If you’re just starting to use smart home technology to simplify your life, some aspects can be a bit confusing. Having multiple smart devices with some can’t be controlled directly through an app might require you to use the best home hubs with screen to be able to communicate with them all.
With a smart home hub, you can take all your smart home devices like your thermostat, lights, door locks, garage, camera, etc. and consolidate them under one system. This way you don’t need to use a different app when you want to change the temperature, turn your lights on, and lock your doors. A smart home hub will provide a bridge that will allow all your smart devices to communicate with each other so you can create an automated smart home where one or more devices will turn on or off based on what another one does.
A smart home hub is not only convenient, you can use it for safety and security measures too like if a smoke detector gets activated, your smart home hub can alert the emergency services and turn on the lights to show you the way out.
What is a smart home hub?
This is a gadget that acts as the main device connecting all the other devices in your home to each other. Most hubs use Zigbee or Z-wave protocol that operates through radio frequencies to create a mesh system of all your devices that can talk to each other and your phone. This will give you control of your smart home devices that operate on the same frequency as the hub so you don’t have to use dozens of different apps to operate your devices. Smart hubs also come in handy since not every device uses the same wireless standard.
Hybrid devices that use partial compatibility for Zigbee and Z-wave have become very common, but they put a strain on your wireless network. A smart home hub can help to divert some of the network traffic to a particular lane that doesn’t use wifi or Bluetooth for smoother traffic flow.
Do you need a smart home hub?
Devices that are controlled through your home’s wifi network may not need a home hub because they’re using the same protocol. You can even avoid using a home hub altogether and sync everything with your smart speaker instead. The echo dot and goggle home don’t work like traditional smart hubs because they don’t use Zigbee or Z-wave. However, some devices use manufacturer-specific hubs like Philips to control multiple devices from the same manufacturer but may not work very well with third-party devices. The Samsung SmartThings hub is a great option that will help to streamline the control of all your devices from different manufacturers so you can program them to create a fully automated home.
Different types of hubs
There are three different types of home hubs that include:
Tradition smart home hubs
These are hubs that are designed with all the software and protocols required to connect to any device and allow you to control them from one app. However, that doesn’t mean that hubs like Wink or Samsung SmartThings will resolve all your smart home problems. Most ecosystems come with their own hub and not all devices are supported by every hub.
Voice assistant hubs
The use of smart speakers like google home and amazon echo as smart home hubs have become very common because they’re simpler to use. You only need to use your voice to activate a command. However, instead of relying on radio frequencies, they use software like Alexa and Google Assistant to connect your devices so they aren’t equipped to handle the more complex automation that traditional home hubs can handle with ease. Echo show and amazon echo plus are hybrid devices that use an in-built Zigbee radio so they operate as voice assistants and traditional hubs.
Software only hubs
Instead of buying a new device for your home, you can use an app that will work as a hub. It will consolidate all your different smart devices on your phone so you don’t need to use different apps to control each device. However, some of the services will only work when you’re at home. An Apple home kit is both a software and hardware hub so all your home kit devices can connect easily with your Apple home app and you can control them with your phone or Siri. For broader compatibility, you can get an Android phone app that can control multiple devices.
Ecosystem hubs
Most of the mini-ecosystems like Philips Hue come with their own hub because they use Zigbee or Z-wave protocols that need another device to control everything else. However, this doesn’t apply to all devices because most use wifi to communicate so you don’t need to use a hub. This means you will need to combine a smart home hub and your ecosystem hub to get a fully functional system.
Benefits of home automation hubs
Remote control
With a smart home hub, you can easily control all your smart home devices from one mobile app on your smartphone even when you’re not home. You’ll be able to monitor and know who’s in your home using real-time footage, turn on the lights, thermostat, air conditioning without using different mobile apps.
Automation
With an automated home hub, you can create routines and schedules that will automatically turn our smart devices on or off at your convenience. By connecting your smart devices to your automation hub will automatically allow your thermostat to turn off when you leave your house or your lights to turn on when the sunsets. You can also use the hub’s mobile app to control each device when you’re on vacation or check their status.
Things to consider
Wireless protocols
Smart devices are connected in different ways and not all smart hubs can communicate with all these protocols. Before you buy a smart home hub, you should ensure that it’s compatible with all the devices in your home.
Voice control
Most of the smart hubs have been designed to respond to voice commands, but some don’t have this feature so you will need to control them using an app. If you want to control your smart home system using your voice, ensure that your smart hub has this capability.
Operating system compatibility
Most smart hubs are compatible with Android and iSO devices, but not all are compatible with Windows phones.
Connectivity
Some smart hubs need a direct connection to your router or cable modem to work, while others just need a wifi connection.
Number of connected devices
Before getting a home hub, you need to think about how many home devices and sensors you want to connect to your automation home hub. Some home hubs provide more device integration than others, while the available integrations may be limited by the hub like google home hub can connect with about 5000 devices at once without overloading your hub.
Table for the best home hub with screen
Product | Features | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
Amazon Alexa assistant, 10.1 inch HD display, Zigbee smart home hub, camera/mic off button | ||
8 inch HD screen, Alexa assistant, echo flex plug-in smart speaker, camera/mic off button | ||
15.6 inch HD screen, Alexa assistant, smart camera, video calls through messenger and Whatsapp | ||
5.5-inch smart display, Alexa assistant, adjustable stand, built-in camera shutter, camera/mic off button | ||
4-inch touchscreen, Google assistant, USB charging port, customizable clock faces |
Amazon echo show 2nd generation
The Echo Show 2nd generation has a large 10.1 inch HD screen and minimalist design with Dolby sound processing, 2 speakers, and passive bass. It comes with Amazon’s Alexa that you can use to control your smart devices, ask questions, make video calls, and catch up on the latest news updates. Echo show has a built-in Zigbee smart home hub and together with Alexa, they make this device an excellent smart home hub that is compatible with many different devices and allows you to easily connect to Amazon music, Hulu, and Prime video and even see who’s at your front door. The hands-free video call and messaging will help you to stay in touch with your family and friends through Skype, video calls, or connect you instantly to other devices. This smart display can even be an excellent second TV for your kitchen or another room in your home. With Alexa, you can control most of your smart devices like the lights, thermostat, camera, door locks, garage, and more.
Pros
- The screen is large enough to see from far
- The speakers are very clear
- Simple to use and setup
- Works with practically all devices
Cons
- Alexa app is a bit slow
- Routines can be unreliable
Verdict
A large smart home hub display that uses both Alexa voice control and Zigbee to help you control all the devices in your home.
View price on Amazon
This is a smaller Echo model with an 8-inch screen, stereo sound, and Alexa to help you manage your smart devices in your home. Amazon’s Alexa will respond to your voice commands and voice control so you’re able to see who’s at the door, watch movies, setup routines for your connected smart devices, play games, customize your home screen, and many more. You can also link to your security cameras or baby monitor cameras to see what’s going on in other parts of your home. There is also a front-facing camera and a built-in stereo sound with 2 speakers that will allow you to make video calls to your family and friends using an Echo show or an Alexa app. This home hub has a sunrise alarm feature where the screen starts getting brighter after every 15 minutes before your time to wake up which helps to ease you out of our sleep. This device is designed to be bedroom-friendly, there is a button to shut down the camera and microphone and built-in shutters for the camera.
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Easily customize the clock
- Very easy to set up and use
- A highly versatile display
Cons
- The screen is a bit small
Verdict
An 8 inch smart home hub that uses Alexa to help you control all the devices in your home. It has a switch that shuts down the microphone and camera with camera shutters to guarantee your privacy.
View price on Amazon
Portal Plus is a smart video calling with a 15.6-inch touch display with built-in Alexa to help you do and see more. The Alexa voice control command will allow you to control your smart home, watch the news, listen to your favorite music, set a timer, ask questions, add items to your shopping list, etc. You can easily make video calls to your family and friends using Whatsapp and messenger from your smartphone or tablet. The smart camera has a 12MP sensor lens with a 140-degree field view and will automatically follow you around the room, shift its focus to someone talking in the room or include all the faces in the room, while the smart sound will enhance your voice when you’re talking and reduce any background noise. When the portal isn’t in use, it will display Facebook and Instagram photos, show you all your available contacts, and give you birthday reminders. For your privacy, there’s a little cover for the camera and button at the top to disconnect the 4 microphones.
Pros
- Superior sound quality
- The camera can follow you around
- Impressive video quality
- A great way of keeping in touch with family
Cons
- Lacks advanced Alexa features
Verdict
A great facebook portal for making video calls to your family and you also get to use Alexa voice command to control other smart home devices.
View price on Amazon
This is a cheaper version of the Echo show 8 with a smaller screen at 5.5 inches with a little lower resolution and one speaker for the sound system. However, you can still use it to perform all the basic functions of a smart home hub like controlling your smart home devices, making calls, and asking the smart assistant questions. You can use Alexa to help you manage your daily routines, watch the news, listen to your favorite music, watch movies, get weather and traffic updates, and connect with family and friends. You can manage your smart home with the voice control command or the easy to sue display. Show 5 is a budget display so it only has a 1MP camera and a single 4W speaker and it lacks the built-in Zigbee hub. However, it has privacy features so you can use the built-in shutter to block the camera and a button at the top to turn off the microphone and camera.
Pros
- An affordable Echo show device
- The smart clock is great
- Very easy setup process
Cons
- The user interface is minimal
- You cant turn off the home screen ads
Verdict
A very affordable Echo show that has all the basic functions that will help you easily control your smart home devices.
View price on Amazon
This smart clock has a Google Alexa smart screen which is great as a budget option. It’s a small and versatile alarm clock display that is specifically designed to operate as an alarm clock. It has a 4-inch screen display that has different clock faces you can customize and it supports Google assistant voice control to allow you to control your smart home. However, it has no camera and you can’t use it to make video calls. With Google Assistant, you can set up your morning routine for coffee, news, your daily appointments, control your lights, thermostat, doorbell, play music, set timer, and much more. It has a USB port that you can use to charge your smartphone while you’re asleep.
Pros
- Simple alarm clock with clear display
- The built-in speaker is very clear at any volume
- Can manage multiple alarms on the touchscreen
- Sunrise settings are useful
Cons
- You cant make video calls
- Doesn’t have a battery backup function
Verdict
A simple and versatile smart alarm clock that also supports Google’s assistant to allow you easily control all your smart home devices. It also comes with a USB port for charging your phone.
View price on Amazon
Conclusion
When you’re going to buy the best home hub with screen that will best suit your needs, you need to first ask yourself what you need to do with it and what you want to control. If you have multiple smart home devices from a variety of different manufacturers, you’ll need to use a smart home hub to make it easier to control all these devices from one central device. However, if you only have smart lights and a smart lock, then you would be better of using a smart speaker. The Amazon echo show 2nd generation is a large HD smart display that uses both Alexa and Zigbee smart hub to allow you to control your smart home with the help of voice commands.
Hawkins Grant
Hawkins Grant is a home automation expert and with about two years working on the ground, he does agree that there is a lot that needs to be done before people can fully comprehend the home automation concept. He reiterates that older folks are having a hard time inviting the new technology into their homes when they need it more than the other age groups. According to Hawkins, smart devices are not only a lifesaver but they are economical, and as innovation continues to take center stage in the home appliances, it is his sincere hope that the information compiled will reach the right audience and encourage change.
