The Homey Pro 2026 and Homey Pro mini are two takes on the same smart home hub idea, but aimed at very different types of buyers. The Pro 2026 is built for serious smart home enthusiasts who want local processing capabilities, extensive protocol support, and the flexibility to run complex multi-room setups without compromise. In contrast, the Pro mini is a more affordable, compact option that isn’t stripped back, making it a really attractive choice for those just starting out or who want to keep things simple. Now that I’ve actually tested both, here’s how they compare in practice.
design
- Homey Pro 2026 has built-in dual-band Wi-Fi 5. Homey Pro mini has no Wi-Fi at all.
- Homey Pro mini has a built-in Ethernet port. Pro 2026 requires an optional paid adapter for wired connectivity.
- Homey Pro mini adds wall mount anchors underneath. The Pro 2026 has no such mounting options.
Looking at Homey Pro 2026, you can safely say that nothing has changed since 2023. It’s the same cylinder. It’s the same look, but it’s starting to feel a little dated. In contrast, the Homey Pro mini is a different product. Square with rounded corners, it fits perfectly against the wall and disappears into the room.
The real story here is the port. The mini has built-in Ethernet, but the Pro 2026 doesn’t, so if you want a wired connection you’ll need to buy an optional adapter. Homey’s answer is that the Pro 2026 has Wi-Fi 5 built in, but the mini doesn’t, so at least you have an alternative. But why pay extra to match the features included out of the box on its cheaper sibling? That’s a tough pill to swallow.
Winner: Homey Pro Mini
Protocol support
- Homey Pro 2026 supports 433MHz, IR, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth. The mini will drop all four.
- Homey Pro 2026 has over 100 apps available compared to only 20-25 apps available on mini.
- The Homey Pro 2026 has 4GB of RAM, which is four times the mini’s 1GB.
In theory, Homey Pro 2026 would have won this round without much of a fight. Handles all important protocols including Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Z-Wave, 433MHz, Bluetooth, Infrared, and cloud connectivity. What about mini? Thread, Zigbee, Matter. That’s the list.
You can also bolt on the Homie Bridge to get the missing item back, but that means more money and another box on the shelf. App caps tell the same story. 2026 requires 100+ apps. The lifespan of a mini is approximately 20-25 years. If you have a growing house or you still have old 433MHz remotes and IR control equipment in your drawers, you’ll quickly become frustrated with the Mini.
Winner: Homey Pro 2026
Setup and installation
- Both hubs use the same in-app wizard to set up floors and rooms from scratch.
- Homey Pro 2026 supports cloud backup and restore, allowing existing users to automatically migrate all their devices.
- The Homey Pro mini can be paired with the Homey Pro via the HomeyLink app, but automation is somewhat limited.
Both Homey Pro 2026 and Homey Pro mini run the same app-driven setup that walks you through mapping your home’s floors and rooms before adding a single device. The experience is essentially the same even if you’re starting from scratch.
If you’re upgrading from an older hub, the Pro 2026 is the way to go. Cloud backup and restore automatically migrates your devices so you don’t have to manually re-pair everything. This is a real time saver.
Mini skips that migration path. But this has its own tricks. HomeyLink allows you to run parallel to the full Homey Pro in a single interface, so you don’t have to be limited if your setup grows beyond the Mini later on.
Winner: Homey Pro 2026
Thread support
- Homey Pro 2026 cannot join an existing Thread network, which limits its range in larger homes.
- Pairing the first Thread device on Homey Pro 2026 requires Bluetooth proximity, which adds setup constraints.
- Homey Pro mini completely avoids the complexity of Thread networking with direct Matter control over a growing list of devices.
Homey Pro 2026’s threading support works, but it’s a real headache to use. Because Zigbee and Thread share the same radio, the hub cannot join an existing Thread network. That determines everything about the placement. Initial pairing also requires Bluetooth range, so if your smart lock is at the front of your house and your hub is at the back of your house, you’re stuck. Battery-powered Thread devices also cannot expand the mesh, and mains-powered devices are strangely thin when they hit the ground.
Homey Pro mini avoids all of this by relying on Matter instead, with direct device control and easy third-party connectivity. The combination of Aqara and Tado X gear is proof of that. Admittedly, this is a narrower feature set. But it actually works without moving the hub around your house.
Winner: Homey Pro Mini
Device compatibility
- Both hubs support the Community Ring Security app for full Ring Alarm integration via the cloud.
- Homey Pro 2026 adds Ring Alarm 2nd generation using the community Ring app and does not require a Raspberry Pi or HomeBridge.
- Both hubs expose Tado X triggers for on/off, temperature, and humidity beyond what Apple HomeKit offers.
The Homey Pro 2026 and Homey Pro mini are basically twins when you look at what they actually talk about. Both handle Matter devices, official integrations, and community apps. Both feature ring alarm gear, which can be suffocating on other platforms. One Pro 2026 owner completely ditched his Raspberry Pi running HomeBridge because Homey just covered so many features. It’s not a spec sheet victory, it’s a real victory.
Mini tells much the same story. The catch is that Ring’s integration extends beyond base stations to cameras and doorbells.
At trigger depth, both hubs leave HomeKit behind. You get a richer Tado X automation that combines humidity and time conditions. There is no daylight between them here.
Winner: Homey Pro Mini
automation
- Homey Pro 2026 supports advanced Flow Creator with flowcharts, multiple triggers, and custom variables. Mini doesn’t mention this.
- Both hubs offer an And option for multi-condition flows, but Pro 2026 adds a conditional wait state for more complex logic.
- Homey Pro 2026 is known for its fast and reliable execution, with automation starting the moment the trigger occurs.
Homey Pro 2026 and Homey Pro mini both run on the same Flow engine, including an And option that allows you to stack multiple conditions before automation starts. The Mini handles many practical scenarios with ease. Think motion sensors, brightness thresholds, time windows, and more all controlling your Hue lights. However, Pro 2026 goes even further with an advanced browser-based Flow Creator that adds flowcharts, multiple simultaneous triggers, wait conditions, and custom variables. This extra layer of logic allows you to build really complex routines that the mini can’t touch, at least based on what’s exposed. The Pro 2026 also stands out when it comes to speed and reliability. This is very important if you are entrusting your entire home to one box.
Winner: Homey Pro 2026
value
- The Homey Pro mini and Homey Bridge together cost less than a single Homey Pro 2026.
- Homey Pro mini is suitable for homes with fewer devices, while Homey Pro 2026 is aimed at larger, more complex setups.
- The Homey Pro 2026 is only recommended as an upgrade if your older hub has reached its limits.
What the Homey Pro mini stands for is the price. For most homes, this will handle the bulk of your smart home gear and apps. If you need Z-Wave, adding the Homey Bridge costs less than the Homey Pro 2026 alone. This is a strong proposition for those on a budget.
Homey Pro 2026 is a different story. This justifies the extra expense for certain types of users. That is, users who run a sprawling collection of devices and manage many devices in one capable hub without the need for workarounds or compromises. Isn’t it you? Plus, the Mini combined with a bridge allows you to access most locations at a low cost.
Winner: Homey Pro Mini
Spec comparison
| specs | Homey Pro 2026 | homey pro mini |
|---|---|---|
| rum | 4GB | 1GB |
| App limits | 100+ | 20–25 |
| Wifi | Yes (Dual Band Wi-Fi 5) | no |
| ethernet | Only via adapter | Built-in |
| Zigbee support | yes | yes |
| Thread support | yes | yes |
| matter support | yes | yes |
| Z-Wave support | yes | no |
| 433MHz support | yes | no |
| IR support | yes | no |
| processor | Not listed | 1.5GHz |
final thoughts
If you want the most capable hub on the market and are already deep into home automation, the Homey Pro 2026 is worth the premium. Broader protocol support reduces future compatibility issues, and the more powerful Flow automation engine gives you room to build truly complex routines. Understand that you are paying extra for potential, not a dramatic design upgrade. Also, shared Zigbee/Thread radios are a limitation that you really need to plan for.
If you want a smart home hub that covers everything most people actually need, the Homey Pro mini is a smart purchase. Device compatibility matches 2026, and thanks to dedicated radios, thread handling is improved and costs are significantly reduced. The app experience is identical, setup is just as smooth, and you won’t miss any additional protocol support unless you’re doing a really specialized setup. The majority of households will need to purchase this.
In most households, the answer is no. The Homey Pro mini handles the same device compatibility, apps, and automation at a lower price, and even with the addition of the Homey Bridge for Z-Wave support, it costs less than the Homey Pro 2026 alone. The 2026 model will only be introduced if a high degree of automation is required or if you have a particularly large and complex setup.
The Homey Pro 2026 is the cleaner choice here, as it has Z-Wave built-in without the need for additional hardware. The Homey Pro mini doesn’t include Z-Wave natively, so you have to pair it with the Homey Bridge, adding cost and an additional device to your setup.
Homey Pro mini handles Thread more practically. In Homey Pro 2026, Zigbee and Thread share the same radio. This means it cannot join an existing Thread network, further constraining placement. mini circumvents that limitation completely.
Covering Matter, Zigbee, Bluetooth, and a wide range of integrations, it works well in most homes. However, Homey Pro 2026 excels at larger or more complex setups where advanced automation logic and extensive protocol support without add-ons can make a big difference.
The Homey Pro mini wins on design. The Homey Pro 2026 uses the same cylinder shape that has been used since 2023, which is starting to feel outdated. Mini has a square shape and looks more modern and discreet.
