This is the question we get asked most often, and the default sales answer — "take the higher model" — is wrong in most cases. Here are the figures, followed by the three situations where the price difference is genuinely justified.
The comparison in figures
| Hub 2 | Hub 2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Connected devices | 100 | 200 |
| Users | 50 | 200 |
| Security groups | 9 | 25 |
| Automation scenarios | 32 | 64 |
| Rooms | 50 | 50 |
| Sirens + keypads | 10 | 10 |
| ReX repeaters | 5 | 5 |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| SIM cards | 2 × 2G (4G on the LTE version) |
2 × 2G/3G/4G LTE |
| Communication channels | 3 | 4 |
| Backup battery | Li-ion 2 Ah | Li-ion 3 Ah |
| Battery autonomy | ~15 h | ~15 h |
| Photo verification | Yes | Yes |
| Jeweller range | up to 2,000 m | up to 2,000 m |
What does not change
It needs to be said clearly, because it is what determines the answer in most cases: both control panels do exactly the same security job.
Same Jeweller protocol, same radio range, same encryption, same photo verification, same app, same compatibility with all Ajax devices, same monitoring protocols (SIA DC-09, SurGard Contact ID, ADEMCO 685). A MotionCam detects as fast and transmits its photos as quickly on one as on the other.
The Hub 2 Plus is not "safer". It is bigger and more redundant.
The three reasons to choose the Hub 2 Plus
1. You need several security groups
This is the most concrete and most underestimated argument. A "group" lets you arm part of the building while leaving the rest disarmed.
A shop arms its stockroom and office while the shop floor is open. An apartment building arms the cellars and technical room permanently. A practice arms the consultation rooms in the evening but keeps reception active. A house with a guest cottage arms the private part independently.
The Hub 2 offers 9, which already covers many situations. The Hub 2 Plus goes up to 25. If your zoning plan fits within fewer than nine zones, this criterion does not apply.
2. Your internet connection is not reliable
The Hub 2 Plus adds Wi-Fi as a fourth channel. Concretely: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, SIM 1, SIM 2. To cut off transmission, you would have to neutralise the fixed line, the wireless network and two mobile operators simultaneously.
On a site where running a network cable to the Hub is complicated, Wi-Fi also avoids relying solely on GSM. It is an installation argument as much as a security one.
Note: both SIMs on the standard Hub 2 are 2G. The 2G network is being phased out by several European operators. If this concerns you but the Hub 2's capacity is enough, the right answer is not the Hub 2 Plus: it is the Hub 2 LTE/4G, which is cheaper and equipped with two 4G SIMs.
3. You manage many users
50 users versus 200. For a family, the question does not arise. For a shop with rotating staff, a co-owned building or a site hosting contractors, each person should have their own access — this is what lets you know who armed or disarmed, and at what time. The limit of 50 arrives faster than you might think.
And what about the 200 devices?
This is the argument promoted everywhere, and it is almost always the least relevant. A well-equipped 250 m² house uses between 12 and 20 devices. Reaching 100 implies a large professional site — and at that point, groups and users will have been the bottleneck long before.
Do watch out for the real limits, identical on both models: 10 sirens and keypads combined, 5 ReX repeaters. On a large building, the number of repeaters is the first problem, not the overall capacity.
Our recommendation
Home, apartment, small office → Hub 2, or Hub 2 LTE/4G if internet coverage is patchy. Invest the difference in an extra MotionCam detector or an outdoor siren: the real security gain will be far greater.
Shop, practice, warehouse, multi-zone → Hub 2 Plus. The zoning and communication redundancy justify the difference, and it is also the control panel most monitoring stations expect for a professional site.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from the Hub 2 to the Hub 2 Plus later?
Yes. All Jeweller devices can be re-paired to the new control panel. You only lose the reconfiguration time, not the equipment.
Does the Hub 2 Plus have better radio range?
No. Both announce up to 2,000 m in open field. If you have a range problem, the answer is a ReX repeater, not a more expensive control panel.
Do I need a SIM card?
It is not mandatory if the Hub is on Ethernet, but it is strongly recommended: the SIM takes over when the connection drops, which is precisely when a burglar acts.
Do both work without a subscription?
Yes, identically. See our guide Ajax alarm without a subscription.
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