2021’s Best Smart Home Automation Systems

One of the most important questions when you’re shopping for a smart home hub is “Will it work with my devices?” The 4th generation Amazon Echo earned our top pick because more often than not, the answer to that question was “yes” with this hub.

The Amazon Echo is also very compatible with smart home automation devices and security systems. It works with Alexa, Arlo, August, Ecobee, GE, Honeywell, Kwikset, LIFX, Lutron, Nest, Philips Hue, Schlage, SmartThings, Sylvania, TP-Link, Wemo, and Yale.

Find out how it compares to the competition in our full breakdown of the best smart hubs.

It can also work like a home intercom system with other Amazon Echo devices in your house. If you’re like me and you don’t want your smart home hub to look like an alien spaceship that landed in the middle of your home, you’ll appreciate the variety of Echo finishes to choose from.

The fourth generation Echo is touted as having better sound quality than its predecessor, with front-firing speakers and a mini woofer for better bass performance. Many users who have upgraded say that the sound quality is better when compared to the previous Echo, but not by much.

Check out some of our favorite Alexa-compatible devices.

It costs half as much as the Echo, so you can expect lower sound quality and no built-in Zigbee controls, but the Alexa voice assistant still answers your questions, plays your music, and gives you access to thousands of other skills.

We found that Google Assistant is a little bit better at recognizing a voice command than Alexa, and we like the option for using less specific follow-up questions, like asking, “When does it open?” after asking where the nearest bakery is.

Check out some of our favorite Google Assistant-compatible devices.

The Broadlink RM4 Pro (about $45) is a cheaper universal remote alternative to recently discontinued Logitech Harmony. Its IR/RF technology allows you to control a wide variety of smart gadgets using your mobile device.

While Harmony had a focus on home theater devices like TVs and stereo systems, Broadlink expands beyond that to also control appliances like air conditioners and fans, provided they already use some sort of remote control.

The Hubitat Elevation (about $140) is a powerhouse of a smart hub, easily beating SmartThings in user privacy and customization options. But it's mostly for hardcore smart home technology enthusiasts since it's more difficult to set up. Plus, it's one of the more expensive hubs on the market.

The Wink Hub 2 (about $200) was one of the earliest smart home hubs to hit the market, and it remains a compelling alternative to SmartThings. We like its native support for Nest and Lutron smart devices, both of which don't work with SmartThings.

Unfortunately, Wink's products have become less reliable and harder to find in stock. Plus, its recent move to a monthly fee makes it a poor choice for folks on a budget.

The Amazon Echo is our top smart hub pick thanks to its compatibility with an overwhelming number of smart devices. We especially like how you can just press Discover Devices in the Alexa app, and Alexa hub does the rest for you. 

To select the best smart home hubs, we dug for hubs that were compatible with the most brands and easy to use. We studied real user reviews and compared product features side by side in hands-on tests. Read our full methodology to find out more.

Contributing writer: John Carlsen

• The Best Smart Home Security Systems
• What Is Home Automation and How Does It Work?
• Best Smart Tech Tools: How to Work from Home Like a Boss
• Best Smart Speakers
• Ultimate Guide to Alexa and the Amazon Echo Family
• Ultimate Guide to Google Assistant and Google Nest Products
• Room-by-Room Guide to Home Automation
• What’s the Difference between Zigbee and Z-Wave?
• SmartThings Review