The best home automation systems

We're not living the Jetsons' life yet, but we're slowly getting there. With many home automation systems available and many brands selling smart home devices, it can feel a bit overwhelming when you're creating a smart home ecosystem.

Also: The best smart home devices

So, we set out to find the best home automation system for your needs. Our team of home tech experts personally tested these options to find the ins and outs of each system. Based on factors like features, installation, and price, we found SmartThings to be the best home automation system overall, but that's not your only option. Read on for more on the best home automation systems you can buy today.

SmartThings
Best home automation system overall

pros & cons
pros
Most support across brands
Intuitive user interaction on the app
Fantastic automation
cons
Not compatible with Siri
Pricey equipment


Home Assistant
Best home automation system without a hub

pros & cons
pros
No need to buy hub
Fast response time
More secure than the cloud
cons
Not as user-friendly as others
May need to purchase equipment


Apple HomeKit
Best home automation system for Apple users

pros & cons
pros
User-friendly app
Easy Apple compatibility
Siri built in
cons
Low support
No geofencing to unlock doors automatically