Amazon Echo Hub: The Ultimate Smart Home Control Center
For smart home enthusiasts managing a plethora of devices, the Amazon Echo Hub is a game-changer. It simplifies the complexity of controlling numerous devices with its touch-first interface, offering a faster and more intuitive alternative to voice commands. While it has a few minor hiccups, the Echo Hub is undoubtedly the best smart home control device on the market today.
Why the Amazon Echo Hub Stands Out
The Echo Hub marks a return to touch-based smart home control, reminiscent of high-end systems from years past but at a fraction of the cost. Combining touch and voice control, it offers an efficient and user-friendly way to manage your smart home.
Key Features of the Amazon Echo Hub
Built-in Smart Home Hub
The Echo Hub supports Zigbee, Thread, Bluetooth, and Matter, making it a versatile controller for a wide range of devices.
Focussed User Interface
The newly designed UI prioritizes ease of access, ensuring you can quickly control your devices without fumbling through menus.
Widgets for Customization
The Echo Hub introduces customizable widgets, allowing you to tailor the home screen to your preferences.
Design
The Echo Hub boasts a sleek, tablet-style design that blends seamlessly into any environment. At just 15mm thick, it’s unobtrusive and versatile.
- Wall or Desk Mounting: It comes with a wall-mount by default, but you can also purchase an optional tilt stand for desk use.
- Buy the optional tilt stand here:
Echo Hub Tilt Stand
- Buy the optional tilt stand here:
- Cable Management: The included 1.8m USB-C power cable can be neatly tucked away in the rear cavity, or hidden using in-wall passthroughs or Power-over-Ethernet (PoE).
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No Camera: Unlike other Echo devices, the Echo Hub skips the camera, focusing purely on smart home control.
Features
Comprehensive Device Compatibility
The Echo Hub supports a wide range of devices, thanks to its integration with Zigbee, Thread, Bluetooth, and Matter. This ensures compatibility with most smart home ecosystems.
New Smart Home Widgets
Widgets make it easy to control devices or groups directly from the home screen. Whether it’s adjusting your lights or viewing security cameras, everything is just a tap away.
- Buy smart lights compatible with the Echo Hub:
Philips Hue Smart Bulbs
Advanced Camera Controls
The Echo Hub shines with its camera integration. It supports multi-view for up to four cameras, allowing you to monitor your home efficiently.
- Compatible cameras include:
- Ring Stick-Up Cam Pro
Buy the Ring Stick-Up Cam Pro - Other Alexa-compatible cameras
Shop Alexa-Compatible Cameras
- Ring Stick-Up Cam Pro
Multi-Device Control
The Echo Hub allows for granular control of individual devices or groups. For instance:
– Adjust the brightness of your lights with a slider.
– Set temperatures for each room with a tap.
– Use the All On/All Off feature to control everything at once.
- Buy compatible smart thermostats:
Honeywell Evohome Thermostat
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde
Integration with Ring Alarm
The Echo Hub doubles as a control panel for Ring Alarm systems. Set up a dedicated Alexa PIN for added security and enjoy seamless alarm management.
- Buy the Ring Alarm System:
Ring Alarm System
Screen Quality
The Echo Hub features an 8-inch, 1280 x 800 resolution touchscreen. While not designed for media consumption, the display is bright, sharp, and handles reflections well, making it perfect for its primary purpose: smart home control.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable and feature-rich.
- Intuitive touch-first interface.
- Excellent integration with Alexa and Matter devices.
Cons
- Slight delays when opening certain controls.
- Inconsistent categorization for some devices.
Should You Buy the Amazon Echo Hub?
Buy It If:
- You want a central hub to manage a busy smart home.
- You prefer touch controls over voice commands for precision.
Skip It If:
- You prioritize better audio quality or camera features. In that case, consider the Echo Show 8.
- Buy the Echo Show 8 here:
Echo Show 8
- Buy the Echo Show 8 here:
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Echo Hub is a fantastic addition to any smart home, especially for those juggling multiple devices. Its intuitive touch controls, extensive compatibility, and customizable widgets make it a must-have for smart home enthusiasts. While there’s room for improvement in device categorization and response times, these minor issues don’t detract from its overall value.
If you’re looking to simplify your smart home experience, the Echo Hub is the device you’ve been waiting for.
- Buy the Amazon Echo Hub here:
Amazon Echo Hub
FAQs
Does the Amazon Echo Hub require wall mounting?
No, while it comes with a wall-mount, you can purchase an optional stand for desk placement.
Can the Echo Hub display thumbnails for non-Ring cameras?
Yes, but thumbnails are currently exclusive to Ring cameras.
Is the Echo Hub compatible with Matter devices?
Yes, the Echo Hub supports Matter, ensuring compatibility with a growing list of smart home devices.
Transform your smart home experience with the Amazon Echo Hub today!
