A great hub option to get you started is the Samsung Smartthings Home Monitoring Kit. It comes with the Smartthings hub, which is the key to connecting tons of smart devices to automate your home.
This kit also includes a smart outlet, two multi-purpose sensors and one motion sensor. Depending on how many doors and windows you want to keep secure, you may want additional sensors to outfit your home. The smart hub works with Z-wave and ZigBee devices.
The setup process is exceedingly simple – first install the batteries just in case of a power outage, then connect the hub to your router with the included Ethernet cable. Connect your power cable and plug it and you’re done! Unfortunately the hub does not have Wi-Fi capabilities at this time.
Next, download the Samsung Smartthings app on your mobile phone. You’re going to want to start pairing your sensors and any other devices (lights, cameras, locks, etc). You may want to do this prior to installing your sensors, as some require close proximity to pair with the hub. Pairing is quite easy – open the app and click on My House and follow the prompts. One sensors are paired, your app will notify you of movement and breaches, and allows you to control on/off functions. You can customize your sensors to whatever extent you want to be able to manage them.
The dashboard of the Samsung app allows you to arm and disarm the system, check the status of paired devices, and program combinations of functions. For example, you can set up a program and use the Goodnight button to turn off the lights in your kitchen and living room at the same time when you’re headed to bed. You can also purchase compatible devices right through the app, such as smart bulbs or outlets. There are advanced features as well, such as connecting on/off functions to music. Smartthings is a great hub to begin automating your home!
