The BEST Smart Home Hubs… (After Matter)
The BEST Smart Home Hubs… (After Matter)
Some smart home hubs will die after Matter is released, and some will become the best smart home hubs in the business. I’m going to show you 7 of the best smart home hubs that will be amazing after Matter. We’ll do a big of a smart home hub comparison in this video, but for the most part I’m going to tell you how these hubs will get major improvements in 2022 and absolutely rock in 2023.
Whether it’s because their compatibility will skyrocket, or whether they’re going to gain amazing features, these Smart Home Hubs will become Matter Controllers and will be at the top of their game.
You can buy some of my recommended hubs here:
1. Amazon Echo 4th Gen – https://geni.us/Echo4thGen (Amazon affiliate link)
2. Aeotec SmartThings Hub – https://geni.us/AeotecSmartThingsHub (Amazon affiliate link)
3. Aqara G3 Camera Hub – https://geni.us/AqaraG3 (Amazon affiliate link)
4. Apple TV 4K – https://geni.us/AppleTV4KAYL (Amazon affiliate link)
Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for some of these to be released! I’ve identified some upcoming hubs in this video because they’re set to make huge waves!
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Thanks for watching, and Don’t Hate, Automate.
Brian
Home Assistance could make a hub with Raspberry Pi already built in. It will eliminate a major hurdle in set it up. I’m a Simply Automator using Google, Alexa, Wyze cameras, Philips Hue, and other smart bulbs, smart sockets, motion sensors SmartThings v3, and Hubitat (which won’t let me create a Dashboard on my iPads.
Anyway, I’ve read reviews on Home Assistant and the only reason I stop short in buying it; is that I don’t want to mess with the installation of a Pi and ‘flashing this and that’. Maybe in their new and improved version.
Ironically when I tell Bixby "goodnight" there’s no routine I can get it to run. I find that so odd
The thing about smart things is, the govermant controll them, if they doesn’t want that you can warm your home up over 19°c they block it simple. If you don’t belive me search for it.
Which new hub works best to replace a Wink system, with Z-wave smart devices.
Brian, do you ever foresee a true migration path from the samsung v2 to v3 hub? So I can get some of that sweet and yummy thread radio goodness. How much longer do you think v2 hub will be viable to work in the expanding matters ecosystem? Thanks!
So if I have home assistant running when matter is up and running does that mean I can use apple home kit appliances? Sorry new to home automation
I use Simplisafe for my security system, and yes, I pay the monthly sub fee, but I enjoy seeing all the other options…since I primarily use Alexa as my platform for the rest of my Smart home devices, guess I would be a Ring schill otherwise 😏
Thinking of making a smart room set up. Don’t know if I should use HomeKit or smart things
I run all three amazon google and smartthings. I find I can get anything I want to operate no matter what the device. The only problem is debugging when updates mess something up down the line, I can’t remember how the hell I got things to work. If either platform could just see everything and then choose the assistant you want then diy smarthomes would be sweet.
I’m going to be testing aqaras Home Hub very soon. Wish me luck.
Jeesh… I just want basic automations and functionality. Talk about confusing. Buy today and it may be obsolete tomorrow. Buy later and miss out.
You’ve always been the Master of my Universe Bri 😏
Brian, any advantage of updating my Smart Things V2 to a V3 in 2022? Or just wait for something new?
Not a single word about Hubitat hub? One of best local hubs around.
SmartThings will NOT be a “matter bridge.” That means it’s only a one way integration: you will be able to bring Matter-compatible devices into the SmartThings app, but you will NOT be able to add the SmartThings hub or any if its attached devices like sensors to other Matter-compatible apps like Apple Home or Aqara. 😥 I am personally very disappointed about this. Especially because unlike Apple Home or the Ikea Dirigera app, the SmartThings app still requires a cloud connection. So even then your Matter devices can run locally, you won’t have any local app control on the SmartThings platform.
You can find detailed discussion and official statements about this in the SmartThings community forum.
I am predicting echo4th, ikea dirigible and hue bridge. In that order.
I still have the SmartThings V2. At this point I think I might wait to see what happens. Not sure if I’ll change to another hub like Habitat or buy a new generation SmartThings. The big thing is I want compatibility with HomeKit. If I still need to get Homebrigde or Hoobs then so be it.
Ikea Dee-ree-geh-rah (soft g). Means to direct, like an orchestra conductor.
I see 2 possible outcomes google is holding back everything and will drop a huge WOW game changer when matter is released or…as I suspect Google knows most of thier client base either already uses another hub if they are automating or they are not interested in automation and just use the speakers out the box for what they do and on that basis google are not investing in playing catch up with routines when people already have a solution, else why wouldn’t they release a stand alone hub or other things like switches /oulets/bulbs and curtains/rollers .it feels like they started a race they never intended to finish running but might just cross the line walking before the race is closed ready for the next one
I don’t understand one thing of matter. If you have aqara devices. Do you still need an aqara hub? Or will these aqara devices work just fine with Google assistant or Samsung smartthings when they get matter. What is the point of getting the hub?
I added smart life/tuya produts to samsung smartThings by adding devices by brand and linking cloud accounts. Now I can’t find the way to unlink the accounts, any help is really appreciated.
How about the new homey pro hub for US,? It seems to have security, connectivity, usability specs. I’m new to HA and looking at the new homey pro vs aeotec smartthings, TIA!
How would you rate the Hubitat C8 hub?
This is kind-of frustrating. It’s late August and I still haven’t heard that the basic Smartthings hub (i.e. Aeotec’s) is going to be compatible – i.e. have an activated Thread radio – when Matter finally rolls out (in a few weeks? months?) What gives?
I use the Smartthings app on my phone to control most of my WiFi devices (I use Hubitat for the Zigbee ones) and integrate them together via Sharptools.
I’ve been holding off getting the Aeotec hub until I get that confirmation. (I won’t be paying a mega-premium to get a Samsung appliance with a Matter controller built in.)
Once that’s confirmed, I’ll start shopping around for new and replacement devices that will work or work better with Matter.
I presume you’ll be doing YT videos on different kinds of devices that work best with Matter.
Hi. I have a few bluetooth smart lamps from Philips Hue but because of connection issues I added a Hue bridge. Setup is with Google Home. Is that Hue bridge a possible smart home hub or not? And if it is not a good choice, is it possible to replace it by another hub and still connect the bluetooth smart lamps? Thanks.
If the Matter step does expand the range of HomeKit controllable devices I think Apple will continue to increase its market share significantly
What about Athom Homey Pro (Early 2023)? Isn’t this hub a good solution to combine very much devices, and easier to handle as HA?
🤔
Another very helpful video, Brian. You’re such a great source to answer my questions, even before I ask!
If apples hub gets all the devices, I will take the plunge to become a fully integrated smart home that I can control through HomeKit, I have mostly apple ecosystem with a windows work machine and a Roku tv (that I barely use) google home is good but the seamless integration with my apple devices can’t be beat for me personally
Google killed my automation dream. I can’t even use it for music because when I tell it shuffle my playlist it starts repeating music after 4-5 songs.
It’s been reduced to turning lights on and off via Voice command and schedule.
Holding on by a "Thread" to see if it "Matter"s.
I still haven’t dipped my feet in smart home world and the reason is full local control. Not gonna indulge unless these companies pull their finger out of their a$$ and actually get thos done. Frankly can’t be bothered with home assistant of I need to flash each device as well.
Is matter/thread going to make it local
New SUB, thanks!
I’m still unclear if matter is hardware based or software based. Is a certain chipset required or can any device (more or less) do matter with a software update?
Where is Philips Hue in all this ??? I just got the Hue 2.1 hub. Starting from 0 here.
Hi! I have a question: when matter will come out, could i be able to use my smartthings hub (Aeotec V3) to connect all my sensor in the apple home app? Or i have to use a homepod / apple tv?
That joke ….lmao ! Had me pause for a second lolol . Here’s something else, I dunno if you echo my sentiment on this one but I sense you do. I don’t care about home assistant. It just doesn’t seem scaleable for buisness purposes one , and it’s another hobby rabbit hole … I obsess …. I’ve done the trainset thing. Down to painting n-scale people. And home assistant , I know it’s DEEP! I’ve seen facial recognition Automations out there but I’m getting too old and broke for all this shit lo, as bill bruu says. I gotta pick a street !
Thanks Brian. I feel a lot more informed today. 😉
Looking forward to hear what you think of the new Homey Pro that was announced today.
Have you tried any ‘Fibaro’ devices? 🤔
I thought after matter you dont need hubs Lol
Homey pro should be one you should try
Don’t want to be tied to the cloud. I use Hubitat and it works even when the internet is down. Mine is almost never down since I have 2 wans with failover. But still like to be local . Network is Unifi and 2 hubitats. All local. I do use Madam A. So I’m not immune to the evil cloud.
If anyone jacks with my 13 Google nest devices ranging from minis to 10" hubs I will declare war upon them.
I lately have fallen in love with Home Assistant. The first time I tried to set up on my Pi, using the native Nabu Casa cloud connectivity, I had nothing but trouble. But I started from scratch with DuckDNS and has worked much, much better (and free!). More up front setup for my own dynamic DNS, but also avoids the bugs. In terms of device support, HA pulls in all my Switchbot and TPlink Kasa stuff locally! This includes the Switchbot temp/humidity sensors out of the box. And it’s a huge benefit to have TPlink control over LAN rather than via the cloud, which I’ve had to reset and re-log into around once a month for Smartthings and Google Home integrations. The system is improving very rapidly. When Samsung pulls support for its Hub v2 I will probably transition to a zigbee/zwave dongle rather than get the Hub v3.
For a minute I thought you were going full Hibbert on us.
It is only a Matter of time to see if I will live long enough to see all these new things. So far they are making more promises than a politician in late October. (US)
smartthings fanboy
great review!!!!!
So Amazon didn’t announce a new generation of the Echo, only the Echo dot. Thoughts? Is a new Echo still to be announced?
Hi Brian. I currently use the old SmartThings v2 hub with integration with Google Home and Alexa for some things. Everything works fine for the most part with my V2, but would it be worthwhile to upgrade to the newest Aeotec ST hub?
My second unrelated question- do you have a video or guidance on what you use for reliable Geo location presence sensors for departure/arrival automations?