Review: SwitchBot Hub 3 – More Than a Hub – It’s Your Smart Home Control Panel

The smart home world is constantly evolving, and SwitchBot has been a consistent player, known for its innovative and often quirky solutions to automate just about anything. Their latest offering, the SwitchBot Hub 3, promises to be more than just a bridge for your SwitchBot devices; it aims to be a central control panel for your smart ecosystem. We’ve put it through its paces, and here’s our in-depth review.

Disclaimer: I’ve receive the tested device for free on reviewing purposes, but as always, the opinions are 100% my own and this does not affect the product review.

First Impressions: More Than Just a Hub

Out of the box, the SwitchBot Hub 3 presents itself as a sleek, compact device, with a lots of different buttons. It can be discreetly wall-mounted or placed on a table using the included stand, making it versatile for any home setup. But don’t let its size fool you; this little hub is packed with features.

Hands-On Control: A Tactile Experience

One of the standout features of the Hub 3 is its array of physical controls, a welcome addition for those moments when reaching for your phone feels like a chore.

• On/Off Buttons: These are your go-to for quick actions. Whether it’s turning a light on or off, or triggering the main function of a connected device (like opening or closing your SwitchBot Blind Tilt), these buttons provide immediate control.
• SwitchBot Button: A handy shortcut that jumps you directly into device selection on the Hub 3’s screen – no more menu diving.
• Rotary Switch & Main Button: This is where the Hub 3 truly shines in terms of physical interaction. The rotary switch allows for intuitive navigation between devices and fine-tuning controls. For instance, you can make micro-adjustments to your SwitchBot Blind Tilt, nudging them open or closed a few steps at a time. Pressing the rotary switch acts as an ‘enter’ button for selections.
• Rotary Switch Left/Right Buttons: Adding another layer of customization, these buttons flanking the rotary switch can be programmed for quick selection of specific devices right from the main screen. Imagine having your most-used devices just a click away.
• Home Button: A simple, effective way to navigate back to the main view.
• Four Configurable Shortcut Keys: These are a game-changer for frequently used devices or scenes. Program them to instantly access specific SwitchBot gadgets or 3rd party Matter devices, streamlining your daily routines.

More Than Just a Pretty Face: Built-in Sensors and IR Blasting

SwitchBot hasn’t skimped on embedding useful hardware directly into the Hub 3:

• Motion Sensor: Detects movement, opening up possibilities for automation like turning on lights when you enter a room.
• Illuminance Sensor: Measures ambient light levels, allowing for smart adjustments to lighting or blinds based on natural light.
• Temperature and Humidity Sensor: Crucially, this sensor is located on the USB-C power cable, a few centimetres away from the Hub 3 itself. This is a thoughtful design choice, preventing the heat generated by the hub from skewing your indoor climate readings. Accurate temperature and humidity data are key for creating comfortable and energy-efficient automations.
• IR Blaster: Still have some older, IR-controlled devices like an air conditioner or TV? The Hub 3 can command them too, as long as there’s a line of sight. This helps bridge the gap between your newer smart tech and legacy appliances.

At a Glance: The Hub 3 Display

The integrated screen on the Hub 3 provides a quick overview of essential information:

• Outdoor Weather: Pulls data online based on your configured location, so you know what to expect before stepping out.
• Indoor Temperature and Humidity: Directly displays the readings from its strategically placed sensor.
• Shortcut Icons: Clearly shows which devices or scenes are assigned to your four configurable shortcut keys.

The Core of Your SwitchBot Ecosystem

As a hub, the SwitchBot Hub 3 excels at its primary function:

• Centralized Control: It seamlessly connects all your SwitchBot Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, bringing them under one controllable umbrella.
• Cloud Connectivity: Provides access to your SwitchBot devices and their data via the SwitchBot cloud service. This means you can monitor and control your smart home even when you’re not on your local network, all through the SwitchBot mobile app.
• Mobile App Integration: The Hub 3 and all connected devices are, of course, fully accessible and configurable through the intuitive SwitchBot mobile app.
• Scene Support: You can create and trigger scenes directly from the Hub 3. Imagine a “Movie Night” scene that dims the lights, closes the blinds, and turns on the TV – all initiated by a single button press on the hub.
• Voice Control: For ultimate convenience, the Hub 3 integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, allowing you to control your SwitchBot ecosystem with simple voice commands.

Embracing the Future: Matter Support

This is a big one. The SwitchBot Hub 3 embraces the Matter smart home standard, a significant step towards interoperability.

• Exposes SwitchBot Devices to Matter: It can bring up to 30 SwitchBot sub-devices into the Matter ecosystem. This means devices that were previously siloed within the SwitchBot world can now potentially interact with other Matter-compatible devices from different brands.
• Home Assistant Compatibility: For the smart home enthusiasts running Home Assistant, the Hub 3 offers out-of-the-box compatibility. Each “Matter” button or device added through the Hub 3 appears as an event-based entity in Home Assistant, opening up a world of advanced automation possibilities.

The Verdict: A Smart Hub That Delivers

The SwitchBot Hub 3 is a compelling upgrade for existing SwitchBot users and an attractive entry point for those looking to build a versatile smart home. The combination of physical controls, built-in sensors, comprehensive hub functionalities, and forward-looking Matter support makes it a strong contender in the crowded smart hub market.

Pros:

• Intuitive physical controls with a rotary dial and customizable shortcut buttons.
• Thoughtfully designed temperature/humidity sensor placement for accurate readings.
• Built-in motion and illuminance sensors add automation value.
• Clear display for at-a-glance information.
• Crucially, Matter support brings SwitchBot devices into the wider smart home ecosystem and offers Home Assistant compatibility.

Cons:

• The rotary switch has a great potential, but it is not yet fully utilised (e.g. imagine of controlling music player volume directly using the rotary switch…)

Who is the SwitchBot Hub 3 for?

If you’re invested in the SwitchBot ecosystem, the Hub 3 is a near-essential upgrade, offering enhanced control and future-proofing with Matter. For those new to smart homes, its ease of use, built-in sensors, and the ability to control both SwitchBot and some IR devices make it a versatile starting point. Home Assistant users will particularly appreciate the seamless Matter integration.

Overall, the SwitchBot Hub 3 impresses with its blend of tactile controls, smart sensing, and robust connectivity. It’s a well-thought-out device that genuinely enhances the smart home experience.

Smart Home Score: 4/5