SwitchBot Hub 2 Evaluation: Step Into Matter

Because the Matter customary was ratified on the finish of 2022, an increasing number of firms are adopting it. And, why not? Matter has the potential to vastly enhance sensible houses by simplifying set up, configuration, compatibility issues, and extra. SwitchBot enters the Matter fray with their model new SwitchBot Hub 2, which is a follow-up to the unique SwitchBot Hub Mini. What does the SwitchBot Hub 2 do? How does it differ from the SwitchBot Hub Mini? How properly does it work with Matter? These questions and extra are answered on this article.

This web page comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you are going to buy an merchandise utilizing an affiliate hyperlink I’ll obtain a small fee without charge to you. Associates don’t affect my suggestions. Learn my disclosures for extra data.

Editor’s Be aware: SwitchBot supplied me with the SwitchBot Hub 2 freed from cost. Nevertheless, this under no circumstances impacts my assessment. These are my sincere opinions. See my disclosures for more information.

SwitchBot Hub 2 description and specs

Editor’s Be aware: You may obtain 15% off at Amazon or by shopping for straight from SwitchBot through the use of the coupon code XM15HUB2.

The SwitchBot Hub 2 is sort of a mixture of the SwitchBot Hub Mini and the SwitchBot Meter Plus. Like the unique hub, it has the power to regulate units by way of infrared. It additionally offers you the power to regulate linked SwitchBot units (e.g. the Blind Tilt, Bot, Good Plug, Good Lock, and Curtain) by way of the cloud (out of Bluetooth vary) and voice assistants.

Just like the SwitchBot Meter Plus, the Hub 2 measures, shows, and tracks the ambient temperature and humidity. Moreover, it has two buttons on the display screen that can be utilized to set off scenes that you just’ve arrange within the app.

SwitchBot Hub 2 Specs

Extra capabilities over the unique hub (together with Matter help)

Along with the temperature and humidity sensors, and the scene-triggering buttons, The SwitchBot Hub 2 has a few enhancements/options over the unique SwitchBot Hub Mini.

First, the infrared sensor on the Hub 2 is extra highly effective than the one on the Hub mini. This implies it could actually management infrared units from an extended distance.

Second, it helps Matter over Wi-Fi. It might probably make Bluetooth-only SwitchBot units that it manages Matter enabled by serving as a Matter bridge. This consists of units just like the SwitchBot Bot, the SwitchBot Curtain, and the SwitchBot Blind Tilt.

How does this function enhance your sensible dwelling? Proper now these units are primarily controllable by means of a Bluetooth connection by means of your cellphone, or within the SwitchBot cloud by way of a Bluetooth connection to the SwitchBot Hub Mini. However, in case you have a SwitchBot Hub 2, they are often built-in and managed by any Matter controller.

So, say you might have a Matter controller like Samsung SmartThings or a Google dwelling product (just like the Google Nest Hub Max). Then, you may simply add these now matter-enabled units to be managed, automated, and triggered by actions out of your Matter controller.

Now, whereas it’s true that the SwitchBot hubs have their very own integrations with Google Assistant- and Siri-powered units already, having matter integration opens up the chance for supporting extra hubs that SwitchBot doesn’t at the moment natively help, and it doubtlessly simplifies the method of including these merchandise to those hubs (scan and add).

Additionally, Matter units combine by way of your native community, so Matter controllers that may work with out an Web connection will nonetheless be capable of management the units even when the Web is down.

Arrange and configuration

Organising the Hub 2 is easy and simple. After plugging it in, open the SwitchBot app and press the Add Gadget button (the “+” image on the highest proper of the app). Assuming you might be close to the SwitchBot Hub 2 you must see it detected within the app.

Choose “Hub 2” within the app after which comply with the directions to press the 2 show buttons on the identical time to place the gadget in pairing mode:

After that, it’s good to enter the Wi-Fi credentials that you really want the SwitchBot Hub 2 to connect with. Be aware that it doesn’t help 5 GHz indicators.

After which you might be completed. You’ll see the humidity and temperature values from the gadget contained in the app. Be aware that app makes use of your app unit settings (Fahrenheit/Celsius). For me, the show nonetheless defaulted to Celsius. A pleasant enchancment over the Good Meter Plus is that you would be able to simply use the app to alter the show to be the identical because the app. On the unique Good Meter Plus you must press a bodily button on the gadget to alter models.

Utilization and including units with Matter help

As you may see above, you should use the app so as to add infrared units to regulate and decide which scene the two show buttons set off when your press them.

Additionally, you should use the buttons to show the show on or off, which is useful in a darkish room the place the show could also be a distraction otherwise you solely need to see the readings within the app and/or use them to set off different scenes.

You add SwitchBot units to the Hub 2 for cloud and sensible assistant management simply as you do for the unique SwitchBot Hub Mini. From the app’s settings display screen, you choose Cloud Companies after which join the gadget to the Hub 2.

If, like me, you have already got a SwitchBot Hub Mini, then chances are high you have already got different SwitchBot units related to the mini for cloud and sensible help management. You may simply transfer these units to make use of the SwitchBot Hub 2 if they’re in vary utilizing the app.

As you may see beneath, simply go to the gadget’s settings display screen, choose cloud providers, then choose Hub ID and you’ll choose which Hub you need it to connect with.

As of the writing of this text, SwitchBot plans to present the Matter functionality by means of the Hub 2 to the:

Extra Bluetooth units might be added sooner or later. SwitchBot additionally plans to present its Wi-Fi units Matter help with out the usage of the Hub 2 someday within the close to future.

Utilizing the newly Matter-enabled units

The method of including SwitchBot Matter units to a different Matter-capable controller was easy. Since I’ve Google Dwelling Matter controllers in my home, I went with utilizing the Google Dwelling app so as to add the Hub 2 as a Matter bridge.

Ensuring the SwitchBot Hub 2 is prepared for Matter

First, you will need to be sure to have an up to date model of the SwitchBot App (model 7.23.13 or above), and Google Dwelling App (2.65.1.6 or above). Then go to the SwitchBot Hub 2 settings display screen within the app and choose Matter Configuration as seen beneath.

Editor’s Be aware: I used to be operating beta software program on the time I used to be testing this performance. Every little thing labored easily and will replicate the expertise previous when the software program is out of the beta section.

In case your SwitchBot Hub 2 wants a software program replace, you’ll see a display screen like this:

It took a few minutes after which after rebooting the SwitchBot Hub 2 I used to be capable of see the Matter setup display screen when going to the Matter configuration web page of the SwitchBot Hub 2 within the app. It confirmed me a QR code and gave me a pairing code (each obscured within the pic beneath) that I may use so as to add the gadget as a Matter bridge in Google Dwelling.

Including the SwitchBot Hub 2 as a Matter bridge to Google Dwelling

I used the pairing code so as to add the gadget to Google Dwelling like some other Matter gadget (directions taken from Google)

1. Open the Google Dwelling app  and ensure that your Matter-enabled gadget is powered on.
2. The Google Dwelling app ought to routinely detect the Matter gadget and ship a pop-up notification. Faucet Arrange within the notification. In the event you don’t get a notification, on the high left, faucet Add   Arrange gadget   New gadget  Matter-enabled gadget to manually add your Matter-enabled gadget.
3. Scan the Matter QR code of your Matter-enabled gadget, or enter the pairing code (which is what I did).
4. Faucet I agree to attach the gadget to your Google Account.
5. Choose the house the place you need to add your Matter-enabled gadget.

After I did this I used to be offered with the beautiful affirmation display screen:

At this level, I may see the SwitchBot Hub 2 Temp and Humidity within the Google Dwelling app. After a minute, I used to be capable of see the SwitchBot Hub 2 labeled as a bridge.

Including different units by way of the SwitchBot Hub 2 Matter bridge

Including different SwitchBot Matter-capable units is easy at this level. I’ve a number of SwitchBot Blind Tilt units which match the invoice. All you must do is return to the Matter Configuration display screen of the SwitchBot Hub 2 within the SwitchBot App and add the units you need.

SwitchBot refers to them as “Secondary Gadgets.” After including the Blind Tilt gadget right here it confirmed up as controllable by way of Google Dwelling inside a minute.

Ultimate ideas

The SwitchBot Hub 2 improves on the SwitchBot Hub Mini in each means. And, it serves as a temperature and humidity sensor. However its foremost declare to fame is performing as a Matter bridge for SwitchBot’s Bluetooth sensible units. Matter has come to SwitchBot, and now you may take your SwitchBot units wherever Matter goes.