I keep noticing that if I want a smart device, they often require you to have a hub for them.

But is there any ways in which we don’t need to get the hub if we can set up something on a esp32?

Or maybe I guess I need to know the actual purpose of what the hubs are for, for instance we have a house lock with a hub, I am about to receive some automated blinds with a hub, my bedroom lights do not have a hub (one light is a wled light and the other is a store ought ceiling light), my humidifier does not have a hub.