You have the bulbs, the locks, and the cameras. But pulling out your phone to turn on the lights is annoying. In 2026, the smart home needs a physical dashboard on the wall that anyone—even a guest or babysitter—can use.
The Brilliant Smart Home Control is a premium touchscreen that actually replaces your light switch, integrating seamlessly into your wall. The Amazon Echo Hub is an affordable, razor-thin tablet designed specifically to be mounted on the wall as a dedicated controller for your Alexa ecosystem. Do you want built-in luxury or an affordable add-on?
The Installation: In-Wall vs. On-Wall
Brilliant (The Built-In):
It replaces a standard 1, 2, 3, or 4-gang light switch panel.
The Look: It looks like it belongs to the house. It sits flush with the wall. It has physical "sliders" on the screen to control the actual lights connected to that switch, while the screen controls everything else (Sonos, Ring, Lock).
Requirement: You need "Neutral Wires" in your switch box. It requires electrical installation.
Amazon Echo Hub (The Add-On):
It is an 8-inch screen that you mount on the wall (like a picture frame).
The Look: It's just a screen. It has a long cable (unless you use a recessed outlet or PoE). It doesn't control the electrical load of a light switch directly; it sends wireless commands to smart bulbs.
Requirement: Just a power outlet. You can install it anywhere.
The Ecosystem: The Agnostic vs. The Amazon
- Brilliant: It plays nice with everyone. It has native controls for Sonos, Ring, Hue, Ecobee, Google Nest, and more. It creates a unified interface where you don't care "brand" the device is; you just tap "Unlock."
- Echo Hub: It is pure Alexa. The interface is customizable with widgets (Cameras, Routines, Music). It is the best way to visualize your Alexa smart home. It also acts as a Thread Border Router and Matter Controller, making it very future-proof.
🎯 Target Audience: Who is this for?
Buy Brilliant Control IF:
- You are renovating or building a house. Installing these instead of normal switches raises the value of your property.
- You hate "tablets on the wall." You want something that looks like hardware infrastructure.
- You have Sonos speakers (the music control interface on Brilliant is fantastic).
Avoid Brilliant Control IF:
- You are renting (replacing electrical switches is not usually allowed).
- You are on a budget ($400 per switch is pricey).
Buy Amazon Echo Hub IF:
- You already use Alexa for everything.
- You want a cheap way ($180) to see all your security cameras on one screen (Grid View).
- You want easy installation. Just screw the bracket to the wall and plug it in.
Avoid Amazon Echo Hub IF:
- You want to watch Netflix/YouTube (It is a controller, NOT a media consumption device like the Echo Show 15).
Comparison Table: 2026 Specs
| Feature | Brilliant Control | Amazon Echo Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Install Type | In-Wall (Hardwired) | On-Wall (Plug-in/PoE) |
| Controls Lights? | Yes (Directly + Smart) | Smart Only |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa Built-in (limited) | Full Alexa |
| Price | ~$399 - $500 | ~$179 |
You can broadcast "Dinner is ready!" from the kitchen panel to the bedroom panel. Brilliant does this via its own system; Echo Hub uses Alexa "Drop In."
FAQ: Can I watch TV on it?
Is it like an iPad?
No. Neither of these is a full tablet.
The Echo Hub is stripped down to focus purely on smart home widgets (locks, lights, cameras). It is intentionally "boring" so you don't stand at the wall watching TikTok. It is a tool, not a toy.
Winner for Renovators: Brilliant Smart Home Control. If you are rewiring, this is the ultimate finish. It makes your home feel futuristic and "expensive."
Winner for Everyone Else: Amazon Echo Hub. It is affordable, easy to add to any room, and handles the complex "Matter" smart home standards better than anything else.