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So you know how it's kinda tough to keep track of a ton of smart home products when you have a ton of different apps to manage?
Well, Smart things, a start-up Turned Samsung brand has a solution.
A $99 second generation Hub that has ZigBee, Z Wave, and Bluetooth protocols, as well as an IFTTT channel, and a ton of in app alerts.
and customization.
We really like the first generation smart things hub two.
But this one adds bluetooth into the mix which is a huge thing considering it's main competitor, the $50 rink hub Already offers that.
Smart Things 2.0 also adds some new product integration, including Belkin Wemo products, Amazon, Echo and more.
In terms of sheer compatibility with third party products, this one wins hands down.
But it isn't perfect.
In fact, I think the SmartThings app is one of the most confusing that I've ever tried to navigate.
It looks all right at a glance, but actually finding the stuff you need is way more complicated than it should be.
If you're just looking to ease into the whole smart home thing, I would actually Actually recommend skipping Hubs altogether.
But if you're sold on the whole smart home thing, I do think SmartThings is a solid bet if you can get past all of that app wonkiness.
Here at the CNET Smart-Home, I'm Megan Wollerton for standard appliances.
Be sure to check out my full review on cnet.com.
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