Best Smart Home Hubs for 2024

We analyzed top picks from leading reviewers to find the best hub for every need

Published: July 5th, 2024

🏠Smart homes are getting more and more complex, which means having a dependable smart home hub is key to keeping everything running smoothly. Whether you're all about Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple, the right hub can simplify your home automation and make everything work better together.

We've done a deep dive into the options out there and found the best smart home hubs for 2024. Here's what we've picked, catering to all sorts of needs and budgets.

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Overall Best: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Amazon Echo (4th Gen) | With premium sound, smart home hub, and Alexa | Charcoal

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) shines as the best overall smart home hub for 2024. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee, enabling seamless integration with a wide range of smart devices. Priced under $100, it offers affordability without compromising on features. Key highlights include its ability to monitor alarm signals, support various Alexa routines, and process tasks through Alexa's AI. The multiple built-in radios ensure versatile connectivity, making it a well-rounded option for most households.

View TLDR Review: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$64.99 at Amazon

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Runner-up: Samsung SmartThings Station Hub

For those seeking a versatile and powerful hub, the Samsung SmartThings Station Hub is our runner-up. It supports Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Matter, offering comprehensive compatibility with a vast array of devices. This hub is particularly appealing to Samsung users, seamlessly integrating with Samsung TVs, appliances, and more. Its open platform ensures that it's highly compatible with various smart home ecosystems, making it an ideal choice for users looking for an all-encompassing solution.

View TLDR Review: Samsung SmartThings Station

The Samsung SmartThings Station earns its moderate score due to its impressive integration capabilities with Samsung devices and its unique feature as a Matter controller and wireless charger. However, many users find its performance inconsistent, particularly with non-Samsung devices, and it lacks Z-Wave support, which diminishes its appeal for a broader smart home ecosystem. Users appreciate its design and ease of setup, but stability issues and slow charging for non-Compatible devices are notable drawbacks.

6.79

Overall

Available at Amazon

View at Amazon

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Budget Pick: Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | With bigger vibrant sound, helpful routines and Alexa | Charcoal

If you're on a budget, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is a fantastic pick. Despite its lower price point, this hub supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing it to manage essential smart home functions effectively. Though it lacks Zigbee support, it still integrates well with numerous smart devices, providing excellent value for money. At a fraction of the cost of more advanced hubs, it remains a smart choice for those looking to enter the smart home market without breaking the bank.

View TLDR Review: Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Lowest at Amazon

$49.99 at Amazon

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$29.99 at Lowe's

Best for Apple Users: Apple HomePod Mini

The Apple HomePod Mini is the perfect choice for users entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. Supporting Thread for future-proof compatibility, it excels in integration with other Apple devices. Although less expensive than the larger HomePod, it delivers brilliant audio quality and outstanding smart home functionalities. Users can enjoy seamless coordination with Siri and Apple HomeKit, making it the best hub for Apple users.

View TLDR Review: Apple HomePod Mini

Available at Amazon

View at Amazon

Best for Google Users: Google Nest Hub Max

Google Nest Hub Max 10" Smart Display with Google Assistant - Chalk

For Google enthusiasts, the Google Nest Hub Max stands out as the best option. Featuring a 10-inch display, this hub is ideal for managing smart devices, streaming content, and making video calls. The built-in Google Assistant offers robust voice control, while the integrated Nest Cam adds a layer of security. This combination of features makes the Nest Hub Max a comprehensive and versatile smart home hub.

View TLDR Review: Google Nest Hub Max

The Google Nest Hub Max receives a strong score due to its impressive range of features, including a vibrant 10-inch display, robust sound quality, and seamless integration with Google Assistant for smart home control. However, it faces criticism for occasional reliability issues reported by users and the need for subscriptions to unlock the full potential of its security features. Despite these concerns, it stands out as a versatile addition to any smart home ecosystem, especially for those already invested in Google services.

7.7

Overall

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$224.99 at Amazon

More Answers

Still curious about the Google Nest Hub Max? Here are some answers you might find interesting:

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What are some common issues with the Google Nest Hub Max?

The Google Nest Hub Max is a popular smart display, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, you'll need a [Google Duo](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DGoogle%2BDuo%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) account to make video calls. If you're already using another service like [Skype](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DSkype%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) or [Zoom](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DZoom%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20), this could be inconvenient since they aren't supported directly by the device. On the topic of the camera, it has its pros and cons. It's great for video calls and home monitoring, but some folks worry about privacy. The good news is that there's a physical switch to turn off the camera and microphone if you ever feel uneasy. Another point to consider is app and streaming service support. While it works seamlessly with [YouTube](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DYouTube%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) and [Google Photos](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DGoogle%2BPhotos%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20), integrating services like [Netflix](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DNetflix%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) sometimes isn't as smooth. Lastly, the sound quality is fine for everyday use but might not wow audiophiles. If you're expecting top-tier sound, you might be a bit disappointed compared to standalone speakers. So, while the Google Nest Hub Max comes with a lot of handy features, including hands-free video calls, control via the [Google Home](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DGoogle%2BHome%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) app, and integration with Google's ecosystem, it's good to be aware of these common concerns.

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Can the Google Nest Hub Max be used as a security camera?

Yeah, you can use the Google Nest Hub Max as a security camera, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The manufacturer says it has a 6.5 MP camera, which means you get pretty clear pictures during the day or wherever there's good lighting. So, it's great for keeping an eye on things in well-lit areas. But, according to our research, it doesn't have night vision. This means it can't really capture clear images in the dark because it doesn't have the infra-red tech for that. If you mainly need it for daytime security, it should do the job fine. You can stream live video and get alerted when it detects motion, which is super handy for checking up on things when the sun's out. But, if you're after 24/7 monitoring, especially in darker spots at night, this device might not cut it. For that, you might want to look into other cameras that have night vision. There are plenty out there that are built for low-light conditions. So, in a nutshell, the Google Nest Hub Max works well for daytime surveillance, but keep its night vision limitations in mind if you're after round-the-clock security.

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What is the sound quality like on the Google Nest Hub Max?

The Google Nest Hub Max has pretty solid sound quality for everyday use. From what we've gathered, it has stereo speakers with a 30W subwoofer and two 10W tweeters. This setup gives you clear highs and decent bass, which works well for listening to music, watching videos, and making video calls. While it might not rival high-end speakers, it excels for a smart display. People have found the audio to be clear and strong, especially for voice assistant tasks and casual listening. So, if you're after a smart display with good sound, the Google Nest Hub Max should do the trick.

View All Answers for

Best for Power Users: Hubitat Elevation

Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub Smart Home Hub (Model C-8) Smart Home Hub Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter

Smart home aficionados seeking advanced automation and control will find the Hubitat Elevation to be the ultimate choice. It supports both Zigbee and Z-Wave, enabling intricate smart home setups and advanced routines. All processing is handled locally within the hub, which enhances speed, reliability, and privacy. Note that Hubitat has a steeper learning curve than some other hubs, but for power users looking to push the boundaries of their smart home capabilities, it's well worth the effort.

View TLDR Review: Hubitat Elevation C-8

Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub (Model C-8) receives a mixed but generally positive score due to its robust local execution capabilities and seamless integration with various smart home devices, enhancing performance and reliability. Users appreciate its flexibility and the support from a passionate community, although many report a steep learning curve and an outdated user interface, which can be cumbersome for less tech-savvy consumers. While some experienced issues with device compatibility and support, the overall value proposition is compelling for serious home automation enthusiasts.

6.9

Overall

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$149.95 at Amazon

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