HomeKit and smart home systems are undeniably impressive, allowing users to manage their home environments with ease. However, the experience often boils down to using an iPhone 14 across multiple apps or relying on Siri voice commands, which can sometimes be less than reliable.

While there are advanced bespoke systems available featuring touchscreens in every room, these options typically require professional installation and intricate wiring. Such systems are costly and can be impractical, particularly for renters who may face restrictions from landlords. Enter Brilliant, a smart home specialist, offering a more accessible solution with its new Plug-in Panel—making the dream of a wall-mounted touchscreen controller simpler than ever.

Control Your Home with a Touchscreen

Brilliant has an esteemed reputation for producing top-notch smart home control units, and their latest touchscreen model lives up to the legacy as their most powerful controller yet. Designed with convenience in mind, it boasts an easy-to-install system that accommodates older houses and rental properties alike. You can mount it on any wall and simply plug it into a standard outlet, eliminating the need for any invasive electrical work.

Once installed, the Brilliant Plug-in Panel seamlessly connects to your Wi-Fi and syncs with all your smart home devices, including those compatible with HomeKit. This means all your Siri-compatible accessories and HomePods will be readily detected and controlled.

Thanks to the Matter smart home standard, the panel supports a broad array of other smart devices as well. As the list of Matter-certified products expands, so too will the compatibility of the Brilliant touchscreen controller.

What Can It Do?

The possibilities are extensive. Beyond the basics like adjusting lighting zones, checking the time, and monitoring the temperature, the panel offers a multitude of advanced features.

It not only adheres to HomeKit standards but also interfaces with devices from leading brands such as “Ring, Google Nest, Sonos, Philips Hue, Kwikset, Schlage, Yale, August, Honeywell Home, Resideo, ecobee, TP-Link, Samsung SmartThings, Genie, Hunter Douglas, Somfy, and more." This wide range of compatibility ensures seamless integration with any smart home setup.

When linked to a smart doorbell, the panel displays a video feed of visitors, enabling a two-way conversation directly through the panel. You can also control Sonos devices, easily changing tracks or checking what's playing without needing to use your phone. Additionally, the panel can unlock doors if integrated with a compatible smart lock, offering a truly hands-free experience.

Equipped with a motion sensor, the Brilliant panel can automate lighting when you enter a room, further enhancing its convenience and usability.

Aaron Emigh, CEO and founder of Brilliant, states, “We’re excited to bring this new plug-in model to the Brilliant Home Control Panel lineup, providing more flexibility for installation and expanding the addressable market for complete smart home control systems at an affordable price.”

On paper, it seems like an excellent addition to the smart home market. Priced at $399, it may not be the cheapest option but compared to traditional wired systems needing professional installation, it is quite a bargain. You can purchase it from the Brilliant website or on Amazon.

Looking for more HomeKit tips? Explore the ultimate guide to HomeKit to learn more about Apple's smart home standard.