Hue vs Homekit Vs Homeassistant

randombar

Hi All,

In the process of covering some light switches at home with plates that take the hue switch.

Have a lot done only a few more to do, but it's raising a few questions about plan going forward.

We currently use the hue app to change lights when required and TP link for plugs etc. thinking of moving it all into one.

Current set up:

Hue, bulbs, strips, sensors
TP Link plugs
Arlo
Eufy
Fire TV's
Echo's
iPhones and iPads
Worx

So Homekit or Homeassistant, what would people recommend?

Also I'm looking at getting three zigbee switches for lights that I can't hueify, and I'm wondering should I stick with zigbee so I can pair with hue or should I just go straight to homekit, I'm thinking long term it would be good to have everything on zigbee.

https://www.sunricher.com/zigbee-ac-phase-cut-dimmer-sr-zg9101sac-hp.html
https://www.gledopto.eu/zigbee-wall-switch-230v

Are there better recommendations?

bk

Well one warning, those sort of thirdparty zigbee switches, while you might be able to add them to Hue and control them from the Hue app, they typically won't appear in Homekit due to being third party devices. Apple tends to be very strict about devices you can add due to security. So that might be a limitation for you.

Homeassistant on the other hand most likely could support both, but it will likely be harder to setup.

Another option for integration would be to use Alexa or Google Home app, it should be possible to have both your Hue lights and Tp Link plugs appear there and be involved in routines.

randombar

That's good to know.

I've discovered since that Eufy and worx arent available on homekit.

I've since installed homebridge that seems to be doing an ok job and integrating them.

I like the idea of having the options available in control centre rather than closing and app going into another etc.

Marlow

Why can't you move those lights to Zigbee ?

I had some lights, that I couldn't stick Zigbee lights in .. (well, I could, but it was pointless), because they were coupled with a fan.

So the solution in that case was this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zigbee-Switch-Compatible-Echo-Plus/dp/B07XJRBJXT

A Zigbee controlled switch installed in the circuit. Needs to go somewhere, where you have neutral.

And Homekit vs Homeassistant: can't help you there. I'm using OpenHAB. It's a matter of preference. I don't think there is much give or take between them.

/M

randombar

Marlow wrote: »

Why can't you move those lights to Zigbee ?

I had some lights, that I couldn't stick Zigbee lights in .. (well, I could, but it was pointless), because they were coupled with a fan.

So the solution in that case was this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zigbee-Switch-Compatible-Echo-Plus/dp/B07XJRBJXT

A Zigbee controlled switch installed in the circuit. Needs to go somewhere, where you have neutral.

And Homekit vs Homeassistant: can't help you there. I'm using OpenHAB. It's a matter of preference. I don't think there is much give or take between them.

/M

So I’ve 8 bulbs in the hallway like this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kc0nx57m6cznhf2/Screenshot%202021-02-23%20at%2016.29.49.png?dl=0

That switch might be for me all right. Will it work with a standard switch or do you need to replace with one of those push and spring ones?

Marlow

GaryCocs wrote: »

So I’ve 8 bulbs in the hallway like this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kc0nx57m6cznhf2/Screenshot%202021-02-23%20at%2016.29.49.png?dl=0

That switch might be for me all right. Will it work with a standard switch or do you need to replace with one of those push and spring ones?

You'll need a push switch, yes. But in chandeliers like that, I went with zigbee bulbs anyway. Ikea candle ones in warm-white are 8 EUR. The thread for my smart home musings is here: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058161953

/M

randombar

Marlow wrote: »

You'll need a push switch, yes. But in chandeliers like that, I went with zigbee bulbs anyway. Ikea candle ones in warm-white are 8 EUR. The thread for my smart home musings is here: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058161953

/M

Any link to the 8 euro ones? I tried the tradfri but they don’t look great in comparison to ikeas standard led candle.

Marlow

GaryCocs wrote: »

Any link to the 8 euro ones? I tried the tradfri but they don’t look great in comparison to ikeas standard led candle.

That's the trådfri ones, that I'm talking about. Their pricing got reduced from I think 15 EUR to 8 EUR in February or March last year.

If it's the looks, compared to the ones you're using there, then I can understand, that you don't want to go that route.

This is what it looks like in my case:


Trådfri warm white E14 candles and E14 to small bayonet adapters (also from Ikea). I'm happy enough with that.

As I said, the other option is that switch relay above. There are multiple brands around. That Samotech is the one with the highest output, that I've found (400W). There are other ones, that can only handle half that.

/M

randombar

Marlow wrote: »

That's the trådfri ones, that I'm talking about. Their pricing got reduced from I think 15 EUR to 8 EUR in February or March last year.

If it's the looks, compared to the ones you're using there, then I can understand, that you don't want to go that route.

This is what it looks like in my case:


Trådfri warm white E14 candles and E14 to small bayonet adapters (also from Ikea). I'm happy enough with that.

As I said, the other option is that switch relay above. There are multiple brands around. That Samotech is the one with the highest output, that I've found (400W). There are other ones, that can only handle half that.

/M

Might go with you the switch all right.

So I’d need two. One for downstairs and one for upstairs and then just use hue switches elsewhere.

randombar

Marlow wrote: »

That's the trådfri ones, that I'm talking about. Their pricing got reduced from I think 15 EUR to 8 EUR in February or March last year.

If it's the looks, compared to the ones you're using there, then I can understand, that you don't want to go that route.

This is what it looks like in my case:


Trådfri warm white E14 candles and E14 to small bayonet adapters (also from Ikea). I'm happy enough with that.

As I said, the other option is that switch relay above. There are multiple brands around. That Samotech is the one with the highest output, that I've found (400W). There are other ones, that can only handle half that.

/M

Any reason you'd be looking for the high output? With the ikea 5W led's I can't see the power going above 40w

randombar

If anyone's following this, I'm looking at the following at the moment.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000497939899.html?spm=2114.12057483.0.0.6f0f3ac1XfbATq

Looked at samotech but would need changes to the switch too so thinking I might be able to skip that step by upgrading the switch at the same time.