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Home Automation

Home Automation

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The brain of every smart home is a smart hub, with popular models like Samsung SmartThings, in addition to other Z-wave and Zigbee products. Once equipped with a smart hub, any home can be automated with wireless devices, including sensors, buttons, actuators and more. Our smart-device reviews are for all skill levels, house sizes, and budgets.

Comparing Z-Wave vs. Zigbee

Z-Wave vs. Zigbee: Which is best for home automation?

While Z-Wave offers better interoperability, longer range, and more advanced security, it comes at a higher cost and limited compatibility. On the other hand, Zigbee offers wider compatibility, lower cost, and energy efficiency, but it may have interoperability issues, less security, and shorter range.

Hubitat C7 Smart Home Hub – Winner of 2022 IoT Hub Comparison

Habitat Elevation C-7 Smart Home Hub: A Comprehensive and User-Friendly Solution In recent years, the concept of the smart home has become increasingly popular, with a plethora of devices available in the market. While these devices offer convenience and ease of use, it can be...
Z-Wave network for home automation

Why I Migrated My Smart Home from SmartThings to Hubitat Elevation

HomeKit support is available on Hubitat Elevation smart home hubs (as of January 2023)! Finally a seamless solution to connecting your Z-Wave, Zigbee, and WiFi devices to Apple's HomeKit network and controllable from the Apple Home app. Learn more After many years of satisfied SmartThings...
Fibaro Big Button - White

The Ultimate Guide to Buttons for Hubitat & SmartThings

After reviewing over 25 smart buttons for SmartThings and other smart home hubs, we thought it'd be helpful to single-out the top 3 buttons to date. The buttons we link to below are natively compatible with SmartThings, and utilize Z-wave, Zigbee, and sometimes both.
Aeotech NanoMote on AverageTech: Review

Aeotec NanoMote Quad: Multi-function Z-Wave Controller

Released in early 2019, the new Aeotec NanoMote (Available on Amazon) comes natively compatible with Samsung SmartThings, in addition to other Z-Wave Smart Home Hubs. Offering 4 physical buttons, each with 2 touch-modes (short press & long press), the NanoMote is an upgrade to the Aeotec WallMote Dual and Quad button controllers. Comparatively, the NanoMote is significantly smaller; measuring about 2-inches by 2/3-inch.
Hue Outdoor Lighting 3 Pack Image

New Philips Hue Outdoor Smart Lighting

Philips Hue is the leader in smart, colored lighting solutions for residential and DIY projects. While Hue products are on the higher end of the price spectrum, their quality and durability easily justify the price tag. Compared the cheap, LED light strips...
horizontal blinds home automation mysmartblinds

Control Existing Window Blinds with Voice & App

Available on Amazon The idea behind MySmartBlinds is simple: place a small WiFi/Bluetooth servo motor, hidden inside the existing housing of your window blinds, to open, close, and adjust the angle of the slats manually, or on a...
Sonos Play1 Original Smart Speaker

Sonos One vs. Sonos Play:1 – What’s the difference?

The main, and biggest, difference between the 'Play:1' and 'One' is Alexa - the Sonos One has Amazon Alexa voice assistant built in. Both the Sonos Play:1 and Sonos One have 2 drivers, built-in WiFi, a standard wall plug, and are wall-mount compatible.
Chamberlin MyQ Garade Door Controller ATB

Chamberlin MyQ Garage Door Controller

The garage door is a common roadblock for home automation, because garage door openers are “dumb”, expensive, and not something you'd want to break. Have no fear! If you pair a SmartThings hub with the Chamberlin MyQ Garage Door Kit, you can control your garage door remotely, and check its current status. You can even automate it using IFTTT and webCoRE.
Yale Smart Deadbolt

Top 3 Smart Z-Wave Deadbolts for Home Automation

For both standard and non-standard doors, or doors with decorative door handles, you should consider adding a deadbolt-only smart device to the door to enable remote control and access. A smart deadbolt is simply a locking mechanism that fits into the existing deadbolt cut-out in your door, and connects to the internet to allow for remote access and programming.

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