Aeotec has introduced its Smart Home Hub 2 at this year’s IFA technology show, signalling a major change in the SmartThings ecosystem. The new hub, built in partnership with Samsung, is the fourth generation of hardware to support the SmartThings home automation platform and is the first model to launch without a Z-Wave radio.
According to Aeotec’s press release, the Smart Home Hub 2 offers double the performance of its predecessor and comes with upgraded hardware, USB expandability, and support for Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter Controller features for SmartThings. The hub is designed for local-first communications, enabling most automations to run directly on the hub, even if the internet goes down. The device is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2025.
For users who still rely on Z-Wave technology, the SmartThings V3 hub — also known as the Aeotec Smart Home Hub — will remain available. Aeotec has confirmed plans to discontinue V3 at the end of 2026, but has recently completed a final production run, ensuring that plenty of stock remains for customers over the next two years.
Samsung’s focus on integrated smart home technology
Samsung stopped manufacturing its own dedicated SmartThings hubs several years ago, instead outsourcing production to Aeotec. Since then, the company has increasingly integrated SmartThings Hub technology, including support for Matter and Thread, into its TVs, soundbars, and home appliances.
However, a standalone hub like the Smart Home Hub 2 offers more robust functionality, with the ability to handle larger numbers of devices, improved range, and greater capacity for local automations. This makes it an appealing choice for households with extensive smart home setups that require more reliable performance than built-in solutions can offer.
The shift away from Z-Wave in SmartThings
For years, Aeotec’s Smart Home Hub was the only way to run Z-Wave devices within a SmartThings-powered home. The absence of a Z-Wave radio in the Smart Home Hub 2 marks a significant shift, with Samsung and Aeotec clearly moving toward newer smart home standards like Matter and Thread.
While Z-Wave devices will remain supported through the existing V3 hub, its planned discontinuation signals that Z-Wave may play a diminishing role in SmartThings’ future. The move reflects a broader industry trend toward consolidating smart home platforms around Matter, an open standard backed by major tech companies including Samsung, Apple, Google, and Amazon.
The Smart Home Hub 2’s launch will be closely watched by smart home enthusiasts, particularly those looking for a future-proof solution as the ecosystem continues to evolve.
