Making your short-term rental smart all starts with having the right equipment. The central hub, or brain, of the smart home to control the smart devices is one of the most important components to have, especially at a short-term rental or Airbnb. Our recommended device is the Aeotec Smart Home Hub Gen 3.
It is often best to use a dedicated smart home hub instead of relying on individual Wi-Fi devices, as hubs offer greater reliability and functionality. Wi-Fi devices can face connectivity interruptions and have some security risks, making hubs like the Aeotec Smart Home Hub a superior choice. The Aeotec hub excellently supports a wide range of protocols, including Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter, ensuring flexibility in your device options.
Additionally, those looking for a robust smart home framework will greatly benefit from the SmartThings platform, which enhances the functionality and user experience of smart home devices used in rental properties. We’d recommend using an isolated smart home platform like SmartThings, Hubitat or Home Assistant for your short-term rental, and avoid using Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Here are our top reasons for choosing the Aeotec Smart Home Hub Gen 3 in 2025:
- A Dedicated (and Isolated) Smart Home Network: Opting for a dedicated smart home hub presents significant benefits compared to merely using Wi-Fi-connected devices. A smart home hub like the Aeotec Smart Home Hub ensures greater reliability and isolation than individual Wi-Fi devices, helping to mitigate potential connectivity or security challenges.
- Support for Diverse Communication Protocols: One of the primary reasons to choose the Aeotec Smart Home Hub is its compatibility with various smart home communication protocols. It supports all major standards, including Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter, and Wi-Fi right out of the box, which ensures a wide selection of devices and longevity.
- Integration with the SmartThings Platform: SmartThings is recognized for its robust features and adaptability, making it ideal for rental properties like Airbnbs. The Aeotec Smart Home Hub integrates easily with SmartThings, offering efficient automation capabilities and seamless interaction with a wide range of devices.
- Seamless Setup and Reliable Performance: Setting up the Aeotec Smart Home Hub is straightforward, supported by step-by-step instructions, extensive online documentation, and community support. Moreover, the design of this hub ensures performance stability since it accommodates both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. Although Ethernet is recommended for optimum stability, the ability to connect via Wi-Fi adds flexibility for various installation environments.
- Future-Proof and Adaptable: The Aeotec Smart Home Hub is designed to meet current needs while also allowing for future upgrades and changes. It can easily be added or upgraded in any smart home setup, and with Matter & Thread support it will be a device you can lean on as things change in the future.
We recommend the Aeotec Smart Home Hub Gen 3 as the best choice for short-term rental properties in 2025. Its expansive protocol support and seamless SmartThings integration make it a superior choice for creating an efficient and reliable smart home environment for your Airbnb.
