Winner
Updated November 2026
Data from the official SwitchBot and TP-Link sites.
2026 verdict
Both launched in 2025 as Matter bridges into Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings; the SwitchBot Hub 3 is still the one to buy for a room you want to sense and control, and it costs less.
It measures temperature, humidity, light and presence, runs TVs and air conditioners through a learning IR blaster, connects SwitchBot devices over Bluetooth and is supported in Home Assistant, all driven from a screen, a dial and four buttons. The TP-Link Tapo H500 is a different kind of hub: a recorder for up to 16 Tapo cameras and doorbells with 16GB of storage and a 2.5-inch bay for up to 16TB, HDMI output, a siren, a microphone, 5 GHz Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Choose the SwitchBot Hub 3 for IR control, climate readings and SwitchBot gear, and the TP-Link Tapo H500 if you run Tapo cameras and want their footage stored at home.
News by email
Still comparing? Get what's new by email
New releases and the smart home news worth knowing, in your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
| Feature | SwitchBot Hub 3 | TP-Link Tapo H500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $199.99 | SwitchBot Hub 3 |
| Rating | 3.8 | 4.5 | TP-Link Tapo H500 |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet | TP-Link Tapo H500 |
| Protocols | Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR | Matter Bridge, Third-Party Devices | SwitchBot Hub 3 |
| Sensors | Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion | None | SwitchBot Hub 3 |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings | Tie |
What the differences mean
Sensing the room
The SwitchBot Hub 3 has temperature, humidity, light and motion sensors built in, so it can switch on the air conditioner or a scene by itself. The TP-Link Tapo H500 has no sensors of its own and relies on the Tapo sensors paired to it.
Infrared and Bluetooth
The SwitchBot Hub 3 learns your existing remotes and reaches SwitchBot curtains, locks and bots over Bluetooth. The TP-Link Tapo H500 has neither, and pairs Tapo cameras and Sub-G sensors instead.
Camera recording
The TP-Link Tapo H500 stores footage from up to 16 Tapo cameras on 16GB of storage or a 2.5-inch drive up to 16TB, and shows it on a TV over HDMI. The SwitchBot Hub 3 does nothing with cameras.
Network connection
The TP-Link Tapo H500 connects by Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which suits a box moving camera video. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, which is enough for its sensors and commands.
Where it sits
The SwitchBot Hub 3 is a 190 g panel with a screen and dial, made to sit on a shelf or desk where you use it. The TP-Link Tapo H500 is a 1.6 lb box with a drive bay that belongs next to the router.
Which one to buy if
- you want to control an air conditioner or TV from your phone
The SwitchBot Hub 3 has a learning IR blaster and can trigger it from its own temperature readings.
- you have Tapo cameras and want local recording
The TP-Link Tapo H500 records up to 16 of them with no subscription.
- you use Home Assistant
The SwitchBot Hub 3 is supported there; Home Assistant support is not documented for the Tapo H500.
- you want a loud siren for a DIY alarm
The TP-Link Tapo H500 has a 110 dB siren that fires from paired Tapo sensors; the SwitchBot Hub 3 has no speaker.
Winner
$99.99
- + Price: $99.99
- + Protocols: Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR
- + Sensors: Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion
- - Rating: 3.8 vs 4.5
- - Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi vs 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet
$199.99
- + Rating: 4.5
- + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet
- - Price: $199.99 vs $99.99
- - Protocols: Matter Bridge, Third-Party Devices vs Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR
What owners say
Owners of both hubs describe setup as easy and say the hub became the centre of the gear they already had from the same brand. SwitchBot Hub 3 owners single out the dial and programmable buttons that let the whole family run the air conditioner, TV and scenes, the screen as a clock and climate readout, and an IR blaster that clones stubborn remotes, while they complain about firmware that still feels unfinished, HomeKit that works only through Matter and Shortcuts and a price that feels high for the build. TP-Link Tapo H500 owners talk about several cameras recording to one drive with no subscription, a useful HDMI output and footage that stays safe if a camera is stolen, and their complaints are facial recognition that misses familiar faces and a drive that costs extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: SwitchBot Hub 3 or TP-Link Tapo H500?
The SwitchBot Hub 3 for most rooms: it is the lower priced of the two and adds built-in sensors, a learning IR blaster, Bluetooth for SwitchBot devices and Home Assistant support. The TP-Link Tapo H500 is the better choice only if you need a local recorder for Tapo cameras.
Does the SwitchBot Hub 3 work with Tapo devices?
Not directly. The SwitchBot Hub 3 pairs only SwitchBot Bluetooth devices, and the TP-Link Tapo H500 pairs only Tapo cameras and Sub-G sensors. Both are Matter bridges, so their devices can sit together in Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home or SmartThings.
Can the SwitchBot Hub 3 record cameras like the TP-Link Tapo H500?
No. The SwitchBot Hub 3 has no camera support and no storage for footage. The TP-Link Tapo H500 records up to 16 Tapo cameras and doorbells locally, with a 2.5-inch bay for up to 16TB.
Do the SwitchBot Hub 3 and the TP-Link Tapo H500 work with Apple Home?
Yes. Both are Matter bridges that work with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is also supported in Home Assistant, which is not documented for the TP-Link Tapo H500.
Who should buy the SwitchBot Hub 3?
SwitchBot owners and anyone who wants infrared control of a TV or air conditioner, room climate and presence sensing and physical buttons for scenes, at a lower cost.
Who should buy the TP-Link Tapo H500?
Owners of Tapo cameras and doorbells who want subscription-free local recording, a live camera wall over HDMI, a loud siren and a wired connection.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Tell us and we will fix it.
Our store on AmazonShop our ideas on AmazonLists of the smart home setups we would put together ourselves, ready to add to your Amazon cart.Shop on AmazonFull comparison table
Compare all 33 Hubs side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Hubs in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 33 Hubs
- 40 specs compared
- 37 filters
- Hubs
Caseta Smart Hub
- Hubs
Hue Bridge
- Hubs
Hub
- Hubs
Tapo H100
- Hubs
Hue Bridge Pro
- Hubs
Bridge Max
- Hubs
Smart Home controller II
- Hubs
Home Assistant Green
- Hubs
Zigbee Bridge Ultra
- Hubs
SBS50 Base Station
- Hubs
Smart Wi-Fi Hub MSH400HK
- Hubs
SwitchBot Hub 2
- Hubs
Hub Mini
- Hubs
HomeBase S380 (HomeBase 3)
- Hubs
Smart Home Hub
- Hubs
Tapo H200
- Hubs
Tapo H110
- Hubs
Hub M2
- Hubs
Hub M3
- Hubs
Smart Wi-Fi Hub MSH450
- Air Purifiers
Air Purifier Table
- Air Quality Monitors
Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor)
- Buttons
Remote
- Cameras
Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K
- Ceiling Lights
RGBICWW Ceiling Light 12inch
- Ceiling Lights
RGBICWW Ceiling Light 15inch
- Displays
Smart E-Ink Home Dashboard
- Doorbells
Smart Video Doorbell
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock Pro
- Door Locks
Lock Ultra Max
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock Vision Pro
- Door Locks
Lock Vision
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock
- Door & Window Sensors
Contact Sensor
- Hubs
AI Hub
- Hubs
SwitchBot Hub 2
- Hubs
Hub Mini
- IR Remote Controls
SwitchBot Hub 2
- IR Remote Controls
Hub Mini
- Buttons
Tapo S200B
- Buttons
Tapo S200D
- Cameras
Tapo C100
- Cameras
Tapo C120
- Cameras
Tapo C210
- Cameras
Tapo SolarCam C402
- Cameras
Tapo TC34
- Cameras
Kasa EC70
- Cameras
Kasa KC420WS
- Cameras
Tapo C200
- Cameras
Tapo C246D
- Cameras
Tapo C260
- Cameras
Tapo C320WS
- Cameras
Tapo C460
- Cameras
Tapo C465
- Cameras
Tapo C500
- Cameras
Tapo C545D
- Cameras
Tapo C560WS
- Cameras
Tapo C615F KIT
- Cameras
Tapo C660