Following the recent introduction of the $69 Homey Bridge, the $399 Homey Pro smart home hub has officially launched in the United States. This marks a significant expansion for Homey, a company known for its ambitious approach to unifying disparate smart home ecosystems. While the Bridge offers a more accessible entry point, the Pro model aims to provide a more robust, locally-controlled experience, shedding many of the subscription fees and limitations inherent in its less expensive counterpart. Key upgrades include optional Ethernet connectivity for an additional $29 and the promise of future Matter support, including Matter over Thread, positioning it as a forward-looking solution for smart home enthusiasts.
A Deeper Dive into the Homey Pro’s Capabilities
The Homey Pro represents a substantial leap in processing power compared to the original 2019 Homey Pro, boasting a claimed 3.5 times increase in CPU performance. This enhanced capability is further supported by doubled storage and memory, offering 8 GB of storage and 2 GB of RAM. These upgrades are not merely for show; they are fundamental to the Pro’s core philosophy. Unlike the more cloud-reliant Homey Bridge, the Homey Pro prioritizes local control for smart home operations. This focus on local processing offers tangible benefits in terms of user privacy and resilience, ensuring that essential device control and automation continue to function even during internet outages, provided these functions are not inherently dependent on external cloud services.
From a functional perspective, both the Bridge and the Pro share core capabilities. Users can add and manage devices, establish automated routines, and leverage a comprehensive suite of radios. The U.S. model of the Homey Pro is equipped with Wi-Fi (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), Bluetooth, infrared, Zigbee, and Z-Wave. The Pro model distinguishes itself further by incorporating a dedicated Thread radio – operating at 833MHz for compatibility with older devices – and crucially, it bypasses the Homey Bridge’s limitation of only five connected devices. While the Bridge requires a $2.99 monthly fee for additional device connections, the Pro’s primary optional subscription is a mere $0.99 per month for cloud backups, underscoring its commitment to a more open and less restrictive user experience.
Setup and Initial Integration Experience
The setup process for the Homey Pro, mirroring the experience reported by Stacey with the Homey Bridge, is designed to be straightforward. Upon powering the device with the included USB-C cable and charger, users are guided through a simple setup via the Homey mobile application. A notable and appreciated feature of the Homey app is its intelligent approach to home configuration. During the initial setup, the app prompts users to detail their home’s layout, including the number of floors and the specific rooms situated on each. This level of granularity is a significant time-saver and a more intuitive approach compared to the typically more abstract room assignments found in many competing smart home platforms.
Once connected to the home’s wireless network, the next critical step is device integration. Homey advertises support for over 50,000 devices, a figure that initially suggests broad compatibility. However, the practical experience of integrating devices into the reviewer’s existing smart home ecosystem revealed a more nuanced reality. While a significant portion of the claimed 50,000 devices are indeed supported, the reviewer was only able to successfully integrate approximately half of their personal smart home devices.
Device Compatibility: A Critical Hurdle
The success of integrating specific devices varied significantly. For instance, Lutron Caseta switches, Philips Hue bulbs, and Sonos speakers were seamlessly added to the Homey Pro. However, a notable number of other devices encountered compatibility issues. These included a Schlage door lock, an Ecobee Thermostat, Nanoleaf bulbs and light strips, a Govee electric kettle, Wyze cameras, Eve Home devices, a Logitech video doorbell, and several smart plugs.
The issue with Matter-certified smart plugs was partially addressed by a Homey representative. While the Homey Pro’s Matter support is still under development, it was clarified that Matter devices operating over Wi-Fi should be integrable. The reviewer’s smart plugs, however, primarily utilize Thread, a protocol for which Matter support is also pending on the Homey Pro. This distinction highlights the evolving nature of smart home standards and the importance of understanding the specific communication protocols employed by devices.
Beyond Matter devices, broader compatibility challenges emerged. Despite many popular brands appearing within the Homey app, specific models from those brands were not always recognized. For example, while various non-traditional Nanoleaf lighting shapes (triangles, hexagons, and lines) were supported, the standard Nanoleaf bulb and earlier Nanoleaf Essentials were not. Similarly, the Meross Garage Door opener and the Cync by GE smart plug lacked direct integrations.
Even when a brand was listed, the specific device integration could falter. The Schlage Encode Wi-Fi lock, while appearing in the app, failed to connect after authentication with Schlage credentials, reporting "No devices found." The Govee Wi-Fi kettle integration, though it progressed further, ultimately returned an error message. The Ecobee integration also presented limitations, with only the Ecobee 3 Lite and Room Sensor being compatible, excluding the reviewer’s Ecobee Thermostat Premium and newer sensors. It is worth noting that the reviewer had largely transitioned away from Zigbee and Z-Wave devices, suggesting that users who primarily employ these protocols might find greater success with the Homey Pro.
Navigating Device Support and Developer Options
The lack of a readily accessible, comprehensive list of product integrations on Homey’s website was a significant hurdle for potential buyers. A Homey representative later clarified that the full list of supported devices can be found under the "Apps" section on their website. This underscores the critical advice for prospective users: before investing in a Homey Bridge or Pro, it is imperative to download the free Homey app and thoroughly search for compatibility with all existing and planned smart home devices. When devices are supported, the reviewer confirmed that their response times were nearly instantaneous.
For technically inclined users and developers, Homey Pro offers the intriguing possibility of creating custom integrations. The device’s web interface provides access to an API key and basic coding examples using JavaScript and Node.js, strongly suggesting that the Homey Pro operates as a Node.js server. This open-ended approach allows hobbyists and developers to extend the hub’s capabilities, though it is acknowledged that this functionality is unlikely to be utilized by the average consumer.
User Experience: App Design and Automation Flows
Beyond device compatibility, the Homey application itself garners significant praise. It presents a modern and intuitive interface that surpasses many of its competitors. The app effectively exposes both basic and advanced device controls. The ease with which devices can be assigned to rooms and floors is a standout feature, though the reviewer noted that this assignment would be even more streamlined if it could be integrated directly into the initial device setup process, rather than requiring a separate trip to device settings.
Energy Monitoring and Advanced Automations
A particularly compelling feature is the Homey Pro’s estimated smart home energy usage tracking. This data can be viewed in near real-time and historically, offering valuable insights into consumption patterns. To enable this feature, users are required to manually input the wattage of each connected device. While this adds an extra step during initial setup, it provides a more comprehensive energy management solution than many alternatives. The system intelligently adjusts energy consumption estimates based on device output, such as dimming lights, with the reported power draw accurately reflecting the changes. Energy data can be accessed through both the mobile app and the web interface. The web interface additionally provides access to local environmental data like temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity. A Homey representative confirmed that if a device can report its actual electricity usage, Homey will display and utilize that data, further enhancing the accuracy of the energy monitoring.
For automation, Homey employs a system called "Flows," which are described as being more akin to the powerful automation engines found in platforms like Home Assistant than the simpler routines offered by major tech companies. Flows operate on a "When… and… then…" logic, allowing for complex sequences of events and conditional actions. The inclusion of "else" conditions and the ability for Flows to trigger other Flows adds a significant layer of sophistication. The reviewer successfully implemented several Flows, experiencing flawless operation. While Flows can be created within the mobile app, the Homey web interface offers an advanced mode for crafting even more intricate automations, alongside the ability to view and control devices.
Conclusion: A Powerful Hub with Caveats
The Homey Pro presents a compelling vision for a locally-controlled, privacy-centric smart home hub. Its comprehensive radio suite, robust processing power, and advanced automation capabilities position it as a significant contender in a market that has seen a recent shift towards cloud-dependent devices. The overall user experience, from initial setup to day-to-day device management via the well-designed app, is largely positive.
However, the primary impediment to widespread adoption, and the reason the reviewer hesitates to make a personal purchase, lies in its current device compatibility. The $399 price point, coupled with the inability to integrate approximately half of the reviewer’s existing smart home devices, represents a significant barrier. While ongoing development, particularly in the realm of Matter support, promises to expand compatibility over time, there are no absolute guarantees. For now, users with diverse smart home ecosystems may find more immediate and cost-effective solutions, such as a well-configured Home Assistant setup, where broader device integration is already established.
Ultimately, the Homey Pro holds immense potential for users prioritizing local control and data privacy. Its sophisticated Flow system and intuitive app design are definite strengths. However, the crucial caveat remains: potential buyers must meticulously verify device compatibility within the Homey app before committing to a purchase. The decision hinges on whether the appeal of a powerful, local hub outweighs the potential limitations imposed by its current device integration landscape.
This review was updated on August 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM ET, to incorporate clarifications and corrections based on direct communication with Homey representatives.