Winner
Updated November 2026
Data from the official SwitchBot site.
2026 verdict
Is the screen worth paying for? For most homes the older SwitchBot Hub 2 remains the better buy, with the same IR learning, Matter bridge and platform support as its successor at a lower cost.
What the SwitchBot Hub 3 adds is hands-on control: a 2.4-inch screen driven by a rotary dial and four programmable buttons, a motion sensor next to temperature, humidity and light, and an IR blaster its owners describe as longer range. Both run on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with no Ethernet, and both reach Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings, Home Assistant and Matter. Choose the SwitchBot Hub 2 if the hub will sit out of sight, and the SwitchBot Hub 3 if the family will actually reach for a dial to change the AC or the TV volume.
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
- Matter bridge or controller
- Bluetooth
vs
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
- Matter bridge or controller
- Bluetooth
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| Feature | SwitchBot Hub 2 | SwitchBot Hub 3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $99.99 | SwitchBot Hub 2 |
| Rating | 4.3 | 3.8 | SwitchBot Hub 2 |
| Sensors | Temperature, Humidity, Light | Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion | SwitchBot Hub 3 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Tie |
| Protocols | Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR | Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR | Tie |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter | Tie |
| Univeral Remote Control | YES | YES | Tie |
| Smart Learning | YES | YES | Tie |
| Local Control | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Screen, dial and buttons
The SwitchBot Hub 3 has a 2.4-inch screen, a rotary dial and four programmable buttons, so anyone can change the AC temperature or TV volume without the app. The SwitchBot Hub 2 has two physical scene buttons and is otherwise run from the phone or by voice.
Motion sensing
Both read temperature, humidity and light, but only the SwitchBot Hub 3 adds a motion (presence) sensor, which lets it start a scene when someone walks into the room.
Size
The SwitchBot Hub 2 is a small 80 x 70 x 23 mm block weighing 63g that hides behind a TV. The SwitchBot Hub 3 measures 126 x 94 x 38 mm and weighs 190g: it is meant to sit on display where people can reach the dial.
IR range
SwitchBot describes the SwitchBot Hub 3 blaster as longer range, and its owners mention cloning stubborn air conditioner remotes. For a single room with the hub in view of the devices, the SwitchBot Hub 2 blaster is praised just as much for learning remotes in seconds.
Which one to buy if
- the hub will sit behind the TV or on a high shelf
Hidden away, the SwitchBot Hub 3's screen and dial go unused, and the SwitchBot Hub 2 does the same IR, sensor and Matter work for less.
- family members never open the app
The SwitchBot Hub 3 dial and buttons give them control of the AC, TV and scenes without a phone.
- you want lights or scenes to start when someone walks in
Only the SwitchBot Hub 3 has a built-in motion sensor.
- you want the most proven SwitchBot hub
The SwitchBot Hub 2 has been on sale longer and its owners rate it higher, while Hub 3 owners still report firmware quirks.
Winner
14% OFF
$59.99
$69.99
- + Price: $59.99
- + Rating: 4.3
- - Sensors: Temperature, Humidity, Light vs Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion
$99.99
- + Sensors: Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion
- - Price: $99.99 vs $59.99
- - Rating: 3.8 vs 4.3
What owners say
Owners of both SwitchBot hubs praise how quickly they learn existing remotes and how reliably the Matter bridge carries SwitchBot curtains, locks and sensors into Apple Home. SwitchBot Hub 2 owners single out the temperature and humidity graphs, simple threshold automations and the two scene buttons, and they complain about the hub dropping offline on shaky Wi-Fi, flaky Bluetooth links to some devices and a Matter device cap. SwitchBot Hub 3 owners talk about the dial and buttons as the reason to buy, the clock display and a presence sensor for walk-in automations, plus an IR blaster that cloned remotes other blasters could not. Their warnings are firmware that still feels unfinished, a screen that is not a touchscreen, a build some find plasticky for the price and HomeKit scenes only through Shortcuts.
Upgrading from the SwitchBot Hub 2?
Moving from the SwitchBot Hub 2 to the SwitchBot Hub 3 buys physical control and one more sensor. The screen, rotary dial and four programmable buttons let you run the AC, TV and scenes without a phone, the motion sensor enables walk-in automations and the IR blaster gains range. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the Matter bridge and every platform stay the same, and neither has Ethernet, Zigbee or Thread. If your SwitchBot Hub 2 sits out of sight and works, there is little to gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: SwitchBot Hub 2 or SwitchBot Hub 3?
The SwitchBot Hub 2 for most homes, since it has the same IR learning, Matter bridge and smart home support at a lower cost and a higher owner rating. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is worth it if you will use its screen, dial and buttons or want a built-in motion sensor.
What are the differences between the SwitchBot Hub 2 and the SwitchBot Hub 3?
The SwitchBot Hub 3 adds a 2.4-inch screen, a rotary dial, four programmable buttons, a motion sensor and a longer range IR blaster, in a larger body. The SwitchBot Hub 2 is smaller, lower priced and shares the temperature, humidity and light sensors, the Matter bridge and the same platform support.
Does the SwitchBot Hub 2 have an IR blaster?
Yes. The SwitchBot Hub 2 is a learning IR blaster that copies existing remotes and controls TVs, air conditioners and other infrared gear, just like the SwitchBot Hub 3.
Do the SwitchBot Hub 2 and the SwitchBot Hub 3 support Thread or Ethernet?
No. Both the SwitchBot Hub 2 and the SwitchBot Hub 3 connect over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth only, with no Thread, Zigbee or Ethernet. Both work with Matter, Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant.
Who should buy the SwitchBot Hub 2?
Anyone who wants IR control, temperature and humidity readings and a Matter bridge for SwitchBot devices in a small hub that can stay out of sight.
Who should buy the SwitchBot Hub 3?
Households that want a visible control panel with a dial and buttons for the AC, TV and scenes, and walk-in automations from its motion sensor.
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