Scanning the Best Z-Wave Hub Reviews in 2024? [Bonus Inside]

So you’ve just left for the office, and driven about 3 miles and then remember “Did I turn off the lights”? I’m assuming you’re right on schedule. So what do you do next- get back 3 miles, turn off the lights, and then drive back to the office again? You’ll reach late for the office and the day can end up being very long, very very long! Or would you just be praying for the magic to happen and your lights get turned off with just a click?

Yes, there’s magic present in the name of home automation. It allows you to operate the smart electrical appliances with the help of a gizmo. So if you’ve set up a z-wave hub in your home, it’s just a matter of seconds while you can turn off or on the connected devices. Of course, you don’t need a magic pill for this, but just a smart move can save you bucks.

Having a z-wave hub in your home can give you multiple advantages. But for this, you need to have the right device in your home. Since there are so many models already available, it becomes a hefty choice to pick the right one without proper research.

So you’ve landed at the right place where I have prepared a complete guide on the best Z-Wave hubs, the top products to choose, and a few bonus options to pick. You can just scroll down to know more.

There are of course multiple smart devices where you can set up a z-wave hub and then operate them with an application or just a remote control. Of course, you need some specifications that will allow the automated device to work perfectly with the z-wave controlling device. You can use them for multiple home appliances in your home or office space. Here is a list of the categories where the z-wave hubs can be regularly used.

• Garage Door
• Thermostats
• Lighting Controls
• Smoke Detectors
• On/Off Outlets
• Smart Locks
• Remote Controls
• Smart Home Security Systems

1. Samsung GP-U999SJVLGDA 3rd Gen Hub

What Recent Buyers Report

The Samsung GP-U999SJVLGDA 3rd Gen Hub has impressed everyone with its connectivity options. Users can get connected to more than 100+ compatible smart devices available at home.

​Why it stands out

While reviewing I found that the Samsung GP-U999SJVLGDA 3rd Gen Hub has a 24/7 monitoring option. I could even get alters from the connected devices in any type of unexpected activities.

Who Will Use This Most

Since the Samsung GP-U999SJVLGDA 3rd Gen Hub comes with an improved solution, this product is great for people looking to have both safety locks and lights connected. 

Bottom Line

The Samsung GP-U999SJVLGDA 3rd Gen Hub is a great buy if you want to choose a product from a reliable brand and get the right places.

2. GE 45603 Z-Wave Appliance Module

What Recent Buyers Report

The GE 45603 Z-Wave Appliance Module comes with a small and compact body. Most of the users have found this option to be highly effective for storage and keeping it just closer to your bed.

Why it stands out

While reviewing, I found that the GE 45603 Z-Wave Appliance Module has a simple switch present on the product. This feature allowed me to easily control the lighting of the room with just a single click. Moreover, it gets connected to the phone as well.

Who Will Use This Most

The GE 45603 Z-Wave Appliance Module seemed to be a nice buy if you want to use it for your lights. Connectivity is never a problem and you can use as many lights per your requirement.

Bottom Line

If you want a proper easy control lightning solution, the GE 45603 Z-Wave Appliance Module is the best buy for you. It is my runner-up choice. 

3. Wink WNKHUB-2US Home Hub

What Recent Buyers Report

The Wink WNKHUB-2US Home Hub includes a top of the line voice command option. All the users are fairly satisfied by the quality of voice recognition in almost any native language. It uses both Google assistance and Alexa to perform.

Why it stands out

When I tested the Wink WNKHUB-2US Home Hub I found that the product has a fast connectivity option. Because of this, it becomes easy to add devices on the go. Moreover, the app has helped me to set up every device under one page.

Who Will Use This Most

The Wink WNKHUB-2US Home Hub has available connections to more than 400 devices. So if you are using this device for multiple connections, it can always be a great choice.

Bottom Line

The Wink WNKHUB-2US Home Hub is a great choice if you want a budget-friendly product for multiple connections. It is my budget pick product.

4. Samsung SmartThings Hub 2nd Gen

What Recent Buyers Report

The Samsung SmartThings Hub 2nd Gen is the latest technology included from the manufacturer. Because of this, it allows faster processing and you can get quick connectivity on the go. It hardly takes a few seconds to connect.

Why it stands out

While reviewing the product, I found that the Samsung SmartThings Hub 2nd Gen has Amazon Alexa. So you can use the voice recognition mode to do all the activities. Moreover, it is compatible with all the smart device brands.

Who Will Use This Most

The Samsung SmartThings Hub 2nd Gen has long hours of battery backup. You can use the device for 10 hours without the need for charging. So if you want a long service, this is the product for you.

Bottom Line

The Samsung SmartThings Hub 2nd Gen comes with a decent price tag and amazing features. Considering the budget, it can be a great purchase. 

5. Vera Control VeraEdge Application Control – Best with Alexa

What Recent Buyers Report

The Vera Control VeraEdge Application Control comes from the background of a great manufacturer. Precisely this device is widely used for a vivid home control hub. It can give users over 200 connected devices.

Why it stands out

The reason why I liked the Vera Control VeraEdge Application Control is that it has dual connectivity options. Apart from the z-wave, the product can also get connected with the help of the WiFi module.

Who Will Use This Most

When it comes to usage, the Vera Control VeraEdge Application Control has Alexa control. So people who are willing to use a good voice recognition option may find this as a fancy buy.

Bottom Line

If you are looking to protect your home with proper monitoring, the Vera Control VeraEdge Application Control is the best available option for you. 

6. Vera Control VeraPlus Controller Hub

What Recent Buyers Report

The Vera Control VeraPlus Controller Hub comes with advanced connectivity settings. It allows you to get connected to home automation with the help of all possible options. So setting up the product is not a difficult task.

Why it stands out

The reason why I liked the Vera Control VeraPlus Controller Hub is that it provides a powerful app-control. With the help of this app, you can get access to almost every device running and can easily monitor them.

Who Will Use This Most

The Vera Control VeraPlus Controller Hub seems to be a great buy for commercial offices. Since it has high-quality recording support, the home device can act as a proper security monitor for your needs.

Bottom Line

The Vera Control VeraPlus Controller Hub comes with a great camera and recording support. So if you want such a device, this is for you.

7. Wink Bright Smart Starter Kit

What Recent Buyers Report

The Wink Bright Smart Starter Kit gives proper support to more than 422 devices to your home. Apart from this, most of the brands are compatible with this device. Thus, people have loved to use the product more often.

Why it stands out

The one thing that I liked about the Wink Bright Smart Starter Kit is the easy manage option. With the help of the application, it becomes easy to connect to individual applications and then you can control it from a long-range.

Who Will Use This Most

If lightening the phone is your requirement, the Wink Bright Smart Starter Kit will give you complete support. You can take advantage of the bright and moonlight option to alter power. It saves electricity.

Bottom Line

If you are not going for a hefty budget and want simple connectivity, the Wink Bright Smart Starter Kit is the best option for you.

8. Nexia Z-Wave Bridge Smart Hub

What Recent Buyers Report

The Nexia Z-Wave Bridge Smart Hub is a great name when the performance comes to play. Most of the users do feel great to use the product as it can configure with your router and send you quick alerts.

Why it stands out

While reviewing the product, I found that the Nexia Z-Wave Bridge Smart Hub can easily connect to more than 200 devices available in your home. It uses special encryption to help your automated devices stay secure.

Who Will Use This Most

If you are looking to completely protect your home, the Nexia Z-Wave Bridge Smart Hub is the perfect choice for you. It connects well to the security locks and systems. Moreover, you can get an instant alert.

Bottom Line

The Nexia Z-Wave Bridge Smart Hub is a great purchase when it comes to operating for a long-range. It can support from a distance of 60 feet to 100 feet.

9. Insteon Central Controller Hub

What Recent Buyers Report

The Insteon Central Controller Hub is a one-of-a-kind product that has multiple sensors. These sensors allow the users to keep tracking on the door, window as well as motion. You can even keep a record of smoke in your home.

Why it stands out

While testing the product, I found that the Insteon Central Controller Hub allowed me to create schedules. So I could customize the situation and allow the motion devices to work accordingly. All of these are done through a single application.

Who Will Use This Most

The Insteon Central Controller Hub is specifically for those who wish to prefer monitoring digital thermometers. The application provided allows you to set up a virtual reading and you can even control the temperature.

Bottom Line

The Insteon Central Controller Hub is a great buy for multi-performing tasks. So if you want to control devices or set a thermostat, this is the one for you.

10. Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub

What Recent Buyers Report

The Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub connects to almost every home device with supporting all the major brands. For the users, easy setup and quick navigation always become helpful. However, there is no application.

Why it stands out

When I got my hands on the Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub for the first time, I felt it was impressive. It has a fast processing unit that can record the personal device data locally for me to monitor later.

Who Will Use This Most

The Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub is a great choice for people who want to work without an internet connection. Though the initial setup will require the internet, you can work without it once you are done.

Bottom Line

The Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub is a smart device that comes with a compact size. Since it is small, you do not have to worry about mounting or installing the device.

1. Google Home

The one thing that I liked the most about using Google Home is the amazing voice recognition that it uses. Since it can operate with Google assistant, the device can catch every native language.

Moreover, I found that the device is compatible with high connectivity options. It could easily get connected to more than 5000 smart home devices. Almost everything in your home can be set up with the device.

Apart from this, Google Home has a wide range of working enabled. So even if you are at a distance away from the device and using voice recognition, it will work properly.

Furthermore, I found that Google Home has amazing support from the manufacturer. Apart from a high warranty period, tech support from Google is always helpful.

2. Echo Dot 3rd Gen

Another amazing alternative product is the Echo Dot 3rd Gen. Since it is the 3rd generation device, you can expect more powerful performance. And rightly so! It uses Alexa voice to recognize the command.

The one thing that impressed me the most is the wide range of support that the device offers. You can connect to almost everything from the speaker to the garage door and the fan of your room. 

The most impressive feature about the Echo Dot 3rd Gen is the option of having Alexa Guards. This is a new innovative concept that allows you to get smart alerts. So if anything is not going right, you can get instant updates.

Furthermore, I found that the Echo Dot 3rd Gen comes with the microphone off button. This disconnects the microphone and allows you to keep your privacy stored from being recorded. 

3. Philips Hue Smart Hub

When it comes to performance, the Philips Hue Smart Hub is always a reliable product to choose. You can easily set up the device with more than 50 smart lights available in your home and customize them.

While reviewing the product, I found that the Philips Hue Smart Hub comes with a hue dimmer switch and customized options. So with the help of the hue accessories, you can easily alter the lighting system of your home.

The one thing that impressed me the most is the option of connecting to a variety of apps. The Philips Hue Smart Hub has no limits and thus, even if you have multiple other applications, they can easily get connected.

Furthermore, I found that the Philips Hue Smart Hub comes with a cross-device compatible option. It can operate with any platform and can get connected to both Windows and iOS devices.

4. August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge

If you are looking for a power-packed performance from a hub, the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge can be the best option for you. The device has a simple solution to your security and allows you to control from anywhere.

When I tested the product, I found that the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge can get connected to all voice control options. Though it took just a few seconds to connect to Siri and Alexa, it took some more for Google Assistant.

The one feature that has impressed me about the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge is the option of using the application. Since is it specifically designed for door lock, I could operate the device from anywhere.

Apart from this, the application also has encrypted security options. So it allowed me to create unique security codes to enter through the door. It also includes an August Smart Keypad.

5. GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Switch

If you want more than a hub and with proper switch, the GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Switch is the best option available. It includes a smart access switch to control the lights and other essential devices.

The GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Switch comes with a completely waterproof body. Since it has a wall mount option, it gave the idea to install the product for my outdoor requirements. I could even install it in the bathroom.

While reviewing the product, I found that the GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Switch includes a separate toggle switch. This switch allowed me to toggle the operations from manual to automatic without any second delay.

Moreover, I found that the GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Switch has easy access wiring. There are separate screw terminals present. So when I wished to provide fast and secure connections, I could do it in minutes.

While I was creating the review, it became difficult for me to pick out the top products. It is mainly because there are so many parameters to keep in mind and to rate these products based on such parameters is always a tough job in hand. It took me 72 hours of extensive research to bring out minute details of the products and I have ranked them according to such. Below, I have compared three products which according to me deserved to be listed at the top. You can have a look at them.

The Samsung GP-U999SJVLGDA 3rd Gen Hub is surely the top rated product that I had to pick. Not only does it come from a reliable brand, but it is also an all-in-one solution. I found that the product has a long-range of connectivity from 50 – 130 feet. Moreover, I could get a 24×7 recording option. Moreover, it includes Google Assistant that can be used as a great voice control option available.

The next product I have picked is the GE 45603 Z-Wave Appliance Module. More than just a hub, it has a complete switch control. So turning off the lights and the fan is just in a click away. The one thing that I enjoyed using with the GE 45603 Z-Wave Appliance Module is the easy control with my mobile device. I could use any gateway to perform multiple tasks.

The Wink WNKHUB-2US Home Hub is another product that has impressed me the most. Not only because of the compatible option, but I could use all of them through one simple app. However, I found that the product has over 400 connecting options available. So it was always easy to set up the devices and start using them.

If you understand the concept of home automation, z-wave will be not new for you. However, if you don’t, it works as a wireless mode of communication that can be used for the home automation devices. No, don’t get it mixed up like a simple WiFi or Bluetooth technology. The technical aspects of z-wave are different than these wireless signals.

If you consider any home automation model, it has a distinctive sensor that is prepared to receive signals from other digital products. But the radio frequencies for the z-wave are specific and it can operate only at 908.42 Mega-Hertz. So the wave operates from a specific range to signals to the connected devices. It’s nothing new, but the z-wave can operate both with and without the internet services.

If you want the smart devices in your home to work properly, you’ll need to send the signals. For this, you’ll need a proper controller that will keep sending the signals to perform a command. So, a z-wave controller is a device that can be installed in your home or your office space. 

With the help of proper internet service, you can pair the smart devices in your home with the z-wave controller and start using them. Different models have different capacities, so you must pick the right z-wave controller before you install it in your home.

Home automation – a concept that strikes our regular devices, turns them into smart ones and allows you to control them with your fingertips. Interesting right? With the world of smart technology, home automation has become important. With the help of popular technologies like ZigBee or a z-wave, things can get easier for you to gain access to smart devices in your home. If this concept is new for you but you want to go ahead, here are the basic things that you can consider.

1. The Platforms of Use

The one thing that you must understand is that most of the home automation systems use a different platform to work. Some of them use simple WiFi technology while some of the models use Bluetooth connectivity options. However, there are other platforms available that include Zigbee or Z-waves.

2. System security

Home automation always enables the system security that will increase the productive performance of the smart devices. The smart devices are made with such configuration that it can be performed with the help of your phone or other gadgets. So with the help of such technology and connectivity, you can control them and even perform multiple tasks with them.

3. Benefits of Smart Homes

Who would not like to gain remote control access to everything that happens in your home? From turning off the lights to turning on the home security systems, the smart home devices can perform multiple tasks for you. Having smart homes means that you can save up a lot of money and energy while completing other tasks and letting the automation system do its job!

4. Cost of automating your home

Now, this mainly depends on how advanced do you want to make your home system! A lot of people may only buy automated lights and security systems. But you can add more devices like gas and smoke sensors. So the entire cost will depend upon the number of items that you purchase. However, there are not much installation charges applicable.

Buying a z-wave hub is always a difficult task in hand. Especially when there are so many products already available in the market, it becomes a daunting challenge to pick the right one. Of course, no two products are identical. Thus, you may have a simple and yet effective difference between two similar z-wave hubs. So it is important to be sorted out with the proper parameters that will help you to find the right product available. To choose the right product, you can just follow up the list below to find out the perfect buy for you.

1. Price

The one big thing that you can consider is the price of the product. If this is your first buy, you may decide to buy a cheaper product. However, you need to make sure that you are not compromising on the features while you are choosing the right product available. Make sure to buy the right product available but not compromising the features for the sake of the budget.

2. Language

The next factor that you need to consider is compatible language. Make sure that the device can recognize your native language. You can even take the help of the devices compatible with the product. In other words, it should have voice recognition of any other language.

3. Access

Another important factor is the option of accessing the device that you have purchased. You must ensure that the product is not only compatible with the internet, but it has other methods of connectivity as well. With the help of this access, you will be able to access the product from a long-distance away.

4. Local VS cloud

Apart from the factors, another important thing that you need to consider is the mode of connectivity. There are multiple procedures of connectivity available for your z-wave hub. Some of them offer local operations which may not require the internet. However, if you have cloud operations, you must use an internet service.

If you’re just out to buy a z-wave hub without any research, stop right there. You may just pick out any random product without knowing if it will work for you or not. Of course, different smart devices in your home have different connectivity options. So you may end up buying the wrong one without knowing it will work or not. 

Having the right z-wave hub will help you a lot. But to buy out the best z-wave hub, you need a professional guide. I have chalked out a list of the top 10 models available. Apart from this, you can also have a look at the list of alternative products available. 

To find out which one is the best, go through the editor’s pick section where I’ve compared my top 3 picks. Do dropdown your comments below about which product you’ve liked the most and how it is performing for you.

Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API