Home automation technology has come a long way in recent years, enabling homeowners to easily control and automate various devices and appliances in their home. With a smart home hub serving as the central controller, you can monitor and control lighting, climate control, entertainment, security and more – often with just the sound of your voice.
If you’re looking to dip your toes into home automation, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is choosing a smart home hub. This hub acts as the central brain that connects to and controls all of your smart devices. Here’s an overview of your options:
Smart Home Hub Options
Voice assistant hubs like Amazon Echo and Google Home are a popular entry point into smart home tech. These hubs connect mainly to smart devices that work with Alexa or Google Assistant. They offer basic automation and control via voice commands.
Multiprotocol hubs like SmartThings, Hubitat and Home Assistant offer more advanced features and support multiple wireless protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, WiFi and more. This flexibility allows you to connect a wider variety of smart devices.
Professionally installed systems like Control4 and Savant provide whole-home automation. While extremely robust, these systems require professional installation and ongoing service fees.
Once you choose a hub, the next decision is which communication protocol you want your devices to use. Here are some of the most common options:
Smart Home Communication Protocols
Zigbee – Mesh network protocol with low power usage, making it ideal for battery-powered devices like smart locks, sensors and lighting.
Z-Wave – Another mesh protocol with better range through walls and floors. Best for hardwired devices like smart switches.
WiFi – Simple plug-and-play connectivity but can tax your network with many devices. Good for appliances and security cameras.
Bluetooth – Very limited range but easy to setup. Best for personal gadgets like smart watches.
Matter – New overarching protocol that works with Alexa, Google Home and more. Promises wider device compatibility but still establishing adoption.
Thread – Low power mesh protocol that also promises better device interoperability. Like Matter, it’s still new to the market.
Once you decide on a hub and protocol that meets your needs, you can start piecing together your smart home ecosystem. Shop for devices that specifically mention compatibility with your chosen hub and protocol.
Building Your Smart Home
With the foundation of your smart home in place, the fun part is choosing devices to automate your life. Here are some of the most popular smart devices to consider:
- Smart Lighting – Bulbs, switches and panels that offer voice and app control, scheduling, colors and brightness. Great for ambiance and security.
- Smart Thermostats – Adjust home temperatures from your phone or via voice command. Many models leverage AI to optimize heating and cooling for comfort and efficiency.
- Smart Locks – Lock and unlock your doors remotely so you never get locked out. Many feature keyless entry via codes or your phone.
- Smart Switches – Automate and control lights, fans and more on set schedules or triggers. No smart device needed!
- Smart Speakers – Hubs with built-in voice assistants give you hands-free control for convenient access to music, info, and automation.
- Smart Sensors – Detect motion, temperature, humidity and more. Use them to trigger lights, cameras, fan speeds and security alerts.
- Smart Appliances – Fridges, ovens, washers, coffee makers and more that connect to WiFi for remote monitoring and control.
Start Small and Build Over Time
The key is to start small with one or two devices and build up from there. Focus first on automating the systems you interact with most like lighting, climate and entertainment. As your needs evolve you can expand into more devices and advanced features.
Don’t let the myriad of hub and protocol options overwhelm you. Do a little research to select the foundation that fits your technical skill and automation ambitions. With the right smart home hub powering your ecosystem, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without home automation!
