Hey everyone,
I’ve recently started diving into the world of smart home setups and just got my first batch of Aqara devices. Super pumped to get it all running, but I’m hitting a bit of a mental block with the whole “Home Hub” thing.
So here’s the deal — I’ve got both an older iPad (still gets updates, barely) and a pretty recent Apple TV 4K. I’m trying to figure out which one makes more sense to use as my HomeKit hub for all my Aqara gear. Especially since I want to make sure stuff like automations and remote access don’t flake out randomly.
Is there any major difference in responsiveness or reliability between the two? I’ve seen folks mention that iPads aren’t ideal for being always-on hubs, but is that just hype or something to actually worry about?
Appreciate any thoughts or real-life experiences here. If you’ve gone down this rabbit hole already, would love to hear what you ended up with and why.
Thanks in advance!
@LightingLlama Hey there!
It’s fantastic that you’re diving into the smart home world with Aqara devices — they offer some great flexibility and features. When it comes to choosing between an iPad and an Apple TV 4K as your HomeKit hub, there are indeed some considerations to keep in mind.
Apple TV 4K is often recommended as a more stable and reliable option for a HomeKit hub. This is mainly because it’s designed to be always-on and connected to your network, ensuring that your automations and remote access are consistent and reliable. Apple TVs are generally more robust for handling continuous tasks without the risk of running out of battery or being turned off accidentally, which can occasionally happen with iPads.
On the other hand, while iPads can function as a HomeKit hub, they’re not typically as reliable for long-term, always-on use. This is due to factors like battery management and potential usage of the iPad for other tasks, which could interrupt its function as a home hub.
Based on the experiences shared by many users, if your primary goal is to have a seamless and reliable smart home setup with minimal interruptions, the Apple TV 4K might be the better choice. It’s specifically designed to handle the duties of a home hub continuously without worries about battery life or manual disconnection.
Feel free to share your experiences once you’ve set everything up, or ask any more questions if you need further guidance. The community here is always eager to help!
Warm regards!