By Travis Leo, CEO, Residential Systems Inc.
When considering a smart home automation system, the first step is selecting which control system is right for you. But this can be a daunting feat. Take the time to consider your lifestyle, budget, and preferences.
Travis Leo, smart home technology expert and owner of Residential Systems, Inc., of Denver, Colo, has developed a side-by-side comparison of three leading home automation brands—Control4, Savant, and Crestron—to help you get started in your quest for the best.
STEP 1: LEARN ABOUT THE SYSTEMS
Control4 | Savant | Crestron |
· Over a decade on the home automation market
· Lower price points than Savant or Crestron · Offers a wide breadth of capabilities including Audio, Video, Lighting, Climate, Security and more · Easily integrates with 3rd party devices including Sonos, Nest, Chamberlain garage doors, and Lutron lighting control systems Singular, intuitive user interface · Elegant user experience |
· Apple-based products that focus on user experience
· Extremely reliable, user friendly platform · Allows users to define and set “scenes” without reprogramming the software- integration is not required · Customizable to suit your lifestyle |
· Over three decades on the home automation market
· Features complex systems including video distribution, audio conferencing, access control and more · High level of integration with simplified control · Perfect for commercial spaces · Perfect for larger homes with multiple televisions · Robust, comprehensive, customizable solutions · Ability to build on what already exists, often refreshing and re-programming the software to better leverage the value · Truly integrated solutions |
STEP 2: CONSIDER THE DIFFERENCES
Asking a home systems integrator to pick a favorite control system is like asking him which of his kids he likes best. We like all of them for different reasons.
- Control4: Entry-level platform, approachable price point, flexible, integrates with an array of third- party devices.
- Savant: Mid-level price point, extensive customization options, better user experience.
- Crestron: Most robust and customizable solution, ideal for complex integration, higher-end price point.
STEP 3: DELVE INTO THE DETAILS
CONTROL4
- Integrates with more third-party devices than any of the other platform including Nest, Sonos, smart locks, smart thermostats, and a host of other “Internet of Things” devices.
- As close to an “out of the box” product as you can get. This allows for quick installation and systems that can be deployed in minutes, versus weeks.
- The leading choice for retrofit projects due to its Zigbee wireless capabilities. This allows you to to take advantage of home technology without rewiring your home.
- Offers an on-screen display, allowing you to control your audio and video experience straight from your television.
- The only platform that allows you to use the TV as a navigation tool.
SAVANT
- A favorite among Apple fans.
- Easy to install and very easy to modify.
- Gives you the ability to customize and set “scenes” yourself.
- The most reliable systems on the market. They require the least amount of maintenance and technical support.
- Require professional installation and wiring, so many of Savant’s offerings are fairly limited to new construction projects.
CRESTRON
- The ultimate ability in customization, integration, and luxury features. As such, it generally requires some level of personalized programming. When done well, this can be a key benefit. When done poorly, it can make operating the system challenging.
- Ideal choice for a select homeowners, but for those select few, it is the ONLY choice. If you want to customize the user experience, this is the right platform for you.
- Ideal choice for large properties and quasi commercial environments.
STEP 4: DECIDE WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
When people ask “Which system do you prefer?” we tell them the following:
- They’re all great systems. At RSI, we only represent the best in custom integration so wouldn’t install a product that we didn’t believe in.
- The system you select is less important than who installs it for you. Find a reliable systems integrator you can count on. A poorly installed Crestron system will function much worse than a well-installed Control4 system, regardless of price.
- Play with the user interface and figure out which one you like best. That’s more important than the brand. You’ll use the interfaces everyday so make sure you come to our office and try them all out.
Travis Leo is CEO of Residential Systems Inc., one of Colorado’s leading providers of home technology services for 30 years.
Our FREE comprehensive Smart Home Planning Guide helps you plan what features best suit your needs.Want your shades lowered? Do it in seconds from a smartphone. Not sure if you locked the door when you left the house or left the garage door open? Again, it’s as easy as pressing a button on your smartphone.
Terry Coupe says
You forgot completely to include RTI (www.rticorp.com). RTI has a completely viable and fully custom solution for any home including all the home automation ‘bells and whistles’.
Lisa Montgomery says
RTI is a very reliable and well-respected system; this particular author, who happens to be a homes systems integrator–chosse to focus on the 3 systems with which he is most familiar.
Frank Ortiz says
I was going to mention the same thing. RTI is a perfectly viable integration platform for Home Automation. I have had great success and find it to be as reliable and robust as the three mentioned in the article.
Thanks for the great article otherwise.
DoctorJones says
It’s embarrassing how inaccurate some of your bullet points are in describing differences? So, Savant is the only system that requires “professional installation and wiring”?
Short Round says
Completely agree with this comment. Complete misrepresentation on a couple of those systems and several systems left out. Seems more like an advertisement than guidelines for choosing a system or integrator.
Lisa Montgomery says
The article is instended to provide our readers with insights as to the different levels of systems that home systems integrators carry.
Todd Nelson says
Comparing these systems with each other is like comparing apples and oranges. Speaking as a programmer, Control4 should have been compared to URC, not Crestron. Both Control4 and URC program quickly easily, but are limited to preprogrammed interfaces, and don’t give a lot of total customizing options. Savant is so Apple centric that it does not integrate with as many 3rd party devices.
I find it interesting this article would talk about a poorly installed Crestron system. In all my years (well over 20), I have never seen a poorly installed Crestron system. I have seen some that were programmed to be too complicated for the homeowners, but never poorly installed.
Joe says
I highly doubt you have 20 years of experience and you haven’t seen a poorly installed Crestron system. Crestron installers have been a dim-a-dozen in most major areas and poor installations can be found from all types of integrators (C4, Savant, URC, AMX etc…) Also, claiming that these systems program “easy” must indicate the lower level of integration you are providing… a $100k+ full C4 system for example can take weeks of programming to be complete (and customize… since that is actually possible…) and would also put it in direct comparison with Crestron or AMX. Even simple system that may be 10k or 20k can require complex programming besides drop down menu programming you may be familiar with. None of the systems like RTI, URC (Uni. Remote Control), Elan etc. are on the same performance scale as the companies reviewed here so everyone can stop suggesting them as better options. If you have had a bad experience with the above I would switch integrators, not products. Consumers are already confused enough with the “smart home” devices you can get at your local Best Buy.
Lisa Montgomery says
Because this article was written by a professional installer–discussing the brands he carries–it’s a given that these systems all require professional wiring and installation.
DoctorJones says
If it’s a given, then why is this only mentioned under the Savant heading? Similarly, the author mentions that Control4’s ZigBee means that “you don’t have to re-wire an entire home”. Please explain why this benefit is exclusive to C4/ZigBee vs. using Savant or Crestron? The bullet point about Control4 being the only system that allows for on screen navigation is false, as well. I don’t think this dealer/author knows anything about Control4.
Tom says
You forgot Elan. Most reliable of all of them.
Lisa Montgomery says
Elan is a very well respected brand; the home systems integrator who submitted this article chose to focus on crestron, Control4 and Savant
Guy Scott says
Control 4 is TERRIBLE! I spent over $250,000 on my home audio video system in 2011 using Control 4 and have had nothing but PROBLEMS since. The equipment is made in China and breaks down after the 1-year warranty. I have gone through 6 Control 4 receivers in 6 years. The Cameras they recommended were just as bad – I’ve had to replace 5 in 6 years and I have another camera that is out again after being installed less than 1 year ago.
I have NEVER been able to control my house when I’m not at home. My friend spent $100 using AT&T and can view her cameras, lock her doors, all from her CELL PHONE. I spent 250,000 and I can’t do any of that. Control 4 is a HUGE SCAM.
I have all my music on an external hard drive and my computer and Control 4 can’t even figure out how to set it up so I can listen to music in my house! I have speakers in 6 rooms and no music or radio will play out of any of them. I’ve asked for help so many times and all Derrick Cain says is “go to our website, that may help”. He is an enormous scam artist.
The worst part is getting a vendor to come out and fix the CONSTANT problems. No vendor wants to do repairs, they only want to do NEW INSTALLS because that’s where they make the most MONEY. It takes them MONTHS to come out to do repairs, and when they finally come out, they end up creating MORE problems. Control 4’s vendors are very shady. One team came to my home when my mother was visiting, and they were swearing in front of her and talking like truck drivers. I had to tell them to tone it down, they didn’t even realize they were being rude and obnoxious.
I’ve called Control 4 HQ in Utah and worked with Derrick Cain. He is willing to help by giving information only. He refuses to take any responsibility for Control 4’s cheap equipment or useless, lazy vendors that charge a fortune to fix a few problems but create more in the process. Derrick Cain at Control 4 has never helped fix any of the issues. I’m at the point now where I either have to sue Control 4 or SELL MY HOUSE!
I am the best commercial in the world for Savant. They should come in here, replace the worthless Control 4 system with their system. I’d be the best spokesman they could find.
This is the one area our gov’t hasn’t regulated, so these people have free reign to lie, cheat, and steal without any repercussions. Be very cautious before giving Control 4 a penny or allowing these scammers into your home.
Use Control 4 only if you enjoy problems and throwing money away. They are truly evil people.
Evan says
Sounds like you had a very bad experience, but as a dealer for all three brands mentioned, I can assure you that Control4 is not the junk you claim it to be. With any professionally installed home automation system it all comes down to the installer and programmer. I also know that Control4 will sometimes get involved in trouble systems, so I’m very surprised to hear about your issues and I would think your dealer would want to work with Control 4 to get your problems resolved. I know if I was your dealer we would. We get a lot of business cleaning up other dealers Control4 and Crestron systems, because again, the user experience all depends on the installer and programmer!
E.K says
And why is RTI or ProControl excluded?
Lisa Montgomery says
the 3 systems mentioned are 3 that this particular integrator carries
David Oyler says
You should have included Elan’s g! platform. A more cost effective solution with more features than the three you analyzed.
Lisa Montgomery says
This article was written by an integrator who carries these 3 brands.
Lisa Montgomery says
This article was submitted by an integrator who carries the three bands profiled in the article. It was intended to provide a home systems integrator’s view of the options available from his company to consumers.
Lisa Montgomery says
Elan g! is a very reliable platform. The home systems integrator who penned this piece focused on three systems he carries
JB says
How much did C4 pay for this article?
Lisa Montgomery says
The article was written by a home systems integrator
Lisa Montgomery says
The article was written by a home systems integrator who carries the 3 brands mentioned.
Branden Pirot says
I recommend Core Brands and RTI pull all advertising from EH Pub.
Brent says
A accurate comparison and a good tool which I’m sure his successful sales staff find beneficial.
cheers
Larry says
The canned repetitive comments by the author are annoying and insulting.
There are so many errors and omissions in the features/pro/con matrix that it’s not worth trying to point them out.
Regardless of any allegiance one may have towards any of the brands featured, the lack of valid information does a disservice to any end users who might rely on this article to make a decision.
It also just spreads more disinformation about the products we sell.
Please just take this article down.
Esteban Berberian says
Article could have been put together a bit better. These 3 systems are representative of low, mid and high cost systems. An analysis of the differences not similarities would have been more helpful. A few unfortunate comments above by some show that they probably got a raw deal on their purchase of the Brooklyn bridge as well. 250k for C4? Please.
Howard Michael says
OMG, I had a feeling there were other dissatisfied C4 customers out there but reading about Mr Guy Scotts experience with C4 only confirms my experience. I have had C4 for 7 frustrating years and ready for a new beginning. Everything he mentions about C4 is true. The latest episode I experienced was having a home controller replaced only to find out that C4 rolled out a new controller that is not compatible with any software updates. The good news according to C4 is they have a 10% promotion if you buy one of their heavily marked up made in China unreliable electronic box marked God only knows how many %. They take proprietary beyond all of your wildest imaginations. If I could be a fly on the wall at one of their dealer conventions. C4 for your home ? Do you want user friendly experience ? Do you want a reasonable fairly priced product that is built well ? Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.