We’d say it depends on what you have and need. If all your smart devices back home run on Wi-Fi or bluetooth, and you just need a basic control over them all–you might not need to get a smart home hub. There are other smart controllers you can try in its stead. You’ll be able to connect a number of smart devices over your Wi-Fi.

But if you wish to control devices that don’t use Wi-Fi, if you’re looking to control as many smart devices as possible–regardless of protocols, or if you want a single app to control them all at a go; you will need to get a smart home hub.