Home Controls 2024 Guide to Smart Home Hubs

Smart home controllers are becoming a mainstay in most homes, whether you are using a standalone automation hub, a virtual assistant device like Amazon Echo or Google Mini, or a combination of both. Searching for the right controller to fulfill your needs or work with your preferred or existing devices can be exhausting amongst the sea of available options and compatibility restrictions.

Home Controls is here to help with its updated guide to find the right smart home hub for your home.

Getting Started

There are a lot of available home automation and security systems, but each system comes with its own set of compatible devices, wireless communication channels, and mobile apps to operate. The key is to have one central device – a “hub” – that is capable of managing and controlling the devices you want and creating the automated functions needed to make your home a smart home.

This is the criteria we used to distinguish between the various hubs available on our web store:

• Price: How much money will you have to spend to get the home automation controller you want? Certain hubs only require that you purchase the product itself, while others may require a monthly subscription fee for integral or additional services.
• Languages: How many different protocols can your hub “speak”? In other words, what kinds of devices are compatible with it? Certain devices not only speak Z-Wave, but also ZigBee, UPB, Wi-Fi, and more!
• Access: Can you access the hub when you’re away from home? Is it accessible through your smartphone and computer, or just your smartphone?
• Size and Scenes: With any hub, you will be able to automate your controlled devices to perform actions based on various criteria. Where hubs differ, however, is in how large and complex your automated networks can get. Different hubs can support completely different amounts of devices and scenes depending on their specifications and communication protocols. The level of complexity you desire in your automations make a difference in which hub you ultimately choose.
• Local vs. Cloud: Certain hubs communicate directly with paired Z-Wave devices through a local network created within the home. Other hubs communicate indirectly through a cloud server. This becomes important if and when the Internet in your home goes out. Those systems using cloud communication will only be able to connect to the cloud server if you have a cellular backup. If you don’t have a backup and your connection goes out, you’re out of luck and won’t be able to control the system. On the other hand, if your hub uses a local network and the Internet goes out, the system will still be able to communicate and your local remote controllers will function normally even without a cell backup. You just won’t be able to access the system over the Internet until your connection returns.
• Voice Control Compatible: Many hubs support voice control functionality by pairing with virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Having a hands-free option for controlling your smart home adds to the feeling of living in a personalized smart home!
• Additional Features: Each hub may have features that we find unique or important to point out. Some of these additional features may even prove to be the deciding factor in selecting your Z-Wave hub!

Now that we’ve developed an understanding of the criteria needed to compare Z-Wave systems, let’s take a look at a few of the most popular hubs to find which one is the best fit for you.

EzloPlus (Vera)

• Price: $149.95 (hub only, no subscription required)
• Languages: Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi
• Access: Smart mobile device (iOS 9.1+/Android 8.1+) or web portal
• Scenes: Up to 2000 “nodes” consisting of connected devices and programmed scenes
• Local vs. Cloud: Local
• Voice Control Compatible: Amazon Alexa and Google Home, capable of bridging platform exclusivity with Ezlo VOI platform
• Additional:
• EzloCast decreases signal lag sent to grouped devices, speeding up scene control
• Z-Wave 700 and Z-Wave LR increases the power, range, size, and security of your network compared to older Z-Wave devices
• Ezlo VOI platform unites voice control services through the Vera app, allowing for virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa to command devices that are not natively compatible
• Dedicated YouTube channel with plenty of “How-To” videos

The Ezlo Plus is one of Ezlo’s most powerful automation controllers. The Ezlo Plus includes the unique Ezlo VOI platform that brings all voice controllable devices, regardless of service compatibility, into a singular network through the Vera application. This allows virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Home to command devices that are not normally supported by them by having the Vera app translate and redirect the message to through the compatible service and network protocol. It supports devices that communicate over Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave 700, the latest Z-Wave software which improves the size and range of a single Z-Wave network.

Flic Twist Starter Kit Including Hub Mini and Twist Controller (Flic)

• Price: $99.00
• Languages: Bluetooth 5 LE Long Range and Wi-Fi Dual-band 2.4 GHz a/b/g/n/ac (Flic Hub Mini)
• Access: Pre-save triggers (Push, Double Push, Rotate, Push & Rotate) or Smart mobile device (iOS and Android)
• Scenes: Save up to 12 programmed scenes or triggers
• Max Number of Connected Devices: 63 Flic Buttons or Flic Twists
• Local vs. Cloud: Local
• Voice Control Compatible: Amazon Alexa and Siri
• Additional:
• Control your devices with versatile actions - push, double-push, rotate, or push-and-rotate for simple or advanced triggers
• Save up to 12 custom scenes or triggers, with 12 white LEDs displaying the active scene and connection status
• Adjust lights (dim, brighten, or change colors), control speaker volume, and manage devices, routines, or groups with ease
• The Flic Hub Mini ensures seamless Bluetooth connections for Flic devices, even when your smartphone isn't nearby

The Flic Twist Starter Kit includes the Hub Mini and Twist Controller to offer a wonderful smart home solution to easily control your smart devices. The Twist Controller lets you trigger devices or routines with a push, double-push, rotation, or a combination of actions, which is ideal for simple home automation control. Save up to 12 programmable scenes with LEDs indicating active scenes and connection status. Control a wide range of smart home devices from lighting to automatic blinds via the Twist Controller or by using voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Siri. Plus, the Hub Mini keeps your Flic devices connected even without a smartphone nearby.

FIBARO Z-Wave Yubii Home Hub (FIBARO)

• Price: $141.95
• Languages: Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and 433 MHz
• Access: Smart mobile device (iOS/Android) or web portal
• Size and Scenes: Supports a mix of up to 40 devices and scenes
• Local vs. Cloud: Local memory with disc backup
• Voice Control Compatible: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Apple Siri
• Additional:
• Compatible with over 3000 devices from major brands including BOSE, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings
• Geo-location assists in proximity based automation

The user-friendly interface of the Yubii app and website simplifies adding new devices and creating automation scenes. It is a perfect system for those looking for a user-friendly experience, guaranteed compatibility with popular brands, and state of the art, reliable service all throughout the house.

Qolsys IQ Panel 4 (Qolsys)

• Price: $506.95 (panel only, Alarm.com monitoring account required), varies with similar models
• Languages: Verizon LTE, Z-Wave 700, Wi-Fi, PowerG, 319.5 MHz, and Bluetooth
• Access: Local touchscreen panel, remote smart device (iOS/Android/Windows)
• Size and Scenes: Alarm.com Image Sensors, up to 137 Z-Wave devices and scenes, up to 128 RF devices and zones
• Local vs. Cloud: Local memory with Alarm.com web account
• Voice Control Compatible: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
• Additional:
• Touchscreen panel includes 8MP camera, microphone and speakers, digital thermostat, and MicroSD card slot
• Dual path Wi-Fi and LTE wireless networks provides consistent connectivity
• Built-in sensors, battery backup, and siren provide reliable security options

The Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is loaded with an array of built-in features and capabilities that make it perfect for smart automation and/or security networks, as well as a useful standalone device. The touchscreen display presents an organized and easy to navigate dashboard for managing your network and checking the status of devices and activated scenes. Finally, the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is battery backup, dual path Wi-Fi and LTE wireless network, and Alarm.com online connection keeps your system safe from completely deactivating in the event of power or network outages.

Aeotec Smart Home Hub (Aeotec)

• Price: $129.99
• Languages: Wi-Fi, Matter, Zigbee 3.0, and Z-Wave Plus
• Access: Smart mobile device via SmartThings app (iOS/Android),
• Scenes: Easy to use interface on SmartThings app and Matter wireless standard enable unrivaled compatibility with various devices enable quick setup of scenes and routines
• Local vs. Cloud: Local
• Additional:
• Compatible with hundreds of brands across home automation, smart security, and entertainment industries
• Matter and Thread compatible

The Aeotec Smart Home Hub is one of the most popular smart home hubs available thanks to its wide compatibility with thousands of smart devices from hundreds of brands across the smart home, smart security, and home audio and entertainment industries. The Aeotec Smart Home Hub is the successor to the SmartThings Hub and uses the same SmartThings app and platform to coordinate and control smart devices from sensors to switches to smart TVs and more.

HomeSeer HomeTroller Pi G3 Smart Home Hub with HS4-Pi Software (HomeSeer)

• Price: $149.00
• Languages: Z-Wave Plus v2 included, Zigbee, Philips HUE, Harmony Hub, MyQ, Ecobee, Tuya, Wemo, Rachio, LIFX, Chromecast and more available through free software plugins via HS4 web interface
• Access: HomeSeer mobile app (iOS/Android), or HS4 web interface
• Scenes: Use HS4 web interface to create events and scenes for your connected devices.
• Local vs. Cloud:
• Voice Control Compatible: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
• Additional Features:
• Raspberry Pi software allows for versatile programming of events
• Supports unlimited Linux Plug-ins including Zigbee, Philips HUE, Harmony Hub, MyQ, Ecobee, Tuya, Wemo, Rachio, LIFX, Chromecast, and others
• IFTTT compatible

The HomeSeer HomeTroller Pi G3 Smart Home Hub with HS4-Pi Software is designed for users familiar with smart home technology and who want a powerful and adaptable system hub for their specific goals. This system is relatively easy to use for people familiar with other web interface centered systems (i.e. Vera, Zipato) and is highly compatible with a variety of wireless protocols, manufacturers, and voice assistants. All system information is saved locally on the device. This adds extra security by preventing hackers from accessing your personal data and allows the system to continue operating during Internet outages.