{"id":324940,"date":"2025-11-08T00:29:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T05:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?page_id=94047"},"modified":"2025-11-08T00:29:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T05:29:17","slug":"best-home-automation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/home\/security-systems\/best-home-automation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Home Automation System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"top\" title=\"The Best Home Automation System\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<p>Smart homes in 2025 are shaped by the rise of <a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">Matter<\/a> interoperability and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threadgroup.org\/What-is-Thread\">Thread<\/a> mesh networking, with controller roles now built into mainstream platforms like <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT213469\">Apple Home<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\">Google Home<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.amazon.com\">Amazon Alexa<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/support.smartthings.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/16153401396763-Use-Matter-in-SmartThings\">Samsung SmartThings<\/a>. This update revisits Savant, Wink Hub 2, Logitech Harmony Companion, and Control4\u2014clarifying current pricing\/subscriptions, availability status, and how each fits alongside today\u2019s Matter\/Thread ecosystems and energy-aware features introduced in recent Matter releases.<\/p>\n\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"best\" title=\"Top Picks\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 4 Best Home Automation Systems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong><a href=\"#best-for-apple\">Savant<\/a> &#8211;<\/strong> Best for professionally installed, Apple-friendly customization; optional cloud\/remote features via subscription<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"#best-for-diy\">Wink Hub 2<\/a> &#8211;<\/strong> Legacy DIY hub requiring a $4.99\/month service; consider modern controllers (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings) for new setups<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"#best-for-gamers\">Logitech Harmony Home Control<\/a> &#8211;<\/strong> Discontinued line maintained for existing users; new buyers should consider platform remotes or native TV\/streamer controls<\/li><li><strong><a href=\"#best-for-compatibility\">Control4<\/a> &#8211;<\/strong> Best for pro-grade whole-home integration; updated Connect\/Assist service tiers<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table table table-striped table-bordered table--bordered-top\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Prices Starting At<\/td><td>Contract Length<\/td><td>Trial Period<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Savant<\/a><\/td><td>Quote-based via dealers; optional Savant Essentials commonly listed around $10\/month or $120\/year <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/essentials\">(details)<\/a><\/td><td>Monthly or annual subscription options for cloud\/remote features; dealer service plans vary<\/td><td>No public free trial posted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/essentials\">(verify with dealer)<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wink.com\/products\/wink-hub-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Wink Hub 2<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wink.com\/products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Service requires $4.99\/month; hardware widely discontinued<\/a><\/td><td>Month-to-month subscription required for most functionality<\/td><td>No free trial listed <a href=\"https:\/\/support.winkapp.com\">(Wink FAQ)<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/support.logi.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Logitech Harmony Companion<\/a><\/td><td>Discontinued; no current MSRP (secondary-market only)<\/td><td>None; no subscription (cloud service maintained)<\/td><td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Control4<\/a><\/td><td>Quote-based; Control4 Connect $14.99\/month or $149\/year; optional Assist from $899\/year <a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">(Connect)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">(Assist)<\/a><\/td><td>Connect monthly or annual; Assist annual subscriptions<\/td><td>No free trial listed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">(Connect)<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><font color=\"#999999 \" size=\"2\"><em>*Data updated 2025<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"best-for-apple\" title=\"Best for Apple Integration\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Savant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n                                                            \n            <section id=\"savant\"\n         class=\"block b-item-list-card b-item-list-card--\"\n         data-js=\"block-item-list-card\"\n         data-preamp=\"block-item-list-card\">\n\n        <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card\">\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left\">\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top\">\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\">Best For<\/span>\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\"> Apple Integration<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__bottom\">\n                                                    <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/?rvitemid=345618-20\"\n                        data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345618' data-tag-product-name='Savant' data-tag-brand='Savant' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category=''\n                        aria-label=\"Savant button\" \n                        rel=\"nofollow sponsored\" >\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/savant-logo.png\" alt=\"Image for savant-logo\" \/>\n                                            <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right\">\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__top\n                        b-item-list-card__card__right__top--line\">\n                Savant\n            <\/div>\n\n            <br>\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__topv2\" >\n                Savant\n            <\/div>\n            <br>\n\n           <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__middle\">\n                                        <a class=\"reviews-btn--primary reviews-btn--large reviews-btn--expand\"\n                    disable-tagular\n                    target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/?rvitemid=345618-20\" type=\"button\"\n                    aria-label=\"Savant button\" data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345618' data-tag-product-name='Savant' data-tag-brand='Savant' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category='' \n                    rel=\"nofollow sponsored\"\n                >\n                Learn more<\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__bottomv2 h-margin-top-15\">\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        \n      <div class=\"grid-x\">\n        <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer cell back_to_top\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' >\n            <p>Return to top\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer-image lazyload\" alt='Return to top arrow' style=\"height: 20px; margin-left: 5px;\"\n                data-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/Arrow.svg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/LightGray-placeholder.png\">\n            <\/p>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n    \n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contracts &amp; Pricing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Savant<\/a> systems are specified and installed by <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/find-an-integrator\" target=\"_blank\">local dealers<\/a>, with equipment and labor quoted per project. For remote access and cloud-enabled features, Savant promotes an optional consumer plan often referred to as Savant Essentials\u2014commonly listed around $10\/month or $120\/year per home; confirm inclusions and pricing on the official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/essentials\">Savant Essentials<\/a> page or with your integrator. There are no long-term hardware contracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the bespoke nature of dealer-installed systems, total cost depends on scope (controllers, AV, lighting, shades, energy features) and programming time. For many households, a subscription is only required for out-of-home access and cloud features, similar in concept to other platforms\u2019 remote services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer Service<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Service quality for dealer-installed systems is shaped by the local integrator. Industry-wide in 2024\u20132025, national customer-experience benchmarks report mixed results\u2014overall CX quality stagnated or declined in the U.S., per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forrester.com\">Forrester\u2019s 2024 CX Index<\/a>, and live-assisted channels continue to outperform bots\/self-service for complex issues, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdpower.com\/business\/press-releases\/2024-us-wireless-customer-care-study-vol-2\">J.D. Power<\/a>. Consumers increasingly expect fast resolution with seamless escalation to a human when needed (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zendesk.com\/customer-experience-trends\/\">Zendesk 2025 CX Trends<\/a>). Vet dealer reviews, responsiveness, and support plans before contracting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compatibility note: Savant does not publish that its controllers act as Matter controllers or Thread Border Routers. In mixed ecosystems, integrators commonly rely on platform hubs that natively provide these roles\u2014Apple Home hubs (HomePod\/Apple TV) <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT213469\">(Matter\/Thread)<\/a>, Google Nest hardware <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\">(Matter + Thread BR)<\/a>, and eligible Amazon Echo\/eero hardware <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.amazon.com\">(Matter over Wi\u2011Fi\/Thread)<\/a>. Bridges can incorporate legacy devices (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aqara.com\">Aqara Hub M3<\/a> for Zigbee into Matter) or advanced local control via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.home-assistant.io\/integrations\/matter\/\">Home Assistant\u2019s Matter integration<\/a>. Recent Matter releases added appliance and energy features, broadening cross-platform scenes and management (<a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">Matter 1.3<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">1.4<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"best-for-diy\" title=\"Best for DIY Automation\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wink Hub 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n                                                            \n            <section id=\"wink-hub-2\"\n         class=\"block b-item-list-card b-item-list-card--\"\n         data-js=\"block-item-list-card\"\n         data-preamp=\"block-item-list-card\">\n\n        <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card\">\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left\">\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top\">\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\">Best For<\/span>\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\"> DIY Automation<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__bottom\">\n                                                    <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wink.com\/products\/wink-hub-2\/?rvitemid=345621-20\"\n                        data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345621' data-tag-product-name='Wink Hub 2' data-tag-brand='Wink' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category=''\n                        aria-label=\"Wink button\" \n                        rel=\"nofollow sponsored\" >\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/wink-logo.png\" alt=\"Image for wink-logo\" \/>\n                                            <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right\">\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__top\n                        b-item-list-card__card__right__top--line\">\n                Wink\n            <\/div>\n\n            <br>\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__topv2\" >\n                Wink Hub 2\n            <\/div>\n            <br>\n\n           <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__middle\">\n                                        <a class=\"reviews-btn--primary reviews-btn--large reviews-btn--expand\"\n                    disable-tagular\n                    target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wink.com\/products\/wink-hub-2\/?rvitemid=345621-20\" type=\"button\"\n                    aria-label=\"Wink button\" data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345621' data-tag-product-name='Wink Hub 2' data-tag-brand='Wink' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category='' \n                    rel=\"nofollow sponsored\"\n                >\n                Learn more<\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__bottomv2 h-margin-top-15\">\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        \n      <div class=\"grid-x\">\n        <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer cell back_to_top\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' >\n            <p>Return to top\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer-image lazyload\" alt='Return to top arrow' style=\"height: 20px; margin-left: 5px;\"\n                data-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/Arrow.svg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/LightGray-placeholder.png\">\n            <\/p>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n    \n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contracts &amp; Pricing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Wink introduced a mandatory subscription that remains in effect: $4.99 per month for access to automations, integrations, and remote control (<a href=\"https:\/\/support.winkapp.com\">Wink Subscription FAQ<\/a>). New retail availability of Wink Hub 2 hardware is limited\/discontinued at major outlets; existing users can continue service with the monthly plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no current MSRP from Wink for new hub hardware. The subscription is billed monthly and cancellable per Wink\u2019s FAQ; no long-term equipment contracts are advertised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer Service<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Wink historically appealed to DIY users thanks to multi-protocol radios and app-based control. As with many tech services, satisfaction depends on timely support and system stability. Broad 2024\u20132025 benchmarks show customers still value fast access to human agents for complex issues (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdpower.com\/business\/press-releases\/2024-us-wireless-customer-care-study-vol-2\">J.D. Power<\/a>), while overall CX quality across industries has been mixed (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forrester.com\">Forrester<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Wink Hub 2 supports Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Lutron Clear Connect. It pairs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wink.com\/help\/faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">not Apple HomeKit.<\/a> Wink predates Matter\/Thread and does not list them among supported transports; for new purchases, consider controllers that natively act as Matter controllers and Thread Border Routers (e.g., Apple Home hubs, Google Nest hardware, Amazon Echo\/eero, or SmartThings) (<a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT213469\">Apple<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\">Google<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.amazon.com\">Amazon<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/support.smartthings.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/16153401396763-Use-Matter-in-SmartThings\">SmartThings<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/home\/security-systems\/best-self-monitored\/\">Wink and Home Security<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"best-for-gamers\" title=\"Best for Gamers\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Logitech Harmony Companion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n                                                            \n            <section id=\"logitech-harmony-companion\"\n         class=\"block b-item-list-card b-item-list-card--\"\n         data-js=\"block-item-list-card\"\n         data-preamp=\"block-item-list-card\">\n\n        <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card\">\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left\">\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top\">\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\">Best For<\/span>\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\"> Gamers<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__bottom\">\n                                                    <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.logitech.com\/en-us\/product\/harmony-companion?rvitemid=345623-20\"\n                        data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345623' data-tag-product-name='Logitech Harmony Companion' data-tag-brand='Logitech' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category=''\n                        aria-label=\"Logitech button\" \n                        rel=\"nofollow sponsored\" >\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/logitech-logo.png\" alt=\"Image for logitech-logo\" \/>\n                                            <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right\">\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__top\n                        b-item-list-card__card__right__top--line\">\n                Logitech\n            <\/div>\n\n            <br>\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__topv2\" >\n                Logitech Harmony Companion\n            <\/div>\n            <br>\n\n           <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__middle\">\n                                        <a class=\"reviews-btn--primary reviews-btn--large reviews-btn--expand\"\n                    disable-tagular\n                    target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.logitech.com\/en-us\/product\/harmony-companion?rvitemid=345623-20\" type=\"button\"\n                    aria-label=\"Logitech button\" data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345623' data-tag-product-name='Logitech Harmony Companion' data-tag-brand='Logitech' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category='' \n                    rel=\"nofollow sponsored\"\n                >\n                Learn more<\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__bottomv2 h-margin-top-15\">\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        \n      <div class=\"grid-x\">\n        <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer cell back_to_top\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' >\n            <p>Return to top\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer-image lazyload\" alt='Return to top arrow' style=\"height: 20px; margin-left: 5px;\"\n                data-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/Arrow.svg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/LightGray-placeholder.png\">\n            <\/p>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n    \n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contracts &amp; Pricing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/support.logi.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Logitech Harmony Companion<\/a> line is discontinued. Logitech maintains Harmony cloud services and support for existing customers \u201cfor as long as customers are using it.\u201d There are no contracts or monthly fees; any current pricing is secondary-market only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No current MSRP applies. Logitech continues operating the Harmony app\/cloud for existing users at no charge, per its official statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer Service<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Harmony hubs\/remotes continue to control IR, Wi\u2011Fi, and Bluetooth devices in installed systems, and many households still rely on the Harmony app and hub workflow. Harmony does not introduce Matter\/Thread controller roles; for new builds, consider native platform controllers (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings) or modern hubs that can bridge legacy devices into Matter (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.home-assistant.io\/integrations\/matter\/\">Home Assistant<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/support.smartthings.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/16153401396763-Use-Matter-in-SmartThings\">SmartThings<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aqara.com\">Aqara Hub M3<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logitech Harmony Companion is compatible with a wide range of entertainment devices and can work with Amazon Alexa and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logitech.com\/en-us\/product\/harmony-hub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google Assistant<\/a> skills where supported. Logitech\u2019s discontinuation does not affect existing users\u2019 access to the Harmony cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/home\/smart-home\/best-smart-hub\/\">Best Smart Hubs (Including Harmony Hub)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"best-for-compatibility\" title=\"Best for Compatibility\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Control4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n                                                            \n            <section id=\"control4\"\n         class=\"block b-item-list-card b-item-list-card--\"\n         data-js=\"block-item-list-card\"\n         data-preamp=\"block-item-list-card\">\n\n        <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card\">\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left\">\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top\">\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\">Best For<\/span>\n                <span class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__top--top\"> Compatibility<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__left__bottom\">\n                                                    <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\/?rvitemid=345626-20\"\n                        data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345626' data-tag-product-name='Control4' data-tag-brand='Control4' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category=''\n                        aria-label=\"Control4 button\" \n                        rel=\"nofollow sponsored\" >\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/control4-logo.png\" alt=\"Image for control4-logo\" \/>\n                                            <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right\">\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__top\n                        b-item-list-card__card__right__top--line\">\n                Control4\n            <\/div>\n\n            <br>\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__topv2\" >\n                Control4\n            <\/div>\n            <br>\n\n           <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__middle\">\n                                        <a class=\"reviews-btn--primary reviews-btn--large reviews-btn--expand\"\n                    disable-tagular\n                    target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\/?rvitemid=345626-20\" type=\"button\"\n                    aria-label=\"Control4 button\" data-tag='product' data-tag-outcome='NOTMONETIZABLE' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-product-id='345626' data-tag-product-name='Control4' data-tag-brand='Control4' data-tag-price='0' data-tag-subscription='' data-tag-category='' \n                    rel=\"nofollow sponsored\"\n                >\n                Learn more<\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"b-item-list-card__card__right__bottomv2 h-margin-top-15\">\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n        \n      <div class=\"grid-x\">\n        <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer cell back_to_top\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='LISTCARD' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' >\n            <p>Return to top\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"b-item-list-card__footer-image lazyload\" alt='Return to top arrow' style=\"height: 20px; margin-left: 5px;\"\n                data-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/Arrow.svg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/reviews-2020\/assets\/images\/LightGray-placeholder.png\">\n            <\/p>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n    \n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contracts &amp; Pricing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to Savant, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Control4<\/a> is dealer-installed and quote-based for hardware and labor. Cloud\/remote features and updates are provided through <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\" target=\"_blank\">Control4 Connect<\/a> ($14.99\/month or $149\/year). Optional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">Control4 Assist<\/a> plans add 24\/7 expert support starting at $899\/year (Assist Premium listed at $2,999\/year). The older 4Sight branding has been superseded by Connect; no free trial is currently listed on the Connect page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Project cost varies widely by design scope (lighting integration, AV distribution, security, shades, energy management) and programming. Subscriptions are separate from dealer maintenance plans, which vary by integrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer Service<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Control4 emphasizes reliability and whole-home control with professional design and support. For end users who want direct, always-on help, the Assist program provides 24\/7 access to Control4 experts (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">Assist<\/a>). As a buying guidepost, broader 2024\u20132025 customer experience data shows live-assisted support remains the top-rated channel (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdpower.com\/business\/press-releases\/2024-us-wireless-customer-care-study-vol-2\">J.D. Power<\/a>), while overall CX across industries was flat-to-down year over year (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forrester.com\">Forrester<\/a>), reinforcing the value of well-defined service pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compatibility note: Control4\u2019s ecosystem is known for integrating many third-party subsystems via drivers and bridges. Control4 does not publicly claim its controllers are Matter controllers or Thread Border Routers; integrators often bridge Matter\/Thread devices through platform hubs\u2014Apple Home <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT213469\">(HomePod\/Apple TV)<\/a>, Google Home <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\">(Nest Hub\/Wifi Pro)<\/a>, and Amazon Alexa\/eero hardware <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.amazon.com\">(Matter over Wi\u2011Fi\/Thread)<\/a>\u2014or use bridges like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aqara.com\">Aqara Hub M3<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.home-assistant.io\/integrations\/matter\/\">Home Assistant<\/a>. Matter\u2019s recent releases expanded support for appliances, robot vacuums, and energy features to enable richer cross-platform automations (<a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">1.3<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">1.4<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"methodology\" title=\"Methodology\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How We Chose the Best Home Automation Systems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our 2025 refresh grounds every claim in current, public sources. We validated status and pricing on vendor pages for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">Control4 Connect<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">Assist<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/support.winkapp.com\">Wink\u2019s subscription<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/support.logi.com\">Logitech Harmony\u2019s update<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/essentials\">Savant Essentials<\/a>. We mapped today\u2019s interoperability to <a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">Matter 1.3<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">1.4<\/a> and platform controller roles documented by <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT213469\">Apple<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\">Google<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.amazon.com\">Amazon<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/support.smartthings.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/16153401396763-Use-Matter-in-SmartThings\">SmartThings<\/a>. To reflect service realities, we integrated 2024\u20132025 customer experience findings from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forrester.com\">Forrester<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdpower.com\/business\/press-releases\/2024-us-wireless-customer-care-study-vol-2\">J.D. Power<\/a>, and related sources. Only systems capable of coordinating multiple device categories across rooms and supporting current ecosystems were included, with guidance on modern alternatives where legacy products persist.<\/p>\n\n\n  <style>\n    .myFinance-widget {\n    min-height: 670px;\n    }\n  <\/style>\n  <div class=\"myFinance-widget\" data-widget-id=\"7c9fe833-dde7-4eb5-b71f-d741b8cccd66\" data-campaign=\"reviews-non-monitored-security\"><\/div>\n\n<script async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\" id=\"myFinance-widget-script\">\n  !function () {function e() {var s = \"myFinance-widget-ad-script\";if (!document.getElementById(s)) {var e = document.createElement(\"script\"), n = document.getElementById(\"myFinance-widget-script\"), a = t + \"widget\/myFinance.js\";e.id = s, e.type = \"text\/javascript\", e.async = !0, e.src = a, n.parentNode.insertBefore(e, n);}var c = \"myFinance-widget-css\";if (!document.getElementById(c)) {var d = document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")[0], i = document.createElement(\"link\");i.id = c, i.rel = \"stylesheet\", i.type = \"text\/css\", i.href = t + \"widget\/myFinance.css\", i.media = \"all\", d.appendChild(i)}}var t = \"https:\/\/static.myfinance.com\/\";document.attachEvent ? document.attachEvent(\"onreadystatechange\", function () {\"complete\" === document.readyState && e()}) : document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", e, !1)}();\n<\/script>\n\n            <span class=\"b-toc-anchor\" id=\"faqs\" title=\"FAQs\"><\/span>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I choose a home automation system?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pick your primary ecosystem first\u2014Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or SmartThings\u2014so your core controller also functions as a Matter controller and, where relevant, a Thread Border Router (<a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT213469\">Apple<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\">Google<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.amazon.com\">Amazon<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/support.smartthings.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/16153401396763-Use-Matter-in-SmartThings\">SmartThings<\/a>). Prefer devices with <a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">Matter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threadgroup.org\/What-is-Thread\">Thread<\/a> to maximize longevity. If you own Zigbee\/Z\u2011Wave gear, plan on a bridge (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aqara.com\">Aqara Hub M3<\/a>) or a hub that can integrate and expose them via Matter (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.home-assistant.io\/integrations\/matter\/\">Home Assistant<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does it cost to automate a home?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>DIY smart homes can scale gradually: many platforms have no mandatory platform fee, and optional security monitoring generally runs about $10\u2013$30\/month with equipment purchased up front (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-home-security-system\/\">Wirecutter<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/support.simplisafe.com\">SimpliSafe<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/ring.com\">Ring<\/a>). Dealer-installed systems are quote-based for hardware and labor and typically add subscriptions for cloud\/remote features\u2014for example, Control4 Connect is $14.99\/month or $149\/year with optional Assist from $899\/year (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">Control4<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.control4.com\">Assist<\/a>), and Savant commonly lists Essentials around $10\/month or $120\/year (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.savant.com\/essentials\">Savant<\/a>). Legacy Wink service is $4.99\/month (<a href=\"https:\/\/support.winkapp.com\">Wink<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the benefits of home automation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern platforms unify devices across brands, run routines locally for faster, more reliable control, and increasingly support energy-aware features. Recent Matter releases added and improved categories for major appliances, robot vacuums, water\/energy management, and EV charging\u2014enabling broader, cross-platform scenes and dashboards (<a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">Matter 1.3<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/csa-iot.org\">1.4<\/a>). Vendors are also moving more intelligence on-device for privacy and responsiveness (e.g., Apple\u2019s on\u2011device capabilities in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/2024\/06\/introducing-apple-intelligence-for-iphone-ipad-and-mac\/\">Apple Intelligence<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Smart homes in 2025 are shaped by the rise of Matter interoperability and Thread mesh networking, with controller roles now built into mainstream platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. This update revisits Savant, Wink Hub 2, Logitech Harmony Companion, and Control4\u2014clarifying current pricing\/subscriptions, availability status, and how each fits alongside [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":345663,"parent":2228,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/template-reviews.php","meta":[],"categories":[1286],"tags":[],"post_author":[15750],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Best Home Automation System | Reviews.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"After an evaluation of 10 home automation systems, four earned a place in this review for offering a complete solution accessible to the average user.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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