TOP 10 Home Automation Systems in 2020

Culture and climate needs vary from country to country, so system needs and controllers are different

Last Updated: Jul 07, 2020, 13:01 IST4 min

Real smart home systems are not the wireless gadgets that you often hear about that are available from many companies. Those products only offer part of the solution, like security system, lights, or air conditioning control. Additionally, they can only be used for small projects—typically those that do not exceed 4 to 5 rooms.

Culture and climate needs vary from country to country, so system needs and controllers are different. For example, the USA uses ducted-split with 24V thermostats in 80% of projects, while Mexico uses the mini-split more, which is also more popular in Southeast Asia, where 70% of air conditioning systems use this infrared-based system.

Moreover, in Europe, floor heating and radiator valve thermostats are widely used, while this technology is rarely used in the USA and or the Middle East.

Another difference is that while people in the Middle East love lights and may use tens of channels in each room, people in the USA usually use one light per room.

Also, priorities and needs for every customer vary from state to state and from house to house. While Audio Video Automation is of primary importance in California and Texas, security is more important in Africa and energy savings in Europe.

Accordingly, each manufacture tries to take the best share of its market. Thus, we found that USA manufacturers make better A/V systems than anyone in the world , while European brands are stronger in heating systems and lighting control.

We studied 100 of the best brands in the world of home automation, took into consideration every comparative aspect of the systems, and we assigned points based on each aspect.

We searched the oldest to the newest companies, got into every detail of the products, tested the software and checked the apps, read manuals, and tested the functionality of many products.

We checked the quality, prices, and software.

Finally, we selected the top 10 brands of Home Automation of 2020.

How we chose the brands

We selected the brands that offered solutions for wired products and retrofits (wireless products) that can cover most project needs and most home automation solutions, including lights, air conditioning, motorization, A/V control, security system, energy saving, metering, software and application, logics and timers, sensors and health, and more.

Then, we gave each brand points as per the following details:

Solution / Products: 75% of the points

Installation, programming, software and apps: 15% of the points

Price: 10% of the points

Products / Solutions

Points

Lighting Control

Centralized Lighting Modules

Wall Panels /Plugs (user interface)

DALI, DMX, X10, UPB, KNX Gateway

Wireless Keypads /Controllers

Air condition Control

Wall-wired Thermostat - Low and High Current

Controllers include HVAC, 0-10V

Mini-Split Infrared Control

VRF /VRV Integration Ability

Floor Heating Controller

TRV (thermostat Radiator Valve)

Wireless Wall Thermostat - Low and High Current

Weather Station

Motorization – Shutter, Shades and Curtains

Motors

Relay Controllers

Integration to 3^rd-party System

Sensors and Energy Saving

Wired Motion Sensors

Wireless Motion Sensors

Light Intensity Sensor

Ultrasonic Sensor

Room Temperature Sensor

Room Partition Sensor

VOC / Co2 Air Quality

Noise Sensor

Humidity

Outdoor Temperature

Dry Inputs

Door Sensor

Smoke

Gas

Water Leak

Audio / Video

Audio Players / Amplifiers

Audio Integration with 3^rd-party Systems

Serial Rs232/RS485 port with 3^rd-party Integration

Infrared (IR Emitters)

IP A/V Control

TV Streaming

Digital Inputs/Outputs

HDMI Matrix

Speakers

Intercom / Door Phone

Security System

Wired Security System

Wireless Security System

Integration to 3^rd-party Security

Locks / Access Control

BMS, Metering and Standard Protocols Integration

Electricity Meter

Water Meter

Gas Meter

Timer and Logic

Modbus Gateway

BACnet Gateway

Lonworks Gateway

IP / WiFi Gateway / Server

Zigbee3 Gateway

Z-wave Gateway

Integration to 3^rd-party System

Total

System Installation, Programming, Software, Skills and Apps

Category

Points

Wiring Topology Simplicity

Installation

Do-It-Yourself Capability

Software Programming Simplicity

User Interface (friendly, ease-of-use)

Total

Price

Price was rated from 1-10 (1 is the most expensive 10 is the least expensive).

Total points 100

Full Home Automation Top 10 Brands of 2020

Brand

Lighting

Shade

Sensors

A/V

Security

BMS

Inst / Prog

Price

Total Points

Legrand

TIS Control

Crestron

Schneider Electronics

Gira

ABB

Leviton

Philips Hue & Dynalite

Control4

Jung

Based on our above assessment, we found that Legrand Technology is number one in the world, possibly due to the fact that it has acquired many other brands, such as Vantage and Nuvo. Legrand is followed by TIS Control because of its strengths in lighting, air conditioning control, and energy savings, as well as its simple, DIY programming and price. Creston, one of the oldest companies in home automation, came in third. Although it had more technology points than TIS Control, it is also priced higher. Schneider Electrics, which acquired Mertin and Clipsal, was fourth, followed by GIRA, with very elegant interfaces and a variety of wired and wireless technology. Then, we get to the giant tech companies, such as ABB, followed by Leviton (thanks to their acquisition of HAI, Inc.). Next, we see Philips, the company using Dynalite Australian products and Zigbee Technology, followed by Control4, which makes the top 10 thanks to its strong A/V controllers and integration ability. Finally, Jung is number 10 this year due to its nice panel’s variety of wired and wireless products and its AC control strength.

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Forbes India journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

First Published: Jul 07, 2020, 13:01

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TOP 10 Home Automation Systems in 2020

Culture and climate needs vary from country to country, so system needs and controllers are different

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