Smart Home UK · research-led buying tools
Will it work in your home?
What will it really cost?
Make three difficult smart-home decisions clearer: heating compatibility, security without compulsory subscriptions, and Matter or local control. Start with the exact model, see the dependencies, and keep unanswered questions visible.
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Keep the recordings. Question the subscription.
See where footage lives, which features need a plan, and what may stop working during an outage.
Check the heating before buying the thermostat.
Boiler interface, hot water, zones and receiver matter more than an ecosystem badge. Get a planning route, not a wiring approval.
Know what the hub actually does.
Separate Matter controllers, bridges and Thread border routers. “Local” does not automatically mean every feature works offline.
Already paying for a camera plan?
Buying new hardware is not automatically cheaper. The subscription-exit planner compares keeping what you own with switching, excludes money already spent, accounts for prepaid months, and requires a feature check before describing anything as a saving.
Build your keep-or-switch budget
Free calculator. No account or email needed. Inputs stay in the browser tab; unknown costs must be resolved before a complete comparison.
Inspect the evidence
The SHUK Compatibility Commons offers downloadable comparison records and source links. Each release has its own date, limitations and change log. Reuse the original SHUK data structure and annotations with attribution.
How SHUK reaches its answers
SHUK Editorial is our publication byline. Current guidance uses public-source research and calculations, with AI assistance. It is not a claim of hands-on testing or professional installation sign-off.
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