If you’re starting your first smart home, one question comes up more than almost any other: “Do I need a hub or a smart speaker to control my smart-home devices?”
The short answer: not always.
The long answer: it depends on the devices you choose, the ecosystem you want, and how advanced you want your automations to be.
This guide explains the difference between hubs, smart speakers, controller apps, and Matter-enabled devices — and helps you determine the simplest, most cost-effective setup for your home.
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A smart-home hub is a device that connects, coordinates, and automates multiple smart devices from a central location. Classic hubs include:
What hubs do:
What hubs do not do:
The HomePod Mini Apple
A smart speaker is a voice-activated assistant — like:
What smart speakers do:
Many smart speakers now function as hubs thanks to Matter and Thread integration.
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In the early days of smart homes, hubs were essential. Today, 80% of beginner-friendly devices do not require a hub, including:
Most Wi-Fi devices connect directly to your router and work with Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home through their apps.
See how easy it is to use Vivint Smart Hub in today's smart home See how easy it is to use Vivint Smart Hub in today's smart home
Some devices and ecosystems still require a dedicated hub for full functionality.
Brands like:
These require a bridge or hub because they use Zigbee or Z-Wave instead of Wi-Fi.
Thread devices need a Thread border router, which can be built into:
Examples:
Hub-required features:
Brands like Hubitat and Aqara excel here.
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You can control smart-home devices directly through:
But a smart speaker:
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For example:
Most modern households only need:
This eliminates the need for a separate hub for most users.
Matter is the new name for Project Chip by the Connectivity Standards Alliance Connectivity Standards Alliance
Matter is designed to:
However:
Even in a Matter home, a Matter controller is required — usually your smart speaker.
The Echo Dot, HomePod Mini and Nest Mini Amazon / Google / Apple
Best for beginners:
Best for expanding:
Best for tech-savvy:
You don’t need a hub or smart speaker to start a smart home — but both make the experience smoother, faster, and more reliable. Most modern setups use a smart speaker as the central hub, especially with Matter now simplifying compatibility.
If you’re just getting started, begin with a smart speaker, a smart plug, and one additional device, such as a video doorbell or bulb. If you want advanced automations or non-Wi-Fi devices, a hub becomes more valuable.
Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine. It can help you find, buy, and connect any smart device. It can even help you find other smart devices compatible with your existing smart devices, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
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