Aeotec Smart Home Hub Works as a SmartThings Hub Z-Wave Zigbee Matter Gateway Compatible with Alexa Google Assistant

When we moved into our house, we initially used our security system as the z-wave hub to control all our smart switches and devices with our Amazon Echo. Unfortunately, our security system and Amazon Echo are no longer compatible and I had to find a new smart hub. The Aeotec Smart Home Hub works flawlessly. It was simple to set up and made transitioning smart hubs effortless. The only con is that the unit is expensive. However, being compatible with zwave, zigbee, and matter makes up for that. Read more

This is an excellent product which is very easy to set up using Samsung SmartThings app. I purchased the hub primarily for use with my LeakSmart sensors and valve. The company behind LeakSmart (not Aeotec) is out of business now. I was able to pair all the sensors and valve successfully, and configure 'Routines' easily; Those determine when the valve should close (Hint: When there is a water leak...). Some info for other LeakSmart users: In order to pair the valve, you have to remove the valve's backup batteries, disconnect the valve from AC power, then put the Aeotec Hub into pairing mode, and insert the batteries into the valve. The Hub found it immediately. I had a harder time pairing the sensors, but was able to pair all 4 after a few attempts. First, I put the Aeotec into pairing mode, then removed batteries from a sensor, inserted the batteries, and held the black button at the bottom of the sensor for about 2 seconds. Some of the sensors paired within 30 seconds, but with some I had to repeat the procedure several times. I am sure this is a LeakSmart thing and not Aeotec issue. I wish SmartThings offered Apple HomeKit integration, but for my particular application it wasn't an issue. Overall I recommend the hub. Read more

I'm a certifiable smart home nerd (everything in my house is controllable from app or voice - all wall light switches (I use GE Enbrighten Z Wave switches), smart plugs, garage doors, thermostat, exterior door locks, blinds, appliances, security system, etc.). I had a 2nd gen Samsung SmartThings hub and decided to upgrade to the latest-greatest Aeotec version. I would have given this straight 5 stars, but very, very unfortunately, they don't have a transfer utility to move devices from an earlier version of the hub to the new one. Since I use all Z-wave devices, each one of the over 70 devices in my home had to be reset before I could connect them to the new hub. 3 of the wall switches just wouldn't reset no matter what I did so I had to replace them even though they worked fine with the old hub. Anyway, after spending a (beyond annoying) weekend methodically resetting and adding each device, we're all good to go and everything works great. The Alexa skill for SmartThings works great and Alexa picks up new devices I add instantaneously; and since SmartThings handles all of the main wireless smart home standards, you can connect just about anything to it. Plus, the SmartThings app is easy and intuitive; and I love the automations you can create (such as locking all of my exterior doors at 10 PM every night, turn on my garage outside lights at midnight and off at 5 AM every day, etc.). Read more

Works great with all out smart home products. Covers all major brands out there Read more

Works as a direct replacement of the Samsung SmartThings HUB. Stayed with this architecture since starting with the first gen. Read more

I had originally purchased this as a means of getting my feet wet on my journey to upgrade my newly purchased home into a smart home. After almost a solid week of research, this product seemed like the all-in-one package. It supported both Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter, meaning I wouldn't have to have separate hubs for each protocol. Aeotec was given the IP rights for SmartThings, so that was a big green flag to pull the trigger on this company as I figured that meant it was at least reputable and proceeded with my purchase. The intent was to set up this device with HomeAssistant. The product description *heavily* implies that this product works locally, only needing WAN access for setup stating - and I quote - "Requires internet access for set-up: Ethernet connection recommended, but Wi-Fi is also available." There is also a question asking if it is cloud dependent in the Q&A with Aeotec themselves stating - again, I quote - "This hub is currently cloud dependent, but will become local-dependent in the near future through firmware updates." back in 2021. I had assumed that given the current product decription saying it only needed internet for setup, in addition to SmartThings Edge drivers, meant I could finally have local control, but alas this is not the case. As soon as I pulled my WAN cord to simulate an outage, I could no longer control my devices via the SmartThings App even still connected to the same WIFI as the hub via Ethernet. It outright refused to work and the app said my hub was offline. Home automation still should - in theory - work, but since I only have smart switches and lights, setting up automations was outside the realm of possibilities with my current hardware. This also meant that I had no way of integrating SmartThings with HomeAssistant to control it locally either. So why does this matter if the device works as intended without an internet connection? Well for starters, I value my privacy and dont want my devices phoning home constantly. I also dont like giving companies the ability to brick my hardware at the drop of the hat. A company called Insteon shut down back in 2022. Their service relied entirely on the cloud infrastructure to function (just like SmartThings). Once the company shut down it then effectively turned every single one of their IoT products into a paperweight and completely worthless. On the other hand, we have companies like Amazon shutting down user's accounts and devices (Including his IoT security system) for false claims of racism by a delivery driver. With all of this happening in the IoT/Smarthome ecosystem, I refuse to give any company control of my devices and my hardware - and so should you. If you disagree with that sentiment and instead want only cloud-enabled devices for your smart home, then by all means treat this review as a 5-star review. The product worked fine - albeit not as advertised. Read more

Seamless integration to upgrade my older hub. Took all of 15 mins. Read more

Works great. Worth the $ Read more