What Is a Smart Home Hub?

A smart home hub is like the control centre or “brain” of your smart home setup. It helps different devices — even from different brands — talk to each other and work together smoothly.

Many hubs use wireless protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Thread, which allow them to connect devices without relying entirely on Wi-Fi.

Do You Really Need a Hub?

The short answer: Not always.

Whether you need one depends on how complex your smart home is (or will become).

You don’t need a hub if:

• You’re just starting out

• You’re only using Wi-Fi-based devices (e.g. smart plugs, bulbs, cameras)

• You control everything through your phone or voice assistant (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri)

Most modern smart devices can work independently using their own apps or through a smart speaker.

You do need a hub if:

• You want all your devices to work together across brands

• You're using Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Thread-based products

• Your Wi-Fi is overloaded with too many devices

• You want advanced automation that runs even when the internet is down
  

A hub brings local control, better reliability, and unified control from a single dashboard or app.

Common Smart Home Hubs (2025)

• Amazon Echo (with built-in Zigbee)

• Samsung SmartThings Hub

• Home Assistant (DIY and privacy-focused)

• Hubitat (great for local automation geeks)

• Apple HomePod Mini (Thread & HomeKit)

Some hubs come built into devices you may already own, while others offer more advanced features and customisation.

Final Thoughts

If you’re just experimenting with a few smart devices, skip the hub for now — and keep things simple.
But if you’re planning a fully connected home or want more control and automation, a smart home hub can be a game changer.