Smart home hubs are the backbone of a seamless smart home experience, allowing you to control multiple devices from one place.
Whether you're looking for an all-in-one solution, a budget-friendly option, or a hub designed for a specific ecosystem, we've rounded up the best smart home hubs for 2025.
What's The Best Smart Home Hub Overall?
Amazon Echo (4th Generation)
Price: Approx. $100
Key features:
- Built-in Zigbee receiver for easy device pairing
- High-quality speaker with rich, room-filling sound
- Amazon Sidewalk Hub extends connectivity to nearby devices
- Supports thousands of Alexa skills and routines
- Works with a massive range of smart home gadgets
Thefourth-gen Amazon Echo remains one of the best smart home hubs you can buy. It’s a powerful smart speaker with a sleek, modern design and deep Alexa integration. What makes it stand out is the built-in Zigbee hub, which simplifies connecting smart bulbs, locks, and sensors without needing extra bridges or apps.
Alexa’s vast ecosystem gives it an edge over Google Assistant in smart home control, and Amazon Sidewalk helps keep devices connected even if your Wi-Fi drops.
Plus, its high-quality speaker means you’ll get great audio along with smart home control. If you want a hub that does it all, this is the one to beat.
Google Nest Mini
Price: Approx. $49
Key features:
- Compact, budget-friendly Google Assistant speaker
- Wall-mountable design with LED indicator
- On-device processing for faster response times
- Works with Google services like Gmail and Calendar
- Supports smart home automation even without internet
TheNest Mini is an excellent choice for Google users who want a compact yet powerful smart home hub. Despite its small size, it delivers clear audio and integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant. The on-device processing ensures faster response times for common commands, making interactions feel more natural.
For those already using Google services, the Nest Mini provides deep integration with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Chromecast.
While it doesn’t have built-in Zigbee or Z-Wave support, it works well with Google Assistant-compatible devices, making it a great pick for a Google-powered smart home.
The Best Budget Smart Home Hub
Amazon Echo Dot
Price: Approx. $70
Key features:
- Affordable and compact smart home entry point
- Works with Matter for future-proof compatibility
- Alexa Guard provides security alerts
- Sleek design that fits anywhere
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to get started with smart home automation, theEcho Dot (5th Gen) is a fantastic option. It may be small, but it packs a punch, offering full Alexa voice control and support for a wide range of smart home devices.
Unlike the full-sized Echo, it lacks built-in Zigbee, but it makes up for it with Matter support, ensuring it works with a variety of smart home brands.
It also includes Alexa Guard, which listens for sounds like breaking glass or smoke alarms, adding an extra layer of security. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to dip their toes into smart home tech without spending a fortune.
The Best Smart Home Hub for SmartThings
Aeotec Smart Home Hub
Price: Approx. $189
Key features:
- Works with Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Matter
- Pairs seamlessly with SmartThings for advanced automation
- Compatible with hundreds of smart devices
- Customizable routines via the SmartThings app
If you’re all-in on Samsung’s SmartThings platform, theAeotec Smart Home Hub is your best bet. Since Samsung discontinued its SmartThings hardware, Aeotec has taken over with an identical replacement that keeps all the platform’s best features.
This hub offers impressive compatibility with Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Matter devices, allowing you to control everything from lights to locks to thermostats. The SmartThings app gives you powerful automation options, from simple scheduling to complex multi-device routines.
While it doesn’t include a built-in smart speaker, its broad compatibility makes it a top choice for those who want full control over their smart home setup.
The Best HomeKit Hub
Apple HomePod (2nd generation)
Price: Approx. $399
Key features:
- Built-in Matter support for future-proofing
- Temperature and humidity sensors for smart automation
- High-fidelity audio with spatial awareness
- Detects smoke and CO alarms for extra safety
- Deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem
For Apple users, theHomePod (2nd Gen) is the ultimate HomeKit hub. It delivers some of the best sound quality of any smart speaker and acts as a powerful hub for HomeKit automation.
Thanks to Thread and Matter support, it’s ready for the next generation of smart home devices. It also features temperature and humidity sensors, which can trigger HomeKit automations like adjusting your thermostat.
Plus, it can detect smoke and CO alarms, sending notifications to your Apple devices. If you’re committed to the Apple ecosystem, this is the best hub to bring everything together.
Apple HomePod Mini (Budget Alternative)
Price: Approx. $129
Key features:
- Compact and affordable HomeKit hub
- Built-in Thread for smart home connectivity
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Small but powerful speaker
If the full-sized HomePod is too pricey, theHomePod Mini is a great alternative. It has all the essential HomeKit hub features in a much smaller package.
While it doesn’t match the audio quality of the larger HomePod, it still sounds great and integrates perfectly with Apple’s smart home ecosystem.
The Best Smart Display for Google Assistant
Google Nest Hub Max
Price: Approx. $419
Key features:
- Spacious 10-inch screen for video calls and entertainment
- Dual speakers for high-quality audio
- 6.5MP camera for Google Duo video calls
- Thread and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Smart home controls for easy device management
The Google Nest Hub Max is an excellent smart display. Its spacious 10-inch screen can be used to watch YouTube and Netflix, look up recipes and news, and more.
Its dual speakers provide decent sound quality, and its 6.5MP camera is great for Google Duo video calls, even following you across the room.
It integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant, offering control over smart lights, cameras, and other devices.
The Best Smart Home Hub With a Display
Amazon Echo Show 10
Price: Approx. $330
Key features:
- 10.1-inch HD screen with adaptive orientation
- Built-in Zigbee for smart device pairing
- Amazon Sidewalk for extended device connectivity
- Integrated Alexa voice assistant for easy control
- Smart home features and routines
The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 10 is one of the best smart home hubs and smart displays in one device. It can automatically turn to face you, ensuring the best view of the screen for any task.
It features built-in Zigbee, allowing direct connection with other smart home devices, and Amazon Sidewalk provides extended connectivity even if your Wi-Fi is down.
At $330, it combines an excellent display with smart home functionality, making it a worthwhile option for those looking for a versatile hub with a display.
Best Smart Plug
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini
Price: Approx. $22
Key features:
- Easily connects to your Wi-Fi network for remote control.
- Use the app to schedule on/off times, or set it to turn on/off based on location.
- Works seamlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Compact design ensures it doesn’t block adjacent outlets.
- Great entry point for anyone new to connected devices.
TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Plug Mini is one of the best smart plugs available. It’s simple to install and ideal for anyone looking to experiment with smart home hubs.
Its compatibility with voice assistants and ability to set schedules make it a great option for modernizing your home’s electrical system.
Best Smart Thermostat
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Price: Approx. $80
Key features:
- Designed for Alexa-enabled devices, making it easy to control with voice commands.
- Saves an average of $50 per year on energy bills by optimizing heating and cooling schedules.
- Modern, sleek design with a user-friendly touchscreen interface.
- No compatibility with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.
- Requires a C-wire or the C-wire adapter for installation.
TheAmazon Smart Thermostat is one of the most affordable smart thermostats available. Even without advanced features, its energy-saving capability and integration with Alexa make it an excellent option for those looking for a basic, connected device that will help cut down on energy costs.
Best Outdoor Security Camera
Arlo Pro 5S
Price: Approx. $120
Key features:
- 2K resolution and a 160-degree field of view provide exceptional video quality and coverage.
- Night vision, two-way talk, and a built-in spotlight enhance security.
- Includes smart features like motion zones and customizable notifications (with a $3/month subscription).
- Great for anyone serious about home security, offering a solid performance compared to many connected devices in its category.
TheArlo Pro 5S offers excellent video quality, advanced security features, and a wider field of view than many other outdoor security cameras.
It’s a top pick for those who want robust surveillance and are willing to invest in a subscription for extra smart home features.
Best DIY Home Security Systems
Ring Alarm Kit
Price: Approx. $270 (sale price)
Key features:
- Includes a variety of smart security devices, like a range extender and Z-Wave radio.
- Cellular backup, local processing, and backup internet ensure your system stays online even during outages.
- Subscription plans range from $5 to $20 per month, offering access to smart security features like motion detection and smart notifications.
- Perfect for building a smart, secure home with minimal effort.
TheRing Alarm Kit is affordable and offers a ton of value with features like cellular backup, internet recovery, and more.
If you’re starting to build your connected home and want a reliable security foundation, this is one of the best DIY options on the market.
Smart Home Hub FAQs
What Are the Best Smart Hubs for Home Automation?
The best smart hubs for home automation depend on the ecosystem you prefer. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant hubs lead the way with a vast range of compatible devices. The Aeotec Smart Home Hub is perfect for SmartThings users, while the Apple HomePod is the ideal choice for those invested in the Apple ecosystem.
What's the Best Way to Connect Smart Devices at Home?
Connecting smart devices at home is relatively straightforward. Smart plugs, cameras, and light bulbs can typically be set up using their respective apps. More complex devices like smart thermostats may require additional steps.
For a seamless experience, choosing a smart home hub like Alexa or Google Assistant can help you control everything with voice commands.
Do Smart Hubs Support All Smart Home Devices?
Most smart home hubs support a wide variety of devices, but compatibility can vary based on the hub and the devices. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and Google Nest Hub Max are compatible with many smart home gadgets, but it’s always worth checking compatibility with specific devices beforehand.
Newer hubs like those supporting Matter are more likely to work with an even broader range of smart devices.
Can I Control Smart Devices Remotely?
Yes, many smart home hubs allow remote control via mobile apps. Whether you’re away from home or relaxing on the couch, you can control your smart lights, security cameras, and other devices.
Some hubs, like the Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub Max, also allow voice control and remote access, making home automation even easier.
Are Smart Home Hubs Easy to Set Up?
Setting up a smart home hub is typically straightforward. Many devices include step-by-step instructions through their apps. Voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant make the process even easier with guided setup for smart devices. For more advanced setups, professional assistance may be beneficial.
