If you are looking for things for your smart home, there are more than enough options for you to choose from. These smart home devices offer you efficiency, among other features.
The hardest question is how to decide between one smart device and the other. Which one do you buy and why? There are a number of things you should consider before purchasing any item, which include ease of installation, connectivity, compatibility, and so on.
With the market flooding with so many smart hubs, it would be difficult to decide which one you should purchase for your home. SmartThings and Wink Hub 2 stand out because of the features that they come with.
In this review, we want to compare the SmartThings and Wink 2 hubs and their interoperability with connected devices so that you can have an easy time choosing between them.
We will look at their features, similarities, and differences and announce our winner at the end.
Quick Comparison & Our Pick!
Voice Control | Yes (Alexa) | Yes (Alexa/Google Asst) |
Smart Device Connection/Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
Device Support | ZigBee, Z-Wave, Honeywell, Philips Hue, Kwikset etc | Kidde, Clear Connect, Z-Wave, ZigBee,Nest, Philips, Ring, Ecobee, Go Control, Schlage, Sonos, Arlo, Yale and Chamberlain etc |
Memory | 256MB | 64 MB |
Compatibility With Major IoT Devices | Yes | Yes |
Connection Options? | SmartHub via 5GHz Wi-Fi or included Ethernet port. | Wink Hub 2 via 5GHz Wi-Fi or included Ethernet port. |
Cell | ||
Dimensions (Inches) | 4.9" x 4.2" x 1.3" | 7.25" x 7.25" x 1.75" |
# Devices That Can Be Paired | Unlimited | ~430 |
Weight (Pounds) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Cell | ||
What Is A Smart Hub?
These days our homes are full of smart devices. We have smart heaters to warm our homes, smart doorbells, and many others. One thing that makes these smart items ideal is that most of them come with an app that you can use to control them from your phone.
This is an excellent feature as it allows you to control your items even when you are not at home. But then, you might end up having so many apps on your phone for the different smart items.
It is for this reason that you need a smart hub. A smart hub is a device that connects the Wi-Fi and allows you to control all the smart devices in your home using your Smartphone. This could be setting the lights on and off.
What happens is smart hub helps you group your smart devices and set a routine for each one of them all under one roof.
Similarities
The two devices have a mobile app that you can use on your phone. The apps are available on iOS, Android, and Windows. You can expect to get notifications from the manufacturers through their individual apps.
When it comes to connectivity, the two devices offer you Bluetooth connectivity so that you can connect to other devices easily. They also connect to the router via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
The two hubs are also similar in terms of their source of power since they both support AC power. The two devices have excellent IFTTT integration, and they also support Z-Wave and ZigBee.
You can command both the devices using your voice as they support Alexa and Google Home. Each of them also comes with an Ethernet and power port. The SmartThings, however, has an additional USB port.
What's even more exciting is the fact that both are compatible with a wide range of devices.
Let’s look at the distinct features of each in terms of price, design, among others.
SmartThings
Price
You can connect wirelessly with a wide range of smart devices in your smart home for $89.99. SmartThings does not have a monthly fee. As such, when you purchase it the first time, you can continue enjoying it without recurring costs. We imagine, being part of a large conglomerate i.e. Samsung , it has its advantages of absorbing cost and spreading revenue on volume
Are you a DIY kind of person? Then you will find SmartThings hub very easy to install and use. It comes with easy to follow instructions, and the app will also guide you on how to set up an account.
Design
If you are a lover of sleek items, SmartThings is what you need. The hub comes in a white color that adds a touch of elegance to your home.
The SmartThings hub measures 4.9 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches. This is a compact design that makes it portable and makes the installation process an easy one. Plus, it only weighs 0.5lb.
Features and Specs
With the SmartThings hub, you can train your home to follow your routines. The device supports Alexa and other phone assistants. As such, you can, for example, turn off the lights by saying, "Goodbye, Alexa."
The hub comes with a mobile app that you use for control purposes. The app is available for all Android, iOS, and Windows devices. You need to download it and set up an account, and you start enjoying smart functions in your home in one touch.
The SmartThings hub works with a wide variety of smart devices. These include sensors, thermostats, speakers, lights, and many more. You can connect your cameras and doorbells so that you will be receiving notifications from anywhere when you have a visitor at your door.
The device features multipurpose sensors that will make you aware if a door opens or closes. The motion detecting sensor will also inform you when there are movements in your house.
SmartThings works using an in-wall AC (100-240V) power source. It also comes with replaceable batteries that can leave your SmartThings hub running for 2 hours when there is no power.
It comes with a powerful processor and app that allows you to enjoy fast performance and even offline processing.
Additionally the device features an Ethernet port for connecting to your Wi-Fi. When you connect to the Wi-Fi, you can connect all your smart devices in your house and control them from one spot.
The multipurpose button allows you to turn multiple devices on and off. This is a useful feature that will help you to turn your devices off when it's time to hit your bed and sleep.
Connectivity
You can connect the SmartThings hub via Bluetooth. The device comes with WiFi compatibility as well as an Ethernet cable that you can use to connect to your home network . When connected to the Wi-Fi, you can get notifications about various activities from anywhere. You can also control the smart devices in your home even when you are not at home. How cool is that?
It connects with 866 Mbps @500 GHz or 400 Mbps @ 22.4 GHz.
One feature that works very well for the SmartThings is the fact that it comes with replaceable 4 AA batteries. Once there is a power shortage, the device remains online for a few hours.
Wink 2
Price
You can control all your smart devices in your home at only $99 with the Wink Hub 2. The Wink 2 also does not come with a monthly subscription fee.
Design
The Wink Hub 2 comes in an attractive white color and sleek design that adds some elegance to your room.
The device measures 7.25 x 7.25 x 1.25 inches. This means it is a little bigger, and it is a bit heavier than the SmartThings Hub. However, it is also portable and easy for you to set up on your own.
Features and specs
With the Wink Hub 2, you can connect it with your doorbell to check who is at the door before opening. You can also unlock your door remotely from anywhere, even if you are not at home.
The device comes with an app that is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. With the help of the app, you can monitor what is happening at your home, and you will also receive alerts on the app.
What's more? With the Wink Hub 2, you can teach your lights how to behave in a specific routine. You can train them to turn on at dusk and turn off in the morning.
This hub also works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. In that case, you can tell your smart devices what to do with your voice. For example, you can train your device to shut off the lights when you say, "Goodbye."
The Wink 2 comes with a power port and an Ethernet port that you can use to connect it to the Wi-Fi. Unlike SmartThings Hub, the Wink 2 does not come with a USB port. It works with an In-wall AC power source, and it does not have a battery backup. That means in case of a blackout; the device will be offline.
Connectivity
You can connect with Wink 2 via Bluetooth. You can also connect via 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
It is also compatible with Kidde, Clear Connect, Z-Wave, ZigBee, etc.
In What Ways Are The Wink 2 And SmartThings Different?
One of the most noticeable key differences between the two devices is that the SmartThings hub comes with replaceable 4 AA batteries as a backup. This means that in case of a power outage, the Wink 2 will be offline while SmartThings will continue functioning for at least 2 hours.
Another difference is in the ports that they come with. The two devices will come with power and an Ethernet port. However, SmartThings will come with a USB port that is not there in Wink 2.
While the two devices are portable, Wink 2 is almost twice the size of the SmartThings hub.
Wink 2 has a connection restriction of 430 devices. However, SmartThings does not have a limitation, and you can connect as many devices as possible. Most homes do not need that number of connections anyway but hey ho, its nice to know
The Wink 2 mobile app is user-friendly while the SmartThings app is a little chunky.
FAQs
- Which is better Wink vs SmartThings? SmartThings pretty much outscores Wink in every department. See the final verdict section for further details.
- Can Alexa replace SmartThings? Alexa and SmartThings are complementary than mutually exclusive. We suggest you use Alexa features for voice control input and commands on a SmartThings enabled him. Works perfectly. A perfectly setup smart home will have Amazon echo taking your voice commands and parsing them onto Smart-hub.
- What works with SmartThings? Almost all IoT devices that have an IP could potentially work with SmartThings but check with the manufacturer before you make a purchase
- Is wink company going out of business? We hope not. They had a pretty healthy competition from major players but definitely trying to find their own niche.
- What other smart hubs are available in the market? There are plenty out there in the market like Google's Nest etc but you cant go wrong with SmartThings
Final Verdict
According to our analysis, the SmartThings hub is our winner between the two. The SmartThings hub has features that outweigh the Wink 2. It has a USB port, it has no limitation as to how many devices you can connect, and it has a battery backup. However, note that Wink 2 is super easy to use and is excellent for people who are not techies. On the other hand, SmartThings is more technical and a bit complex to setup. As always, if you decide to buy one of these or like our review of comparing the two models, let us know your experience in the comments section below.
Editor Notes:
The competition between the two hubs is stiff. From the time of release, we've not seen updates in the features and performance. However, the SmartThings is still our best pick, thanks to the more features not available in Winks 2. We still like the unlimited number of devices you can connect with SmartThings, the long battery-life backup, and USB support. Even though using the devices is still complex, you can't match the outcomes with standard hubs. The other negative is that SmartThings is expensive and not ideal for beginners due to the complex connections.
6 comments
Interesting turn of events. Wink just moved to a $4.99/mo subscription service requirement. Worth in in my opinion and necessary with the market flooding with competition. At some point hub sales flat line and you need revenue to evolve.
FYI Wink2 just announced that they will be charging a $5 a month subscription fee starting May 13th 2020. This was texted to my phone about a week before this deadline.
I have experienced many unexplained outages with their connection to Alexa and Google home assistant.
I have owned my wink2 for 2 years now and they have indicated if you do not subscribe then you cannot control the devices attached to the wink. Not even through their wink app on my smart phone.
My response to this blackmail ( my word not theirs) is that I have bought a SmartThings and moved everything over to it. Very smooth and easy transition.
Goodbye Wink
I am with you on saying goodbye to Wink, hence reading this review.. As a matter of fact I purchased in late 2018 and just called Amazon to return due to false advertisement. This unscrupulous move made me a bit angry to say the least. Previous purchases should have been grandfathered to the advertisement at the time of purchase. I think Wink had one toe in the water of drowning and now just went completely underwater. Many will leave.
Thanks Sean, Chris and Yvette for raising this. We have sent a note to Winks to see if they will consider grandfathering existing customers. We are not holding our breath but worth a try for the readers who are lifeblood of our magazine.
Switching to SmartThings. Feel cheated by Wink. It is not like they sold you a cheap dummy terminal and you were okay with the month subscription. The device cost over $100 and was sold as a stand alone piece of hardware. The fact that they will shut off all your access makes this thing a brick come May 14th.
I bought a Wink 2, about two weeks ago.. I received it last week and when I went to set it up, I was advised about the new subscription requirement. This really is annoying me, and since I bought it via EBay, it is difficult to return.. I think Wink just signed their own death certificate here.. off to buy a Samsung smart thing now.
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