My favorite smart home device has a cheaper version now, and I love it
The Homey Pro Mini is less powerful than the regular Homey Pro, but don't let that deceive you. For most people — especially those just beginning their smart home journey — this has more than enough power and features to make its 50% cheaper price tag over the Pro an absolute steal. Unless you have deep pockets or feel limited by the lowered RAM count, there is no reason to go for the Homey Pro over the Homey Pro Mini.
Let me be right up front: the Homey Pro (2023) is not only one of my favorite smart home devices, but one of my favorite devices, in general. In my life, very few tech products have had as profound an effect on my day-to-day existence. I'm saying this because I want you to understand my perspective towards the newest Homey-branded product: the Homey Pro Mini.
The Homey Pro Mini is a pared-down version of the Homey Pro — think of them like a Pixel 9a and a Pixel 9 Pro XL, respectively. The Mini sacrifices many features of the Homey Pro in an effort to fix the biggest barrier to entry: pricing.
I want to tell you all about what you're sacrificing by getting a Mini over the regular Pro. But, most importantly, I want to tell you why the Homey Pro Mini is now the perfect device to start a smart home — even more so than the standard Pro model.
What even is a Homey?
If this is the first time you're learning about Homey and Athom, the company behind it, I highly recommend reading my Homey Pro review from last year or watching my video review above. Very basically, though, a Homey device acts as a one-size-fits-all hub that lives at the center of your smart home — the one hub to rule them all.
Those of you who have dabbled in smart home stuff will know how much of a mess it is. There are multiple protocols (Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Infrared, etc.) that don't integrate well with one another, and thousands of brands that don't play nice with all the others. On top of this, some products need a specific hub to function, causing you to have multiple hubs all around your home, each one taking up space and an outlet. To make things even worse, each device family has its own app, making an already confusing experience even more cumbersome.
A Homey device will act as the 'brain' of your smart home, making order out of the chaos that owning a smart home entails.
Athom wants to organize this chaos with its Homey products. The Homey Pro, for example, supports every major smart home protocol. It connects with tens of thousands of devices across hundreds of manufacturers. Using its incredibly well-designed software, you can make a smart home that's actually smart, with one device connecting to and controlling everything through just one app. What's more, you can even do this all locally, giving you total control over your privacy and security.
The most significant problem with the Homey Pro, though, is that it's costly, starting at $399. This is far too much money for someone just beginning their smart home journey. This is made all the more problematic when you learn that a person who has already created an extensive smart home network likely has jumped to Home Assistant, which acts similarly to the Homey ecosystem but requires you to create a custom hub using an always-on computer you either build or retrofit. This leaves the Homey Pro in the unenviable position of being incredibly good at what it does, but also difficult for me to recommend to its intended audience.
The Homey Pro Mini, though, is here to pick up the users left behind by the Homey Pro.
Homey Pro Mini vs Homey Pro: How is it different?
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The first and most obvious difference with the Homey Pro Mini is that it's smaller than the regular Homey Pro. The Mini is a squircle-shaped black puck that's about 50% more compact than the circular Homey Pro. For space-conscious smart home owners, this will be good news. Unfortunately, with that shrink in size, the Homey Pro Mini loses one of the best and most iconic aspects of the Homey Pro: its RGB lighting. I adore the light ring on my Homey Pro, so not seeing it on the Mini was disappointing.
Not all the physical differences are a drawback, though. Despite its smaller size, the Homey Pro Mini has a built-in Ethernet port, something the regular Homey Pro inexplicably lacks. To hardwire a standard Homey Pro to your home network, you must buy an adapter, which Athom sells separately. However, this is unnecessary with the Homey Pro Mini, as you can easily connect it directly to your network with the Ethernet cable included in the box (or any other you own).
The drawback here, though, is that the Homey Pro Mini doesn't support Wi-Fi like the Homey Pro. This might be confusing, so let me clarify. The Homey Pro Mini cannot connect to your home network through Wi-Fi, but once connected to that network with an Ethernet cable, it can control Wi-Fi-connected smart home devices.
In addition to internet/cloud smart home products, Homey Pro Mini has radios for controlling Zigbee, Thread, and Matter devices. Out of the box, it will be able to control almost all your smart home objects that use those protocols. Unfortunately, this means it doesn't have radios for Z-Wave, Bluetooth, 433MHz, and Infrared, so if you have devices that rely on those protocols, the Homey Pro Mini will not be able to control them. Thankfully, you can add support for these radios by connecting the Mini with a Homey Bridge, which is sold separately for $69.99. Even if you buy a Homey Pro Mini and a Bridge, you'll still be spending a lot less than you would on a Homey Pro.
For a significantly reduced price, the Homey Pro Mini cuts included RAM in half and removes a litany of connectivity protocols.
As far as computing power is concerned, the Homey Pro and its Mini counterpart are similar. Both have the same 1.5GHz ARMv8 quad-core processor and 8GB of onboard, non-expandable storage. However, the Mini has 1GB of RAM — half as much as the regular Homey Pro. This will limit the number of apps you can run on a Homey Pro Mini.
Within the Homey ecosystem, you use downloaded apps to control your smart home devices. These can be official apps (i.e., made in concert with the manufacturer) or community apps created by other Homey users. Either way, each app takes up storage space on your Homey and requires a certain amount of RAM to function as an always-on service. With the 1GB of RAM in the Homey Pro Mini, you can run about 20 apps comfortably. This is a far cry from the 60 or so apps you can run on a Homey Pro with 2GB of RAM.
Although the Mini sounds anemic compared to the standard Pro, its limitations aren't as bad as it might seem.
While 20 apps might not seem like a lot, it's probably plenty for most people. I am only running 15 apps on my Homey Pro, for example, and my smart home is pretty elaborate with around 50 connected devices, a dozen virtual devices, and a handful of always-on services. According to Athom, the average Homey user only has 14 apps installed, so a 20-app limit should be fine for most.
Because the Homey Pro Mini lacks all these features, Athom dropped the price by 50% to $199. This is its greatest strength.
How is it similar to the Homey Pro?
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The most important thing to remember when comparing these two devices is the name: Homey Pro Mini. The 'Pro' moniker is essential because that's what this product is. It is not a cloud-based Homey and will use the same apps as the 2023 Homey Pro. It's best to imagine the Homey Pro Mini as a Homey Pro but with some of its features removed — but it's still a Pro.
Although it's a 'Mini,' don't forget that it's also a 'Pro.'
Because of this, the experience using the Mini is remarkably similar to using the standard Pro model. The software is identical — in fact, the Homey app lists the Homey Pro Mini as a Homey Pro when it gets updates, so it literally is exactly the same (see photo above). That means you get access to all the Pro-level software features and do not need to pay any monthly fees. Also, assuming you have the appropriate devices for it, you can run your entire Homey smart home locally for enhanced privacy and security.
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The Homey Pro Mini also supports energy monitoring, standard Flows (Homey lingo for automation), Advanced Flows (using the desktop app only), and Homey Dashboards (similar to Home Assistant Dashboards; helpful in turning a tablet into a smart home control system). Essentially, anything a Homey Pro can do, the Homey Pro Mini can also do.
The Homey Pro Mini supports all the software features present on a Homey Pro.
This creates a new paradigm for buying a Homey. The only reason someone should fork over $400 for the Homey Pro now is that they are sure they will need more than 20 apps. The Homey Pro's support for Wi-Fi connectivity is a moot point because anyone serious enough to spend $400 on a smart home device will use Ethernet anyway. On the same note, the Homey Pro's wider selection of built-in connectivity protocols (Z-Wave, Bluetooth, 433MHz, etc.) can be easily replicated on the Mini by connecting one or more Homey Bridges. Connecting up to two Homey Bridges to a Homey Pro Mini is still cheaper than a Homey Pro by a not-insignificant $60. You could even buy a third Homey Bridge and still only be $10 over.
Really, the products are now so similar that I don't think I would recommend the Homey Pro to anyone anymore. The Homey Pro Mini is now the best way to enter the Homey ecosystem.
Homey Pro Mini review verdict: I recommend this over a Homey Pro
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
If someone were to tell me they were starting a smart home from scratch, I would immediately start singing the praises of my Homey Pro ($399 at Amazon). I'd tell them how it makes things so much more straightforward, everything from initial setup to organization to automation. I'd tell them how much I love creating Flows and how my home has never been more useful and convenient. In the end, though, I'd tell them not to bother buying a Homey Pro — at least, not yet.
The only reason I'd advise against this is the cost. For someone just starting out, $400 for a helpful but still inessential smart home product is untenable. How many initial smart home users will buy a few smart lights and then stop there? How many will try to automate their home, get frustrated, and give up? There are so many reasons why someone would dabble in smart home technology and never use or need anything that a Homey Pro offers.
The Homey Pro costing $400 makes it very difficult to recommend. But most of the same features for $200? That's a much better deal.
Ah, but a $200 device that does mostly the same things? That's much more reasonable. It's still a lot for what is ostensibly a Raspberry Pi in an Apple TV-shaped box, but it isn't nearly as difficult to swallow as its $400 counterpart. If someone is new to smart homes but is reasonably sure they will be very into it, the Homey Pro Mini is a great start.
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
I would also recommend the Homey Pro Mini to smart home veterans. As I mentioned earlier, most people who have established a smart home are already neck-deep in the Home Assistant ecosystem. For them, there's nothing a Homey Pro offers that they can't already do on their own for much less cash. However, someone just about to dive into Home Assistant might find Homey's software easier to use (because it very much is), and not needing to build anything has a certain appeal as well. I've used both Home Assistant and Homey, and I would happily go for the latter over the former any day.
Really, the only people I would suggest the Homey Pro to now are those who have money to burn. In the future, I'd also recommend the Pro to people who own the Mini and are starting to find its limitations difficult. For everyone else, though, the Homey Pro Mini is more than adequate.
After testing out the Homey Pro Mini, the only reason I won't permanently add it to my smart home is that Athom already sent me the Homey Pro. There's no reason to have both, so I'll stick with the one that allows for up to 60 apps and has RGB lighting. If I were shopping for a Homey, though, the Homey Pro Mini would be the version I would buy.
Homey Pro Mini
Supports all Homey Pro software features • Compact size • Built-in Ethernet port • Very competitive price
MSRP: $199.99
Nearly all the Homey Pro features in a Mini body with a Mini price
The Homey Pro Mini is physically smaller than the Homey Pro, has less RAM, and supports fewer smart home protocols. In exchange, it is 50% cheaper than the regular Pro model, making it an ideal starter device for smart home beginners. See price at Amazon
Positives Supports all Homey Pro software features
Supports all Homey Pro software features Compact size
Compact size Built-in Ethernet port
Built-in Ethernet port Very competitive price
Cons Half as much RAM as regular Pro
Half as much RAM as regular Pro Lacks support for some smart home protocols
Lacks support for some smart home protocols Must connect to network with Ethernet
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A survey released on Friday showed that German business sentiment improved less than expected in July, as firms expressed greater satisfaction with current business conditions. Separately, data showed that Britain's monthly retail sales partially rebounded in June, providing a glimmer of optimism for the struggling economy. In addition, European Central Bank data showed that bank lending in the Eurozone expanded at the quickest pace in two years in June, continuing a steady recovery driven by lower borrowing costs and a stabilization in the economy. Investor focus remains on whether the European Union will be able to finalize a trade deal with the U.S. ahead of Trump's August 1st deadline. Reports emerged earlier this week that the EU and the U.S. are making headway on a deal that would impose a 15% tariff on most EU imports. Trump hinted at a possible agreement with the EU on Thursday, stating, 'We're in the process of probably making a very good deal with [the EU] too. They want to make a deal very badly.' Meanwhile, an ECB poll showed on Friday that Eurozone companies are contending with a slowing economy and heightened competition from China as U.S. tariffs dampen confidence and push competitors to explore new markets. In corporate news, Puma Se ( plunged over -15% after the German sportswear brand slashed its full-year guidance. Also, Valeo ( slid more than -7% after the French car parts supplier lowered its annual sales forecast. U.K. Retail Sales, U.K. Core Retail Sales, France's Consumer Confidence, and Germany's Ifo Business Climate Index were released today. U.K. June Retail Sales rose +0.9% m/m and +1.7% y/y, weaker than expectations of +1.2% m/m and +1.8% y/y. U.K. June Core Retail Sales rose +0.6% m/m and +1.8% y/y, weaker than expectations of +1.2% m/m and +2.0% y/y. The French July Consumer Confidence came in at 89, stronger than expectations of 88. The German July Ifo Business Climate Index stood at 88.6, weaker than expectations of 89.0. Asian stock markets today closed in the red. China's Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) closed down -0.33%, and Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Index (NIK) closed down -0.88%. China's Shanghai Composite Index ended lower today, pausing its recent rally, as investors took profit ahead of the closely watched Politburo meeting and a new round of U.S.-China trade talks next week. Liquor and consumer stocks led the declines on Friday. Despite the day's pullback, the benchmark index logged its fifth straight weekly gain, marking its longest winning streak since the rally that began in February 2024. Chinese stocks have been climbing in recent weeks, as sentiment was boosted by Beijing's measures to rein in excessive competition and overcapacity, as well as signs of improving U.S.-China trade relations. Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Stockholm next week for a new round of economic and trade talks. Mr. Bessent reiterated on Thursday that trade with China is in a 'good place' and that Washington is now positioned to begin discussions with Beijing on rebalancing the Chinese economy. Investors are also looking to the country's Politburo meeting next week, where policymakers will deliberate on economic policies for the second half of the year. Ahead of these key events, investors will parse China's industrial profits data for June, due this weekend, for clues on how domestic firms are navigating ongoing trade uncertainty. In corporate news, Lingbao Gold Group Co. climbed over +5% in Hong Kong after the gold mining group projected a jump in first-half profits. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Index ended lower today as some investors took profit following a strong two-day rally triggered by the country's trade agreement with the U.S. Chip and chemical stocks led the declines on Friday. Still, the benchmark index posted strong weekly gains. Data released on Friday showed that core consumer inflation in Tokyo eased in July but remained high enough to keep the Bank of Japan's normalization on track. Separately, BOJ data showed that a key gauge of Japan's service-sector inflation slowed in June but also remained elevated. In addition, data from the Cabinet Office showed that Japan's May leading economic indicators index, which gauges the economic outlook for a few months ahead based on data such as job offers and consumer sentiment, was revised downward. Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Friday that the U.S.-Japan trade agreement paves the way for the BOJ to potentially hike interest rates again this year, a move the central bank may begin signaling by presenting a less gloomy view on the economic outlook in its quarterly report at next week's policy meeting. In other news, overseas investors purchased a net 571.9 billion yen ($3.88 billion) of Japanese equities in the week ended July 19th, marking a fourth consecutive week of inflows, supported by a softer yen and a rally in AI-related tech stocks, despite rising concerns ahead of the upper house election. In corporate news, Mitsubishi Motors slumped over -7% after the automaker posted an 84% drop in Q1 operating profit. The Nikkei Volatility Index, which takes into account the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, closed down -4.03% to 22.17. The Japanese July Tokyo Core CPI rose +2.9% y/y, weaker than expectations of +3.0% y/y. The Japanese June Corporate Services Price Index rose +3.2% y/y, in line with expectations. The Japanese May Leading Index came in at 104.8, weaker than expectations of 105.3. Pre-Market U.S. Stock Movers Intel (INTC) slumped over -5% in pre-market trading after the chipmaker posted an unexpected quarterly loss and issued below-consensus Q3 adjusted EPS guidance. Deckers Outdoor (DECK) surged nearly +12% in pre-market trading after the company posted upbeat FQ1 results and provided solid FQ2 EPS guidance. Newmont Goldcorp (NEM) rose more than +1% in pre-market trading after the gold miner reported stronger-than-expected Q2 results. You can see more pre-market stock movers here Today's U.S. Earnings Spotlight: Friday - July 25th HCA Healthcare (HCA), Aon (AON), Charter Communications (CHTR), Natwest Group (NWG), Phillips 66 (PSX), Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH), Centene (CNC), Saia (SAIA), AutoNation (AN), OneMain Holdings (OMF), Moog (MOGa), Lear (LEA), Gentex (GNTX), Flagstar Financial (FLG), Sensient Technologies (SXT), Portland General Electric (POR), First Hawaiian (FHB), Trinet Grou (TNET), Stellar Bancorp (STEL), Lakeland Financial (LKFN), Virtus (VRTS), Virtus (VRTS), Gorman-Rupp (GRC), Southside (SBSI), Central Pacific Financial (CPF), Wabash National (WNC), GrafTech (EAF). On the date of publication, Oleksandr Pylypenko did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. 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