SwitchBot Hub Mini Smart Remote: A Small Box That Talks to Your Old Gadgets
We earn a commission from links on this page — it doesn't affect what we score, or how. How this works
ScoredYour window AC unit, that ceiling fan with only a remote, the TV that predates smart anything—none of them are getting replaced anytime soon. The SwitchBot Hub Mini exists for exactly that reality: it bolts smart-home control onto the "dumb" devices you already own, instead of asking you to buy new ones.
What It Is
The SwitchBot Hub Mini is a compact IR (infrared) blaster that plugs into any standard outlet and acts as a translator between your phone (or voice assistant) and the infrared remotes you already own. Point it at your TV, AC, fan, or soundbar, teach it the remote's signals through the SwitchBot app, and those devices can then be controlled from your phone, put on a schedule, or folded into voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit (HomeKit support depends on whether you're running it alongside a SwitchBot Hub 2 or other bridging, so check compatibility for your exact setup before assuming it'll work).
It also functions as a hub for other SwitchBot accessories—switches, curtain motors, sensors—so it's often as much an ecosystem entry point as it is a standalone remote replacement.
Who It's For
This is a good fit for:
- Renters who can't install smart thermostats or built-in smart switches but still want app/voice control
- Anyone with older IR-controlled appliances (window AC units, box fans, older TVs) they're not ready to replace
- People already invested in—or curious about—the broader SwitchBot ecosystem
- Buyers who want a low-cost, no-fuss entry point into home automation rather than a full smart home overhaul
If you don't own any IR-remote devices, or you've already replaced everything with natively smart gear, this one has less to offer—it's solving a specific "bridge the old stuff" problem, not a general smart-home upgrade.
Key Features & Specs
- IR blaster with wide signal range — designed to reach across a typical room to control multiple devices
- SwitchBot app control — set up remotes, create scenes, and schedule on/off times
- Voice assistant compatibility — works with Alexa and Google Assistant; HomeKit support depends on hub version and setup
- Acts as a bridge hub — connects other SwitchBot devices (switches, sensors, curtain motors) to Wi-Fi and voice control
- Compact, plug-in design — no batteries, minimal footprint, sits quietly in an outlet or on a shelf
- Price point — at $39.99, it sits comfortably in the affordable end of the smart home accessory range, well under what many smart hubs or hub-plus-remote bundles cost
Pros
- Genuinely useful for extending smart control to devices that were never meant to be "smart"
- Reasonable price for what it does, especially compared to buying all-new smart appliances
- Doubles as a gateway hub for expanding into other SwitchBot products later
- Setup is described as straightforward across app walkthroughs and user guides
Cons
- Requires devices to have an IR remote to begin with—won't help with Bluetooth-only or non-remote gadgets
- HomeKit compatibility isn't universal out of the box, which can be a letdown if that's your primary ecosystem
- Line-of-sight/IR range can be finicky in larger or oddly-shaped rooms
- No independent rating data available yet for this specific listing, so it's worth reading current buyer feedback before purchase
The SwitchBot Hub Mini fills a real gap: it's a cheap, low-risk way to smarten up the IR-controlled appliances you already own instead of replacing them. It's not going to turn your home into a sci-fi set, and it won't help if you're all-in on HomeKit or don't own a single IR remote—but for anyone else, it's an easy call at this price. Confirm HomeKit compatibility for your specific setup, read current buyer feedback since rating data wasn't available at the time of writing, and go in expecting a smart-home patch, not a full overhaul.
If this sounds like the piece your smart home setup has been missing, you can check current pricing and availability here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TTH5TMW?tag=thebenchtest-20&tag=thebenchtest-20
