Diving into the best home automation systems for 2025, it’s all about balancing tech smarts with your wallet—think startup costs for the basics like a $50-$200 hub plus essentials such as smart lights or a video doorbell, which can easily tally up to around $900 if you’re kicking things off like I did with a HomePod Mini and a security setup. As a smart home reviewer, I get that small businesses and MSPs want flexible options that won’t lock you into pricey ecosystems, so platforms like Home Assistant shine by letting you mix and match affordable devices from brands like Philips Hue or IKEA without breaking a sweat. Planning ahead for additions in the next year or two is key, as this open approach keeps ongoing costs low compared to rigid systems that force brand loyalty. And with the Matter standard now making it a breeze to connect just about any “Works with Matter” gadget to a simple controller, you can avoid getting stuck in a proprietary trap and build a scalable setup that evolves with your needs—perfect for tech-curious pros looking to automate without the hassle.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-home-automation-system/
