A true smart home has never been easier to achieve, and the gear needed to get there has never been less expensive. We have other roundups that name the best smart home components–everything from the best smart bulbs to the best smart speakers–but in this story, we name the best hubs that link all those devices together.
While the lines are becoming increasingly blurred, we see two basic types of smart home systems: Those focused on convenience first and those focused on home security first. You might be able to expand a smart home system to include elements of home security, and you might be able to expand a home security system to control convenience features like smart lighting. But decide your primary goal–convenience or security–first and shop accordingly.
Updated June 6, 2024: We’ve added links to two recently published stories. First up, we address the pros and cons of professional monitoring services for security-focused smart home systems. Are they worth paying for, or should you monitor your system yourself? And for hardcore smart home DIYers using the free and open-source Home Assistant, we have news of that platform enabling users to power the system with a large language model (LLM).
Why you should trust us
TechHive’s editors and contributors have been building out their own smart homes for many years, and we continuously evaluate the latest hardware and software. We’ve experienced the great products, the not-so-great products, and everything in between. You can trust us to guide you to the right system for your needs.
The best smart home systems
Aeotec Smart Home Hub — Best DIY smart home hub
Pros
- Works with Zigbee (including Philips Hue), Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi devices
- Easy-to-use software
- Connects to your router via ethernet or Wi-Fi
Cons
- Not compatible with Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem
- Won’t work without a broadband connection
Why we like the Aeotec Smart Home Hub
Samsung suspended its own SmartThings hub several years ago, incorporating the technology into its Bespoke line of smart appliances, instead. That changed in 2023 with the announcement of the Samsung SmartThings Station. That hub dropped Z-Wave from the collection of support smart home protocols, adding Thread and Matter support instead.
The smart-home stalwarts at Aeotec continue to offer their own SmartThings hub, which supports Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi and every product claiming “Works with SmartThings” compatibility. Every major category is covered, including the Amazon Echo and Google Home smart speakers, numerous smart lighting products (including Philips and Sylvania gear), Ring video doorbells, smart door locks, and more.
Who should buy the Aeotec Smart Home Hub
If you want the freedom to add virtually any product to your smart home system, regardless of which protocol it’s based on, the Aeotec Smart Home Hub is the way to go. It supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread, but it also has a Z-Wave radio on board. You’ll control everything with the easy-to-use SmartThings app.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a home security system with professional monitoring that can dispatch first responders in the event of a break-in, a fire, or a medical emergency, you should consider something like a Ring Alarm product, either in addition to or instead of the Aeotec Smart Home Hub.
Ring Alarm Pro (8-piece kit) — Best DIY home security system
Pros
- Very easy to set up
- An integrated Wi-Fi 6 router renders it a fantastic value
- Good Wi-Fi performance, and its range can be expanded with Eero mesh nodes
- Expandable battery and broadband backup features
Cons
- Falls a little short of being an all-purpose smart home hub
- Subscription required for local video processing and storage
- Zigbee radio is still dormant, and there’s no Thread radio
Why we like the Ring Alarm Pro
You simply won’t find a better value in DIY home security, and Ring offers professional monitoring at a very reasonable price: $20 per month. That plan includes cloud storage for video clips from an unlimited number of Ring video doorbells and security cameras. And the Ring Alarm Pro also features an integrated Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router.
Given that Ring Alarm systems also have Z-Wave and Zigbee radios on board (although the Zigbee radios are currently dormant), they make for the beginnings of a kick-ass smart home hub, with the Works with Ring program adding support for numerous third-party products, including smart locks, garage-door controllers, in-wall light switches, smart thermostats, and other smart home devices. It’s not quite as a smart home hub as Aeotec’s product, but it will take you most of the way there.
Who should buy the Ring Alarm Pro
The Ring Alarm Pro is for anyone looking for a smart home security system that offers the option of professional monitoring. Ring also makes best-in-class video doorbells and security cameras, and when you plug an inexpensive endurance-rated microSD card into the Ring Alarm Pro, you get local storage and processing of all the video those cameras capture. The hub also serves as a bridge for Ring’s smart lighting products.
If you don’t need to upgrade your home’s Wi-Fi router, and you don’t mind using a discrete bridge for your Ring smart lighting products, take a long look at the Ring Alarm (2nd Generation), which has everything but the router and the bridge.
Abode Iota — Best DIY home security system, runner-up
Pros
- Setup is as streamlined as it gets, and its all-in-one design makes it even more foolproof
- Pricing is solid, at least for a smaller home
- Plenty of thoughtful extras, including wireless connectivity and battery backup
- Apple HomeKit compatible
Cons
- Integrated camera's 1080p resolution is no longer impressive
- Integrated siren isn't as loud as we'd like
Why we like the Abode Iota
The Abode Iota takes the original Abode home security system we reviewed in 2018 and incorporates a 1080p security camera and motion sensor into a smal enclosure. Like the original Abode system, which remains on the market, the Iota can operate as a capable smart home hub, having Zigbee and Z-Wave radios on board; plus, LTE backup in case your usual broadband connection fails (this requires a subscription).
It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. Abode recently began shipping its own smart retrofit deadbolt, and its third-party device support is comparable to Ring’s, including control over Philips Hue smart lighting devices, Ecobee smart thermostats, and even Sonos speakers. You can monitor the system yourself, or sign up for professional monitoring at $24.99 per month or $229.99 per year.
Who should buy the Abode Iota?
The Abode Iota is a strong value because you’re getting a smart home/home security system and a home security camera all in one box. The Abode Iota is broadly compatible with all the important smart home ecosystems, and if you spring for a subscription, you’ll get LTE backup in case your usual broadband connection fails. The hub has a battery-backup feature that keeps it operating in the event of a power failure, too.
SimpliSafe The Essentials — Best DIY home security system, 2nd runner-up
Pros
- One of the quickest, easiest DIY setups you'll encounter
- Attractive industrial design
- Self and professional monitoring options available
Cons
- No support for smart lighting or any third-party products
- SimpliSafe can be slow to update key components (but SimpliSafe's new indoor camera is great)
- Best professional monitoring plan is expensive at $30 per month
Why we like SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is an apt name for this sophisticated yet easy-to-use home security system. The starter kit we reviewed consists of a central hub, three door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a keypad for arming/disarming the system, and a wireless indoor security camera. You can customize your installation with anything else you might need, including indoor and outdoor cameras, a smart lock, glass-break sensors, leak and freeze sensors, a video doorbell, and more–and all these add-ons are very affordable.
The hub has both battery and cellular backups, so you’re protected in the event of both power and broadband outages. You can use either the included keypad or a keyfob to arm and disarm the system. With SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring, $30 per month, an agent can use the system’s security cameras to verify and monitor a break-in and can even warn an intruder that they’ve been detected.
Who should buy SimpliSafe
Anyone looking for an affordable, strictly home security system–in other words, one that cannot also control the broader universe of smart home devices such as lighting, thermostats, and other home components should take a look at what SimpiSafe has to offer. This is one of the easiest to install alarm systems we’ve encountered, and it performs extremely well. But part of what makes it so simple is the fact that you can’t integrate any third-party products with it.
Minut Smart Home Alarm — Best security system for vacation rentals
Pros
- Monitors noise levels
- Alerts to the sound of smoke/CO detector alarms
- Infrared occupancy sensor
- Temperature and humidity sensor
- Provides security without relying on cameras
Cons
- Very limited smart home integration
- Third-party monitoring costs extra
This privacy-first home security system is ideal for vacation-rental properties, because its sensors monitor both occupancy and noise levels in the room where it’s installed. The device can also listen for the sound of “dumb” smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in an alarm state as well as the sound of breaking glass. It can also be integrated into a host of property-management systems, including that of Airbnb.
Why we like Minut
This all-in-one device offers the assurance of home security without relying on privacy-intrusive home security cameras. In place of video, its onboard sensors monitor a room for the presence of crowds and high noise levels that indicate your guests are having a disruptive party with the potential for annoying your neighbors and increasing the likelihood of property damage. You can buy the device for $50, plus $120 per year for the ongoing service; or you can spend $180 for service and get the device at no cost. The higher-priced service includes some extra features that might or might not be worth your while.
Who should buy Minut
The Minu Home Security System is suited to any home, but it will be particularly attractive to people who own rental and vacation-rental properties. In addition to monitoring noise levels, it can detect temperature, the presence of cigarette smoke, and humidity levels that increase the risk of mold. The device can be integrated with Airbnb and other property-management systems, too.
What to look for when shopping for a DIY smart home system
As we mentioned earlier, smart home systems come in a dazzling array of shapes and sizes, from brain-dead simple to vastly complex. Features vary just as widely, so you’ll need to pay more attention than usual when you’re narrowing down the field to find the product that’s right for you. Here’s a look at some of those key decision factors. To see how each system on the market measures up to those promises, drill down into our reviews.
Device support
Some smart hubs–SimpliSafe, for example–only support their own accessories, though they might support Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control. Other systems–such as the Ring Alarm family–offer certification programs for third-party devices. They might also offer hooks into systems developed by third parties: Amazon (Alexa smart speakers and displays), Apple (HomeKit and Siri), Google (Google Home speakers and displays as well as Nest thermostats, cameras, and smoke/CO detectors), are the biggies here.
You should also consider whatever smart devices are already in your home. Do you want to use them with the new system you’re buying? If the hub doesn’t support them, you might be looking at a massive upgrade cycle to replace them. As well, you need to think about what devices you plan to add to your system down the line.
IFTTT support
Many top smart home systems support IFTTT (If This Then That), a simple scripting system that lets you connect devices that otherwise wouldn’t be compatible. For example, you could use IFTTT to turn all the lights in the house blue if a water leak is detected by your smart hub—even if it can’t speak directly to the lighting system itself.
Wired vs. wireless hub connection
Many smart hubs must connect to your wireless router via an ethernet cable, which limits their placement and, of course, requires a free ethernet port on your router or switch. That can be an issue with puck-shaped routers that have just two ethernet ports–you’ll need to buy an ethernet switch to have enough ports. A smaller number of hubs are wireless and can be placed anywhere in range of the router, increasing your flexibility.
Sensor range
If your home is large or spread out, you’ll need to pay attention to the range that the hub’s sensors support. Hubs may support a wide array of connection protocols, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee, all of which have very different ranges. As with a wireless router, smart hub range can also be impacted by interference and device placement, and smart home devices themselves have different specs, as well. Take the time to look into the detailed specs to be sure sensors and third-party devices will work with your home’s infrastructure.
Battery backup
If the power goes out, your smart lights won’t be useful anyway; but other smart home features, like security sensors, rely on a hub that’s always powered on. Some smart home smart hubs feature battery backups (thanks tol rechargeable or disposable cells). Even a short power outage can cause a significant delay while the hub reconnects, so a battery backup makes sense in many home environments. If you like everything else about a particular hub that lacks a battery backup option, consider investing in an uninterruptible power supply to plug it into.
Mobile app usability
You’ll probably be interacting with your hub primarily through its mobile app, so you’ll want one that’s intuitive and powerful, with all the key features you use front and center. App-store screen shots and, of course, our reviews can help you get a sense of what you’re dealing with on the app side of things.
Overall complexity
This is a companion consideration to the mobile app, relating primarily to the audience for whom the smart home system was developed. Is the system geared toward everyday users with limited customization needs? Or is it built with extreme flexibility in mind, to the point where the configuration decisions might overwhelm a novice user? Again, close attention to our reviews can help you gauge how comfortable you’re likely to feel with any system.
What to look for when shopping for a DIY home security system
The factors listed above are equally important when shopping for a home security system, but you should also consider these additional factors.
Sensor support
A companion consideration to the device support issue above, if you’re in the market for a DIY home security system, you’ll want one that supports all the sensors you need. Most security hubs only work with the sensors made by the same manufacturer, so you can’t mix and match as you would with a general-use smart home hub. Some security systems offer only a very narrow range of sensor types, while others have a wide variety to choose from. You’ll want motion and door/window sensors at a minimum. For added security, consider buying freeze, water leak, humidity, smoke and/or carbon monoxide sensors, garage-door, and glass-break sensors. Make sure the smart home hub you buy supports all the sensor types you wish to deploy.
Cellular radio and battery backup
A security system that can be knocked out of commission by simply disabling your broadband connection doesn’t provide much protection. The best systems will include a cellular backup module that kicks in when your usual broadband connection drops. You should also carefully consider the battery backup consideration above, which is essential for dealing with power outages and is a standard feature on most security-focused hubs.
Professional monitoring
If you don’t want to monitor your own security system 24/7, you’ll at least want the option to engage with a professional security company that can keep tabs on it for you when you’re out on walkabout. These invariably cost extra, which leads to our final consideration….
Service plan costs
Service plan costs vary widely from system to system, and many vendors offer a range of plans to choose from. Some systems will work without a service plan at all, allowing you to self-monitor. Some require a plan to function at all. Also note that lower-tier service plans might provide only cloud storage for your security cameras. Wyze Labs offers one of the least-expensive plans: $9.99 per month with no long-term commitment, or $99.99 for a full year. Price out service plans carefully, taking the overall quality of the system into account, before you pull the trigger.
Other notable smart home systems we’ve reviewed
We’ve evaluated lots of other DIY smart home systems. If none of our top picks check all the boxes for you, take a look at these other products.
- Abode Smart Security Kit is virtually the same as the Abode Iota Security Kit, with the key difference being the integrated security camera integrated into the latter product. Both packages use the same accessories and sensors and support the same monitoring plans.
- Aqara Hub E1 is very similar to Aqara’s Hub M2 system, except it plugs into a USB power adapter and doesn’t have its stablemate’s infrared blaster feature. And like the Hub M2, the Hub E1 controls only Aqara Zigbee devices.
- Aqara Hub M2 is mostly about the convenience aspects of the smart home. It’s very easy to set up, but that ease of use is largely attributable to how it limits you to using only Aqara’s own devices.
- Arlo Home Security System is strictly a home security system, and it features sophisticated sensors that can do a lot more than detect open or closed states. But it’s largely a walled garden in that you can only use Arlo products with it.
- Ecobee takes an interesting approach to home security, integrating its smart home hub into the company’s top-shelf smart thermostat. Ecobee also has a great home security camera, and the entire system is HomeKit compatible.
- Homey Bridge is a SmartThings-like smart home hub that supports Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, 433MHz, and infrared devices. Like SmartThings, it’s focused primarily on convenience versus home security. But you’re limited to just five devices unless you pay for a subscription.
- Hubitat Elevation (model C7) is a powerful smart home hub favored by many hardcore enthusiasts, and unlike the Aeotec Smart Home Hub we like so much, Hubitat’s product isn’t reliant on a connection to the internet. Less-experienced users, however, will encounter a steep learning curve.
- Notion is a smart home system with unique one-piece sensors that can do everything from determine if a door or window is open or closed to alert you to the presence of water where it shouldn’t be. Professional monitorings is available, too, for just $10 per month. But this is a smart security system, you can’t control lights and other systems in your home.
- Tapo H100 Smart Hub is a budget-priced home security that’s compatible with a very limited number of security products from the same manufacturer, and it doesn’t support security cameras at all. It’s main attraction is its low price tag.
- Roku Home Monitoring SE is yet another low-priced home security system, but with a twist: Roku sources this system from Wyze Labs and puts the Roku brand on it. Affordable professional monitoring is available.
- SwitchBot Hub 2 is primarily a gateway for other SwitchBot smart home products, but it can also serve as a Matter bridge for a host of third-party products.
- Wyze Home Monitoring is the same system as the Roku Home Monitoring SE, but Wyze manufactures both products. This is a low-cost security system with an extremely affordable professional monitoring subscription.
Author: Christopher Null, Contributor
Christopher Null is an award-winning technology journalist with more than 25 years of experience writing about and reviewing consumer and business tech products. Previously, he served as Executive Editor for PC Computing magazine and was the founder and Editor in Chief of Mobile magazine, the first print publication focused exclusively on mobile tech. In addition to covering a wide range of smart home gear for TechHive, he is a frequent contributor to Wired, This Old House, and AAA’s Via Magazine.