By Natalie Chen
Our Editorial Research & Methodology
The Brain of Your Home: Why Hubs Still Matter in 2026
Here is the thing: for years, we were promised that Matter would kill the need for a smart home hub. The dream was simple. You buy a light, you scan a code, and it just works with everything else. But if you have tried building a serious smart home lately, you know that is only half the story. While Matter has made it easier for devices to talk to each other, you still need a 'brain' to coordinate the logic, handle the heavy lifting of automation, and keep your data off the cloud.
In 2026, the conversation has shifted. We are no longer just asking if a hub supports Zigbee or Z-Wave. We are asking about local AI processing, Thread Border Router capabilities, and how much of your life is being uploaded to a server in Virginia. A good hub is the difference between a home that feels like magic and a home that feels like a constant IT project.
The Shift to Local Control
What most people miss is that speed is not just about your internet connection. It is about where the decision happens. When you walk into a room and a motion sensor triggers the lights, that signal shouldn't have to travel to a data center and back just to flip a switch. The best hubs today do everything locally. This means even if your fiber line gets cut by a neighbor's landscaping crew, your house still functions.
The Heavy Hitters: A Detailed Comparison
Choosing a hub usually means picking a side in the ecosystem wars. However, the lines are blurring. Let's look at how the top contenders stack up in the current landscape.
🏆 Our Top Picks
Samsung SmartThings Station
A compact, affordable hub that supports Matter, Zigbee, and Thread. It doubles as a 15W fast wireless charger and features a physical button that can trigger three different smart home scenes. It is the perfect entry point for those who want a reliable, multi-protocol system without a complex setup.
Check Price on Amazon →Apple TV 4K (128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
The gold standard for privacy-conscious users. It acts as a powerful HomeKit Hub and Thread Border Router, ensuring all your data stays local and encrypted. The Ethernet port is essential for the most stable connection possible in a high-density smart home.
Check Price on Amazon →Home Assistant Green
The easiest way to get started with the world's most powerful automation platform. It is a plug-and-play device that focuses on local control and privacy. It is best for enthusiasts who want to escape the limitations of big-tech ecosystems and customize every aspect of their home.
Check Price on Amazon →Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro
A pro-grade hub designed for 100% local processing. With external antennas for superior Zigbee and Z-Wave range, it is built for reliability and speed. It is the best choice for users who want advanced automation logic without the steep learning curve of Home Assistant.
Check Price on Amazon →Amazon Echo Hub
An 8-inch wall-mountable display that acts as a central command center for Alexa-compatible devices. It includes a built-in smart home hub with support for Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, making it ideal for families who prefer a visual dashboard for controlling their home.
Check Price on Amazon →| Feature | Samsung SmartThings | Apple Home (Apple TV 4K) | Home Assistant Green | Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Protocol | Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave | Matter, Thread | Everything (with dongles) | Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter |
| Ease of Use | High | Very High | Medium-Low | Medium |
| Local Processing | Partial (Mostly Local) | Full | Full | Full |
| Customization | Moderate | Low | Infinite | High |
| Price Point | Affordable | Premium | Mid-range | Mid-range |
Samsung SmartThings: The Great All-Rounder
Samsung has played a clever game. By integrating the hub functionality into TVs, refrigerators, and even soundbars, they have made the 'hub' invisible for many. But for the enthusiast, the dedicated SmartThings Station is still the way to go. It is one of the few hubs that still supports Z-Wave alongside the newer Matter and Thread standards. If you have a drawer full of older sensors, this is your best bet.
The interface is clean, and the 'Edge Drivers' system means most of your automations run locally on the hardware. The downside? You are still tied into the Samsung account ecosystem, which might not sit well with the privacy-first crowd.
Apple Home: The Privacy Fortress
If you live in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple TV 4K (the 128GB version with Ethernet) is arguably the best hub you can buy. It is not just a streaming box; it is a powerful Thread Border Router. Apple's approach is simple: everything stays on your local network, encrypted and private. The setup is as easy as tapping your phone to the device.
However, Apple is still a walled garden. While Matter has opened the gates a bit, you will still find that some niche devices just won't show up in the Home app. You are also limited by Apple's 'Home' app logic, which is great for simple tasks but frustrating for complex, multi-condition automations.
The Power User's Paradise: Home Assistant and Hubitat
For those who want total control, the 'Big Three' (Apple, Amazon, Google) often feel too restrictive. This is where the enthusiast hubs come in. These are for the people who want their house to react differently based on the humidity in the bathroom, the time of day, and whether or not the car is in the driveway.
Home Assistant: The Gold Standard
In my experience, nothing touches Home Assistant for sheer power. The 'Green' hub is their entry-level hardware that makes it accessible to people who don't want to spend their weekend flashing SD cards. It connects to almost anything. If a device has a chip in it, someone has probably written a Home Assistant integration for it.
The learning curve is steeper, but the payoff is a home that is truly yours. You can build custom dashboards that look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Just be prepared to spend some time in the forums when things get complicated.
Hubitat Elevation: The Reliable Workhorse
Hubitat occupies a unique middle ground. It offers the local-first reliability of Home Assistant but with a slightly more user-friendly interface. The C-8 Pro model is a beast, featuring external antennas that provide incredible range for Zigbee and Z-Wave devices. It is built by people who hate the cloud, for people who hate the cloud. Every automation happens inside that little box.
What to Look for When Buying
Don't just buy the most expensive option. Think about your specific needs. Are you looking for a 'set it and forget it' system, or do you want a new hobby? Here are the three things that should guide your decision:
- Protocol Support: Do you have existing Zigbee or Z-Wave devices? If so, make sure your hub has the radios to talk to them. Don't assume Matter covers everything yet.
- Ecosystem Compatibility: If everyone in your house uses an iPhone, an Apple-centric hub makes sense. If you are a mixed household, look for something more neutral like SmartThings or Home Assistant.
- The 'Spouse Test': If the internet goes down, can your partner still turn on the kitchen lights? If the answer is no, you have picked the wrong hub.
The Hidden Reality of Matter 1.4 and Beyond
By now, Matter has matured. We are seeing better support for complex devices like robot vacuums and energy monitors. But here is what most people miss: Matter is a language, not a platform. Just because two devices speak Matter doesn't mean they will have the same features in every app. A smart bulb might have 16 million colors in its native app but only 10 presets in a basic Matter controller. Always check the feature parity before committing.
Final Thoughts on Building Your System
Building a smart home is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with a hub that can grow with you. If you are just starting, the Samsung SmartThings Station offers the best balance of price and compatibility. If you are worried about big tech overreach, Hubitat or Home Assistant are the only real choices. Whatever you pick, prioritize local control. Your future self, trying to turn on the lights during a storm, will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a hub if my devices are Matter-compatible?
Yes. While Matter allows devices to talk, you still need a hub to act as a 'controller' to manage automations and provide remote access. You also need a Thread Border Router if your devices use the Thread protocol.
Can I use multiple hubs in one home?
Absolutely. Many users use a 'power' hub like Home Assistant for logic and bridge it to Apple Home or Alexa for voice control and a simple user interface.
What happens to my smart home if my hub breaks?
If your hub fails, your automated routines will stop working. However, most smart switches and devices will still work manually. This is why it is important to choose high-quality hardware with backup options.
