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Smart Devices

Products for smart home automation, ranging from Z-Wave sensors (contact, motion, temp, etc) to WiFi door locks and alarm systems. With a focus on Samsung SmartThings, most devices use either Z-Wave or Zigbee to communicate with a smart home hub, like SmartThings.

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 Safer Smarter Networking

What is Z-Wave? Learn about the most powerful home automation network

As technology continues to advance, the concept of the smart home is becoming more and more popular. Home automation and IoT devices have taken over homes across the world, and with good reason. They offer convenience, security, and energy efficiency, making our lives easier and more comfortable. However, with so many devices available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your home.
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...
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Top 3 Smart Toilet Seats for 2020

Not as smart as you'd think. But considering the amount of time we spend bonding with them... why not make it better? These toilet seats are not compatible with SmartThings or any other home automation platform. But they call themselves "smart" because...they're cool. Of the current 2020...
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Optimal Netgear Orbi Router Settings for Signal Strength and Speed

To access these settings, login to orbilogin.com (while connected to the network), click the Advanced tab, then choose Advanced Setup from the left sidebar menu. These settings are only available if your Orbi is in 'Router mode'.
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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.
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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...

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