What's in the Box

The Hubitat Elevation C-8 is a versatile local-processing smart home hub with built-in Zigbee and Z-Wave radios. Inside the packaging, you'll find the C-8 hub, a power adapter, an Ethernet cable, and a quick start guide. The C-8 features updated Zigbee 3.0 and Z-Wave 800-series radios compared to earlier Hubitat models, providing improved range, speed, and device compatibility for your smart home network.

Prerequisites

Before starting your setup, make sure you have:

A router with an available Ethernet port and active internet connection
A computer, tablet, or phone on the same network with a web browser
A Hubitat account (free to create at my.hubitat.com)
Any smart devices you plan to connect, factory reset if previously paired to another hub or controller

Step-by-Step Setup

Choose a central, elevated location for your hub. Avoid placing it on the floor, inside metal cabinets, or directly next to your Wi-Fi router, as these positions can weaken Zigbee and Z-Wave signals.
Connect the included Ethernet cable from your router to the Ethernet port on the back of the C-8 hub. The hub does not have Wi-Fi, so a wired connection is required.
Plug the power adapter into the hub and connect it to a wall outlet. The LED indicator will cycle through colors during boot. Wait until the LED turns solid green, which indicates the hub is online and ready — this typically takes one to two minutes.
Open a web browser and navigate to http://find.hubitat.com. The tool will scan your network and locate your hub. Click on the hub's link to open the local web interface.
Create or sign in with your Hubitat account. The setup wizard will walk you through naming your hub, setting your location, and configuring your time zone. It will also check for firmware updates and prompt you to install them if available.
After completing the wizard, you'll arrive at the hub's main interface where you can start adding devices and configuring automations.

Adding Your First Devices

From the Hubitat web interface, click Devices in the left sidebar, then click Add Device. Choose the protocol type — Zigbee or Z-Wave — and the hub will begin scanning for devices in pairing mode. For Zigbee devices, put them in pairing mode (usually by holding a button) and they should appear within 60 seconds. For Z-Wave devices, bring them within a few feet of the hub during initial pairing for the most reliable inclusion, then move them to their permanent location afterward.

Smart Home Integration Tips

Hubitat runs all automations locally, meaning your smart home works without internet. Create automations using the built-in Simple Automation Rules for basic triggers or Rule Machine for complex conditional logic — both are accessed from the Apps menu.
Enable the Hubitat Dashboard app to create custom control panels you can access from your phone or a wall-mounted tablet. Dashboards are fully customizable with tiles for lights, locks, sensors, and more.
Connect Hubitat to voice assistants by enabling the Amazon Alexa or Google Home integrations from the Apps section. These allow voice control while keeping local processing for automations.
If you're migrating from another hub like SmartThings, Hubitat offers community-built migration tools. Check the Hubitat Community forums for guides specific to your situation.
Start building your Z-Wave and Zigbee mesh with mains-powered devices first. Smart plugs and light switches act as signal repeaters, extending the range for battery-powered sensors you add later.

Quick Troubleshooting

If the hub isn't found at find.hubitat.com, check the Ethernet connection and try accessing your router's admin page to find the hub's IP address manually. If the LED stays amber for an extended period, the hub may be installing a firmware update — give it up to ten minutes. For Z-Wave devices that won't pair, try performing a Z-Wave exclusion first (under Devices > Z-Wave > Z-Wave Exclude) to clear any previous pairing data, then retry inclusion. Check the Hubitat community forums at community.hubitat.com for device-specific pairing tips.

Was this guide helpful?