Here Apple is creating ways in which devices will communicate with each other, and HomeKit is the thread that will tie all of these devices together.Ĭompetitors to HomeKit typically require a hub, though a few options we’ve tested here are software-only. Instead what you’re buying into is an eco-system being built around your existing Apple products (iOS). But what is it, exactly? Unlike most of the other platforms listed here, Apple is not offering a physical central hub device that you need to run out and buy. If you’ve researched home automation in the last year you’ve probably heard of Apple HomeKit. INSTEON – iPhone 6S using voice/Siri to control lights But hopefully we’ll also capture some newcomers, who will benefit from this added enlightenment. For those of you who already possess this knowledge, I apologize that you have to weed through the background. I’ve structured this blog post to be both a comparison, but also a bit of a smart-home education piece. Which one are you going to choose, and why? Let us know! We’d love to hear your feedback.Įditor’s Note: When I started assembling this blog post I realized that a LOT of my friends and family members ask me “what is Apple HomeKit” - or “why do I need a smart hub” - and I wanted to tackle those questions at the same time that I reviewed and compared this hardware. There is no clear winning platform here, but there are definitely a few that stand out from the rest. Stay tuned for a comparison in Q1 2016, where we look more closely at security specifically. Another aspect is home safety & security, which is a subject we plan to dig into deeper after the New Year. This review also focuses on home automation, and making things “smarter” at your dwelling. We have tried to provide a snapshot to help you make an educated purchase, but some of the sections get more verbose because of all the wonderful things these devices/platforms can do! With this in mind we’ve done our best to list each platform below separately, breaking down the strong points and weaknesses of each, giving you raw data plus some of our opinion. While you read this post please keep in mind that your specific needs and desires might vary from ours, making your choices and opinions differ as well. All of this may change in the future, so you’ll want to stay tuned to this blog, and the manufacturer’s web site, as things unfold and enhancements are made. We also found that some platforms have a broad spectrum of integration with other devices, where some felt very closed-off feeling. However, since the landscape of home automation is ever-changing, it is once again time to provide a more up-to-date review of product options as we head into the 2015 holiday shopping season.Īs my family, friends, and I found out while testing, some of these devices you’ll fall in love with instantly, and some will leave a bit of a bad taste in your mouth. Elsewhere on my site you can find older articles comparing smart home hubs, such as this fairly old one, or this slightly more recent entry. That post also includes some great thoughts about Apple’s HomeKit integration, as well as some background on Works with Nest ( Nest Weave) protocols, and others. Our testing includes hardware as well as software, and touches down on how to make them all work together not just now, but also as you move into adding more devices down the road.Ĭheck out the opening segment of my recent blog post about smart lighting options where I talk about future proofing your home. We suggest building your home automation to work around these critical devices, platforms, or networks as the best way to ensure smooth future scalability. And while that is indeed the case, they still have the ability to serve as some sort of central nervous system to your smart home. Check out the BEST HOME AUTOMATION PLATFORMS as we compare Apple HomeKit vs Samsung SmartThings, vs Wink Connected Home Hub vs Insteon Hub Pro vs Amazon Echo vs Belkin WeMo, and much, much more!Įducated shoppers will be quick to point out some of these devices aren’t touted as a smart home hub by their manufacturer. In this article we’ve taken on the task of taste-testing all these delicious pieces of technology for you, to provide you a curated review of what works, and what doesn’t. But unlike a fixed-price all-you-can-eat buffet, these smart home devices can get really expensive, really fast, so choosing the right ones is quite important. You can be easily overwhelmed by too many options to pick from, feeling unsure about what will taste good together. Shopping for smart home automation products can feel a bit like having lunch at a buffet.
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