Introduction
Homey Bridge is the new boss in town, courtesy of Athom B.V! It claims to be the one-stop-shop for all your smart home gadgets. It connects them all under one app, so no more switching between different apps to manage your smart-home devices. In this review, I will dive deep into Homey, how it works, and whether it can fulfill the expectations of the future of smart homes.
Setting up Homey Bridge
The Homey Bridge is easy to set up. All you need to do is plug it in, download the app, and then follow the instructions to connect it to your Wi-Fi network. The product is sleek and elegant, with a puck-shaped hub with brushed silver and black wrap and a rainbow LED light ring underneath for a subtle dramatic effect.
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My Impressions of the Homey Bridge
I have to say, SKIP the Homey Bridge and get the Homey Pro. You will get a lot more choices and be able to connect with virtually all major brands. The base version Homey Bridge, at CAD$99, cannot interact with Govee, Nanoleaf and similar products unless you opt for the Pro. If you have more than 5 smart-home things, you are left with getting a subscription service that requires a $3.99 a month fee.
The flexibility of creating custom routines, schedules and interoperability with many other services does give it a nice touch.
Compatibility with Smart Home Devices
Homey Bridge is designed to work with different brands, such as Philips Hue, Somfy, and Fibaro. It also works with various internet protocols and wireless connections, including Zigbee, Z-Wave Plus, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared, and 433MHz (UK only). However, it currently does not work with Matter. According to Homey, this will be added later this year.
Homey claims to work with over 1,000 different brands. But a quick survey of the smart home devices operating in my home showed that several did not work with Homey. For example, it does not work with Cync by GE, Nanoleaf, and Wyze. Even though Govee or Nanoleaf are in the app, it does not work unless you get Homey Pro. It is worth noting that many brands that work with Homey are European, such as Kasa and Ikea.
Features of Homey App
The Homey App is your one-stop shop for managing all your smart home devices. It is easy to use, and you can set up more complex routines than other apps. Plus, it works with many different brands and protocols, so you can control all your devices from one place. You can even customize settings and create custom scenes and routines.
Homey Premium Subscription
Homey Bridge has got your back when it comes to managing your smart home devices! Pair your Homey Bridge with the Homey app and connect up to five devices for free. But if you need more than five devices, upgrade to Homey Premium for just $3.99 per month and connect unlimited devices plus, you can enjoy premium support and features to make life easier!
Is it worth getting Homey Premium? It depends on how many smart home devices you have; If you only got a few, the Homey Bridge might be enough. But if you have a lot of devices, the premium subscription could be a good investment. One of the best things about the Homey Bridge is that it works with many brands, like Philips Hue, Nest, and Sonos. So it is a great way to manage all your smart home devices in one place.
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What are the Pros & Cons?
Thinking about getting Homey? Here are the pros and cons. On the plus side, the setup with the app is easy. You can connect up to five devices for free, and it works with many protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-Wave. It even works with popular devices and services like Philips Hue, Sonos, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. And if you want more features and unlimited device support, you have a Homey Premium subscription or the Homey Pro.
But there are some downsides. The Homey Bridge only works with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, not 5GHz. And if you have a big house or plethora of devices, the free version limit of five devices might not be enough. Not all brands are supported unless you get the Homey Pro version. Plus, the Homey Premium subscription costs $2.99 per month. And some people might find the Homey app less user-friendly than other smart home apps.
Final thoughts
The Homey Bridge is a handy gadget that lets you control all your smart home devices from one app. Easy to set up and takes up no space. Plus, the Homey app is super easy to use and packed with features – even if you use the free version.
However, the limitation of connecting only up to five devices with the free version could be a drawback for some users. The Homey Premium subscription is relatively affordable, but it is an additional expense to consider. It may be worth it for consumers with many smart home devices, as it provides access to premium features and unlimited device connections.
One thing to note is that the compatibility of the Homey Bridge with various smart home devices can vary. Before buying a Homey Bridge, ensure it works with your smart home devices. If you’ve got a few gadgets and want an easy way to control them all, the Homey Bridge is a great option. But if you’ve got a lot of devices or need more advanced features, you might want to look at the Homey Pro.
