speaker: Yes
- Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches
- Weight: 12 ounces
4. Hubitat Elevation
Hubitat Elevation
The Hubitat Elevation is perhaps the best home automation hub for power users.
If you’re a homeowner who wants to create extremely specific rules and scenarios for when your smart devices will activate, you’ll love all the things you can do with this hub’s web interface.
The Hubitat Elevation home automation hub is quite small, but it’s outfitted with ZigBee and Z-Wave antennas.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have wireless connectivity, so you’ll need to connect it you a router using an Ethernet cable to use it.
Key Specifications
- Connectivity Options: IFTTT, ZigBee, and Z-Wave
- Battery: No
- Ports: Ethernet
- Speaker: No
- Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Dimensions: 2.95 x 2.95 x 0.67 inches
- Weight: 8.1 ounces
5. Wink Hub 2
Wink Hub 2
The Wink Hub 2 is a home automation hub that supports a striking number of protocols, giving you a better chance of connecting to all smart gadgets in your home.
This home automation hub has Thread built-in, an up-and-coming wireless protocol that’s not widely available just yet.
If you have smart home gadgets from various brands or manufacturers with different wireless protocols, then the Wink 2 Hub is your best bet to connecting them all.
If you love home DIYs, you’ll most certainly love this home automation hub.
Key Specifications
- Connectivity Options: Thread, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Z-Wave
- Battery: No
- Ports: Ethernet
- Speaker: No
- Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa
- Dimensions: 7.25 x 7.25 x 1.75 inches
- Weight: 8 ounces
Final Thought
Home automation hubs automate your everyday life, making connecting to all your smart gadgets easier.
You can control all your gadgets via a single app and make them interact, so you never have to press a button to open the garage door or switch on a light.
| 5 Best Home Automation Hub | Connectivity Options | Battery | Ports | Speaker | Voice Assistant | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Gen Amazon Echo Show 10 | Bluetooth, IFTTT, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Z-Wave | No | No | Yes | Amazon Alexa | 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 inches | 5.65 pounds |
| 3rd Gen Samsung SmartThings Hub | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Z-Wave | Yes | Ethernet and USB | No | Google Assistant and SmartThings | 5 x 5 x 1.2 inches | 8 ounces |
| 4th Gen Amazon Echo | Amazon Sidewalk, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee | No | 3.5mm audio | Yes | Amazon Alexa | 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches | 12 ounces |
| Hubitat Elevation | IFTTT, ZigBee, and Z-Wave | No | Ethernet | No | Alexa and Google Assistant | 2.95 x 2.95 x 0.67 inches | 8.1 ounces |
| Wink Hub 2 | Thread, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Z-Wave | No | Ethernet | No | Amazon Alexa | 7.25 x 7.25 x 1.75 inches | 8 ounces |