Scenes bundle multiple device actions into a single command you trigger manually. Routines run those actions automatically based on time, location or sensor input. Sensors detect changes in the environment—motion, temperature, door opening—and feed that data to routines, which then execute the scene you've configured.
What is a scene?
A scene is a saved snapshot of device states you can activate with one tap or voice command.
When you activate a "Movie Night" scene, it might dim the lounge lights to 20 per cent, turn off the hallway lights completely, and close motorised blinds. Each action happens simultaneously across different devices.
Scenes are manual. You ask your phone, voice assistant or wall switch to run them. They don't start on their own.
Most hubs and platforms let you create scenes in their app. You select devices, set each to a desired state, then save the configuration under a name.
What is a routine?
A routine automates a scene by adding a trigger and optional conditions.
The trigger might be a time (6:30 a.m. weekdays), a sensor event (motion detected), a device state (TV turns on), or your location (you arrive home). When the trigger fires, the routine runs the scene automatically.
Conditions add logic. A "Good Morning" routine might only run if sunrise has already occurred, or if the indoor temperature is below 18°C.
Routines can also include delays and multiple steps. Open the bedroom blinds, wait five minutes, then turn on the kitchen lights and start the morning news on a smart speaker.
Where sensors fit in
Sensors measure physical changes and report them to your hub or platform.
Common sensor types include:
- Motion sensors: detect movement using passive infrared.
- Contact sensors: detect when a door or window opens or closes.
- Temperature and humidity sensors: monitor indoor climate.
- Light sensors: measure ambient brightness.
- Leak sensors: detect water on the floor.
Sensors communicate wirelessly—usually Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth—so they need a compatible hub or bridge to join your automation system.
When a sensor detects change, it sends a message to the hub. If a routine is configured to respond to that sensor, the routine executes its actions.
Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor T1
Best for: Smart home users with an existing Aqara hub or Zigbee setup wanting precise indoor climate monitoring and automated climate control without recurring subscription fees.
What we like
- Measures temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure using an industrial-grade Sensirion sensor.
- Operates on a replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery rated for two or more years of life.
- Integrates with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Matter via an Aqara hub, or Home Assistant via Zigbee.
- Provides real-time tracking, threshold alerts, and historical data logging without a paid subscription.
Worth knowing
- Requires a compatible Aqara hub or third-party Zigbee 3.0 coordinator to function; does not connect directly via Wi-Fi.
- Lacks an integrated display screen, requiring a smartphone app or smart display to check readings.
- Designed strictly for indoor, non-condensing environments and carries no water-resistance rating.
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Our shortlist
Here are hubs and sensors that suit different automation setups:
Homey Pro (2023) Smart Home Hub — suits multi-brand homes wanting advanced automation logic and local control across Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and infrared.
Homey Pro (2023) Smart Home Hub
Best for: Multi-ecosystem smart home setups requiring centralised local automation across Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, Thread, and legacy 433 MHz devices.
What we like
- Athom integrates eight wireless technologies, including Zigbee, Z-Wave Plus, 433 MHz, Infrared, Matter, and Thread.
- Automations and Flow routines run locally on the hub, maintaining function during internet dropouts.
- Includes access to visual Advanced Flows without ongoing software subscription fees.
- Features dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and provides built-in free local backups to a computer.
Worth knowing
- Lacks an onboard RJ45 Ethernet port, requiring a separate proprietary USB-C adapter for wired networking.
- Community app ecosystem and multi-protocol setups require more configuration time than plug-and-play voice assistant hubs.
- Automated cloud backups require an optional paid subscription, though local backups remain free.
Samsung SmartThings Station with 15W Wireless Charger — suits households wanting a Matter and Zigbee hub that doubles as a fast phone charger on the bedside table.
Samsung SmartThings Station with 15W Wireless Charger
Best for: Samsung Galaxy users wanting a compact SmartThings, Matter, and Zigbee hub integrated with a bedside wireless charging pad.
What we like
- Operates as a Matter controller, Thread Border Router, and Zigbee 3.0 hub according to Samsung.
- Combines home automation control with a 15W Qi-certified fast wireless charging pad.
- Features a programmable physical button capable of triggering up to three SmartThings routines.
- Supports dual-band Wi-Fi across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.
Worth knowing
- Never officially released in Australia, leaving imported units without an Australian manufacturer warranty or local plug.
- Lacks an Ethernet port and Z-Wave support, relying entirely on a wireless network connection.
- The programmable button is physically obstructed while a mobile phone rests on the charging pad.
- Full 15W charging speeds require a Samsung Galaxy handset, falling back to slower speeds on other devices.
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Aqara Hub M3 Matter & Zigbee Coordinator — suits users building a local Zigbee sensor network that works across multiple platforms.
Aqara Hub M3 Matter & Zigbee Coordinator
Best for: Smart-home owners wanting a multi-protocol hub to link Aqara Zigbee sensors and Matter accessories locally across Apple Home, Google Home, or Home Assistant.
What we like
- Operates as a Matter Controller, Matter Bridge, Thread Border Router, and Zigbee 3.0 coordinator according to Aqara specifications.
- Features 8 GB of encrypted local eMMC storage and a dual-core processor to run automations locally without requiring a subscription.
- Supports both dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and wired Ethernet with Power over Ethernet (PoE 802.3af).
- Includes a 360-degree infrared transceiver with air conditioner status detection and a built-in 95 dB speaker.
Worth knowing
- Direct Zigbee child-device pairing is restricted strictly to Aqara-branded accessories.
- Does not include an Australian USB wall power adapter in the retail packaging.
- Lacks hardware support for Z-Wave devices.
- Cloud connection is still required for remote push notifications, weather triggers, and geofencing.
Philips Hue Bridge (V2) — suits beginners adding colour-changing lights and simple voice control to a few rooms.
How does a hub connect scenes, routines and sensors?
A hub acts as the coordinator. It stores your scenes and routines, listens to sensor messages, and sends commands to actuators like lights, switches and motors.
When you create a scene, the hub records which devices to control and what state each should adopt. When you create a routine, the hub monitors for the trigger event—time, sensor input, or external signal—and executes the scene when conditions are met.
Some platforms run automation locally on the hub. Others rely on a cloud service. Local automation continues working if your internet connection drops, while cloud-dependent routines pause until connectivity returns.
Do Smart Home Devices Still Work When the Internet Drops? explains which platforms process automation locally and which require internet access.
An example routine using a sensor
A bathroom exhaust fan routine might work like this:
The trigger is a humidity sensor in the bathroom. When humidity rises above 70 per cent, the routine turns on a smart switch connected to the exhaust fan. After humidity drops below 60 per cent for five minutes, the routine turns the fan off.
No manual control required. The sensor detects the condition, the routine applies the logic, and the switch executes the action.
Humidity Sensors and Exhaust Fan Automation for Australian Bathrooms details how to configure this setup in different platforms.
Can I run the same routine on multiple platforms?
Not directly. Each platform—Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings, Homey—stores its own routines.
If you switch platforms, you'll need to recreate your automations. Some hubs let you export configuration files, but compatibility across platforms is limited.
Matter aims to improve interoperability, but as of late 2026 Matter does not yet standardise automation logic. Scenes and routines remain platform-specific.
When routines conflict
If two routines try to control the same device simultaneously, the last command received usually takes effect.
Some platforms let you assign priority or disable conflicting routines. Others require you to add conditions that prevent overlap.
For example, a "Bedtime" routine might turn off all lights at 10 p.m., while a motion-activated hallway routine turns lights on when movement is detected. To avoid conflict, add a condition to the motion routine: only run between 6 a.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Do I need a hub to use scenes and routines?
It depends on your devices.
Wi-Fi devices—like many smart plugs and bulbs—can sometimes run scenes and routines through their manufacturer's app or a voice assistant, without a dedicated hub.
Zigbee, Z-Wave and Thread devices require a coordinator or hub to communicate. That hub then handles scenes and routines.
If you want to mix brands and protocols in a single automation, a multi-protocol hub simplifies configuration and keeps everything in one interface.
Naming devices for voice-activated scenes
How to Name Smart Devices So Voice Commands Actually Work covers naming conventions that avoid confusion when you activate scenes by voice.
Short, distinct names improve recognition. "Lounge Lamp" works better than "Living Room Floor Lamp Next to the Sofa."
Can I trigger a routine when I leave home?
Yes, if your platform supports geofencing.
Geofencing uses your phone's location. When you cross a virtual boundary—usually a circle around your home address—the platform detects your departure or arrival and fires the associated routine.
A departure routine might lock smart locks, turn off lights, and set the thermostat to away mode. An arrival routine might unlock the door, turn on entry lights, and resume normal climate control.
Geofencing relies on your phone's GPS and background location access, so battery usage increases slightly.
Sensors for security routines
Contact sensors on doors and windows detect unauthorised entry. Motion sensors in hallways and living areas confirm movement inside the home.
Smart Door and Window Sensors: How to Set Up Entry Alerts explains installation and notification setup for entry detection.
Combine contact and motion sensors in a routine: if a door opens while the system is armed and no motion follows within 30 seconds, send a notification or sound an alarm.
Testing a routine without waiting for the trigger
Most platforms include a manual test button in the routine editor. Tap it to run the routine immediately, regardless of triggers or conditions.
Test each step to confirm devices respond as expected. Adjust timing, conditions and device states until the behaviour matches your intent.
Some platforms log routine activity, showing when each routine ran and which actions succeeded or failed.
A morning wake-up routine with lights and music
Yes. A typical morning routine might:
- Trigger at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays.
- Gradually increase bedroom light brightness from 0 to 50 per cent over ten minutes.
- Start playing a chosen playlist on a smart speaker at low volume.
- Announce the weather forecast.
Smart Lighting for Kids' Rooms: Night Lights and Wake-Up Routines covers gradual wake-up light configuration in various platforms.
Some platforms call gradual brightness changes "fades" or "transitions." Others require you to script multiple steps with delays.
Are scenes and routines the same as IFTTT?
IFTTT (If This Then That) is a web service that connects apps and devices from different manufacturers using simple conditional logic.
Scenes and routines built into your hub platform run locally or within that platform's ecosystem. IFTTT runs in the cloud and introduces a delay—usually a few seconds—because each trigger must reach IFTTT's servers before the action executes.
IFTTT suits niche integrations between services that don't natively connect. For fast, reliable automation within your smart home, platform-native routines are preferable.
What a "Good Night" scene usually does
A "Good Night" scene usually:
- Turns off all lights except a bedside lamp, set to dim warm white.
- Locks smart locks on entry doors.
- Arms security sensors.
- Lowers the thermostat or sets climate control to sleep mode.
- Closes motorised blinds or curtains.
You can trigger it manually at bedtime or automate it with a routine that runs at a set time or when you say "Goodnight" to your voice assistant.
Movie Night Lighting Scenes You Can Build Without Touching the Switchboard demonstrates similar multi-device scene setup for different activities.
Related guides
- Smart Home Automation for Beginners: Your First 5 Routines
- How to Set Up Vacation Mode on Your Smart Home
- Bedroom Automation: Sleep, Wake and Light Scheduling
- Kitchen Automation: Which Smart Devices Actually Earn Their Place
Sources
- Google Home Developer Documentation – Routines
- Apple HomeKit Developer – Automation
- Amazon Alexa Routines Support
- Samsung SmartThings Automation Guide
- Homey Automation Documentation
- Aqara Hub and Sensor Specifications
- Philips Hue Bridge and Scenes
- Matter Specification – Connectivity Standards Alliance
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