Unlocking the Future of Home Automation: Hubitat Elevation C-8 Smart Home Hub

In the ever-evolving world of smart home technology, Hubitat has consistently stood out as a brand committed to delivering powerful and reliable automation solutions. The latest addition to their lineup, the Hubitat Elevation C-8 Smart Home Hub, made its debut in March 2023, and it’s already generating buzz among tech enthusiasts and smart home aficionados alike. Packed with significant improvements over its predecessor, the C-7, the C-8 is poised to redefine the standard for smart home hubs.

A Familiar Look with Powerful Upgrades

At first glance, the Hubitat Elevation C-8 may look similar to the C-7 model, maintaining the same sleek and compact form factor that users have come to appreciate. However, the real magic lies beneath the surface, where Hubitat has introduced a host of enhancements designed to elevate the smart home experience. One of the most noticeable upgrades is the inclusion of new external antennas, which are a game-changer for users who have struggled with wireless range limitations in the past. These antennas significantly boost the hub’s ability to maintain strong, reliable connections with smart devices throughout the home, even in larger or multi-story properties. Another major improvement is the addition of built-in WiFi, a feature that was notably absent in the C-7. This upgrade offers greater flexibility in hub placement, allowing users to position their hub in the most optimal location without being tethered to an Ethernet port. Of course, for those who prefer a wired connection, the C-8 still includes an Ethernet port, ensuring robust network performance for demanding smart home setups.

Advanced Protocols and Enhanced Compatibility

Hubitat has also made significant strides in terms of the C-8’s compatibility and performance with smart home protocols. The hub now supports the upgraded Z-Wave Plus 800 series, offering faster processing, improved range, and enhanced security features. This makes the C-8 an ideal choice for users looking to future-proof their home automation system while ensuring backward compatibility with existing Z-Wave devices. In addition to Z-Wave, the Hubitat Elevation C-8 fully supports the latest Zigbee 3.0 protocol, which brings improvements in energy efficiency, device compatibility, and network stability. Zigbee 3.0’s interoperability with a wide range of devices means that users can seamlessly integrate products from different manufacturers, creating a more cohesive and responsive smart home environment. For Apple enthusiasts, there’s even more good news: the Hubitat Elevation C-8, like its predecessor, is fully compatible with Apple HomeKit. This integration allows users to control their Hubitat-connected devices through the Apple Home app and Siri, providing a unified smart home experience across platforms. Whether you’re commanding your lights, adjusting your thermostat, or checking your security cameras, HomeKit users can enjoy a seamless and intuitive interface.

The Hubitat Advantage

What sets Hubitat apart from other smart home hubs on the market is its commitment to local processing. Unlike many competitors that rely heavily on cloud-based processing, the Hubitat Elevation C-8 processes automations locally on the hub itself. This not only results in faster response times and improved reliability but also ensures that your smart home continues to function even if your internet connection goes down. Privacy-conscious users will also appreciate the fact that Hubitat’s local processing minimizes the amount of personal data sent to the cloud. In conclusion, the Hubitat Elevation C-8 Smart Home Hub is a substantial upgrade that addresses many of the pain points experienced by users of previous models. With its enhanced wireless range, built-in WiFi, advanced Z-Wave and Zigbee support, and seamless HomeKit integration, the C-8 is a versatile and powerful hub that meets the needs of today’s smart home enthusiasts. Whether you’re upgrading from the C-7 or diving into the world of Hubitat for the first time, the C-8 is an investment in a smarter, more connected future. --- The latest product from Hubitat, the Hubitat Elevation C-8 Smart Home Hub, was released in March of 2023 with significant improvements over the prior C-7 version (read our review of the Hubitat C-7).

• Shop the Hubitat Elevation C-7 on Amazon
• Shop the NEW Hubitat Elevation C-8 on Amazon

Compare the Hubitat C-7 and C-8 features:

Migrating from C-7 to the New C-8 Hub

Hubitat has made it simple to migrate from the C-7 hub to the new Elevation C-8 Hub - no additional cost to use migration assistant. Follow these simple steps to migrate in about 5 minutes:

1. Before you plug in your C-8 hub, update your C-7 hub to the latest firmware
   1. Settings > Check for Updates
2. Next, on your C-7 hub, create a FREE Cloud Backup
   1. Settings > Backup and Restore > Cloud Backup for C8 Migration
3. After successful Cloud Backup, shut down your C7 hub
4. Plug in your C8 hub, connect to Ethernet, and allow 2-3 minutes to boot. Wait until the status LED turn green
5. In a browser connected to the same network as your C8 hub, navigate to http://go.hubitat.com/ and follow the steps
6. If you complete the guided steps but didn't see the option to Restore from Backup, once you login to your C8 hub, go to Settings > Backup and Restore > View Restore Backups Only > click the icon under "Actions" to restore your new C8 hub with the settings from your C7 cloud backup. Be sure to check all the checkbox options prompted - yes, migrate Z-Wave radio, migrate Zigbee radio, delete existing files.
7. You're done! Your C8 hub is now identical to your C7 hub. You may need to reboot the C8 to activate any custom network settings like Static IP or DNS Server Overrides

Hubitat Work with Most Major IoT Device Brands

The list of compatible devices for Hubitat hubs is extensive - but the folks at Hubitat maintain a comprehensive list of Hubitat-compatible devices you can reference before buying your next IoT device. Some of the major brands that are natively compatible (meaning no special drivers needed) include:

• Amazon Echo
• Google Home
• Apple HomeKit
• Ecobee
• Philips Hue
• Leviton
• Lutron
• Honeywell
• GE Jasco
• Aeotec
• LIFX
• Ecolink
• Zooz
• Centralite
• Fibaro
• Kwikset
• Innr
• Rachio
• Sengled
• Wally
• Sonoff
• Global Cache
• IKEA
• Yale
• leakSmart
• Flume
• Sense
• Inovelli
• Shelly
• ADT
• NanoLeaf
• Wiz

What's In the Box

Items included in the Hubitat Elevation C-8 box are:

• Hubitat Elevation C-8 Hub
• 2x External Antennas
• 1x 3ft USB to USB-C Power Cable
• 1x USB Power Adapter
• 1x 6ft CAT6 Ethernet Cable