Control4 controllers
Control4 CORE controllers
The controller is the brain of a Control4 system. Here's how the CORE line differs, and how we choose the right one for a room, an apartment or a whole estate.
Authorized DealerEvery Control4 system runs on a controller that talks to your lights, TVs, speakers, shades, locks and cameras. The current CORE line scales from a single TV room up to large homes with many rooms and hundreds of devices, and bigger homes often use more than one controller.
Choosing a controller isn't just about size. We look at how many TVs and audio zones you have, which devices connect by wire, infrared, serial or wireless, and how much room you want to grow. Then we recommend the smallest setup that does the job well, with room to add on.
The CORE line
Which controller does what.
- CORE Lite: an entry controller for a single room, a TV area or a smaller apartment
- CORE 1: built to sit behind a TV or in a media cabinet; great for a primary TV room or a starter smart home
- CORE 3: a step up for a larger room or small home, with more connections and room for more devices
- CORE 5: the rack-mounted controller for whole-home systems, larger homes and multi-room audio and video
- Multiple controllers: large homes often pair a CORE 5 with CORE 1 or CORE 3 controllers in specific rooms
How we choose
What we look at before recommending one.
- Number of TVs, audio zones and media sources
- Lighting, shade, climate and security devices, now and planned
- Wired versus wireless devices and where the equipment lives
- Your network and Wi-Fi, which the whole system depends on
- Whether you're upgrading an older HC or EA controller
FAQ
Control4 CORE controllers: common questions
Which Control4 controller do I need?
It depends on how many rooms, TVs, audio zones and devices you have. A single TV room may only need a CORE 1; a whole home usually runs on a CORE 5, sometimes with smaller controllers in specific rooms.
Do CORE controllers run Control4 X4?
CORE controllers are the foundation for X4. See Control4 X4 upgrade.
Can a CORE controller replace my old HC-800?
Yes. Replacing an HC or older EA controller with a CORE controller is the core of a Control4 upgrade, and most of your devices stay.
Can I buy a Control4 controller myself?
Control4 is sold and programmed through authorized dealers. The controller needs to be set up and programmed with Control4's dealer software, which we do as part of the install.
Do I need a rack for a CORE 5?
It's designed for a rack or a well-ventilated equipment closet. We build clean, labeled racks with power protection and good airflow.
Related
Keep reading.
Free quote. Often same-day appointments.