This disclosure describes systems, devices, and techniques for selecting a device in an environment to act as a communication hub for other devices in the environment. For instance, an environment may include two or more devices that are configured to communicate with one another as well as with remote resources (e.g., Internet-available resources, etc.). In one example, the devices each include a first radio configured to communication over a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second radio configured to communicate over a short-range wireless communication network, such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave, or the like. A device having a highest battery life may be selected as the communication hub for the devices, such that the other non-hub devices may therefore route messages through the hub using their short-range radios. In addition, the non-hub devices may power off their WLAN radios, thus conserving battery life of these devices.