Hub-based systems (Zigbee, Z-Wave, or the newer Thread standard, often paired with Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa) used to be the default recommendation for anyone serious about smart home devices. In 2026, that advice needs an update — a hub isn’t automatically the right call anymore.

When you probably don’t need one

If you have fewer than five smart devices, and they’re mostly Wi-Fi based (smart plugs, a single video doorbell, a couple of light bulbs), a hub adds cost and setup complexity without much practical benefit. Modern Wi-Fi devices are reliable enough for light use, and most integrate directly with Apple Home, Google Home, or Alexa without any additional hardware.

When a hub genuinely pays off

Once you’re running ten or more devices, or you’re using anything battery-powered (sensors, smart locks), a hub-based protocol starts to matter. Zigbee and Thread devices sip far less power than Wi-Fi equivalents because they don’t need a constant, power-hungry connection to your router — which means battery-powered sensors and locks last months instead of weeks. A hub also creates a local mesh network, so your devices keep talking to each other even if your internet goes down.

The Matter standard changes the calculus a bit

Matter is an interoperability standard, not a replacement for Zigbee or Thread — it lets devices built on different underlying protocols work with the same app and voice assistant. In practice, this means you can mix Wi-Fi and Thread devices more freely than before, without being locked into one manufacturer’s ecosystem. It doesn’t remove the power-consumption argument for a hub, but it does reduce the “which ecosystem do I commit to” anxiety that used to come with buying a hub.

A simple way to decide

• Fewer than 5 devices, all Wi-Fi, no battery-powered sensors → skip the hub
• Planning to add battery-powered locks or sensors → a hub will meaningfully extend battery life
• Want automations to keep working during an internet outage → a hub-based mesh network helps
• Buying a Matter-certified device → check compatibility with your existing ecosystem before assuming you need new hardware

See our full Smart Home Starter Guide for the broader setup process, or browse our smart home lineup.