Smart home hubs and controllers deliver more than just convenience—they provide comfort, security, and streamline daily tasks for individuals of all ages. Smart Home World explores the leading brands in the market and highlights their unique selling points.
As homeowners juggle busy, multifaceted lifestyles, the need for seamless, efficient home management has become inevitable. Today’s homeowners—ranging from tech-savvy young professionals to multitasking parents, and even senior citizens—are increasingly seeking solutions that allow them to control their home environment with ease and convenience. The driving factor behind this shift is the desire for smart, intuitive technology that can simplify daily tasks, enhance comfort, and provide a greater sense of control over their living spaces.
For tech-savvy individuals and families, particularly those with children growing up in a digital age, smart home systems have become an essential part of their lives. These homeowners are looking for automation that makes their routines smoother, such as controlling lighting, climate, entertainment, security systems, and appliances from a single platform. With a touch of a button or a voice command, these tech-savvy users can adjust everything to their preferences, whether they’re managing energy use or ensuring their home is secure.
On the other hand, parents juggling work and family responsibilities can benefit from the time-saving features that smart home hubs and controllers offer. These devices help streamline the home’s various systems—lighting, temperature, and entertainment—allowing parents to focus on other tasks without the need to manually adjust every aspect of their home.
Moreover, smart home technology is proving invaluable for senior citizens, who may find traditional home management cumbersome. With a simple interface, voice control, or mobile app, seniors can easily adjust home settings, manage security, or monitor health-related devices without the need for complex interaction. This level of accessibility and convenience is crucial in providing independence and safety, while also offering peace of mind to family members.
As a result, homeowners are increasingly allocating budgets to integrate smart hubs and controllers into their homes. These technologies offer customizable solutions to fit the unique needs of each household, making it easier for everyone—from busy professionals to aging parents—to manage their environment effortlessly. With the ability to control all home systems from one central platform, homeowners are investing in a smarter, more efficient, and user-friendly living experience that aligns with their fast-paced and evolving needs.
Brands and Convenience
With centralized control, homeowners can easily adjust the thermostat, control lighting, monitor security cameras, and manage home theater systems, all from one central interface. Additionally, centralized control boosts energy efficiency by offering homeowners a comprehensive view of their energy consumption. This allows them to make informed choices about when to turn Off devices, adjust temperatures, or optimize lighting to reduce energy waste. As a result, homeowners can lower utility bills and contribute to a more sustainable environment. The convenience and energy-saving benefits of centralized control make it a key feature in smart homes, promoting a seamless and efficient lifestyle.
There are brands available with advanced features providing both wired and wireless solution. Brands like Schneider Electric, Savant, Control4, Crestron, RTI, AMX, Ketra, ABB, Gira (KNX), Jung (KNX), Lutron, Johnson Control, Desi IoT, Legrand, Sonos, Nice, Havells, Basalte Home and URC, typically cater to more specialized, high-end home automation needs.
Numerous wireless brands are offering advanced smart hubs and controllers, that seamlessly integrate into home automation systems, allowing users to control various smart devices across their homes. Among the leading brands, Amazon Echo (powered by Alexa) is a popular choice, enabling voice-controlled management of smart devices through the Amazon Alexa app. Google Nest Hub, powered by Google Assistant, allows users to control their devices via voice commands or the Google Home app, offering a smart display for easy monitoring. For Apple users, Apple HomePod and Apple TV 4K integrate with HomeKit, providing voice control through Siri and management via the Apple Home app.
Samsung SmartThings is another widely-used platform, supporting a broad range of devices and offering automation across various brands through the SmartThings app. Philips Hue Bridge, controlled via the Philips Hue app, is a leader in smart lighting automation and works seamlessly with other ecosystems like Alexa and Google Assistant. Schneider Electric offers the Wiser Smart Home Hub, which provides control for devices such as lighting, heating, and security, with a focus on energy efficiency, managed through the Wiser app.
Savant and Control4 cater to high-end home automation, with Savant Smart Hub and Control4 Smart Hub, respectively, allows for luxurious integration of lighting, climate, entertainment, and security systems via their dedicated apps. Similarly, Crestron, through its Crestron Home System, offers integrated control for advanced home automation setups, while RTI and AMX provide customizable home automation systems through their respective control platforms and apps.
Ketra, now part of Lutron, specializes in smart lighting and colour tuning, managed through the Ketra app, while ABB offers the ABB Ability™ Smart Home Hub, integrating various home devices for remote management via the ABB Ability™ Smart Home app. Gira and Jung, both using the KNX standard, offer comprehensive home automation systems with apps like Gira G1 and Jung KNX for controlling lighting, heating, and security. Lutron‘s Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge integrates with the Lutron Caseta app for easy control of lighting, shades, and temperature settings. Legrand provides the Legrand Smart Home Hub, allowing seamless control over a variety of devices via the Legrand Home app, while Sonos offers smart home audio solutions with its Sonos app. Nice offers automation for gates, shutters, and blinds through its Nice app, while URC provides an integrated solution for entertainment, security, and climate control via the URC Total Control app.
In India, the adoption of smart home technology is growing rapidly, with brands like Desi IoT offering solutions tailored for the Indian market. Their Desi IoT app allows users to control smart lighting, security, and energy management devices.
Expert Views and Brand Offerings
Shreyans Chowdhary, Director and CEO, Smato
“With Basalte Home, every detail of your home can be personalised exactly the way you want it, from lighting and music to climate control and security. Using the Basalte app, keypads, or remote, you can effortlessly manage everything with a gentle touch. You can create custom scenes for everyday situations—like ‘morning’, ‘relax’, or ‘dinner’. A single tap on your design keypad or the app sets the mood: lights dim, shades descend, and your home is instantly ready for relaxation. It’s that easy. Plus, you’ll have a full overview of your home’s climate with intuitive set-point control. Set planners when you’re home or away to ensure your home is always at the perfect temperature. With its advanced security features, you can see who’s at your doorstep and monitor the activity around your home. Control access from anywhere, anytime, ensuring peace of mind no matter where you are. Your home will always be secure, and you’ll always feel safe and comforted. The Basalte products are designed to blend seamlessly into any interior, while their elegant finishes also make them stand out as true design statements. Every detail is crafted to perfection, creating a luxurious and functional space.”
Highlighting the Server Options, Shreyans Chowdhary, adds “Core Plus is Basalte’s all-in-one server, designed to offer cutting-edge functionality and convenience. This powerful server puts control of your home’s lighting, climate, music, and security just a tap away. With Core Plus, you can easily create advanced automation scenarios and seamlessly integrate various smart devices into a cohesive system, making home management effortless. For those looking for a more compact solution without sacrificing power, Core Mini is an excellent choice. Smaller in size yet equally powerful, the Core Mini allows you to control all aspects of your home—lighting, entertainment, climate, and security—personalized through the Basalte app or design controls. Both Core Plus and Core Mini come with integrated Basalte Beam connectivity for the Basalte Miro Remote, a direct KNX connection, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, ensuring a reliable and efficient setup. Core Plus further enhances the experience with two analog audio zones and IR control for up to 6 devices, offering more versatility in managing your home. Basalte also excels in audio integration, enabling you to host your favourite music and connect all your A/V devices, such as amplifiers, speakers, televisions, and streamers, for a fully integrated entertainment system. You can control everything using custom comfort scenes, ensuring a seamless experience. With Basalte’s Aalto design speakers and the Asano multiroom audio system, you’ll enjoy exceptional sound performance throughout your home. Additionally, Basalte partners with top-tier AV brands like Spotify, Sonos, Apple TV, Sony, and Samsung to provide a premium audiovisual experience.
When it comes to security, Basalte Home integrates with advanced technologies, including IP cameras and doorphones. Trusted partners such as 2N, Doorbird, TCS, and Adelante ensure robust security options. The Adelante luxury doorphone stands out with its modular design, featuring access control, fingerprint recognition, and a high-definition OLED touch display. Its stylish design not only enhances your Basalte Home but also provides secure entry and peace of mind.”
Vivek Yadav, Executive Vice President, Havells India
“Havells One Platform offers a comprehensive and integrated solution for smart home management. Its unified control feature allows users to manage multiple devices and systems from a single interface, simplifying the overall experience. The platform supports smart automation, enabling homeowners to set up personalized routines and schedules to automate everyday tasks, enhancing convenience and efficiency. Voice assistant integration ensures seamless hands-free control, allowing users to command devices using voice commands through popular assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the platform boasts a scalable design, making it easy to expand and integrate new devices as your smart home evolves. Energy management is another key feature, offering real-time monitoring and control of energy usage, helping homeowners optimize consumption and reduce costs. The customizable user interface allows users to personalize their experience, tailoring the app and controls to their preferences for ease of use. Havells One Platform also prioritizes security and reliability, ensuring that your smart home operates safely and consistently, providing peace of mind for all users.
Adding insight on robust date security and privacy for users he further adds,
“Havells places a strong emphasis on data security and user privacy within its smart home and automation solutions, employing a multi-layered approach to safeguard user information and ensure secure device interactions. The platform uses end-to-end data encryption with advanced protocols like AES 128/256, ensuring that all data transmitted remains protected. HTTPS support ensures secure communication channels, further enhancing privacy during data exchange. For added security, multi-factor authentication is implemented, requiring multiple verification steps for user access, making unauthorized access more difficult.
Havells also ensures regular security updates through over-the-air (OTA) firmware patches, keeping systems up-to-date and protected from emerging threats. Continuous cloud monitoring allows for real-time tracking and detection of potential security risks. To protect devices from unauthorized alterations, tamper detection and secure boot technologies are incorporated, ensuring that the devices operate securely from the moment they are powered on. Finally, Havells follows a consent-based data collection approach, giving users control over the information they share, and reinforcing trust and transparency in the platform.
Havells smart home solutions are widely compatible with popular platforms such as Google Home and Alexa, with many of their newer and high-end offerings now also supporting Apple HomeKit integration. In addition, the Havells Signia Smart Solution is now compatible with Samsung SmartThings, and the company is working towards making most of its solutions Matter compliant in the future, ensuring greater interoperability across different smart home ecosystems.
Havells has built a robust network of System Integration partners and trained service personnel to ensure seamless installation and support for its wireless smart solutions. The support process begins during the presales phase, where the automation journey starts as early as the building’s design stage. Havells works closely with the client and architect to help design the ideal automation solution and wiring plan. During the execution phase, the company ensures supervised installation of wiring and final-stage setup to guarantee a smooth implementation. The programming phase is equally collaborative, where the entire automation experience is customized based on the client’s specific needs and preferences.
Once the site is complete, usage training is provided to ensure the client understands how to operate and maximize the features of their smart home. In addition to this, clients receive ongoing support via telephonic, remote, or on-site visits during the warranty period. To maintain the highest standards of service, Havells regularly trains its home automation system integrators, installers, and technicians on new products, integration methods, and solutions. Periodic refresher courses, along with classroom training and hands-on sessions in installation and programming, are also provided to ensure their expertise remains up-to-date.
Yogesh Nambir, Marketing Director, HARMAN India
“Our system is designed to adapt seamlessly to and anticipate evolving user needs, enhancing the smart home experience through advanced compatibility and integration. The JBL MA series receivers are fully compatible with the SmartThings ecosystem, allowing comprehensive voice control through multiple virtual assistants, including Bixby, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Users can effortlessly control their home audio system using voice commands, making everyday operations more convenient and intuitive.”
Highlighting on how the brand ensures user-friendly features for homeowners, as well as integrators and installers he adds, “To ensure user-friendly setup and ongoing management for homeowners, integrators, and installers, our brand adopts a comprehensive approach. The JBL MA series receivers offer extensive compatibility with leading home automation systems, including Crestron, Control4, and AMX, enabling seamless integration into existing smart home setups. Through AMX integration, users can conveniently access receiver controls via the Hub app, streamlining the control interface.”
He further adds, “We foresee smart home control systems becoming more intuitive, interconnected, and responsive to user habits, creating a seamless, adaptive environment. JBL is leading this evolution with the JBL MA series receivers, which integrate with the SmartThings ecosystem and support voice assistants like Bixby, Google Assistant, and Alexa for easy voice control. Our receivers also feature advanced streaming with AirPlay and Chromecast, overcoming Bluetooth limitations for high-quality, flexible audio.
With compatibility across major automation platforms such as Crestron, Control4, and AMX, and dedicated JBL apps for customization and room calibration, we ensure a user-friendly, high-quality smart home experience. These innovations position JBL to meet future demands in smart home technology.”
Savant
SavantOS 11 is a game-changer for the smart home experience, bringing powerful new features and seamless integration to elevate how users interact with their connected homes. With Siri Integration, controlling your home with simple voice commands via Apple Shortcuts is now easier than ever. This feature, available for Pro Host users with an Essentials Subscription, allows effortless control over lighting, entertainment, and climate—all through your voice. Additionally, the LEAP Integration update simplifies the configuration and management of Lutron LEAP Systems directly within Blueprint, making the lighting and shading control more intuitive.
They have also rebranded da Vinci to SavantOS, with a fresh, modern look and redesigned icons that enhance usability and ensure a more powerful, user-friendly experience. Whether you’re adjusting lighting, managing security, or creating custom automation scenarios, SavantOS 11 makes home automation more accessible and intuitive, transforming the way you interact with your smart home.”
Amazon Unveils the Echo Show 21 Smart Display
Amazon has introduced the Echo Show 21, a game-changing addition to its smart display lineup. Featuring a massive 21-inch screen—nearly double the size of the Echo Show 15—it offers an immersive experience for streaming, video calls, and smart home management. The upgraded display boasts improved resolution, while enhanced audio delivers rich, clear sound with better bass and room-adaptation technology. The improved auto-framing camera offers a 65% zoom boost and wider field of view, ensuring flawless video calls. With Wi-Fi 6E support, faster streaming, and seamless smart home integration, the Echo Show 21 is the ultimate hub for entertainment and home control.
Forecasting the Future…
As the smart home market continues to evolve, future hubs are expected to focus heavily on interoperability and standardization. With the growing number of smart devices in homes, ensuring seamless integration across various brands and platforms will be crucial. Standardization efforts, such as the adoption of protocols like Matter, will enable devices from different manufacturers to communicate effectively, creating a more interconnected and cohesive smart home ecosystem.
Another trend shaping the future of smart homes is the increasing reliance on voice and natural language processing. As voice commands become more integral to smart home control, future hubs will incorporate advanced natural language processing capabilities, allowing users to interact with their homes in a more conversational way. This improvement will make smart homes more accessible, particularly for individuals with varying levels of technological proficiency.
Energy efficiency and sustainability will be key priorities in the future of smart home technology. Smart hubs will employ advanced algorithms that not only optimize energy usage based on user behavior but also integrate with renewable energy sources. This eco-friendly focus aligns with global sustainability efforts, making smart homes more energy-conscious and environmentally responsible. Additionally, as smart homes become more connected, the need for enhanced security measures will grow. Future hubs will implement advanced encryption, secure device authentication, and proactive threat detection to protect against potential cybersecurity risks.
In conclusion, the future of smart home hubs will be defined by the integration of artificial intelligence, advanced automation, interoperability, edge computing, sustainability, security, and personalization. These innovations will help create homes that are smarter, more responsive, and better aligned with the evolving needs of modern homeowners.
