In this article we will compare the Wink Hub 2 and the Samsung Smart Hub 3. Which one will you end up choosing?
Wink Hub 2 - A Smart Home Hub equipped for the future
The Wink Hub 2 is the new version of a real crowd-pleaser. Equipped with all important wireless standards such as Z-Wave and ZigBee, the hub in the smart home communicates with devices from various manufacturers. In this way, everything fits together seamlessly to form a whole. The Z-Wave temperature sensor shares its data with the Bluetooth-supported radiator thermostat and the WLAN lights can be controlled together with the ZigBee lights.
The product presentation by the manufacturer Wink, which is presenting its hub in the second iteration, is downright revolutionary. The Hub 2 has a lot of connection options on board. In the world of technology, it can be seen as a fantastic option for buyers as it gives them unprecedented freedom to choose from products from different manufacturers and different radio standards.
Connected to the Wink Hub 2, they integrate seamlessly into a single network, can exchange information and can be switched together. In this way, for example, the Philips Hue lamps can be switched on as soon as the Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock has been unlocked - even though the devices work with completely different radio standards.
Even the first version of the Wink Hub was a real crowd-pleaser. In the second iteration, the device comes with many more options. It comes equipped with an Ethernet connection and is a bit slimmer and prettier. A larger internal memory and encryption technology that protects the smart home against external attacks round off the package. The focus in the development of the new hub was clearly on the radio protocols, Hub 2 masters all the standards of the latest generation.
Starting with the WLAN network, the new hub can no longer only transmit via the usual 2.4 GHz frequency, which is often overloaded, especially in apartment buildings. What is new is the ability to send and receive data even in the less frequented 5GHz range. This ensures more flexibility and higher data throughput. Also new is support for the increasingly widespread Bluetooth LE, with which numerous new gadgets are coming onto the market. As with its predecessor, the widespread standards WLAN, Z-Wave, ZigBee, Kidde and Lutron Clear are still on board. The new, upright hardware design is also intended to increase the range of the wireless connection.
Wink Hub 2- Hub and app go hand in hand
The new Hub 2 from Wink can be put into operation in next to no time. Simply connect to the power supply and follow the instructions in the associated smartphone app step by step. Like its predecessor, the Hub 2 can either be operated via WLAN or via a wired Internet connection. Once connected to the network, the Wink app finds the hub automatically - and everything is ready for use.
Samsung Smart Hub 3
Samsung offers much more of a variety of smart connectivity options. The "SmartThings" platform not only allows the integration of TVs, refrigerators, robotic vacuum cleaners or washing machines, but also smart hubs, sensors and intelligent control devices.
The heart of the Samsung smart home system is the SmartThings Hub V3. It is connected to the existing internet router using a LAN cable and can communicate with many other smart home products from various manufacturers via ZigBee, Z-Wave and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). After connecting to the router, the first thing to do is to download the free SmartThings app onto your smartphone. After starting, this prompts you to set up a user account. During the initial installation it is also necessary that WLAN and Bluetooth are activated, and the location functions (location sharing) are switched on. The SmartThings app, which is also preinstalled on many Samsung Smart TVs, also allows voice control via Bixby, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. If the user account is created, the respective components are integrated. To do this, one then selects the appropriate device from a ready-made manufacturer list, such as the Samsung socket. The individual steps to be carried out are then displayed.
Various possibilities
The individual devices can be configured individually within the app. If you use the power socket, for example, you can not only switch it on manually from the couch, but also set times at which connected devices such as a lamp, should turn on and off. The socket also determines the current power consumption and the temperature in the room. The Samsung SmartThings app allows you to create multiple scenarios, rules and "if-then" cases. For example, if the water sensor reports moisture, you can be informed about this immediately. The button can be provided with three individual rules. For example, it switches on the light with a short press, press and hold the light off again or any other scenario with a double click. A multipurpose sensor is also available, and it can easily be installed on windows or doors. It detects movements at an angle of 120 degrees and measures the current temperature.
Conclusion
With SmartThings, Samsung offers the ideal platform to make the home smart. The SmartThings Hub, which is necessary to get started, allows the integration of various sensors and end devices such as TVs or household appliances. Thanks to the open platform, you are not necessarily limited to Samsung components, which makes SmartThings a versatile smart home solution. In comparison together with the hub, the manufacturer Wink has also revised the app for iOS and Android devices. The new features were enthusiastically received by the users. The changes include a completely redesigned user interface, which now makes it much easier to control devices and set rules.
Both Smart Homes systems each come with their own positives and negatives, but the Samsung Smart Hub 3 has a lot more benefits and is easier to use than Wink 2. It is ultimately down to the user on their preference and what works best for them.