![]() ![]() ![]() Because those Echos can directly talk to that device, it will recognise it and provide some controls - without the need for a hub or app for that device. The Zigbee controller in the latest Echo, older Echo Plus or Echo Show 10 will let you set up a smart home device without the need to follow the usual manufacturer procedures. It's the standard that Philips Hue uses, for example, and it's fairly common, if rarely spoken about. Zigbee is a wireless standard that's used in a number of smart home devices. We'll talk more about Zigbee and Matter now. It means that you know the device works from the off, so it's often simpler to use this approach. If you're planning to use Zigbee or Matter, then you don't necessarily need to setup the devices first, but we've always found this a useful step. ![]() There are a huge range of devices that work with Alexa, here's a quick run-down of some of the best Alexa compatible smart home options: Smart lighting This usually involves plugging it in, connecting to a hub or more commonly your Wi-Fi network, installing the app, searching for your device and entering a passcode. Basically, follow the manufacturer's instructions to get those devices working. Also, since it integrates with Google Assistant and Alexa, you can use it to centralize your devices without adding them another time in other apps to use them with your smart speakers, as they are automatically added once they're linked to your SmartThings account.Setting up your smart home devices for Alexaīefore you do anything else, it is advisable to set up any smart home devices you already have - smart heating, lights, cameras, plugs - in most cases you'll want these set up as advised before you do anything with Alexa. It's easy to set up, comes with a widget, and the app is intuitive. SmartThings is probably our best recommendation to turn your phone into a remote control for your smart devices, provided they are compatible. Configuration is easy, and it avoids using a third-party platform like IFTTT. They can be conditional and control various devices at the same time. In addition, SmartThings' built-in automation features are powerful. Most importantly, it allows you to add widgets to your homescreen, making it more convenient to control your lights and other devices without opening an app. This is easier to do when dealing with a smaller number of providers, but it's still worth noting. For instance, it can display a live feed of our Ring cameras and doorbells, while even Alexa doesn't let us achieve this. However, the app doesn't let you change the color for several lights at once, even when they're in a group, and only lets you dim them to the same level.ĭespite this limitation, SmartThings usually fully supports the devices it works with, meaning it's unlikely to show a device in the list if you can't interact with it. Similarly, it lets you create light groups that can work independently of rooms, letting you control several bulbs simultaneously, regardless of their manufacturer. In addition to offering a more intuitive interface and better customization options than the first two apps, SmartThings also has handy features, such as setting timers for the lights to turn off automatically after a certain amount of time or at a specific hour. ![]()
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