智能家居(Smart home)集线器是任何完全连接的家庭的命脉。这些设备充当协议之间的“转换器”。例如，如果仅使用Zigbee的设备需要与仅使用Z-Wave的设备进行通信，则可以使用智能家居集线器(home hub)作为两者之间的中介。智能家居中心(home hubs)有两个主要名称：
三星 SmartThings 和 Wink(Samsung SmartThings and Wink)。
在每一个之间做出决定可能很困难。这是一个逐点细分，可帮助您做出决定。
SmartThings 与 Wink
两者之间存在一些差异，但乍一看，这两个智能家居集线器都有许多相同的功能：
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Samsung
SmartThings
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Wink
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4.9″ x 4.2″ x 1.3″
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7.25″ x 7.25″ x 1.25″
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Wi-Fi and Wired Ethernet
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Wi-Fi and Wired Ethernet
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10 hour battery life
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No battery
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Alexa, Google
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Alexa, Google
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$65 (Amazon)
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$155 (Amazon)
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需要注意的一件主要事情是：价格不是 100 % accurate的。虽然三星 SmartThings 系统(Samsung SmartThings system)有时是单独购买的，但Wink Home Hub通常作为 200 美元的入门套件的一部分提供，其中包括运动传感器、警报器和铃声以及门窗传感器(door and window sensors)。
Wink也有两个版本（版本 1(version 1)和版本 2(version 2)）。此比较仅关注版本 2 ，即(version 2)Hub的最新版本。
尺寸
在纯英寸的基础上，SmartThings比(SmartThings)Wink更小，外观更时尚。智能家居(Smart home)技术已经变得非常美观，但描述SmartThings 和 Wink(SmartThings and Wink)的经典方形技术块外观看起来并不好。
虽然许多智能家居设备融入了装饰之中，但这两个集线器都将脱颖而出。如果您不想向全世界展示您的集线器，那么SmartThings可能是更好的选择。
连接性
SmartThings集线器(SmartThings hub)和Wink 集线器(Wink hub)
都可以通过Wi-Fi 和以太网进行连接(Wi-Fi and Ethernet)。然而，这是智能
家居技术(home technology)的默认设置。绝大多数设备通过Wi-Fi 连接(Wi-Fi)，但集线器本身应通过以太网(Ethernet)连接。原因很简单。
作为多个设备之间的中介，集线器需要始终在线和广播。Wi-Fi 连接的集线器会创建一个故障点(failure point)，可能导致设备之间的连接问题。
任何尝试过对技术进行故障排除的人都知道，变量越少越好——所以无论您选择什么集线器，请确保在路由器中为它留出一个位置。
电池寿命
Wink没有电池，但
SmartThings有(SmartThings)。这使得它在断电时成为一个有趣的故障保护装置。您可能想知道为什么智能集线器包含电池；毕竟，如果电源出现故障，那么也不太可能有 Wi-Fi。原因在于安全。
三星生产了几种通过(Samsung)蓝牙(Bluetooth)连接的安全设备，因此即使您没有Wi-Fi，只要设备和集线器有电，它们就可以正常运行。SmartThings
到达传感器(SmartThings Arrival Sensor)、SmartThings 漏水传感器(SmartThings Water Leak Sensor)和其他家庭安全和预防设备等设备可能在断电时发挥最大作用。
相比之下，SmartThings 集线器(SmartThings hub)
是任何带有备用电池(battery backup)的设备的更好选择。
语音控制
SmartThings Hub 和 Wink Hub(SmartThings Hub and Wink Hub connect)
都可以连接到Amazon Alexa 和 Google Home(Amazon Alexa and Google Home)并由其控制。尚不支持其他语音控制(voice control)
设备，如Siri（通过HomePod）和Sonos 控制，尽管一些精选的(Sonos control)三星(Samsung)产品可能通过
SmartThings Lab兼容。
这些天发布的任何设备都有望与语音控制(voice control)兼容，这两个主要的智能家居集线器都是。你选择的那一个取决于你。
价钱
对于许多人来说，影响的主要因素之一是价格。尽管仅使用三星(Samsung)的集线器成本较低，但仅基于这一因素来评估两者是不公平的。相反，请查看SmartThings 和 Wink 提供(SmartThings and Wink offer)的捆绑包。
SmartThings家庭监控套件(SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit)售价 142.00 美元，包含以下内容：
- 1 个 SmartThings 中心
- 2 SmartThings 多用途传感器
- 1 智能事物运动传感器
- 1 个 SmartThings 插座
总而言之，这不是一个糟糕的价值——对于刚接触智能家居技术(home technology)的人来说，开始装饰他们的家也不是一个糟糕的方式。智能插座甚至可以将“愚蠢”的电器变成您可以通过手机控制的东西。
多功能传感器可用于在门打开时自动打开灯，提醒您打开窗户等等。SmartThings运动传感器(motion sensor)还可(SmartThings) 用于在检测到运动时触发灯光，或用作一种微妙的家庭安全工具(home security tool)，如果它发现意外运动会提醒您。
售价 199 美元的 Wink Lookout 智能安全入门套件包含比SmartThings入门套件更多的安全工具：
- 1 眨眼中心 2
- 2个门/窗传感器
- 1个警笛/钟声
- 1 个运动传感器
Wink入门套件在其配件中包含很多价值，但这些配件更多地面向家庭安全(home security)而不是家庭自动化。Wink可以两者兼得，但对连接智能
家居技术(home tech)感兴趣的买家可能不会在Wink入门套件中看到那么多价值。警报器/铃声单元是一个有趣的补充；如果被触发，它会发出唧唧声或响起警报器来提醒家庭。
在这两者中，我们发现
SmartThings 家庭监控套件(SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit)更具价值。它可用于家庭安全和家庭自动化，并包含与 Wink Lookout 智能安全套件相同数量的附加产品，价格更低。
SmartThings与Wink：哪个(Which)更好(Better)？
两个智能家居集线器都能够控制智能家居技术(home technology)，但我们没有触及一个标准：每个可以控制的设备数量。根据三星的常见问题页面(FAQ page)，SmartThings Hub可以控制 232台设备——或 231 台(devices—or 231)，因为集线器本身在技术上算作网络的一部分。
Wink Hub(Wink Hub)能够控制 400 多个设备。虽然Wink是这一类别的明显赢家，但您必须问自己：您拥有多少智能家居设备？你会(Will)达到这个标准变得相关的地步吗？
最终，您选择的集线器取决于您的个人喜好，但我们的推荐是SmartThings 集线器(SmartThings Hub)。三星(Samsung)是一家在质量方面享有盛誉的公司，入门套件具有更高的价值，并且包含电池故障保护(battery failsafe)使其在我们的书中更加可靠。
最重要的是，SmartThings设备的外观比Wink设备更美观。
Battle of the Smart Home Hubs – SmartThings vs Wink
Smart home hubs are the lifeblood of any
fully connected home. These deνices act as a “translator” betwеen
prоtocols. For еxample, if a device that uses only Zigbee needs to communicate
with a device that only uses Z-Wave, then a smart home hub сan be used as an
intermediary between the twо. There are two major names in smart home hubs:
Samsung SmartΤhings and Wink.
It can be tough to decide between each one.
Here’s a point-by-point breakdown to help you come to a decision.
SmartThings vs.
Wink
There are a few differences between the
two, but at first glance, both smart home hubs have many of the same features:
|
Samsung
SmartThings
|
Wink
|
|
4.9″ x 4.2″ x 1.3″
|
7.25″ x 7.25″ x 1.25″
|
|
Wi-Fi and Wired Ethernet
|
Wi-Fi and Wired Ethernet
|
|
10 hour battery life
|
No battery
|
|
Alexa, Google
|
Alexa, Google
|
|
$65 (Amazon)
|
$155 (Amazon)
|
One major thing to note: the prices aren’t 100% accurate. While the Samsung SmartThings system is sometimes purchased on its own, the Wink Home Hub usually comes as part of a $200 starter kit that includes motion sensors, sirens and chimes, and door and window sensors.
There are also two versions of the Wink (version 1 and version 2.) This comparison focuses only on version 2, the most recent iteration of the Hub.
Size
On a purely inch-by-inch basis, SmartThings is smaller and has a more sleek look than the Wink. Smart home technology has become quite aesthetically pleasing, but the classic square techno-block look that describes both SmartThings and Wink doesn’t really look great.
While many smart home devices blend in among decor, both of these hubs will stand out. If you don’t want to display your hub for all the world to see, then the SmartThings is likely the better choice.
Connectivity
Both the SmartThings hub and the Wink hub
can connect through Wi-Fi and Ethernet. This is sort of the default for smart
home technology, however. The vast majority of devices connect over Wi-Fi, but
the hub itself should be connected through Ethernet. The reason is simple.
As an intermediary between multiple devices, the hub needs to be online and broadcasting at all times. A Wi-Fi connected hub creates a failure point that could result in connectivity issues between devices.
Anyone that has ever tried to troubleshoot technology knows that the less variables, the better—so whatever hub you choose, make sure to leave a spot for it in your router.
Battery Life
The Wink has no battery, but the
SmartThings does. This makes it an interesting failsafe in the event of power
loss. You might wonder why a smart hub includes a battery; after all, if power
fails, then there isn’t likely to be Wi-Fi either. The reason lies in security.
Samsung produces several security devices
that connect via Bluetooth, so even if you do not have Wi-Fi, as long as the
device and the hub have power then they remain operational. Devices like the
SmartThings Arrival Sensor , SmartThings Water Leak Sensor, and other home
security and prevention devices might be at their most useful at times when
there is no power.
In terms of comparison, the SmartThings hub
is the better choice for anything with battery backup.
Voice Control
Both the SmartThings Hub and Wink Hub connect
to and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Other voice control
devices like the Siri (through the HomePod) and Sonos control is not yet
supported, although a few select Samsung products might be compatible via
SmartThings Lab.
Any device released these days is expected
to be compatible with voice control, and both of the primary smart home hubs
are. The one you choose is up to you.
Price
For many people, one of the main points of
influence will be the price. While the hub alone costs less with Samsung, it
would not be fair to evaluate the two based solely on this one factor. Instead,
take a look at the bundles that SmartThings and Wink offer.
The SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit costs
$142.00 and contains the following:
- 1 SmartThings Hub
- 2 SmartThings Multipurpose
Sensors
- 1 Smart Things Motion Sensor
- 1 SmartThings Outlet
All in all, this isn’t a bad value—and not a bad way for someone new to smart home technology to start decking out their home. Smart outlets can turn even “dumb” appliances into things you can control from your phone.
The multipurpose sensors can be used to automatically turn on lights when doors are opened, alert you to open windows, and much more. The SmartThings motion sensor can also be used to trigger lights when motion is detected, or to act as a subtle home security tool that alerts you if it picks up unexpected motion.
At $199, the Wink Lookout Smart Security
Starter Kit contains more security-focused tools than the SmartThings starter
kit:
- 1 Wink Hub 2
- 2 Door/Window Sensors
- 1 Siren/Chime
- 1 Motion Sensor
The Wink starter kit packs a lot of value
into its accessories, but these are geared more toward home security than home
automation. The Wink can do both, but buyers interested in connecting smart
home tech might not see as much value in the Wink starter kit. The siren/chime
unit is an interesting addition; if triggered, it will chirp or sound the siren
to alert the household.
Of the two, we find more value in the
SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit. It can be used for both home security and home
automation and contains the same number of additional products as the Wink Lookout
Smart Security Kit for a lower price.
SmartThings vs Wink: Which is Better?
Both of the smart home hubs are capable of
controlling smart home technology, but there is one criteria we did not touch
on: the number of devices each can control. According to Samsung’s FAQ page,
the SmartThings Hub can control 232 devices—or 231, since the hub itself
technically counts as part of the network.
The Wink Hub is capable of controlling more
than 400 devices. While Wink is the clear winner in this category, you have to
ask yourself: how many smart home devices do you own? Will you ever reach the
point where this criteria becomes relevant?
Ultimately, the hub you choose comes down to your personal preferences, but our recommendation is the SmartThings Hub. Samsung is a company with a long-established reputation for quality, the starter kit is a better value, and the inclusion of a battery failsafe makes it more reliable in our book.
On top of all of that, the SmartThings devices have a more aesthetic look to them than Wink devices.
