Samsung SmartThings Hub (3rd Gen) — 7.2/10
A capable, protocol-rich smart home hub that remains a solid choice for established SmartThings users, but increasingly feels its age against cloud-native platforms and newer Matter-ready rivals.
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Overview
Released in 2018, the Samsung SmartThings Hub 3rd Generation is a standalone Ethernet- and Wi-Fi-connected hub that serves as the local brain for the SmartThings ecosystem. Unlike the first two generations, it ditched the cellular backup radio and moved processing further toward the cloud — a controversial tradeoff that still divides its user base today. It supports Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi and LAN device integrations, making it one of the more protocol-diverse hubs in its price class.
The hub is aimed squarely at home automation enthusiasts who want broad device compatibility without committing to a premium platform like Hubitat or HomeSeer. It suits renters and homeowners alike, thanks to its small footprint and straightforward setup. If you have a growing collection of Zigbee sensors, Z-Wave locks, and smart bulbs from multiple brands, SmartThings has long been the ecosystem that promises to tie them together.
In 2025, however, the landscape looks different. Samsung has shifted significant attention toward its newer SmartThings Station and the broader Matter standard, leaving the 3rd Gen hub in an ambiguous position. It still works, it still receives firmware updates, and it still supports thousands of devices — but prospective buyers deserve an honest look at where it excels and where it shows its years.
Key features
Zigbee 3.0, Z-Wave Plus, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi, and LAN give the hub one of the widest device compatibility lists of any consumer hub available.
Select automations run locally for faster response and offline resilience — though many integrations still depend on Samsung's cloud servers.
Pairs with the fully redesigned SmartThings mobile app for iOS and Android, offering routines, scenes, energy monitoring dashboards, and device management in one place.
Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby, covering all major voice platforms without requiring additional hardware.
The hub received software-side Matter controller support via a firmware update, though full Thread border router functionality is limited compared to newer devices.
The Edge Drivers framework replaced Groovy SmartApps, enabling on-device driver execution and an active community repository of custom drivers for niche devices.
Full specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | SmartThings Hub 3rd Generation (ET-WV525) |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Connectivity | Ethernet (100 Mbps), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz) |
| Zigbee | Zigbee 3.0 (IEEE 802.15.4) |
| Z-Wave | Z-Wave Plus (500 series) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth LE 4.1 |
| Matter Support | Matter Controller (via firmware); no Thread border router |
| Processor | ARM Cortex-A7 (undisclosed clock) |
| Memory | 512 MB RAM / 1 GB Flash |
| Power | USB Micro-B, 5V/2A adapter included |
| Backup Battery | None (cellular backup removed vs. Gen 2) |
| Dimensions | 117 × 117 × 29 mm |
| Weight | 213 g |
| Operating Temp. | 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F) |
| App Platforms | iOS 16+, Android 9+ |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung Bixby |
| Device Limit | ~200–300 local devices (practical) |
| Colour | White |
Pros & cons
Pros
- Exceptional device compatibility across Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi
- Active firmware and Edge Driver support as of 2025
- Generous free tier — no subscription required for core features
- Strong community with extensive custom driver library
- Works with all three major voice assistants
- Matter controller support added via software update
- Compact, unobtrusive design fits any shelf
Cons
- Heavy cloud dependency for many automations and integrations
- No backup power — loses all function during an outage
- Z-Wave 500 series, not the newer 700/800 series
- No native Thread border router capability
- SmartThings app can be inconsistent and occasionally buggy
- Groovy-to-Edge migration left some legacy devices unsupported
- Harder to recommend over Hubitat for purely local setups
Performance
Day-to-day, the SmartThings Hub 3rd Gen handles routine automations competently. Locally processed routines — those using only Edge Driver-based devices — execute in under a second, which is perfectly acceptable for motion lighting and door lock automations. The Zigbee radio is reliable across a typical three-bedroom home, and its mesh-extending behaviour with Zigbee router devices keeps signal strong in most layouts.
Z-Wave performance is adequate but the 500-series chip does show its limitations in dense setups compared to hubs running newer Z-Wave 700 or 800 silicon. Pairing new Z-Wave devices is occasionally fussier than it should be, sometimes requiring an exclusion cycle before a fresh inclusion will succeed — a long-standing quirk the firmware hasn't fully resolved.
Cloud dependency caveat: If Samsung's SmartThings cloud experiences downtime, any integration relying on a cloud execution path — including many popular third-party device handlers — will stop responding. This happened several times in 2023 and 2024, each time frustrating users who expected local-first operation.
The SmartThings app itself is the hub's most inconsistent element. The redesigned interface introduced around 2022 is cleaner than its predecessor, but navigating deeper device settings or debugging a misfiring routine still involves too many taps and occasional dead-ends. Automation logic is less powerful than competitors like Hubitat's Rule Machine or Home Assistant's automation engine, though the simplicity will suit casual users just fine.
Bluetooth performance is limited to pairing Samsung-branded or officially supported devices and proximity detection; it isn't a full Bluetooth mesh implementation. For most buyers this is a non-issue, but it's worth knowing if you have BLE-only sensors you're hoping to connect.
Value for money
The SmartThings Hub 3rd Gen typically appears in the second-hand market for anywhere between £30 and £60 in the UK, or $40–$80 in the US, as Samsung no longer sells it new through primary retail channels. At those prices it represents reasonable value for someone already invested in the SmartThings ecosystem, or a first-time buyer who wants broad compatibility without a steep learning curve.
For buyers weighing it against alternatives, the calculus is more nuanced. The Hubitat Elevation (C-8 Pro) costs more but delivers genuinely local processing on virtually every integration and ships with updated Z-Wave 800-series hardware. Home Assistant Green or a Raspberry Pi-based Home Assistant setup gives power users far greater control and local autonomy at comparable or lower cost. If you're a committed Samsung appliance owner, however, the SmartThings ecosystem ties your washing machine, TV, and fridge into a single app in a way no rival currently matches.
Best suited for: Existing SmartThings users expanding their setup, Samsung appliance owners wanting a unified home dashboard, and buyers prioritising broad out-of-the-box device support over deep local automation control.
Final verdict
The Samsung SmartThings Hub 3rd Generation scores 7.2 out of 10. It is still a capable, well-supported hub that earns its place in a 2025 smart home — provided you go in with realistic expectations. Its multi-protocol breadth is genuinely impressive, the free tier is generous, and the SmartThings ecosystem's integration with Samsung's own appliances remains unmatched. But the cloud dependency, aging Z-Wave radio, and inconsistent app experience mean it is no longer the reflexive recommendation it once was for every buyer.
If you already own one, keep it — it still does the job well. If you're buying fresh in 2025, consider whether a newer platform might serve your longer-term needs better, particularly if local-first reliability is a priority.
Is the Samsung SmartThings Hub 3rd Gen still being supported in 2025?
Yes. Samsung continues to release firmware updates for the 3rd Gen hub and the Edge Drivers framework remains active. Samsung has not announced an end-of-life date, though the absence of newer hardware features like Z-Wave 700/800 and a Thread border router means its long-term roadmap is uncertain.
Does the SmartThings Hub 3rd Gen support Matter?
Partially. A firmware update enabled Matter controller support, so the hub can control Matter-certified devices on your local network. However, it does not function as a Thread border router, which limits its ability to onboard Thread-based Matter devices without a separate border router such as an Apple HomePod mini or Google Nest Hub.
What happens to my automations if the internet goes down?
Automations built entirely with Edge Driver-based devices run locally and will continue to function during an internet outage. However, any integration that routes through Samsung's cloud — including many popular third-party brand integrations — will stop responding until connectivity is restored. The hub has no battery backup, so a power cut will also take it offline.
How many devices can the SmartThings Hub 3rd Gen handle?
Samsung does not publish a hard limit, but community experience suggests practical performance degrades above roughly 200–300 directly paired local devices. Wi-Fi and cloud-integrated devices count toward the overall system load differently, so very large installations may experience slower automation response times.
Is Hubitat a better choice than SmartThings in 2025?
For users who prioritise local processing and offline reliability, Hubitat (particularly the C-8 or C-8 Pro) is the stronger choice. It runs virtually all automations locally, includes newer Z-Wave 800-series hardware, and supports Thread border router functionality. SmartThings still wins on Samsung appliance integration, ease of setup for beginners, and its free tier pricing.