HomeKit (Apple) or Google Home Compatible Towel Warmers: Our Selection.

Understanding the two ecosystems: HomeKit vs Google Home

Before choosing your solution, it's essential to understand the fundamental differences between the two major consumer smart home ecosystems. These differences directly impact compatibility with your electric towel warmer.

Apple HomeKit: maximum security, closed ecosystem

HomeKit is Apple's smart home ecosystem, natively integrated into iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Its main strength is its security and privacy: all communications between your iPhone and your devices are end-to-end encrypted, and Apple collects no data about your usage habits.

In return, HomeKit is the most closed ecosystem: the MFi (Made for iPhone) certification imposed by Apple is costly for manufacturers, which explains the more limited number of natively compatible devices. For heating equipment like towel warmers, native HomeKit compatibility is almost non-existent in the French market in 2024.

Google Home: openness and versatility

Google Home is Google's smart home ecosystem, accessible via the Google Home app on Android and iOS. Significantly more open than Apple, Google Home accepts a much wider range of third-party devices and protocols (Wi-Fi, Zigbee via bridge, Matter). The platform is also more permissive regarding automations between devices from different brands.

Its main drawback: Google's privacy policy involves collecting usage data, and proper functioning depends on a permanent internet connection for most functions.

Towel warmer and HomeKit: available options

Native HomeKit compatibility for towel warmers is limited in the French market. Here are the three approaches that actually work in 2024.

Option 1: Homebridge — the universal HomeKit bridge

Homebridge is an open-source server that emulates a HomeKit hub and allows non-Apple certified devices to be integrated into the Home app. Installed on a Raspberry Pi or NAS, it offers plugins for almost all smart home module brands on the market, including Shelly.

With the homebridge-shelly plugin, your Shelly module installed on the towel warmer appears in the Apple Home app as a native accessory. You can then control it via Siri, integrate it into HomeKit scenes, and control it remotely via iCloud.

Pros: maximum compatibility, free, highly customizable.
Cons: requires a Raspberry Pi or NAS to be constantly powered on, technical configuration.

Option 2: Matter over Thread/Wi-Fi — the native 2024 solution

Since 2023, the Matter protocol (see dedicated section) allows compatible devices to be added natively to HomeKit without any intermediate bridge or server. Shelly Gen3 modules natively support Matter, meaning a Matter-compatible Shelly on your towel warmer can be added directly to the Home app by scanning a QR code.

Option 3: Eve Systems modules — native HomeKit

Eve Systems is one of the few brands offering native HomeKit certified smart home modules. The Eve Energy module (smart plug with power consumption measurement) can be used to control a plug-in towel warmer, although this configuration is reserved for models with standard plugs (rare for recessed towel warmers). Eve also uses Thread, Apple's mesh network protocol, for optimal stability.

Towel warmer and Google Home: available options

Google Home offers much broader compatibility with smart home modules on the market. Here are the most effective solutions for connecting your towel warmer to the Google ecosystem.

Option 1: Shelly + native Google Home integration

All Shelly modules (Gen1, Gen2, and Gen3) are Google Home compatible via the official integration available in the Google Home app. The procedure is simple: add the "Shelly Smart Control" service in Google Home, connect your Shelly Cloud account, and all your Shelly devices automatically appear in the app.

Once integrated, you can control your towel warmer by voice command ("OK Google, turn on the towel warmer"), integrate it into Google Home routines, and control it from the app on Android or iOS.

Option 2: TP-Link Kasa — simple and effective

TP-Link Kasa modules (especially the KP115 with power consumption measurement) are natively Google Home compatible and offer a particularly intuitive interface. Like Eve modules for HomeKit, their use is limited to towel warmers with a standard plug, but the setup is remarkably simple.

Option 3: Meross — compatible with Google Home AND HomeKit

Meross is a Chinese brand offering smart home modules compatible simultaneously with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, AND Apple HomeKit (via Matter). Their switching modules (MSS310) represent an economical solution (~€25) for multi-platform households wanting a single solution for multiple ecosystems.

Matter: the protocol that unifies everything

Officially launched in late 2022 and progressively rolled out since, Matter is the universal smart home protocol developed jointly by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung. It represents a revolution for multi-platform users.

What Matter concretely changes

Before Matter, a HomeKit-compatible device would not work with Google Home, and vice versa. With Matter, a single device can be added simultaneously to multiple ecosystems. Concretely, a Matter-compatible Shelly module on your towel warmer can be controlled interchangeably from the Apple Home app, the Google Home app, or Amazon Alexa — without any hardware duplication.

Matter works locally

One of Matter's major advantages is its 100% local operation: commands pass directly between your smartphone and the device via your Wi-Fi or Thread network, without going through a cloud server. The result: instant commands even in case of internet outage, and enhanced privacy.

Matter-compatible modules for towel warmers

• Shelly Plus 1 PM Gen3: Matter compatible via firmware update, rated 3500W
• Meross MSS310: Native Matter compatible, integrated power consumption measurement
• SONOFF MINIR4M: Recessed Matter-compatible module, ideal for permanent installation

Comparison of compatible modules

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the most suitable modules for connecting an electric towel warmer to HomeKit or Google Home.

Step-by-step voice control setup

Once your module is installed on the towel warmer, here's how to set up voice control on both platforms.

HomeKit (Siri) Configuration

Step 1: Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Tap the + in the top right, then "Add Accessory".
Step 3: Scan your module's Matter QR code (or enter the 8-digit code).
Step 4: Name the accessory "Towel Warmer" and assign it to the "Bathroom" room.
Step 5: Test with Siri: "Hey Siri, turn on the towel warmer" or "Siri, turn off the bathroom towel warmer".

Google Home (Google Assistant) Configuration

Step 1: Open the Google Home app on your smartphone.
Step 2: Tap the +, then "Set up device" → "New devices".
Step 3: Select your home and let Google Home detect nearby Matter devices, or choose "Works with Google" to add via the Shelly service.
Step 4: Name the device "towel warmer" (the exact name you'll use for voice control) and assign it to the "Bathroom" room.
Step 5: Test: "Hey Google, turn on the towel warmer" or "Hey Google, turn off the towel warmer in 30 minutes".

The best automations for the bathroom

Voice control is just the beginning. Here are the automations that truly transform your daily life.

🌅 HomeKit Morning Automation

Create a "Good Morning" scene in the Home app that turns on the towel warmer 20 minutes before your usual wake-up time. Trigger it automatically with a time-based automation, or manually from your Apple Watch as soon as you wake up without having to get out of bed.

🚿 Bathroom Presence Detection

By pairing your module with a HomeKit or Google Home compatible presence or door sensor (Aqara, Eve Door & Window), you can create an automation that turns on the towel warmer as soon as someone enters the bathroom, and automatically turns it off 30 minutes after the last detection.

📍 Geolocation: warm when you get home

On both Google Home and HomeKit, geolocation allows you to trigger automations based on your location. Set up a rule that switches the towel warmer to active mode when your smartphone enters a 2 km radius of your home. Your bathroom will be at the right temperature when you walk through the door.

🌙 Automatic Nighttime Shutdown

On HomeKit, create a "Good Night" automation that automatically turns off the towel warmer at 11:00 PM. On Google Home, use the "Bedtime" routine to integrate this shutdown into your evening ritual with a single voice command.

⚡ Abnormal Consumption Alert

If your module includes power consumption measurement (Shelly Plus 1 PM, Meross MSS310), set up an alert that notifies you if the towel warmer has been consuming abnormally for more than 6 hours. Ideal for detecting if it was left on by mistake when you're away or a thermostat malfunction.

Our selection based on your profile

To help you choose without getting lost in the options, here are our personalized recommendations based on your situation.

👤 You exclusively use Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, HomePod)

Opt for the Shelly Plus 1 PM Gen3 Matter-compatible module. Its addition to HomeKit is native via QR code, its maximum load of 3500W covers all towel warmer models, and its integrated consumption measurement allows precise monitoring from the Home app. The HomeKit hub required for remote automations can be your existing Apple TV or HomePod.

👤 You use Google Home (Android, Google Nest Hub, Chromecast)

The Shelly Plus 1 PM Gen3 is also our top choice thanks to its native Google Home integration and excellent value for money. If you prefer a cloud-free solution, the SONOFF MINIR4M Matter-compatible device offers 100% local operation once configured.

👤 Your household mixes Apple and Google (common situation)

This is precisely why Matter was designed for you. The Meross MSS310 or the Shelly Plus 1 PM Gen3 allow you to add the towel warmer to HomeKit AND Google Home simultaneously. Each household member controls the device from their preferred ecosystem, without compromise.

👤 You are new to home automation and want absolute simplicity

The Meross MSS310 is our recommendation: natively Matter-compatible, the Meross app guides the installation step-by-step, and adding it to HomeKit or Google Home is done by scanning a simple QR code. No technical knowledge required, setup in less than 10 minutes.

Limitations to be aware of before buying

To avoid unpleasant surprises, here are the key points to keep in mind before investing in a connectivity solution for your towel warmer.

Wi-Fi dependence

Wi-Fi modules (Shelly, Meross) require a stable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network in the bathroom. If your router is far away and the signal is weak, consider a Wi-Fi repeater or opt for a Thread/Matter solution that benefits from a more robust mesh network.

HomeKit hub mandatory for remote automations

To control your HomeKit devices from outside your home (via mobile data), a HomeKit hub is essential: Apple TV (4th generation or later), HomePod or HomePod mini. Without a hub, remote control does not work, even with a Matter module.

Voice control requires an internet connection

Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa require an internet connection to process your voice commands, even if the final command to the device travels locally. In case of internet outage, voice commands no longer work, but manual control from the application remains possible if your module supports local mode.

Firmware updates can change compatibilities

HomeKit and Google Home ecosystems evolve regularly. A module's firmware update can improve but sometimes also disrupt an existing integration. Choose brands with a long-term support history (Shelly, Eve, Meross) to minimize this risk.