Watch the full video review of this device here: Watch the review
SwitchBot have been on a roll recently, releasing innovative smart home products including the Lock Ultra and Keypad Touch, both of which I’ve reviewed recently. Today, I’m taking a detailed look at their newest flagship product: the SwitchBot Hub 3.
I’ve been using the SwitchBot Hub 3 for over two months now, and it’s clear this device is a big leap forward—not just in size, but in features too. Let’s dive in.
Pricing
At £130, the SwitchBot Hub 3 is the most expensive hub SwitchBot has released to date. That compares to £80 for the Hub 2 and £70 for the Hub Mini with Matter support.
Design
The SwitchBot Hub 3 sports a sleek black and grey design with rounded edges, a glossy black front, and a modern aesthetic reminiscent of a smart thermostat. It measures 126mm in height, 94mm in width, and 38mm in depth.
Included in the box is a stand with a rubber base for freestanding use, a wall-mount bracket, and a USB-C cable with a built-in temperature and humidity sensor for more accurate environmental readings.
The front of the hub features a large screen, four quick-action buttons, navigation buttons, and a control knob. Around the back, you’ll find a USB-C power port and an extra USB-C port, likely intended for future sensor support.
Specs and Connectivity
- Powered by USB-C (no power brick included)
- Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Infrared relay for controlling TVs, Apple TV, and more
- Supports Matter and can work with up to 30 devices
- Extended range of up to 200 meters in open environments
This is SwitchBot’s most capable Matter hub, with support for Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Homey (compatibility may vary per platform).
You can even expose the onboard buttons as Matter devices, letting you trigger Apple Home scenes directly from the device—similar to how the SwitchBot Remote works.
Sensors and Environmental Tracking
The SwitchBot Hub 3 features a motion sensor, light sensor, and support for external temperature and humidity readings. It can detect temperatures from -20°C to 65°C and humidity from 0% to 99%. However, it’s not IP-rated, so it’s not bathroom-safe.
The light sensor can automatically adjust screen brightness or trigger smart home automations. Similarly, motion detection can wake the display or trigger scenes in your smart home ecosystem.
Setup Experience
Setting up the SwitchBot Hub 3 is straightforward. Plug it in, open the SwitchBot app, and follow the prompts to pair it. You can import IR remotes from older hubs, but Matter devices and SwitchBot devices will need to be manually re-paired.
For Apple Home users, after adding the hub via Matter, you’ll need to manually assign devices and reconfigure automations, which can be a bit tedious. A useful workaround is to use the Eve app to restore broken automations.
Display and Device Features
You can customise the display to show temperature and humidity, the time, weather data, or even the status of your SwitchBot Lock. To enable lock status, go to:
- Hub Settings → Devices & Scenes → Manage Devices → Add your lock
- Then toggle on “Lock Status”
Other settings include adding alarms, setting auto-brightness, enabling motion wake, changing time formats, and acting as a chime for the SwitchBot doorbell.
Infrared Remote Control
You can add IR devices through the “IR Appliances” section. Use built-in presets or teach it remote commands manually. These devices can then be controlled through the app or directly via the hub’s control knob and buttons.
Navigation is simple using the home, back, and SwitchBot buttons, with the scroll wheel and centre button used for selections. You can also assign scenes to left/right quick access buttons on the display.
Customisation and Matter Integration
One of the most powerful features is the ability to expose motion, temperature, and humidity sensors to Apple Home. This means you can create advanced automations—for example, activating a Matter-enabled fan when humidity rises.
While the light sensor data isn’t exposed to Apple Home, the other sensors work reliably and open up a lot of automation potential.
Everyday Use
In daily use, the SwitchBot Hub 3 feels responsive. The motion-triggered display works well, and the quick task buttons are genuinely useful for triggering pre-set scenes.
However, the additional buttons and wheel may feel unnecessary depending on how and where you use the device. For example, if placed on a bedside table, the manual controls might be handy. In a living room setup, I found myself using the app or a universal remote instead.
That said, the hub’s ability to trigger scenes based on motion, temperature, or humidity is excellent, especially when paired with Apple Home or Matter-compatible smart devices.
Final Verdict
The SwitchBot Hub 3 is the most feature-packed and compatible hub SwitchBot has released. It looks great, integrates deeply with Matter and Apple Home, and is ideal for anyone building a comprehensive smart home setup.
Whether you’re just starting with SwitchBot devices or looking to upgrade from an older hub, this is the hub to get. The ability to show weather, lock status, and environmental data at a glance is incredibly useful.
Personally, I’d prefer a slimmer model with just the quick-action buttons, but for users who want full control from the device itself, the SwitchBot Hub 3 delivers.
Get the SwitchBot Hub 3 with discounts via the purchase link.
