Homey Pro Review | The Ultimate Local-First Smart Home Hub
Looking for a smart home hub that supports Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, Thread, and Wi-Fi devices all in one? The Homey Pro from Dutch company Athom promises exactly that but is it worth the investment?
In this comprehensive Homey Pro review, we'll break down everything you need to know before buying, including real-world device compatibility, automation capabilities, and how it stacks up against alternatives like Home Assistant.
What Makes the Homey Pro Different?
The Homey Pro smart home hub stands apart by supporting more wireless technologies than any competitor. While most hubs handle two or three protocols, Homey Pro manages eight simultaneously from a single device.
Think of the Homey Pro hub as a universal translator for your house. Your lights, locks, thermostats, and speakers all speak different digital languages. Homey Pro sits in the middle, understands everyone perfectly, and ensures they work together harmoniously without calling home to the cloud.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Wireless Protocols | 8 (Wi-Fi, Zigbee 3.0, Z-Wave Plus, Matter, Thread, Bluetooth 5.0, IR, 433 MHz) |
| Processor | 1.5 GHz Quad Core ARMv8 (Raspberry Pi CM4) |
| Memory | 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 8 GB eMMC Flash |
| Z-Wave Chip | 700 Series (enhanced range) |
| Thread Support | Yes (Border Router) |
| Matter Support | Yes (Wi-Fi and Thread) |
| IR Control | 360° Blaster |
| Device Support | 50,000+ devices from 1,000+ brands |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit |
| Local Processing | Yes (works without internet) |
| Subscription Required | No (core features free) |
| Retail Price | $399 / £399 / €399 |
Supported Smart Home Protocols
One of Homey Pro's biggest advantages is its multi-protocol support. Here's every wireless standard included:
Wireless Protocols at a Glance
- Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0
- Zigbee 3.0
- Z-Wave Plus (700 Series)
- Thread (Border Router)
- Matter v1.3
- 433 MHz RF (disabled in US/Canada/South Korea)
- Infrared
This means you can control Philips Hue bulbs (Zigbee), Ring doorbells (Wi-Fi), Fibaro sensors (Z-Wave), and newer Matter devices all from a single app.
What About Matter and Thread?
Homey Pro includes full Matter v1.3 support and functions as a Thread Border Router. This future-proofs your investment as more manufacturers adopt these emerging standards.
However, Matter-over-Thread device support is still maturing. If your smart home relies heavily on Thread devices, verify compatibility before purchasing.
How to Set Up Homey Pro | Step-by-Step Installation
Getting started with Homey Pro is straightforward:
- Plug in the hub using the included USB-C cable.
- Download the Homey app (iOS or Android).
- Create an account and follow on-screen instructions.
- Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Start adding devices.
The app walks you through configuring your home layout, including floors and rooms. This organizational approach makes managing large smart homes much easier.
The Homey App
The Homey mobile app is polished and intuitive. Key features include:
- Device dashboard with room-based organization
- Energy monitoring with historical data
- Flow automation builder
- Insights for tracking device metrics over time
You can also access everything through the web interface at my.homey.app, which offers additional features like Advanced Flow editing.
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Hardware and Performance Specifications
Processing Power
The Homey Pro 2023 (also known as Athom Homey Pro 2023) delivers significant upgrades over previous generations. Built on a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, it features a 1.5 GHz Quad Core ARMv8 processor capable of handling complex automations without lag.
The hub includes 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 8 GB of eMMC flash storage. This combination provides ample room for thousands of devices, complex automation flows, and historical data logging.
Design and Build Quality
The sleek black cylindrical design fits any home décor. An automated LED ring at the base provides visual feedback, customizable to indicate weather conditions, security status, or automation triggers.
A large internal heat sink dissipates warmth throughout the enclosure, maintaining consistent performance during heavy processing loads. The compact footprint occupies minimal shelf space while delivering maximum functionality.
Eight Wireless Technologies in One Device
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Homey Pro supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. This dual-band capability ensures reliable connections to modern routers and Wi-Fi-enabled smart devices throughout your home.
Zigbee 3.0 Support
The built-in Zigbee 3.0 radio connects sensors, bulbs, switches, and other Zigbee devices directly. No separate Zigbee hub required. The mesh networking capability extends coverage as you add more mains-powered Zigbee devices.
Z-Wave Plus Integration
Featuring the 700 Series Z-Wave chip, Homey Pro delivers enhanced range and speed for Z-Wave devices. This latest generation chip provides better battery life for sensors and improved signal penetration through walls.
Matter and Thread Ready
Homey Pro acts as a Thread Border Router and supports Matter-certified devices over both Wi-Fi and Thread protocols. This future-proofs your investment as more manufacturers adopt Matter certification.
Bluetooth Low Energy
BLE 5.0 connectivity enables direct pairing with Bluetooth-enabled devices, sensors, and beacons. This proves particularly useful for presence detection and tracking applications.
Infrared Control
A 360-degree IR blaster controls televisions, air conditioners, media players, and other infrared devices. Position Homey Pro centrally for optimal coverage throughout the room.
433 MHz RF Support
Legacy RF devices operating on 433 MHz remain compatible with Homey Pro. Note that transmission is currently disabled in the US, Canada, and South Korea due to local regulations.
Software and Automation Capabilities
Standard Flows
The mobile app provides user-friendly automation through intuitive "When... And... Then" logic. Create basic automations like turning on lights when motion is detected or adjusting thermostats based on time of day.
Advanced Flows
Power users access the infinite canvas-based editor through the Web App. This drag-and-drop interface resembles Node-RED, enabling complex multi-device automations with branching logic, delays, and conditional triggers.
HomeyScript
For maximum flexibility, HomeyScript allows custom JavaScript and Node.js code execution. Handle highly complex scenarios, perform calculations, or integrate external APIs directly within your automations.
Insights and Analytics
The Insights feature generates graphical reports on device activity. Track energy consumption over time, compare indoor versus outdoor temperatures, or analyze motion patterns throughout your home.
Homey Pro HomeKit Integration
Homey Pro HomeKit support arrives through the Experiments settings menu. Once enabled, your Homey-connected devices appear in Apple's Home app and respond to Siri voice commands.
This integration exposes compatible devices to the Apple ecosystem without requiring separate HomeKit-certified hardware. Control your Z-Wave locks, Zigbee sensors, and RF devices through the Home app alongside native HomeKit accessories.
The implementation handles most common device types including lights, switches, thermostats, locks, and sensors. Some advanced features may have limited HomeKit functionality depending on device capabilities.
Ecosystem and Device Compatibility
The Homey App Store
Installing "Apps" from the Homey App Store adds support for specific brands and device types. Over 1,000 brands and 50,000 devices currently work with Homey Pro.
Official and Community Apps
While Athom develops many apps directly, community developers create others for niche device support. All community apps undergo testing and approval before appearing in the store, ensuring quality and security.
Voice Assistant Integration
Full compatibility extends to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. Issue voice commands through any major assistant to control Homey-connected devices throughout your home.
Privacy and Local Control
On-Premise Processing
Unlike cloud-dependent competitors, Homey Pro processes automations and stores data locally on the device itself. Your smart home continues functioning during internet outages without degradation.
No Mandatory Subscription
Core features including remote access and Advanced Flows require no monthly fees. Athom believes essential functionality should not hide behind subscription paywalls.
Backup Options
Back up your entire system locally to a PC or Mac at no cost. For convenience, optional cloud backup service costs $10 per year, providing off-site protection for your configuration.
Homey Pro 2023 vs Homey Pro 2019
The Homey Pro 2019 served users well but the 2023 model delivers substantial improvements:
| Feature | Homey Pro 2019 | Homey Pro 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Dual Core | Quad Core 1.5 GHz |
| RAM | 512 MB | 4 GB |
| Z-Wave Chip | 500 Series | 700 Series |
| Matter Support | No | Yes |
| Thread Support | No | Yes (Border Router) |
| IR Learning | Yes | No (Database Only) |
The 2023 model adds Matter and Thread support, critical for future compatibility. Significantly more processing power handles larger device counts and complex automations smoothly.
One regression: the 2023 version cannot learn custom IR codes like its predecessor. It relies entirely on the existing IR database, which may limit compatibility with obscure devices.
Pros and Cons of Homey Pro
Pros
- Unmatched protocol support
- True local processing
- No mandatory subscription
- Massive device compatibility (50,000+)
- Powerful automation engine
- Future-proof (Matter/Thread support)
- Voice assistant flexibility
- Beautiful design
- Active community
- Expandable coverage
Cons
- Premium price point ($399)
- No IR learning capability
- Regional limitations
- 433 MHz restrictions in US/Canada/South Korea
- Shared Bluetooth/Wi-Fi antenna issues
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Community app quality varies
Who Should Buy Homey Pro?
Homey Pro suits users wanting comprehensive protocol support without multiple hubs cluttering their home. The local-first approach appeals to privacy-conscious users and those experiencing unreliable internet connections.
The premium price point makes sense for households with diverse device ecosystems spanning multiple protocols. If you only use Wi-Fi devices, simpler alternatives suffice. If your home includes Zigbee, Z-Wave, IR, and Bluetooth devices, Homey Pro consolidates everything elegantly.
