Bond is a unique brand that allows you to connect your non-smart remote-controlled fans, shades, and fireplaces to your phone and smart speaker.
Though this is a great tool, it is pretty limited. Are there other products that can do more than Bond?
The best alternative to Bond is the Broadlink RM4 Pro, but there are other alternative smart bridges and hubs. The Broadlink RM4 Pro is a highly rated hub that connects not only your remote-controlled ceiling fan and shades using radio frequencies (RF) but also your devices that use infrared (IR).
This article will discuss what makes Bond products stand out, as well as their flaws.
When considering product alternatives, you want to find something with all the advantages of Bond without the limitations.
All products in the list below connect with thousands of RF and/or IR devices, Alexa, and Google Home for half the cost, so let’s get started!
Broadlink RM Mini3
Broadlink’s RM Mini3 is a great option for those who want something basic for their modest home.
For under $25, this device connects with over 80,000 IR (38KHz) remote-controlled devices, including air conditioning, TV, fans, and DVDs.
Broadlink is the only brand in this list that is Amazon Certified and it connects well with Google Home Assistant.
Unfortunately, the Broadlink RM Mini3 does not connect to fireplaces or shades, nor does it connect to RF devices.
Since its range only extends to 26.2 feet (7.99 meters(, the device is more suitable for smaller homes.
Orvibo Smart Home Hub
Orvibo’s Smart Home Hub connects to both smart and non-smart devices and works with over 8000 brands.
According to the Amazon listing, this hub has a ten-meter distance and works with the following devices:
- Multiple types of TVs
- Projectors
- DVD players
- Air conditioners
- TV boxes,
- Fans/ tower fans
- Humidifiers
- Air purifiers
- LED light strips
- Smart lights
The best part is that it only costs less than $25.
Unfortunately, the Orvibo Smart Home Hub only connects to IR devices. Though it connects to Alexa and Google Home Assistant, it is not officially Amazon Certified or Google Certified.
MoesGo WiFi RF IR Universal Remote Controller
Unlike the other products in this list, the MoesGo Universal Remote Controller has two options: RF/IR or IR only. MoesGo controllers work on:
- Air conditioners
- DVD players
- Fans
- Infrared devices
- STBs
- TVs
- TV boxes
- Lights
- Roller blinds
- Switches
It is a bit pricier than the previous two options (about $40), but it is well worth the money.
Unfortunately, the Amazon listing does not give a specific number of brands or devices that it works with, and it is not Amazon or Google Certified.
FRANKEVER Smart IR Remote Controller
For just about $20, you can connect with many IR non-smart devices, including ceiling fans, heaters, air conditioners, TVs, fans, media players, and STBs with the FRANKEVER Smart IR Remote Controller. One of the most useful bond smart home alternatives out there.
What makes the FRANKEVER controller stand out above the rest is that it also connects to LED fireplaces, but it does not connect with RF devices.
best bond smart home alternative: Broadlink RM4 Pro
The best option out of this list is by far Broadlink’s RM4 Pro.
Unlike some other hubs, the RM4 Pro uses both RF and IR to connect to your non-smart devices around your home and can connect to over RF devices such as shades, projectors, and light switches, as well as over 50,000 IR devices such as TVs, air conditioners, fans, and DVDs.
The only downside of the Broadlink RM4 Pro is it only has a range of eight meters, which is still a sufficient range for the average-sized home.
Why Bond Products Stand Out
Bond has made a name for itself in the smart bridge market, as it satisfies customers’ desire to turn “dumb” remote-controlled fans, shades, and fireplaces into smarter versions.
These products are consistently highly rated on Amazon. Below are a few reasons why this brand stands out as a favorite to customers.
Bond Covers a Unique Niche
Bond is a smart bridge that connects your non-smart fireplaces, shades, and ceiling fans to your phone or your Alexa or Google Home accounts.
For the first time, you can close your blinds, adjust your fan’s speed, or start a fire simply by talking to Alexa.
Bond can do this by connecting with the radio frequencies (RF) of your ceiling fans, fireplaces, and automatic shades.
Very few brands can connect to RF, choosing to focus on infrared (IR) or other frequencies.
However, many non-smart devices use RF to communicate with their remotes, giving Bond a competitive edge over other brands.
One of Bond’s specialties is connecting to fireplaces, as there are very few smart bridges that can do this.
In fact, out of the five products mentioned in this article, only one can connect with fireplaces.
Bond Is Amazon and Google Certified
Hundreds of smart bridges and hubs listed on Amazon claim to easily connect to Alexa or Google Home.
However, Amazon has only certified a few of these brands, including Bond. It is also Google Certified, which means it works well with Google Home Assistant.
It Has Great Reviews
While you are looking at Bond on Amazon, you will probably notice that this company has thousands of reviews with a four-star average rating.
Though many great products are not nearly as popular (including the products mentioned below), it can be reassuring to choose a product loved by thousands of people.
Other Specs of Bond
Bond products boast the ability to connect to up to 30 devices, which means that all your shades, fans, and fireplaces will easily connect to Bond without any problems.
Bond products have an area range of up to 2,500 sqft (232.26 sqm) which means they will cover the entire area of most homes.
Where Bond Products Fail
Despite so many great features, there are some downsides to Bond products that turn many customers away. Bond smart bridges are extremely limited in function and cost significantly more than most smart bridges.
Limitations of Bond Products
Bond smart bridges work with only a few categories of devices, such as remote-controlled fans, fireplaces, and shades.
Though this is still quite an achievement compared to where smart technology was just a few years ago, it is pretty limited considering the other options available on the market are able to offer more.
Cost of Bond Products
Bond has only two products: the Bond Bridge, which costs $99, and the Bond Bridge Pro, which costs $379. Both products are more than double the cost of other smart bridges.
Considering the limitations, the $100 cost for the Bond Bridge is pretty steep.
Though Bond products can connect up to 30 devices, those devices themselves are rather limited, and can only connect to remote-controlled ceiling fans, shades, and fireplaces that use RF.
Other options cost less than half the price of Bond while doing so much more.
Bond smart home alternatives: Final Thoughts
If you want a way to turn your non-smart device into smart devices, there are plenty of options available.
From those who want something basic for their modest home (Broadlink RM Mini3) to someone who wants all the bells and whistles (Broadlink RM4 Pro), there is a smart bridge made for you.
Though Bond is one of the top brands out there, it is by far not the only one. Though there are perks to Bond smart bridges, these products are severely limited. The alternatives in this article can help you on your journey to making your home smarter.