Modern-day households are like well-integrated technological ecosystems run by a central hub–home automation systems. Your home likely includes a whole range of smart devices, from the garage door to every light bulb. Every aspect of your life centers around your smartphone or tablet that you’ll use to manage and control the gadgets. This is why you also need to get the best smart home system that enables complete control and personalization.
With a few taps on an interactive screen, you can have steaming hot coffee ready when you wake up. And have the lights turn off automatically when you get to bed. Should you set out to shop for home automation systems, you’ll find several brands offering you varying features. If you aren’t quite sure about the best choice, read through this post. We have compiled all the pertinent information to help you pick the right product.
Samsung SmartThings Hub
As the name suggests, the Samsung SmartThings Hub is brought to you by the world-famous brand of top-grade electronics–Samsung. The company also offers a selection of devices you can link to the hub. These peripheral gadgets include smart buttons, multi-purpose sensors, motion sensors, and more. Samsung SmartThings is essentially a basic home automation system enabling IFTTT customizations to allow you to manage your appliances.
- The hub operates on battery power, so your home continues to function even in case of a power cut. Power failure won’t affect your smart home as long as the Wi-Fi is operational.
- Versatile home automation systems that connect seamlessly with other gadgets and domestic appliances.
- Phone app displays cards enabling users to manage specific devices, room scenes, and desired automations.
- The compatible app falls short of being efficient. However, users can get around the problem using voice commands through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
- Not compatible with Apple’s Siri.
Features & Product Specs:
- Teach the hub your Good Morning, Goodbye, Goodnight, and other routines
- Wirelessly connect and control a wide range of compatible smart devices from 40+ partner brands, including voice assistants, lights & switches, speakers, cameras, sensors and more
- Voice Controls: Use voice commands to control connected devices using SmartThings and the Google Assistant
Apple HomeKit
If you are an all-time Apple fan, the Apple HomeKit home automation systems are just what you need. This automated hub enables you to integrate a range of devices and appliances. However, before you purchase a new gadget, you may want to confirm that it is compatible with the HomeKit. Apple has strict consumer privacy and data security protocols that restrict access to specific third-party devices.
- User-friendly mobile application that enables you to configure settings.
- Enables users to control and manage their devices using their iPhone, IPad, and Apple Watch.
- The phone app displays shortcuts at the top of the page. You can instantly spot the devices that are running correctly or are non-functional.
- It does not include the geo-fencing functionality, so you cannot manage your home security to lock doors automatically. The app requires you to authenticate the phone each time you want to open the locks.
- Customer support is not that efficient.
- Users must link new devices manually by scanning their barcodes using the phone or tablet app.
Features & Product Specs:
- Enables voice commands to Siri
- Functions on iOS and macOS apps via an interactive touchscreen
- Compatible with a range of devices like your smart home lighting system, smart thermostats, cameras, and audio/video networks.
- Connects with sensors and cameras to detect human presence and change settings as needed.
Wink Hub 2
Wink is another of the best home automation systems available in the market today. You can set up Wink using the Wi-Fi or link it with an ethernet cable. The system is compatible with a Wink app that you can download to your iOS phone or Android smartphone. You can use this system as a single hub to integrate devices from various brands. Some great examples include Philips, GE, Leviton, Nest, Carrier, Canary, Ring, Yale, Ecobee, Kwikset, iHome, and Eaton. If you have Honeywell, Lutron, Rheem, and Kidde appliances, you can integrate them with the Wink Hub without any issues. This feature makes the brand one of the most versatile smart home systems.
- Interactive phone app enabling you to link different domestic appliances and change settings seamlessly.
- Compatible with several devices like Philips Hue lighting, Nest Dropcam camera, and GE Aros smart air conditioner. You can also integrate it with the Protect smoke and CO2 sensors.
- It does not include voice commands but integrates any voice assistants you wish to use, like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa. Wink also works well with Echo.
- It does not enable users to pre-schedule vacation dates to manage their HVAC systems.
- Ongoing customer support and availability of the brand can be dicey. Wink is a Quirky company product, and manufacturing may change ownership soon.
Features & Product Specs:
- Includes IFTTT – IF, Then, This, That protocols for complete automation.
- You can schedule your smart home lighting system to turn on and off at specific timing.
- Configuring your HVAC systems to regulate home temperatures by switching on the air conditioning and heating is also possible.
- Users can also configure their home security system and set sensors to detect when the door opens.
- The sensors will automatically take pictures using the camera.
Google Nest Hub
Backed by the Google brand name, the Google Nest hub is likely one of the best home automation systems now available. This hub connects with most home appliances and gadgets, enabling you to configure them from the tablet app. You can use Google Assistant to issue voice commands through the tablet interface. The tablet displays your daily schedule, news, notifications, and current events even when you’re not using the hub. Configuring the tablet to display the local temperature is also a function. The exciting thing is that Google has released a range of devices that work well with the Nest Hub.
- Enables users to configure their heating and cooling systems, smart home lighting systems, and security.
- Integrates well with other Google services.
- It will be compatible with the soon-to-be-released Matter connectivity standard over IP.
- Displays too many ads and promotional features that can quickly become an annoyance.
- Does not enable accessing digital subscriptions like with the Chromecast.
- The small 7” screen is suitable only for up-close interactions.
- PII security concerns since Google stores a lot of user data.
Features & Product Specs:
- The interactive user interface allows you to change settings with voice commands, tapping the desired options on the screen, or swiping.
- When the hub is not functioning, it enters the sleep mode. The lock screen displays a clock and digital photos taken from your Google Photos account.
Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo uses the well-known Alexa voice-powered home automation systems, possibly the best available today. Users can choose from a selection of products, including the kids’ version and the more compact and economical Echo Dot. Amazon’s Echo is more efficient than most other brands because it includes multiple omnidirectional microphones that accept commands. You can give directions from anywhere in the room, and Alexa responds instantly. It also has multiple speakers to enable excellent interactions.
- Special offers available from time to time with additional discounts for the Echo range
- Compatible with devices like the Echo Show, a carry-along television-like gadget, Echo Plus, and Echo Spot alarm clock. Users can also get the Fire TV Cube media player and Echo Auto designed for use in their cars.
Alexa also enables integrating home lighting automation.
- Users should be prepared for system outages and occasional outages.
- It does not have an interactive screen for configuring settings.
Features & Product Specs:
- Instantly compatible with most smart peripheral gadgets that integrate without requiring manual settings. You only need to use the “Alexa, find my devices” command for quick integration.
- It works as a standalone gadget to connect with a cloud-based service to offer a range of features like playing music. You can ask Alexa to play songs and provide updated traffic and weather information. Setting up alerts, scheduling appointments, and getting answers to queries are all possible with Alexa.
In Conclusion - Which are the Best Home Automation Systems?
If you’re in the market for the best smart home system, Amazon’s Echo is undoubtedly the winner. Alexa has a phone app you can download to your Android or iPhone. However, its compatibility with voice commands is so efficient that you can manage the system without using the app. You can integrate just about any device with the system without any issues. Nor will you have to sync them manually. Alexa was the forerunner in home automation systems and continues to stay ahead thanks to its upgrades and affordability.
