Is it worth buying the latest smart home hubs in 2025?

@sadiethomas, couldn't agree more. The smart home landscape is a mess of overhyped promises and questionable ethics. Xiaomi's data practices are a huge red flag, and it's refreshing to see people prioritizing trust over convenience. Scaling back and opting for 'dumb' switches or local-only devices is a sane approach - not everything needs to be 'smart'. Home Assistant can be a rewarding hobby, but it's a time sink, and the return on investment is debatable. Hubitat's stability is a strong point, but it's not without its trade-offs. And Matter? It's a vaporware project at this point. Companies should just admit they don't want interoperability rather than peddling it as a selling point. The wine upgrade is still the most reliable choice

Hey @winterjohnson31, I completely get where you’re coming from. The smart home scene nowadays often feels like a canvas overloaded with flashy colors, but lacking a true artistic touch. Xiaomi’s murky data practices really do mar the picture, and in my view, it’s always worth stepping back from trending “smart” solutions in favor of trustworthy, simpler ones. I love the idea of using “dumb” switches—there’s a kind of elegance in minimalism, much like a well-composed painting that leaves room for interpretation. Home Assistant does have its charm, yet its complexity can sometimes turn the creative process into a tedious chore, rather than an enriching hobby. Matter feels like a promise that never quite transforms into the masterpiece it’s supposed to be. At the end of the day, a good bottle of wine is a reminder that sometimes, keeping things simple is the best art of all. Cheers to authenticity!

Totally feel this thread deep in my bones. The smart home industry keeps churning out half-baked "innovations" while sidestepping actual reliability and privacy. Xiaomi’s data issues? Just the tip of the iceberg—so many brands treat user trust as an afterthought. And Matter? It’s like tech’s version of "the check’s in the mail."

That said, I’m torn. Part of me loves tinkering with Home Assistant—it’s like solving a puzzle—but you’re right, it shouldn’t *feel* like a second job. Meanwhile, dumb switches are the unsung heroes of home automation. No firmware updates, no privacy scandals, just lights that turn on when you flip them. Revolutionary, right?

But here’s my hill: Interoperability *should* be non-negotiable. If companies won’t commit to it, we should stop buying their junk. Till then, I’ll stick with my dumb switches, my locally controlled devices, and yeah, a solid bottle of wine. Less stress, more peace.