$40 – $80
Compact smart home hub with 15W wireless charger, Matter controller, Thread border router, and Zigbee support.
You want an affordable entry to smart home
At $60-80, competitively priced with basic wireless chargers while adding hub functionality
You own Samsung devices and appliances
Seamless integration with Samsung TVs, phones, and smart appliances through SmartThings ecosystem
You want a multi-function device
Combines smart home hub with 15W wireless charger and customizable smart button in one device
You are building a Matter-based smart home
Matter-certified with Thread border router - ideal hub for the newest smart home standard
You have existing Z-Wave devices
No Z-Wave radio included - cannot control Z-Wave devices at all
You need fully local control without internet
Most automations require cloud - only Smart Home Monitor and Smart Lights work locally
You use iPhone as your primary device
Setup and app experience is optimized for Samsung Galaxy - iPhone users report more difficulties
You need reliable wireless charging
Charger is picky about phone positioning and not all USB-C power bricks work with it
Initial setup can take weeks due to connection failures - Samsung support slow to resolve
Customer reviewsWireless charging requires finding the exact sweet spot - phones may not charge if slightly misaligned
Multiple reviewsDevice does not work well with certain USB-C power bricks without clear explanation
PCWorldDevices show as disconnected intermittently even when functioning - status updates unreliable
SmartThings CommunityNo Z-Wave support - major regression from previous hubs
widespreadCause: Samsung removed Z-Wave radio entirely - existing Z-Wave users cannot migrate
Wireless charging finicky and picky about positioning
commonCause: Charging coil placement requires precise phone alignment - some cases block charging entirely
iPhone setup significantly more difficult
commonCause: SmartThings app on iOS has known connection issues that Samsung acknowledges but has not fixed
Setup automations is confusing for new users
occasionalCause: SmartThings automation interface has steep learning curve until you understand the logic
Using incompatible USB-C power brick
Station may not power on properly or wireless charging may not work
Tip: Use the Samsung-provided power adapter or a known compatible 25W+ USB-C PD charger.
Placing Zigbee devices too far during pairing
Devices fail to pair or fall asleep during scanning
Tip: Pair Zigbee devices within 1-3 feet of Station. Move hub away from WiFi router to reduce 2.4GHz interference.
Expecting Z-Wave devices to work
Z-Wave devices cannot connect at all - no migration path from older SmartThings hub
Tip: Check your device protocols before buying. For Z-Wave support, use Aeotec Smart Home Hub instead.
All device control via app, most automations, voice control, remote access, Matter commissioning
Only Smart Home Monitor and Smart Lights SmartApps run locally. No app control when internet is down.
Collects account info, device configurations, app interactions, and usage patterns. May track activities across third-party devices and services.
Samsung SmartThings has had historical data breach incidents. International data transfers for processing. Consent required for collection but data use is broad.
Functions as Thread border router for Matter devices. Can unify Thread networks with other border routers from different ecosystems. Supports Zigbee, Thread, Matter, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
No Z-Wave support whatsoever. Thread networks from separate hubs may show as different networks. Only one SmartThings hub per location in the app.
Aeotec Smart Home Hub
If: Need Z-Wave device support
Apple HomePod Mini
If: Want Apple ecosystem integration
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
If: Need Zigbee hub with voice assistant
You are starting fresh with Matter devices
Excellent affordable entry point for Matter-based smart home with Thread border router capability
You have existing Z-Wave devices
No Z-Wave support at all - your devices will not work. Choose Aeotec Smart Home Hub instead.
You want wireless charger and hub in one
At $60-80, you get hub functionality essentially free compared to standalone 15W wireless chargers
You primarily use iPhone
iOS app has known issues - HomePod Mini may provide smoother experience for Apple users
The customizable button on the Station can trigger SmartThings automations and routines. You can program it to control scenes, toggle devices, or run any SmartThings routine.
Source: SamsungVery limited functionality. Only Smart Home Monitor and Smart Lights automations work locally. All app control and most automations require internet connection.
Source: SamsungSome cases may prevent charging. Users report needing to remove thick cases for reliable charging. The charger is also picky about exact phone positioning on the pad.
Source: Customer reviewsYes. The Station functions as a Thread border router for Matter over Thread devices. It can also unify Thread networks with border routers from other ecosystems.
Source: SamsungNo. Unlike previous SmartThings hubs, the Station does not include a Z-Wave radio. It only supports Zigbee, Thread, Matter, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
Source: Samsung