Smart home products such as automatic lighting and motion sensors often require a hub to operate. These networked devices take many forms and are among the most popular smart home products. Some, like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, also serve as wireless speakers. Others like Apple HomeKit or Samsung SmartThings work mostly in the background, but are necessary nonetheless.
While these big names may be the ones you are familiar with, they are not the only hubs available. Lowes, the big home improvement chain has one like Iris. There are also Wink Connected Home Hub and Harmony Hub. And since one hub per company isn’t enough, you can also find a Samsung Connect hub.
In this article, you’ll learn more about some of the lesser-known smart hubs on the market, including their strengths and weaknesses, giving you all the information you need to choose the best smart hub for your home.
Complete Solution
The following smart hubs can manage a large number of smart devices in multiple categories. For example, these are the type of hubs you would buy if you wanted to control your lights next to a security system or a doorbell next to your thermostat.
1. Lowes Iris Smart Hub
The Lowes Iris Smart Hub is a customizable smart home system that might remind you of a modern-day Swiss Army knife. Once you have a hub, you can add security, lighting, and automation packages, as well as individual products, as your needs change. In addition, you can control all devices connected to Iris through the free Iris app.
To date, there are over 80 Iris-compatible devices, including cameras, sensors, switches, thermostats, and lights. Lowes developed many of them specifically for use with the Iris system. Others, such as products from Sylvania and Honeywell, are also compatible with other smart hubs or systems.
Pros
- Wide range of compatible products
- Reasonable prices for each device
- Lowes is a big name in home improvement
Cons
- Relatively new, chance it won’t catch on with a wider user base
- Features may be overkill for some people
- Lowes is a relative newcomer to the smart home hub game.
2. Wink Connected Home Hub 2
Wink Connected Home Hub 2, like Iris, allows products that speak the same languages to communicate. With this, you can control all the accessories using the Wink app. Unlike similar products, Wink supports multiple protocols including ZigBee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth LE. It also works with IFTTT, which allows it to support additional products.
Supported products include: door locks, door/window sensors, motion sensors, light bulbs, switches and dimmers, sockets, and more. For compatibility, look on the packaging for «Wink Compatible — Wink Hub Required». Partners: Amazon, Kwikset Canary Islands, August and more.
Once owned by Quirky, Wink is now part of i.am from innovator and musician Will.i.am.
Pros
- Huge product base thanks to supported protocols
- Supports many low-cost products, which is unique in the smart home industry
- Includes voice control support
Cons
- The product has been through three owners in three years
- Some Wink-enabled devices are known to NOT work with the Wink app
3. Security
Securifi offers Wi-Fi routers and extenders that also act as smart home nodes. These include the company’s latest products, Almond 3, Almond+ and Almond2015. All three of them support the ZigBee protocol. AT while the first two also support Z-Wave. Almond 3 also supports Bluetooth.
Hundreds of smart devices are already compatible with these products, including Nest, Philips Hue, Amazon Echo and more. Securifi is a great solution if you are also looking for a new Wi-Router or need an extender.
Pros
- Offers a full range of products at multiple price levels
- Includes digital interface for quick viewing of settings
Cons
