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Looking at the landscape of products at the local Home Depot or Lowes, it seems like most offerings are Wifi Only, need internet access, and require use of some

Looking at the landscape of products at the local Home Depot or Lowes, it seems like most offerings are Wifi Only, need internet access, and require use of some proprietary app. The cynic in me thinks this is by design to lock people in to needing additional services (aka revenue streams) I grabbed a bunch of very cheap (via aliexpress) zigbee based products, and have been amazed at how well they can work. I find myself wishing I could find more ZigBee based devices locally (US-Based, at common retailers) in order to more quickly implement and build up more automation.

xfalcox 3y ago
Can you share some of those ZigBee products? I'm looking into getting started on that, but Costa has been holding me back.
- SushiHippie 3y ago
  I can recommend to search through the homeassistant subreddit, thats often a good starting point at least https://www.reddit.com/r/homeassistant/ https://www.reddit.com/r/homeassistant/
- nick__m 3y ago
  Search tuya zigbee on aliexpress, avoid tuya wifi as that requires an app that is managed in China. All the tuya zigbee devices I bought (lights, plugs, and temperature/ humidity sensors) are reliably controlled locally by homeassistant and they appear to be durable.
  - jasonjayr 3y ago
    Exactly this approach. I was able to get a 3 x 16A switched outlet, with power monitor for about $6 USD each. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805494808710.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.23.478018025lIY3J&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805494808710.html?spm=a2g... I've had a few glitches, but I'm blaming my rookie experience with this before I blame the product directly. Expect a long delivery time from anything at aliexpress though. I was originally seeking a whole-house energy monitor, but the 200A CT Clamps are too big to fit on the main lines into my distribution center, because there are too many other wires around it.

xfalcox 3y ago

Can you share some of those ZigBee products? I'm looking into getting started on that, but Costa has been holding me back.

SushiHippie 3y ago
I can recommend to search through the homeassistant subreddit, thats often a good starting point at least https://www.reddit.com/r/homeassistant/ https://www.reddit.com/r/homeassistant/
nick__m 3y ago
Search tuya zigbee on aliexpress, avoid tuya wifi as that requires an app that is managed in China. All the tuya zigbee devices I bought (lights, plugs, and temperature/ humidity sensors) are reliably controlled locally by homeassistant and they appear to be durable.
- jasonjayr 3y ago
  Exactly this approach. I was able to get a 3 x 16A switched outlet, with power monitor for about $6 USD each. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805494808710.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.23.478018025lIY3J&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805494808710.html?spm=a2g... I've had a few glitches, but I'm blaming my rookie experience with this before I blame the product directly. Expect a long delivery time from anything at aliexpress though. I was originally seeking a whole-house energy monitor, but the 200A CT Clamps are too big to fit on the main lines into my distribution center, because there are too many other wires around it.