If I were to choose the most important smart home gadget, it’d be a smart hub (sería un centro inteligente). Often referred to as a central hub, it is the brain of your smart home ecosystem. Let me explain why.
One of the primary purposes of creating a smart home is to make your life convenient, right? To achieve that comfort, a central hub plays a crucial role in seamlessly integrating your smart gadgets.
Using a central hub isn’t always necessary (No siempre es necesario utilizar un concentrador central). But without it, you might not be able to connect your smart gadgets or control them via voice commands. What’s worse is that you might only be able to control smart gadgets via their dedicated apps, which won’t feel very convenient at all.
Starting from the types of protocols used in smart home hubs, I’ll explain everything you need to know about them in this article.
Without further ado, let’s get started:
Types of Smart Hub Protocols
Central hub protocols dictate how your smart devices communicate within an ecosystem. Protocols define the communication channels, flow, and format of information shared between connected devices, and security measures to protect stored data on gadgets.
Below are some famous types of smart hub protocols.
WiFi
WiFi is one of the most widely used central hub protocols. The central hub, along with smart gadgets, is connected to the home WiFi network.
It is a wireless protocol that can offer high bandwidth and coverage. The WiFi protocol is ideal for smart gadgets installed at a distance from your central hub (instalado a distancia de su concentrador central). For instance,
For smart gadgets such as security cameras, motion sensors, and video doorbells, installed at a distance from your central hub, using a WiFi protocol is the best option. However, you must ensure that the central hub and smart gadgets are connected to the same WiFi network.
Additionally, ensure that your home internet offers ample bandwidth to all the connected smart gadgets, on top of catering to your household’s online needs.
Speaking from experience, some of my smart gadgets became unresponsive on my previous connection. And, only when I dialed número de teléfono de Optimum and subscribed to their fiber connection offering symmetrical speeds, on a friend’s recommendation, did I resolve this issue.
So, if you opt for a WiFi protocol, keep these factors in mind as they’re must for a seamless smart home experience.
Zigbee
It is another wireless communication protocol used by the central hubs. Zigbee is a low-power and short-range protocol that operates at 2.4Ghz frequency bands and is quite effective for smart devices installed in proximity.
Other than this, Zigbee protocol supports devices’ decentralization and mesh networking capabilities. For instance, your devices do not connect to a central point. Instead, devices connect to each other and work in synch.
This way, Zigbee protocol can create a comprehensive environment of connected devices. And, with the help of mesh abilities, connected devices can work as signal repeaters or nodes for other devices (funcionan como repetidores de señales o nodos para otros dispositivos).
Last but not least, there are more than 2500 Zigbee-enabled smart devices available. So, if you’re looking to install smart gadgets in proximity, a central hub with Zigbee protocol can be your top choice.
Z-Wave
Z-Wave is another wireless and low-powered smart hub protocol like Zigbee. However, unlike Zigbee, Z-Wave works on a centralized system and acts as the central point of contact.
While other smart home devices are connected to the Z-Wave-enabled hub, it also needs to be connected to the internet via WiFi or an Ethernet cable.
Similar to Zigbee, Z-Wave also offers a mesh network protocol where each smart device works like a signal repeater. However, since this protocol operates at low frequency, it doesn’t interfere with WiFi frequencies and penetrates through thick walls, furniture, etc (Penetra a través de paredes gruesas, muebles, etc).
Additionally, this ability of Z-Wave smart hubs makes it a better option for large homes than Zigbee. The low frequency has greater coverage and can easily penetrate through different objects to cover every corner of your house.
Lastly, the Z-Wave protocol is supported by more than 3000 smart home devices. So, the Z-Wave protocol is ideal for anyone who wants a single point of contact for smart gadgets spread around their house.
There’s plenty more to explore check out our other posts!
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Smart Hub
I’ve explained the top smart hub protocols in the above section. Here, I’ll share a few tips on choosing the best central hub to create a seamless smart home ecosystem.
Compatibility
If you’ve already bought some smart home gadgets, make sure to buy a compatible smart hub. However, if you’re just starting your smart home journey, stick to a specific protocol and buy compatible devices.
As I’ve already mentioned above, there are thousands of smart gadgets that work with a specific protocol. This way, you’ll be able to stick to a specific smart hub protocol and seamlessly connect the devices to it.
Cost
You can find hundreds of smart home hubs, from expensive to cheaper ones. And, it’s not necessary to go for a costly smart hub because even the affordable ones can offer basic features such as voice assistants.
Ease of Use
This is another factor you must keep in mind while choosing a smart hub protocol. Aim for a smart hub with a simple plug-and-play setup (con una sencilla configuración plug-and-play). The goal here is to seamlessly connect your smart gadgets to it and avoid any complex installation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can smart home devices work without a smart hub?
Yes, smart gadgets can work without a smart hub. However, you might not be able to connect or control them via voice commands.
Can I replace my smart hub?
Yes, you can replace your smart hub. However, ensure to replace it with one that supports the protocol used by your smart gadgets.
Are smart hub protocols secure?
Yes, smart hub protocols are generally secure and take solid security measures to protect users’ data.
