Control Systems Compared: Control4, Savant, Crestron & More
The brain of your smart home ā which system suits your lifestyle, budget, and ambitions?
What does a control system actually do?
Think of a control system as the brain of your smart home. It is what turns "I want to watch a film" into the projector switching on, the blinds closing, the lights dimming to cinema mode, and the sound system selecting the right input ā all from one button press, one voice command, or one tap on a touchscreen.
Without a control system, you are juggling five or six different apps, three remote controls, and a lot of frustration. With one, your home behaves like a single, coherent thing.
Control4: The popular all-rounder
Best for: Families who want a reliable, well-supported system that covers most bases without breaking the bank.
Control4 is the most widely installed smart home platform in the UK for a reason. It integrates with thousands of devices ā lighting, audio, video, heating, security, blinds ā and the programming interface means your installer can create genuinely sophisticated automations.
- Strengths: Huge device compatibility, regular software updates, strong dealer network, good touchscreen interfaces
- Weaknesses: Requires a dealer for programming changes (DIY modification is limited), OS 3 interface can feel dated
- Typical cost: Ā£3,000āĀ£8,000 for a 4ā6 room system
Savant: The luxury choice
Best for: High-end homes where design and user experience matter as much as functionality.
Savant is beautiful. The app interface is the best in the industry, the hardware is Apple-grade, and the whole experience feels premium from first touch. It handles complex multi-room audio and video distribution better than almost anything else.
- Strengths: Stunning UI, excellent video distribution (Savant Video), native Apple HomeKit integration
- Weaknesses: Smaller UK dealer network, higher hardware costs, some advanced automations need more complex programming
- Typical cost: Ā£6,000āĀ£15,000 for a 4ā6 room system
Crestron: The power user's platform
Best for: Very large homes, commercial-grade installations, or clients who need bespoke programming.
Crestron is the most powerful and flexible platform available ā and the most complex. It can do literally anything, but it requires a highly skilled programmer to make it sing. If you have a 12-bedroom house with a dedicated cinema, a golf simulator, and a spa, Crestron makes sense.
- Strengths: Unlimited flexibility, commercial-grade reliability, best-in-class video processing
- Weaknesses: Expensive, requires specialist Crestron programmers, longer install times
- Typical cost: Ā£10,000āĀ£40,000+
Nice (formerly Elan): The rising star
Best for: Clients who want Control4-level functionality with a more modern interface and competitive pricing.
Nice acquired Elan a few years ago and has been investing heavily. The new Nice Control Touch interface is excellent, the hardware is well-priced, and the Nice ecosystem (which includes BFT gate automation, Fybra home management, and more) means you can unify control across home, garden, and access.
- Strengths: Modern UI, competitive pricing, growing UK dealer network, strong outdoor/gate integration
- Weaknesses: Smaller ecosystem than Control4, newer in UK market so fewer long-term references
- Typical cost: Ā£2,500āĀ£7,000
Lutron: The lighting specialist
Best for: Homes where lighting control is the priority, or as a dedicated lighting layer alongside another control system.
Lutron is the undisputed king of lighting control. HomeWorks QS is the gold standard for whole-home lighting, with beautiful keypads, industry-leading dimming performance, and flawless scene control. Many homes run Lutron for lighting and Control4/Savant for everything else.
- Strengths: Best dimming technology, beautiful hardware, perfect colour temperature control, excellent shade integration
- Weaknesses: Primarily lighting-focused, full home control needs integration with another platform
- Typical cost: Ā£4,000āĀ£12,000 for lighting + shades
The quick comparison
| System | Best For | Price | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control4 | Most families | Ā£Ā£ | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Savant | Design-led luxury | Ā£Ā£Ā£ | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Crestron | Large/complex homes | Ā£Ā£Ā£Ā£ | ā ā ā āā |
| Nice (Elan) | Value + modern UI | Ā£Ā£ | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Lutron | Lighting-first homes | Ā£Ā£āĀ£Ā£Ā£ | ā ā ā ā ā |
How to choose
Start with your budget, then your priorities. If you want the best lighting control and a solid overall system, consider Control4 + Lutron. If you want a single, beautiful interface and cost is less of a concern, Savant is hard to beat. For very large or complex properties, Crestron is worth the investment.
The most important factor is not the brand ā it is the installer. A great Control4 programmer will give you a better experience than a mediocre Savant installer. Always ask for references, visit completed projects, and meet the team who will be in your home for weeks.
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