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SmartThings
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8
Experiences
Pros
5
Cons
3
Top
Pro
Includes a backup battery in case power fails
If for whatever reason SmartThings loses access to tethered power it can still function for 10 hours on a battery.
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Con
Custom access isn't currently supported
Custom access is supported by other smart home ecosystems, but not with SmartThings. Custom access allows for things like configurable unlock codes for smart door locks, or allow access to certain SmartHomes products to certain users.
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Pro
Compatible with a wide variety of devices
A full list of supported devices can be found here.
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Con
Pairing a device is more involved than it needs to be
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Pro
Has a Marketplace for user-submitted custom code
Adding extra code is as simple as copying and pasting the user submitted code. This allows for much added functionality and customization options.
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Con
Companion app can take a while to get used to
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Pro
Offers a detailed way of setting up scenes
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Pro
Automatic home/away mode
When all connected devices leave the house, SmartThings automatically goes into 'away mode'. Once a device comes back in range, it will toggle to 'home mode'. You will need to configure what these modes do (whether it be locking the doors, turning the lights on/off, changing the thermostat's temperature...), but it's great that this is done automatically when you arrive home or leave.
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Experiences
$99.00
3
0
Wink
All
6
Experiences
Pros
3
Cons
3
Top
Pro
'Robots' is a feature that lets you configure custom events and actions
You can use 'robots' to automate your system. Robots can be anything from neat tricks - flashing lights when you get a text - to more functional events such as locking your doors when you leave for work.
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Con
Robot actions can be especially laggy as they are routed through the cloud
Robot actions would be much quicker to react if the robot code was stored locally, and you wouldn't have to rely on the internet as much.
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Top
Pro
Straightforward device pairing by scanning barcodes of supported devices
SmartThings makes it very easy to add new products - it's as easy as scanning a barcode instead of typing in a code.
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Con
Automation scheme setup could be a bit more straightforward
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Pro
Does not need to be tethered
The hub can be put anywhere in your house so long as it's powered and within range of you router. You don't need it to be tethered to your router.
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Con
Slight lag between triggering an action and it occurring
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$58.41
3
0
Amazon Echo
All
11
Experiences
Pros
8
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
Supports over 900 skills which integrate with apps
The Amazon Echo has an extensive library of 'skills', simple commands that you can use to control all sorts of different apps. Ordering a pizza from Domino's or requesting an Uber ride is just a couple of words away. Amazon constantly updates Alexa's skills and developers can easily integrate them into their apps.
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Con
Voice assistant isn't seamless and thorough
The conversations you can have with Echo aren't seamless, and most conversational voice commands (such as follow-ups to a previous question) won't work well with Alexa. The voice assistant will also answer simple answers and requests, such as facts. Sometimes, Alexa has troubles differentiating words which results in a clumsy answer.
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Pro
Uses extensive Alexa ecosystem
The Alexa Voice Service found on the Amazon Echo is also used on the Fire TV set-top-box from Amazon, and in other products such as the portable Echo Tap and smaller Echo Dot as well. The Alexa integration in different products allows for a greater ecosystem with shared features and skills. The Alexa Remote extends to this ecosystem as well.
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Con
Not compatible with Google Play Music or Apple Music
Amazon Echo does not provide support for two of the most popular online streaming music services: Google Play Music and Apple Music. However, they could be added in the future and you can also use Bluetooth to pair a device that does support Play Music or Apple Music.
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Pro
Alexa constantly learns and improves
Alexa will work a lot better after a couple of weeks of use, because the assistant adapts to your speech patterns and personal preferences. Commands are also stored in the Cloud and are analysed by Amazon. That means Alexa - the voice-assistant service and ecosystem of Echo - essentially constantly gets smarter.
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Pro
Good quality omnidirectional speaker
The Amazon Echo features a 360* omnidirectional speaker. Users have reported great sound quality and speaker sounds, which make the Echo a perfect fit as a music player.
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Pro
Far-field voice recognition works well even in longer distances
Amazon Echo has seven microphones built-in to listen to your voice in any direction. The microphones work great and perform perfectly even with longer distances. It also works while playing music.
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Pro
Offers extensive support for other smart home devices
Amazon Echo works well with other smart home devices and Internet of Things products, such as Nest, Ecobee, SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Belking WeMo, Philips Hue, Lifx, Big Ass Fans and even IFTTT. In short, Echo is very open to use for third party devices.
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Pro
Also streams music from Amazon Prime
Echo is an Amazon product and offers great integration with the rest of Amazon's services, especially Amazon Prime. The Echo family is currently the only virtual assistant that is compatible with Amazon Prime Music. You can also stream music via Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio and TuneIn. The ecosystem is fairly open, as developers can easily integrate Alexa's voice commands into their apps.
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Pro
Always listens to your voice
The Amazon Echo personal assistant will always listen to your voice and will be activated whenever you say the words "Alexa", "Echo" or "Amazon" for immediate and hands-free control.
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Specs
Weight:
37.6 oz
Height:
9.3''
Speaker Channel Type:
Mono
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Experiences
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17
2
D-Link Staples Connect
All
4
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
2
Top
Pro
Most actions will still work without internet access
Your settings are stored locally, and as such when the internet goes down the automated tasks will still keep working - as long as they don't require any internet interaction.
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Top
Con
Spotty performance when multiple products connected
If you have lights from multiple different manufacturers, performance can take a significant hit. Some lights may turn on much quicker than other lights (Phillips Hue always seemed to be the first to react), but given enough time the changes always made it through to all the lights. Sometimes unpairing and re-pairing lights increased performance.
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Pro
Very easy setup, pairing, and installation
To set it up, all you have to do is plug it in to your router (just initially), add in your Wi-Fi password, and then you're free to move it anywhere you choose. Pairing is just as straightforward. While other systems have trouble connecting new devices even after multiple attempts, the Staples Connect typically worked on the first or second try.
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Con
No support for WeMo products
Belkin's WeMo ecosystem isn't supported by Staples' ecosystem.
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$49.98
1
0
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