Smart homes are great for convenience and sustainability, but how can you manage all of your smart appliances, security systems, locks, lighting, and other devices from a single place?
As smart homes become more advanced, having a central hub to manage your devices is no longer optional, it’s essential.
For those who rely heavily on the Apple ecosystem, finding the best Apple HomeKit hub in 2025 ensures you get seamless automation, remote access, and security.
With Apple phasing out iPad support for the HomeKit hub and the increasing dominance of Matter and Thread-compatible devices, 2025 marks a turning point in smart home control.
Let’s explore the best HomeKit hubs available this year, what to consider when choosing one, and which models offer the best performance, compatibility, and value.
What Is a HomeKit Hub?
A HomeKit hub acts as the command centre of your Apple smart home.
It connects your various smart devices, including lighting, sensors, thermostats, and security systems, into a single network that can be accessed remotely via the Apple Home app.
This means that your devices work seamlessly together, giving you greater control and customisation.
A hub also provides remote access to your devices and cameras when you're away from home, allowing you to manage your home environment and security systems from anywhere with an internet connection.
With a HomeKit hub, you can share access with family members, create automated routines, and benefit from Apple’s privacy and security standards.
To understand more about how smart hubs work, take a look at our guide: What is a Smart Hub?
Why You Need a Home Hub in 2025
In 2025, smart homes have evolved beyond simple voice commands or app-based controls. There are several apps and many automations to consider. It’s no longer more convenient to individually manage these devices.
A hub ensures that your devices communicate efficiently and reliably, and it unlocks advanced features that improve your everyday life.
What other benefits are there to using a home hub in 2025?
Remote Control and Automation
Perhaps most importantly, a HomeKit hub allows you to control your smart devices from anywhere. It’s a game-changer for home security.
Whether you’re at the office or on holiday, you can access your home’s lights, thermostats, and security systems directly via your phone, allowing you to check in on any notifications and alerts easily.
Automation such as lights turning off at bedtime or heating adjusting when no one is home can also make your home much more sustainable and help to reduce household bills.
This remote control of your entire home is only possible with a good smart home hub.
Enhanced Security
Good home hubs encrypt communication between devices, helping to prevent unauthorised access while still making your systems accessible for you and your family.
Features like two-factor authentication and local processing, available on many hubs, further reduce security vulnerabilities without impacting functionality.
Being able to access your security cameras from your phone can give you peace of mind when it comes to checking in on your property.
Motion sensors on modern cameras are much more advanced and advised by AI to detect “suspicious” movement. This means that alerts are more accurate and your home hub can help communicate between your devices to detect when there is a concern.
When used together, smart home cameras, hubs and sensors can create very robust security systems.
Device Synchronisation
Without a hub, smart devices often operate independently, limiting automations and making the devices more complicated to manage.
A home hub allows your devices to act in unison. For example, when a motion sensor detects movement, it can trigger a light to turn on, start a camera recording, and send a notification.
You can use your hub to ensure that your home works perfectly for you.
Voice Control Integration
Apple-compatible hubs enable smoother interactions with Siri. Commands such as "Good night" can shut off all lights, lower the thermostat, and lock the doors in one go.
For a home to truly be “smart” it needs to be convenient, and voice controls can offer this convenience in complicated systems.
Can You Still Use an iPad as a HomeKit Hub in 2025?
As of 2025, Apple no longer supports iPads as HomeKit hubs.
Previously, iPads could serve as a basic hub if they remained powered and connected to Wi-Fi. However, Apple has discontinued this functionality to favour devices that offer more reliability, better connectivity, and compatibility with new smart home standards like Matter.
While you can still use your iPad to control HomeKit devices manually via the Home app, it can no longer run automations or provide remote access.
What to Consider When Choosing a HomeKit Hub
So what exactly is it that differentiates good home hubs from the rest? There are a few essential features you need to be looking at when examining your options.
Compatibility
Compatibility is key when it comes to choosing your home hub. Think about the devices you already own and any devices that you hope to get in the future.
Look for models that are Matter-certified and Thread-compatible, ensuring future-proof integration across your home ecosystem.
The Aqara Hub M3, for example, works with Apple, Google, Samsung and Alexa platforms.
Automation Features
Not all hubs will offer the same level of automation.
Some support only basic time-based routines, while others allow for advanced triggers such as motion detection, presence sensing, and conditional logic. The type of hub you choose will depend on how you plan to use your devices.
There are pros and cons for both of these options. Hubs with local automation, for example, can ensure that routines still run even if your internet goes down.
Connectivity and Protocol Support
Modern smart homes often use a variety of wireless protocols. Your hub should ideally support Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter to communicate with a wide range of devices.
This helps avoid connectivity issues and limits the need for any additional bridges to keep your systems working.
Voice Assistant Integration
If you use Siri frequently (or any other voice assistant), ensure your hub offers support.
For your systems to work for you, it’s important that they're convenient and fit into existing routines.
How a Smart Home Hub Improves Daily Life
The aim for your smart home hub is to bring your devices together to become an intelligent assistant rather than a collection of isolated devices.
When home hubs work properly, they have a number of practical uses that can make everyday life and your routines easier.
How can a smart home hub improve daily life?
● A home hub can automatically lock your doors and turn off lights when you leave for work. It can also help you to unlock doors for visitors or service providers and have the lights on when you get home.
● When paired with your security system, your hub can notify you of unexpected movement when you're away. This gives you essential peace of mind and allows you to easily check in on your home from anywhere in the world.
● Your smart home hub can make it easier for you to unwind after a long day. It can lower blinds, dim lights, and play relaxing music at sunset to make your home ready for your evenings.
● Your home hub can help to save you energy by adjusting heating and lighting based on occupancy and time. This means you’re only using your smart home devices when you actually need them.
Smart Home Security Risks and How a Hub Helps
Security is often a top concern for smart home users, and it should be, your home hub should add to your security system, not weaken it.
Common threats for hubs include hacking, unauthorised access, and insecure cloud connections.
Many budget smart devices are not designed with robust security features, leaving them vulnerable. This is why choosing a reputable brand is always important for security devices.
A high-quality home hub helps mitigate these risks in several ways:
● It prioritizes encrypted communication between your devices, maintaining security across your network.
● It uses two-factor authorization to make sure only the right people can access your smart home systems.
● It uses local processing of sensitive automations to reduce cloud dependency and keep your data and routines secure.
● It provides regular firmware updates and security patches to ensure that systems always use the latest security technology.
By choosing a hub with strong privacy standards, such as those from Aqara or Apple, you enhance the safety of your smart environment and ensure that your systems are always using the best practices.
The Best Apple HomeKit Hubs of 2025
So which Apple-compatible home hubs are the best for compatibility and functionality in 2025?
Aqara Hub M3
The flagship Aqara Hub M3 is one of the most future-proof HomeKit-compatible hubs on the market.
It supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, making it one of the most versatile hubs available.
This home hub is the perfect option to keep all of your smart devices in sync.
Apple HomePod
While its primary function is audio, the HomePod and HomePod Mini also serve as a native Apple HomeKit hub.
It supports Thread and Matter, integrates perfectly with iCloud and Siri, and is ideal for Apple-exclusive users looking for simplicity and reliability.
It has more limitations if you’re looking to combine other smart home ecosystems but for Apple-only use, it’s a simple option with minimal setup.
Aqara Hub M2
The Aqara Hub M2 is a budget-friendly but powerful hub with Zigbee support and Ethernet connectivity.
It supports local automation and is compatible with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant, making it ideal for users seeking flexibility without breaking the bank.
The M2 model is also compatible with the Aqara Hub M3 meaning it’s easy to upgrade your systems at a later date if you need a more advanced system.
Aqara Camera Hub G3
Combining a high-definition camera with hub functionality, the G3 is perfect for those who want visual monitoring and automation in one device.
It features AI facial recognition, gesture control, and 2K resolution, all while functioning as a HomeKit Secure Video device and smart hub.
This smart hub/camera is truly the perfect guardian for your home.
Aqara Hub E1
The smallest and most affordable option in the Aqara lineup, the E1 plugs into any USB-A port and offers essential Zigbee functionality in a compact package.
It's great for smaller homes or users who want to test smart home functionality before investing in a more powerful system.
The Aqara Hub E1 also makes the coverage of other Aqara hubs and other Wi-Fi devices more stable.
FAQs
Can I use an iPad as a HomeKit hub in 2025?
No, Apple has officially discontinued this functionality. Whilst you can still use some Home functionality, you’ll need a supported hub like a HomePod or third-party Matter-certified hub to properly control your smart home devices.
What is the best HomeKit hub for beginners?
The Aqara Hub M2 is ideal for newcomers due to its affordability and broad compatibility. It’s simple to set up and is compatible with the rest of the Aqara home range.
Do all HomeKit hubs support Matter?
Not all of them, but newer models such as the Aqara Hub M3 and HomePod 2nd Gen do. Matter support ensures your hub is future-ready.
Is the HomePod Mini still a good choice?
Yes, especially for Apple-centric users. However, the HomePod (2nd Gen) offers improved sound and broader compatibility.
Does Aqara work with Apple HomeKit?
Yes, all Aqara hubs listed above are certified for HomeKit and integrate smoothly with Apple’s Home app.
Conclusion
Choosing the best Apple HomeKit hub in 2025 depends on your specific needs, from security and automation to multi-platform support.
The Aqara Hub M3 stands out as the most comprehensive and forward-looking option, while the HomePod 2nd Gen is excellent for a native Apple experience. For those just starting out, the Aqara M2 or E1 offer affordability and ease of use.
By investing in a quality hub now, you lay the foundation for a secure, intelligent, and flexible smart home for years to come. Your devices will work seamlessly together, and you’ll really begin to see the benefits of a smart home.
