Updated September 30, 2026
What is Hub required?
In short
A hub required flag tells you whether a brand's devices need a separate hub to work or run straight on your own network.
A hub is the small box that links a brand's sensors, shades or controllers together, and some ranges cannot work without one. Aqara states a hub is required, as does British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating. Beasen Smart Window Shades and Carrier state that a hub is not required, so their devices can run on their own. Trade-off: a hub adds another device to buy, power and keep updated, but it is what lets sensors talk to each other.
Sources
- aqara-shop.co.uk, checked September 30, 2026
- beasenhome.com, checked September 30, 2026
- carrier.com, checked September 30, 2026
- hivehome.com, checked September 30, 2026