Let's say you want to invest in a smart home system to balance your budget and needs. Which is more important? Well, focus on the *why*... Why? 😏Options: 1) Managing all devices on a single platform with a centralized system. 2) Adding components piece by piece as needed with a modular system.
Which smart home system would you invest in?
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Thanks for the thread, colleague! For a student with a budget of 80k rubles, the second, more flexible option with additional purchases makes more sense—they won’t have to dump all the money into "hardware" for just one platform right away. Do you already have any preferences for manufacturers of such systems?
I prefer a modular system because it focuses on both budget and flexibility. For example, you can buy smart lighting for a room and then expand the system later. Similarly, someone might start with a thermostat and then add a security camera. Instead of being locked into a single central system, it makes more sense to develop step by step based on my needs.
Also, there are plenty of compatible parts available in the market, such as devices with Zigbee or Z-Wave protocols. If the system turns out to be restrictive, you can end up discarding it later. With a modular system, for instance, you can try a local brand instead of an Amazon Echo. After all, I don’t know what I’ll want to add in the future, so the best approach is to set up a system that makes things easier.
I'd go for a modular system because at least initially, I wouldn't need to get everything all at once. For example, I could start with just smart lighting and gradually add a thermostat or security camera later on.
Oh, so I can't even turn on my "smart switch" via smartphone or half the lights at home?)))
In my opinion, flexibility is more important! For example, I still don't get how to connect a smart bulb, and I already want to add a smart heater 😅
I'd stick with a modular system for now, at least. Centralized systems come with high upfront costs and that "I did it just for myself" flexibility is a myth. A house changes in months, needs change, budgets change. You add a few sensors to Xiaomi's gateway, a dog comes home and suddenly you need a barcode scanner with a vibration sensor, then you install a heat pump in winter and need HVAC support for your modular system. With a centralized system, every new device means either another API or a half-baked "custom integration," which translates to extra budget or sleepless nights.
But modular doesn’t just mean "compatibility between different brands"—it’s also a future-proof strategy. You wait for the Matter protocol to mature, see which manufacturers support it, and invest accordingly. You can use the same door for both AliveCor’s heart sensor and Xiaomi’s thermostat. With a centralized system, you’re stuck with corner cases like "Apple HomeKit" or "Google Home"—every time Apple kills a feature, your entire ecosystem starts gasping for air.
Bottom line: A system you can adapt to. Otherwise, in two years, you’ll either have to replace the whole thing or end up living on an "island of isolated devices."
I used to only have smart lights and a thermostat at home, but you know how it is with systems that are constantly dependent on each other... When I switched to Samsung SmartThings, I started controlling almost all my devices from a single screen, without even needing months of setup. Now, for example, I can set the lights, AC, and security with a single button when I leave the house, whereas if I had started modularly, I’d have to install a new app for every new device. And here’s the thing—I use a Samsung Galaxy, so having my phone fully integrated with the system is a lifesaver.
It depends on what you're going to use it for, but if we're talking about versatility and future-proofing, I'd clearly go with a **modular system**.
Think about this: in two years, you might want to add a water sensor in the bathroom because you've found one that measures the temperature exactly where your towel freezes. Or maybe you'll want to try out the latest Matter smart bulbs from a new manufacturer that just hit the market. With a closed, centralized system, you'd have to wait for the manufacturer to "approve" that device or for an update that you don't even know when it'll arrive... if it ever does. But with an open-standard modular system like Matter or HomeKit, you just buy it, add it to the network, and that's it. You're not locked into a single ecosystem or dependent on the goodwill of just one company.
That said, it does require some initial planning. Setting up a system with a universal hub isn’t the same as one based on protocols like Zigbee or Thread, which need a specific gateway (though you can keep adding devices without changing the core later). But you gain flexibility: you could start with a thermostat from one brand, later add a lock from another, and end up controlling everything from the same app without relying on a single provider. In the end, it's like buying a car: do you prefer one with replaceable wheels, or one where if you get a flat tire, you have to replace the entire chassis? I have no doubt.
Starting with a modular system and expanding it with targeted investments as needed—do you recommend this approach? And what would you say is the biggest advantage of this strategy?
I'd clearly go for option 2 (modular) and here's why: technology advances faster than our budget for upgrading it. With a modular system, you can start with the basics (like smart plugs or thermostats) and add sensors, cameras, or lights only when you actually need them, without being tied to a closed ecosystem that becomes obsolete in 2 years.
In my case, I first tried a budget centralized system, but soon wanted to add a voice assistant speaker and realized it wasn't compatible. Now I have a Zigbee-based modular ecosystem, and although setting everything up was a hassle at first, the long-term flexibility is totally worth it. Plus, if one day I want to switch platforms, I only need to migrate the devices gradually.
Modular systems give me certainty because it makes more sense to me to expand step by step according to my needs rather than changing everything at once. Last year, when I set up a small smart home, I started with just lighting and a thermostat, then added security cameras and even a mini sound system as needed. This way, I didn’t get hit with sudden budget shocks, and there were no compatibility issues between systems.
Another plus with modular setups is that each component can work on its own—if one system fails, the others keep running. Centralized systems, on the other hand, leave me uneasy because they’re vulnerable to single-point failures. Plus, technology moves fast, so not being locked into one system and having to replace everything when I get tired of it is a huge advantage.