The Aeotec Smart Home Hub Gen 3 is our go-to “brain” for short-term rentals and home automation setups because it delivers broad compatibility and rock-solid reliability in one compact package. It supports all the major smart-home protocols — Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter, plus Wi-Fi connectivity — so you’re not locked into any single brand or ecosystem. Its wired Ethernet option (or Wi-Fi fallback) ensures your automations stay connected even when Wi-Fi goes wonky. Paired with the SmartThings platform, setup is straightforward, and you gain access to a massive device library plus powerful automation routines.

For rental properties, where reliability and guest-proof behavior matter enormously, this hub offers the kind of flexibility and control that makes life easier: you can centrally manage lighting, locks, sensors and more, without being tied to isolated Wi-Fi plugs. Yes, it comes at a higher upfront cost than a single-purpose hub, but the pay-off is in future-proofing, less friction and fewer device compatibility surprises. For hosts and homeowners serious about smart-home infrastructure today and tomorrow, the Aeotec Smart Home Hub Gen 3 remains one of our top recommendations.