Do I Need Multiple Hubs to Set Up a Smart Home?

Have you ever stood in your living room – your smartphone in your hand – trying to figure out why your smart lights won’t respond to your security sensors?

Or maybe you've wondered why your smart doorbell needs a different connected app than your automated curtains. This may seem like something out of The Jetsons, but for many homeowners across the country, this is the confusing digital reality they face each day.

Our homes are getting smarter, yet our ability to manage them all makes us wonder if this is an easier way to do things!

The good news? Understanding when you need multiple hubs – and when you don't – isn't as complex as it might seem. Let’s look at when you might need to set up multiple hubs in your home – and the benefits and potential drawbacks of both single and multiple hub setups.

The Basic Components of a Smart Home

We like to say a smart home is much like an orchestra playing a symphony – each device plays its own part, but the real magic happens only when they work together in harmony. So, we must know what our smart homes require in terms of connectivity if we are going to make sure that we have the right tools to bring all the digital devices together.

Your smart home foundation typically starts with the essentials: lighting, security, climate control, and entertainment. These core elements often include:

● Smart lighting systems that go beyond simple on/off functions, offering dimming, color changing, and automated schedules to match your daily routines and even help maintain your natural circadian rhythm

● Security devices like cameras, door and window sensors, and smart locks keep your home safe while providing peace of mind through real-time monitoring and instant notifications

● Climate control solutions, including smart thermostats and automated blinds that maintain comfort while optimizing energy efficiency through learning algorithms and occupancy detection

● Entertainment systems with smart speakers, TVs, and streaming devices that transform how you experience media at home, offering voice control and synchronized experiences across rooms

Now, imagine each of these needing to communicate with one another – in real time, and often in a matter of seconds. This is when having the right automation hub is necessary.

The Challenge of Smart Home Integration

Here's where things get interesting – and sometimes complicated. Each of these devices needs a way to communicate with your smartphone and with each other.

Some use Wi-Fi, others Zigbee or Matter protocols, and this is precisely where the question of hubs becomes crucial. Just as an orchestra needs a conductor, your smart devices need a central system to coordinate their various protocols.

Think of protocols as languages – if your devices can't speak the same language, they'll need a translator. Smart home hubs act as universal translators – helping all of your devices work together seamlessly.

What Is A Smart Home Hub?

Remember our orchestra analogy? If your smart devices are the musicians, then the hub is both the conductor and concert hall – it directs the performance and provides the space where everything comes together.

While many people mistake hubs for simple Wi-Fi extenders or voice assistants, they're actually much more powerful. Here's what sets a fully functional smart home hub apart from smaller integrated tools:

● They Are A Central Control Point: Instead of juggling multiple apps for different devices, a hub provides one unified interface for everything from your lights to your door locks

● Hubs Know Protocol Translation: Hubs can speak multiple "languages," allowing devices using different protocols (like Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or Matter) to communicate seamlessly

● They Can Handle Local Processing: Many operations can happen locally through the hub, meaning your devices will still work even if your internet goes down

● They’re A True “Automation Engine”: Hubs enable complex automation that can trigger multiple devices based on various conditions, time, or events

While Wi-Fi is important for remote access and updates, protocols like Zigbee are used for local device communication, offering better reliability and lower power consumption.

What About Security and Integration Capabilities?

Quality smart home hubs take advantage of advanced encryption technology to protect your data and devices from unauthorized access. They create a secure local network for your devices while still allowing legitimate remote access when you're away from home.

Part of that security depends on quality integration. Today's leading hubs offer compatibility with a variety of tools and software, making it possible to work with multiple ecosystems:

● Voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri)

● Popular smart home platforms (Apple HomeKit, Google Home)

● Cross-brand device support

● Emerging standards like Matter

When choosing a hub, Aqara offers tools with a wide range of compatibility and future-proof designs, so your smart home can grow and evolve over time.

Single Hub vs Multiple Hubs Smart Home Options

Making the choice between a single hub or multiple hubs can make a big difference in your smart home's performance, reliability, and user experience.

The Case For A Single Hub

The beauty of a single hub is simplicity. When one hub can do it all you get:

● Network Simplicity – Your smart home network is easy to understand, with everything talking to each other in one place. That means faster response times and easier troubleshooting when things go wrong.

● Less Management – Everything is in one place, so you spend less time managing your smart home and more time enjoying it. Automation, schedules, and device groups are all in one.

● A Better Cost – A single hub like the Aqara Hub M2 can support many devices, so it’s great for most home setups.

The Case for Multiple Hubs

Sometimes, more really is more! For your home, multiple hubs might be the right choice when:

● You Need Better Coverage – Larger homes or multi-story buildings might need hubs placed strategically to ensure device connectivity throughout the space. Think of it as creating multiple “zones” of strong coverage.

● Your Device Protocols Vary – Some devices work better with specific protocols. Multiple hubs can help you optimize each device’s performance while keeping the system reliable.

● You Depend on Redundancy – For heavy smart home users having multiple hubs gives you backup options if one fails.

Real-World Performance Considerations

In reality, the choice often comes down to your home’s specific needs.

A single hub might work fine in a small apartment, but larger homes might need multiple hubs to keep all devices connected – as most hubs have a limit to the number of devices they can connect directly.

Multiple hubs can help you go beyond those limits while keeping the system stable. Devices connecting to closer hubs can reduce latency, which is essential for critical functions like security systems or motion-activated lighting.

Which Is Right For You? Multiple Hubs or a Single Hub?

You might be tempted to start with one hub and add more later, but understanding your needs upfront will save you time, mone,y and potential headaches down the line.

Remember, there’s no one size fits all – your solution is unique to your situation and goals.

Do you have a large home?

Your home’s size and layout will help determine your hub needs.

Wireless signals can travel through walls and floors, but their strength decreases with each obstacle. Just as you might need multiple Wi-Fi routers to cover a large hom,e you might need multiple smart home hubs to keep all devices connected throughout your space.

Think about whether or not you’re dealing with:

● Devices disconnecting in certain areas

● Remote devices taking longer to respond

● Dead zones where new devices won’t connect

Will you go over your device connection limits?

Every hub has a limit – not just in terms of the number of devices it can support but also the amount of data it can process. While the technical limits might be high, the practical limits kick in sooner.

When planning your smart home setup, think about:

● How many smart bulbs will you install?

● Will you go for whole-house sensor coverage?

● Will you add more devices in the future?

If you’re approaching 50 devices or more, multiple hubs might be better for performance and future-proofing your overall tech investment.

Are you mixing smart home ecosystems?

Smart home technology is still evolving, and many households have a mix of devices from different ecosystems. Before committing to a single hub solutio,n take a look at your current setup:

● Do you have HomeKit and Alexa devices?

● Are you using devices that require specific protocols?

● Do you need to keep compatibility with older smart home products? Multiple hubs might be needed to bridge the different ecosystems and get all your devices working at their best.

Do you need redundancy for critical systems?

Smart homes aren’t just about convenience anymore – many households rely on their automated systems for security and daily essentials. When your home’s security or critical functions depend on smart technology, redundancy becomes a serious consideration.

Think about:

● Are any of your automated systems safety or security critical?

● Would a hub failure affect your daily routine?

● Do you run a home business that depends on smart home functionality? If you answered yes to any of these a multi-hub setup gives you backup options and peace of mind.

FAQ

As you plan your smart home hub strategy, you’ll probably have several questions. Let’s answer the most important ones that will impact your decision.

Can I use different brands of hubs?

You can technically use hubs from different manufacturers in your smart home, but it requires planning.

Each brand’s hub will be separate and independent, creating multiple systems in your home. You’ll have multiple apps and user interfaces to manage, and cross-brand automation will be limited.

To avoid these issues, we recommend choosing a primary ecosystem first (like Aqara’s hub lineup) and only adding different brands when absolutely necessary.

Are there security risks with multiple hubs?

Modern smart home hubs – especially from established brands like Aqara – have advanced security features to protect your home network. These include end-to-end encryption, regular security updates, local data processing, and secure remote access protocols.

The key to a secure multi-hub environment is to ensure each hub is properly configured and up to date with the latest firmware. Always keep up with your hardware and software updates!

What to consider when choosing a hub?

Your smart home hub should match your current needs and future plans. Look for hubs that support major protocols like Zigbee and Matter so that you maintain full device compatibility.

Range and coverage are important – especially in larger homes. Make sure the hub integrates with your preferred voice assistants and has room to grow. Look at the security features and the manufacturer’s update record.

Don’t forget to check the hub’s compatibility with your existing devices and any future devices you’ll be adding. A hub that supports multiple protocols and platforms will give you more options down the line.

Find Your Smart Home Solution with Aqara

Choosing between one hub or multiple hubs isn’t about finding a one-size-fits-all answer – it’s about building the right foundation for your smart home journey. With Aqara’s hub solutions, you can start and scale as you go.

The Aqara Hub M2 is a great starting point with over 150 devices compatible, support for Alexa and Google Assistant, and robust security features. Its Zigbee 3.0 protocol ensures coverage in most homes, and Matter support prepares your system for the future of smart home.

For larger homes or more complex setups, you can add more hubs like the Camera Hub G3 or Hub M1S Gen2 – each with its own features while being part of your smart home network.

Ready to turn your home into a smart living space? With industry-leading security, easy setup, and support for Apple HomeKit and Google Home, you have everything you need to build a smart home that’s as smart as you are.

Checkout the full lineup of Aqara hubs and start building your connected solution today. Your smart home is just one (or a few) hubs away!