The Best Home Automation Companies

Thursday, March 30th

2023 Home Automation Company Reviews

Crestron

• The standard-bearer for complete home automation
• Specializes in home automation for luxury residences
• Can network 250+ devices on one system
• Robust automation equipment
• Low maintenance
• Easy to operate/control

Crestron offers home automation systems to make your sanctuary "simply smart" . Everything in your home can be controlled through a single intelligent platform, so you can have more security, comfort and convenience. In business since 1972, the company has received numerous awards for design, whole-house control, and cutting-edge technology in home automation systems.

Home automation for luxury markets

Take one look at the case stories on the Crestron Home page, and you'll soon get the impression that these home automation systems cater to the luxury residential market. There's nothing wrong with that: why can't you have a Victorian estate built in the early 1900s with as many modern conveniences as possible? We encourage you to browse those examples of Crestron's home automation systems to get an idea of what they offer, prior to reaching out for a quote.

Get an "OS for your home"

Crestron Home can give you a state-of-the-art operating system that integrates not just the proprietary components they offer but also your favorite devices - and almost any other specialized systems you may already have in place. From lighting to shades, climate to home access, plus audio and video, there's really no limit to what you can accomplish with Crestron's home automation. You control every single part of your system through a single app on your phone or tablet. You can also incorporate tabletop or wall-mounted screens that stay in each room: no need to go hunting for your iPad every time you want to turn the lights off or reset the thermostat.

Extremely scalable, expandable

Your Crestron network will be capable of supporting over 250 network devices. Yes, you read that correctly: more than 250. Your system may not have that many features, but rest assured that whatever configuration you're imagining, it's doable. That could include lighting modules, touch screen panels, gateways and bridges, sensors, and so much more. The company ensures that upgrades are as seamless as possible, keeping up with the technology and updating systems in a timely fashion.

Custom tailored for your needs

Every Crestron Home system is custom tailored for each homeowner. When you set up a call with a representative, you'll go over everything you have in mind for your home's automation. That means you won't be able to use the website for a simple, quick quote, and that your total package will probably be more costly than the out-of-the-box options out there (our research indicated that you can expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000 - or more - depending on your customization needs). But, if you're seriously considering Crestron Home, that's probably not a concern.

The installer matters

One aspect that can create some variability in terms of customer satisfaction with Crestron's home automation systems is the installation. This is certainly no do-it-yourself equipment, and it will require professional set-up. You'll want to be comfortable with the installer you choose: be sure they know what you want to get out of your system, and that they have the experience to be successful. You may want to talk to other homeowners that they've worked with as well. The Crestron system itself is the most powerful out there; however, the installer can mean the difference between a successful implementation and a frustrating experience.

Sleek new interface with Crestron Home

One of Crestron's newest innovations is something they call Crestron Home. This includes a sleek, standard interface for accessing all parts of your home automation. In the past, Crestron had a reputation for being one of the more complex systems with respect to programming - but no more. Behind the new, smooth interface is a system that makes installation and setup far easier. Plus, it's a simple process if you decide to add or change functionality to your Crestron system in the future. This is truly a game-changer for Crestron.

Pre-purchase customer service could be better

The only issue we found with Crestron was with their sales experience. While their representatives can be knowledgeable and friendly, getting to speak with one may be a challenge. For example, when we used the live chat to connect with a representative, they took our contact information and said someone would reach out to tell us more - and nearly a week later, we still hadn't gotten a call. You may need to be particularly proactive to get a quote for a Crestron system.

Most robust and complete home automation package

While a Crestron home automation system may not be the right fit for smaller residences, it is undoubtedly the system of choice for those who want the most out of their home automation. With solutions for lights, shades, music, video, thermostats, security, pool, scheduling, timers, remote access, and more, Crestron's powerful automation controls is matched by its sleek new interface. Across the board, feedback from customers to installers say that this brand is worth the investment: seamless integration, simple to use, and easy to maintain. If you're looking for a complete home automation system, Crestron should be your first stop.

Savant

• Home automation for high-end properties - including yachts
• Professional install required

Savant creates home automation systems that are future-friendly and easy to use. It is one of the first companies to embrace mobile technology. Most of their customers are owners of luxury homes, castles, and yachts. The attention to detail of their devices and systems is truly impressive and very detailed for the extremely picky - but keep in mind it will also cost you a pretty penny.

Innovative luxury features

When you visit the Savant site, you can browse several online brochures and guides that focus on high-end luxury audio, remote control, lighting, home theater, shades, entry and cameras, and flexible energy management solutions. Savant's offerings are targeted towards the highest incomes. You can:

• Control lighting for every room in the house, and outdoors, wherever you are
• Automatically turn off lights in empty rooms to save energy
• Schedule lighting on/off times
• Turn off the entire home's lights with a single "goodnight" button
• Change the thermostat from anywhere in the world
• Schedule shade opening and closing
• Set specific temperatures for specific rooms
• Get alerts about extreme heat and cold in any room (good for wine cellars)
• Customize entertainment playlists
• Stream HD video from all major streaming providers
• Tap a "movie night" button to set the scene for a film
• Watch up to 9 programs at once on a big screen
• Secure and monitor the entire home from one mobile app screen
• Have eyes, ears, and voice at every entrance to your home, including compatibility with popular Ring devices

Deal with a dealer

To become a Savant customer, like with almost all other home automation services and solutions, you'll need to enter your zip code to find a dealer and contact them with questions or get an estimate and installation. While there is an online store, you must be a dealer and log in to see the pricing. There are no DIY options with Savant systems.

Pricing depends on the system

It should be no surprise that your Savant system pricing will depend on how you configure it. It's also largely determined by the markup from the dealer/installer. Digging behind the scenes a little, we found sample pricing of $50,000 or more for a fully-featured home automation system on a multi-million-dollar property.

Worth looking into - if you have the ca$h

If you have the means to check out Savant to get a quote from them for your home, they do have very high-quality home automation systems: customers and technicians alike say that the company delivers on its promises. Just keep in mind, you'll need to have deep pockets if you choose to move forward with Savant.

Elan

• Professional install required
• Great user interface
• Security + convenience features

Elan focuses on advanced smart home automation systems for homeowners and businesses. They offer an entertainment and control system that combines TV, video, audio, climate, lighting, and more in a simple user interface that you can control from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Elan also supports the Gary Sinise Foundation by creating and supporting home automation systems to entertain, inspire, educate, and strengthen military veteran communities.

Get a quote from a dealer

To become an Elan customer, you must contact a dealer who will consult with you on the design of your home automation system and then quote you a price. The dealer will then send a professional to your home to configure and install the purchased system. Dealers can use a management cloud system to assist you with remote management and full control of every element of your smart home. As a ballpark, we found Elan systems priced anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to a staggering $100,000.

Elegant user interface

Elan's Intelligent Smart Home Touch panels are the centerpiece of how your home automation system is controlled. All options for a given room are on a single screen. Each screen uses facial recognition technology to detect which person is using the panel and then present a list of options customized to that user. For example, each user can have their own custom "scenes" (lighting, music, climate, and so on). Voice control can also be enabled via Amazon's Alexa. In addition to the screens, you can also choose to control your system using a handheld remote.

Whole-home entertainment

If you're watching a movie in one room, you can easily move that experience to another. Likewise for audio. This includes any outdoor media experiences you want to enjoy. Everyone can take turns switching to their favorite movies and music with the convenience of a smart home remote control or mobile device without having to go inside.

Environment controls at your fingertips

Elan's climate and lighting controls are part of the package. You can change the air conditioning settings and lighting intensity, manage shades, and schedule your spa or pool and associated equipment to be running when you return home.

Security system features

The Elan security system is a combination of regular cameras, video intercom doorbells, and video recording systems. You can lock doors, turn lights on and off, and ensure the garage door is closed. You can also check on your kids visually and audibly if you know you're going to arrive home late. And if a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off, you'll know it.

Gallery of ideas

If you'd like ideas on what you could accomplish with Elan, you can check out their online gallery which shows how other customers have designed and configured their installations. Click on the "Residential" tab and you'll be able to browse systems like "The Ultimate Weekend Party Pad" , "Outdoor Smart Home Automation" , and even the setup used by NASCAR legend Mark Martin.

Where's the customer feedback?

Elan seems to be a well-designed and very capable solution for most homes. However, it is difficult to know whether most customers are content with Elan or if there are any problems. Elan doesn't have a BBB listing, and there was very little client feedback to be found anywhere, other than the testimonials sprinkled throughout the Elan site.

Solid choice

Despite the lack of reviews, the Elan products and services do seem capable for the average homeowner. We also like their contributions to home automation for disabled veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation. Elan's home automation system is a solid choice for the average homeowner.

Guardian

• Home automation focused on security needs
• 24/7 monitoring
• Great customer feedback
• Can be controlled via Apple Watch or tablet/smartphone app

Guardian is a smart security system for your whole home or business. Each system is installed by expert technicians who recommend security and automation solutions for your particular needs. They include free personalized quotes, professional installation, and 24/7 professional monitoring.

Security Focus

Guardian's focus is on security, so if you're looking for additional features such as entertainment, you'll want to consider another provider. However, if you're only interested in security, Guardian has many compelling features, such as:

• Fire monitoring
• Smart lock and camera
• Cameras and sensors
• Doorbell and door lock
• Thermostat
• Video analytics with daily highlights
• Home devices
• Motion detection
• Light activation
• Bluetooth control
• Garage door management
• Security reminder

Supports Apple Watch

A neat feature is the ability to use your Apple Watch to activate or deactivate security, locks, garage doors, lights, and more. Of course, this is functionality is also available through a separate phone and tablet app as well - but having this kind of control on your wrist is very convenient.

Recurring schedule

Temperature, lighting, and locks can all be set to a schedule for recurring events, such as a spouse returning from work or a child leaving to go to school. Monitoring of events such as fire or carbon monoxide is always on.

Fill out online contact form

To become a Guardian customer, first search on their website for your zip code to see if Guardian is available in your area. If so, just call the number or fill out an online quote form. A professional will be assigned to come to your home and talk with you about your needs. After purchasing, the technician will come to your home and install the system.

Orientation mode

A feature we didn't see with other security system providers is Guardian's orientation mode. Once installed and activated, and except for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, there will be a 7-day period during which you'll have some time to get used to the new system without false alarms and any related fines. If an alarm goes off, Guardian will only call your primary phone number and not emergency responders (unless you request emergency intervention).

Excellent choice for security-focused home automation

Guardian Protection has a BBB rating of 4 out of 5 stars and around 275 customer reviews. There were 304 complaints closed in the last 3 years and 94 complaints closed in the last 12 months, indicating that even though there were issues, they were resolved to customer satisfaction in the majority of cases. Looking through the complaints, it's clear that Guardian is responding in a thorough, timely, and proper manner. Other non-BBB reviews match the BBB ratings very closely, with the vast majority of system owners ranking Guardian as "excellent" . For all of these reasons, Guardian gets high marks for those interested in a security-focused smart home system.

Control 4

• Easy-to-use mobile app control
• Professional install required
• Security + convenience features

Control 4 is a whole home automation system that personalizes and unifies smart home system elements such as intercom, climate control, audio, video, lighting, and security. It was founded in 2004 and now functions in an ecosystem of over 10,000 different products sold by other vendors.

Two ways to get an estimate

To get started with a Control 4 system, you can either call their toll-free number or fill out the "Find a Smart Home Pro" form on their website. You'll be contacted by a representative who will discuss your home automation needs and how you want to use the system. After taking this information, you'll be contacted by a local Control4 dealer who will provide you with an initial estimate. We did some digging and found that you can get a bare-bones Control 4 system for around $1,000 - or you could spend as much as $250,000! As you would expect, your cost will depend on the components you choose and the installer's fees as well.

Controlling Control 4

Control 4 is controlled through their Smart Home OS3 mobile app. It is quite advanced, yet intuitive. Smart Home OS3 allows you to have fine-grained control over everything, including locks, lights and dimming, cameras, home theater volume and play controls, shades and blinds, security systems, the garage door, thermostats, intercom, and much more. Rooms can be made into favorites and a simple swipe takes you between each room in the house.

Variety of home automation functionality

Control 4 can be used to control your home functions in a variety of ways:

• Turning off every light and the TV and arming the alarm when leaving the house
• Using your voice while cooking to turn on the kitchen lights and watch a cooking show
• Coming home to a brightly lit home with the shades closed and the temperature set more comfortably
• Sending music playing in the house to the patio or pool area
• Dimming the lights in a home theater when the movie starts

Handy idea gallery

Should you want some ideas of how other people have set up their Control 4 system, visit the Idea Gallery of the website. There you can find photographic walkthroughs of homes all over the world that have unique and interesting setups. You can also check out the Showroom Gallery page to see even more ideas.

Mixed reviews from homeowners

We weren't thrilled with all of the feedback on Control 4's home automation systems. About half of all customer reviews qualify as positive while the other half seem to describe some trouble with the equipment. On the upside, customers say it's simple to use with a lot of options, quick replacements of problem components, and good software. Those complaining had problems with installations not working, being confused by so many options, service issues, problems with devices or connectivity, and having to rely too much on expensive service engineer calls. A lot of the complaints may have more to do with the quality of the dealer who installed the system rather than Control 4 itself. As with all home automation systems, make sure you're comfortable with your installer before you proceed.

Very good, but room for improvement

Control 4 has some compelling features for customers shopping for home automation solutions. But with the balance almost equally split between satisfied and dissatisfied clients, this provider doesn't quite reach our highest rating. We hope to see further improvements down the line that would boost Control 4 in our rankings.

Vivint

• Professional installation required
• Security-focused home automation
• 24/7 monitoring

Vivint sells home security systems, smart home systems, and cameras, plus the services to install and monitor them.

Connectivity to popular devices

With Vivint, you can connect Google, Amazon, and Nest devices to the system and control everything from the Vivint app or hub. Turn up the AC, play your favorite music, or even order a restock of your favorite snacks: no problem.

Installation and customization for your home

Professional installation involves helping you customize your system for your home, setting it up, and showing you how to use it. There aren't any DIY options here, so your first step will require you to reach out to the Vivint rep in your area and set up a consultation.

Smoke, carbon monoxide, and flooding detection

Vivint protects your home against fires, water intrusion, and carbon monoxide with specialized detectors. Smoke detectors can shut down air conditioning airflow in the home to prevent feeding the flames with more oxygen until emergency responders can arrive. Flood detectors can be placed anywhere water could accumulate and alert you in the event of a burst pipe, basement leak, or an overflowing sump pump.

Constant monitoring and video retention

For monitoring, Vivint has security specialists to respond during an emergency at any time of day or night. Vivint includes its Smart Drive, a hard drive storage unit that records up to 30 days of 24/7 security monitoring.

Way too many negative customer comments

Good customer reviews in other places are at odds with Vivint's dismal BBB rating. Out of all the vendors we've reviewed, Vivint has, by far, the largest number of BBB complaints issued against it - almost 4,500 complaints in the three years prior to our evaluation, and over 1,700 of those over the most recent year alone. In addition to that, in 2021 Vivint settled a complaint filed with the FTC where they had been accused of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by improperly gaining access to credit reports of potential customers.

Choose a home automation provider with a better track record

With all the negative BBB issues and the other mixed customer reviews we found, we couldn't help but be disappointed with Vivint. While their home automation system can provide a lot of functionality, that doesn't mean their customers are satisfied with their experience. We recommend looking at one of our higher rated home automation companies before considering Vivint.