Why is the SmartThings Hub So Hard to Find?

The Aeotec Smart Hub has become scarce in the U.S. due to limited current inventory, production delays, and the shift away from mainstream brand distribution. In this article, we list out some of the most plausible reasons for the scarcity of the popular SmartThings hub. The reasons listed below include information sourced from across the Internet, from our colleagues and contacts, or representatives from Aeotec and online retailers. Luckily, Home Controls is one of the few webstores that has a sizable stock of Smart Hubs, so get yours today while supplies last.

1. Major retailers and resellers are low or out of stock

• Walmart, Best Buy, and Aeotec’s own site are currently showing "out of stock" for new Smart Hubs. Customers who have reached out to these retailers have been told of long backorder estimates (e.g. shipments were expected in late May or early June 2025)
• Resellers on ebay and mercari may have used models available, but the quality of the units are not guaranteed. There may also be inaccurate listings of sellers displaying older models but frequently cancel orders or notify delays after purchase.

2. Limited production and supply chain delays

• Possible component shortages or manufacturing delays may be the main cause for the shortage of available hubs. This can be in part to disruptions in transportation of raw materials or components, or shifting trade agreements like the United States’ new tariff policies.
• This is supported by discussions between sellers on the SmartThings forums and reddit that indicate delayed restocking efforts and unclear timelines for new inventory
• One other possible reason behind the low available inventory and slow production may be that Aeotec or SmartThings are working on designing a new hub, but nothing has been announced.

3. Alternatives to the Aeotec Smart Hub

• With scarcity, some sellers will upcharge remaining units at premium prices, even if the units are used.
• eBay and small online stores may still carry new and used units but availability is sporadic and often in small quantities.
• If you are reading this article after the Smart Hubs have sold out everywhere, including here, Home Controls carries capable alternatives for your smart home needs:
• HomeSeer HomeTroller Pi G3 Smart Home Hub – A compact, Raspberry Pi powered smart hub that offers versatile automation programming for Z-Wave, Zigbee, and various IFTTT compatible devices.
• Aeotec Z-Wave Plus v2 Z-Stick 7, Gen7 – A USB sized gateway that creates and supports a small Z-Wave network when plugged into a computer.
• Vera Ezlo Plus Smart Controller – A highly compatible and affordable Z-Wave 700, Wi-Fi, and Zigbee automation controller.

For more questions about the Smart Home Hub, or any other home automation or home security topics, talk to our team over the phone at (858)-693-8887 or email us at service@homecontrols.com. You can also check out other entries in our blog for more insights about smart home automation and security devices.