What is Homey Pro and who is it for?
This is Athom's more expensive model that allows you to pair your smart gadgets from different brands. Today, more than 50,000 products from more than 1,000 brands are supported. It comes in a new design that makes it easier to place it in the home and does not take up as much space.
Homey Pro vs. Homey Bridge
Not sure if you need a Homey Pro or the simpler Homey Bridge model, you can read our guide Homey Pro vs. Homey bridge where we wrote about the advantages and disadvantages of the different models.
How does Homey Pro work?
Apps coded by brands or enthusiasts for the Homey platform can be installed on your Homey. By installing the IKEA app, you can connect IKEA smart home accessories to your Homey. You will quickly have a platform where you can use a single app to automate different brands' devices together. It is possible that you have lamps at home from IKEA and Philips Hue and want to use the same command to turn them both on. Homey, then, is an excellent option.
Design and Build Quality
The Homey Pro, unlike the Homey Bridge, has a black glare exterior all around and is slightly taller. The unit has a compact and modern aesthetic that blends neatly into a modern home. The circular LED ring surrounding the bottom of the device not only adds an aesthetic touch, but also serves as a useful indicator of the status of the device. Homey Pro is clearly designed with care and attention to detail, providing a sense of quality while still being perceived as slightly plastic and fragile. However, it is a very welcome update compared to the previous design which had the shape of a ball.
Installation and Configuration
One of the most impressive aspects of Homey Pro is how easy it is to set up and configure. All you have to do is download the dedicated Homey app on your smartphone or tablet and follow the clear step-by-step instructions. The app guides you through the entire setup process, from connecting the device to your WiFi network to adding compatible devices. It's a smooth and user-friendly experience that allows even beginners to get started with Homey Pro without any problems.
Avantische Flow
Something that is unique to Homey Pro unlike Homey Bridge is “Advanced Flow”. This is a node-based interface that you can access in the Homey web app. Here you can create more complex and advanced feeds. You get a better overview and access more features. You need to buy Advanced Flow for a smaller one-time cost.
Compatibility and Ecosystem
One of the most critical factors when it comes to a smart home hub is its ability to communicate with different devices and protocols. Homey Pro excels here by supporting a wide range of wireless protocols, including Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to connecting and automating your smart devices, whether they are smart lights, thermostats, security cameras or other IoT equipment. The comprehensive compatibility is one of the greatest strengths of Homey Pro and makes it easy to integrate existing devices into your smart home ecosystem. Although the new smart home standard Matter has been introduced and in some cases eliminates the need for a hub, there are strengths in using a Homey Pro. On the one hand, you can use devices that are not yet Matter certified and take advantage of the power of Homey's automations. Homey Pro has Thread built in and supports the new Matter standard.