Control4 vs Savant vs Josh.ai
A Luxury Smart Home Automation Comparison for 2026
When researching luxury smart home automation systems, three names consistently rise to the top: Control4, Savant, and Josh.ai.
If you’re building or renovating a high-end home in the Hamptons, Manhattan, or the surrounding tri-state area, the decision isn’t simply about features. It’s about how your home will feel to live in.
At Home Technology Experts, our philosophy is simple: Luxury is simplicity. Technology should disappear into the architecture. Lighting should feel intentional. Control should feel intuitive.
What Is a Luxury Smart Home System?
A true high-end home automation system is not just an app, a touchscreen, or a voice assistant. It’s the central nervous system of your home.
It coordinates:
- Smart lighting control
- Motorized window shades
- Whole-home audio
- Custom home theater systems
- Climate control
- Security & surveillance
- Outdoor entertainment
- Pool & spa integration
- Energy management
All three systems can manage these categories beautifully. The difference lies in how they deliver the experience.
Control4 X4: The Powerful Smart Home Platform
Control4 is one of the most widely deployed luxury home automation platforms. With the introduction of Control4 X4, the system received a redesigned interface focused on modern visuals, faster navigation, and personalization.
Where Control4 Excels
- Large custom homes and estates
- Multi-building properties
- Complex integrations (lighting, AV, climate, security, pools)
- Deep customization and long-term expandability
Who Control4 Is Ideal For
- Homeowners building expansive residences
- Clients who value flexibility and future expansion
- Properties that may evolve over time
Savant: The Refined, Design-Forward Smart Home Experience
Savant is known for a polished, design-forward experience. It often appeals to homeowners who want the home to feel curated and intuitive day to day.
User Permissions & Multi-User Households
Savant is often valued for straightforward user roles—helpful for families, guest wings, and staff access scenarios.
- Parents can have full access
- Guests can have limited control
- Room-based restrictions can be applied
- Staff can have operational access without full visibility
Apple & AI Direction
Savant continues to lean into the Apple ecosystem and has previewed newer AI-driven enhancements that aim to make control and automation feel even more natural.
Who Savant Is Ideal For
- Multi-user households
- Apple-centric homes
- Homeowners who prioritize elegance and simplicity
Josh.ai: The Intelligent Control Layer
Josh.ai focuses on natural interaction. Instead of navigating menus, you can simply say what you want: “Make it cozy,” “Start dinner music outside,” or “Turn the house down for the night.”
Josh’s recent direction expands beyond voice into a broader interface ecosystem (touch, dedicated touchscreens, and remote control hardware), helping the home feel conversational and effortless.
Who Josh.ai Is Ideal For
- Homeowners who prefer conversational control
- Clients who want minimal learning curve
- Homes where simplicity is the priority
Lighting, Shades & Automation: The Heart of Luxury Living
While audio and video are important, the true measure of a luxury smart home is often lighting and shading control.
Lighting defines mood. Shades define comfort. Automation defines effortlessness. At Home Technology Experts, we design lighting and shading systems first—then integrate the platform around them.
All three systems can coordinate lighting, shades, music, climate, and more. The difference is how the experience is presented:
- Control4: flexible orchestration
- Savant: refined and structured
- Josh.ai: natural language outcomes
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Control4 X4 | Savant | Josh.ai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Identity | Full home platform | Design-forward platform | AI-driven control layer |
| Ideal Home Type | Large, complex homes | Multi-user luxury homes | Homes prioritizing simplicity |
| User Permissions | Strong interface-based control | Clear user role structure | Follows underlying platform |
| Lighting & Shades | Deep integration | Elegant scene handling | Conversational control |
| Scenes & Automation | Flexible and scalable | Clean and intuitive | Outcome-driven triggers |
| Voice Control | Integrates with voice platforms | Strong Apple/Siri alignment | Core strength |
| Experience Feel | Robust & expandable | Refined & intentional | Intelligent & effortless |
What’s on the Horizon
The industry is moving in a clear direction: smarter automation, fewer steps, and more natural interaction. Here’s what we’re watching across the three ecosystems:
Savant
- Expanded AI and natural language experiences
- Deeper Apple ecosystem triggers and automation
- Continued growth in energy and smart power capabilities
Control4
- Ongoing refinement of the X4 experience
- Modernization across product generations
- More personalization and streamlined user experience
Josh.ai
- Rapid AI advancement
- Expanded touchscreens and remote ecosystem
- More unified control across voice, touch, and text
Which Smart Home System Is Best?
There isn’t one universal winner. The right system depends on your home, your household, and how you want to interact with your environment.
At Home Technology Experts, we’re platform-agnostic—but lighting-forward. We design lighting and shading as the foundation, then select and integrate the control system that best matches your lifestyle and architecture.
The goal isn’t more control. The goal is a home that feels effortless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Control4 better than Savant?
Both are premium platforms. Control4 is often preferred for large, complex homes requiring deep flexibility. Savant is often preferred for its refined experience and straightforward multi-user structure.
Is Josh.ai a replacement for Control4 or Savant?
Josh.ai can be deployed in different ways, but it’s often paired with a primary platform like Control4 or Savant to add conversational control and reduce friction.
Which system is best for smart lighting and motorized shades?
All three can integrate with premium lighting and shading systems. In most luxury homes, the quality of design and programming matters more than the brand selection.
What is the best smart home system for luxury homes in the Hamptons?
It depends on your home’s complexity, multi-user needs, and preferred interaction style. Many high-end homes combine a robust platform with an intelligent interface layer for the most seamless experience.