After spending several years with SmartThings, I decided to make the switch to Hubitat, and I must say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my smart home setup. The migration process was surprisingly smooth, and I wanted to share my experience along with some tips for those considering a similar move or setting up multiple hubs.
Migration Experience
I recently migrated all my Z-Wave and Zigbee devices from SmartThings to Hubitat. The process was straightforward—excluding devices from SmartThings and adding them to Hubitat took minimal time. The only minor hiccup was with a GoControl lamp dimmer that wouldn’t enter inclusion mode, but that was easily resolved with a factory reset.
One thing I found particularly user-friendly was integrating with Google Home. Initially, I had a moment of confusion navigating Google’s menus, but once set up, my wife could still control the lights via voice commands. The only feature I’m still waiting on is a native Android app with reliable presence sensing, but given my past struggles with SmartThings’ inconsistent Android presence sensor, I’m hopeful Hubitat will deliver a more robust solution.
Setting Up a Second Hub
For those looking to expand their setup, I’ve also explored setting up a second Hubitat hub at a different location under the same account. This was a breeze, and it opened up new possibilities for managing devices across multiple spaces. If you’re considering this, I recommend ensuring consistent naming conventions and grouping devices by location or function to maintain clarity.
Philips WIZ Bulbs: A Cost-Effective Choice
Another exciting development I wanted to mention is the availability of Philips WIZ bulbs. Priced at just $15 for a color and white bulb, they’re an excellent budget-friendly option. I’m eager to see if they can eventually be integrated with Hubitat for even more functionality.
Final Thoughts
Hubitat has exceeded my expectations in terms of responsiveness and ease of use. The community support is phenomenal, and I’m excited to see how the platform evolves. If you’re on the fence about making the switch, I highly recommend giving it a try. The learning curve is minimal, and the benefits are well worth the effort.
If anyone has tips or experiences to share about migrating, setting up multiple hubs, or integrating new devices, I’d love to hear them! Let’s continue to grow and improve our smart home setups together.