Updated November 2026
Data from the official BroadLink and SwitchBot sites.
2026 verdict
What are you controlling from the couch, one TV or a whole room?
The SwitchBot Hub 3 is the stronger smart remote of the pair, adding sensors, Matter and Apple Home to the same IR control. It has temperature, humidity, light and motion sensors, Bluetooth, a Matter bridge for SwitchBot devices and support for Apple Home, SmartThings, Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant, plus a screen, rotary dial and programmable buttons its owners love. The BroadLink RM4 Mini answers with a much lower price and better reviews, in a 48 mm cube that hides anywhere, and its owners praise how far its IR signal reaches. It works with Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant, but not with Apple Home, SmartThings or Matter. Pick the BroadLink RM4 Mini for basic IR control on a budget, and the SwitchBot Hub 3 for a control panel that also runs climate and presence automations.
Works with
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
vs
Winner
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
- Matter bridge or controller
- Bluetooth
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| Feature | BroadLink RM4 Mini | SwitchBot Hub 3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $25.99 | $99.99 | BroadLink RM4 Mini |
| Rating | 4.2 | 3.8 | BroadLink RM4 Mini |
| Protocols | IR | Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR | SwitchBot Hub 3 |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter | SwitchBot Hub 3 |
| Sensors | None | Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion | SwitchBot Hub 3 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Tie |
| Univeral Remote Control | YES | YES | Tie |
| Smart Learning | YES | YES | Tie |
| Local Control | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Built-in sensors
The SwitchBot Hub 3 measures temperature, humidity, light and motion, so it can switch the AC on when a room gets warm or when you walk in. The BroadLink RM4 Mini has no sensors.
Platforms
The SwitchBot Hub 3 works with Apple Home, SmartThings and Matter as well as Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant. The BroadLink RM4 Mini stops at Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant.
On-device control
SwitchBot Hub 3 owners use its screen, rotary dial and four buttons to change volume or AC temperature without a phone. The BroadLink RM4 Mini is a hidden blaster you control only through apps and voice.
Size
The BroadLink RM4 Mini is a 48 mm cube of 100 g. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is 126 x 94 x 38 mm and 190 g, built to sit on display.
Which one to buy if
- your home runs on Apple Home
Only the SwitchBot Hub 3 reaches Apple Home, through its Matter bridge.
- you want the AC to react to the room's temperature
The SwitchBot Hub 3 has its own temperature and humidity sensors to trigger it.
- you just need voice control of a TV or AC on a budget
The BroadLink RM4 Mini does basic IR control for much less money.
- the blaster should stay out of sight
The small BroadLink RM4 Mini hides on a shelf or wall plate.
$25.99
- + Price: $25.99
- + Rating: 4.2
- - Protocols: IR vs Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR
- - Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter
Winner
$99.99
- + Protocols: Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR
- + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter
- + Sensors: Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion
- - Price: $99.99 vs $25.99
- - Rating: 3.8 vs 4.2
What owners say
Owners of both devices praise how easily they learn old remotes and put air conditioners and TVs under phone or voice control, and both groups mention 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. BroadLink RM4 Mini owners single out its value and IR reach from almost any placement, and complain about cloud reliance, firmware that blocks third-party apps and no power adapter in the box. SwitchBot Hub 3 owners talk about the dial and buttons that let the whole family control things, the clock screen and walk-in presence automations, and some say it cloned AC remotes even a BroadLink could not handle; their gripes are a higher price, firmware that still needs polish and a screen that is not touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: BroadLink RM4 Mini or SwitchBot Hub 3?
The SwitchBot Hub 3 as a smart home device, with sensors, physical controls, Matter and Apple Home support. The BroadLink RM4 Mini is the better value if all you need is IR control through Alexa, Google Home or Home Assistant.
Does the BroadLink RM4 Mini work with Home Assistant?
Yes. The BroadLink RM4 Mini works with Home Assistant, and so does the SwitchBot Hub 3. RM4 Mini owners describe local control there as possible but technical to set up.
Do the BroadLink RM4 Mini and SwitchBot Hub 3 support Matter?
Only the SwitchBot Hub 3, which is a Matter bridge for SwitchBot devices. The BroadLink RM4 Mini has no Matter support.
Does either one have a temperature sensor?
The SwitchBot Hub 3 does, along with humidity, light and motion sensors. The BroadLink RM4 Mini has no built-in sensors.
Who should buy the BroadLink RM4 Mini?
Budget buyers who want to control TVs and air conditioners by voice or phone and do not need Apple Home, sensors or on-device controls.
Who should buy the SwitchBot Hub 3?
SwitchBot households, Apple Home users and anyone who wants a visible control panel with climate and presence automations.
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