Home Assistant beginners

robj20 · 14 Jul 2026 at 11:44

kakarott said:
I've been looking for a wireless smart switch to control a bulb. Reason being when coming home at night, there is no light switch next to the door but about 2 meters away.

The only thing I have come across is the Luton Caseta https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lutron-PJ2-3BRL-WH-L01R-Control-Favorite-Setting/dp/B00KLAXFQ0/

I'm assuming it can pair with any bulb? Does anyone have this or is there even an alternative?

I just use a Sonoff switch for lights, fans, all sorts.

kakarott · 14 Jul 2026 at 12:10

robj20 said:
I just use a Sonoff switch for lights, fans, all sorts.

Appears to need wiring but also I don't have switch next to the door.

robj20 · 14 Jul 2026 at 12:55

kakarott said:
Appears to need wiring but also I don't have switch next to the door.

Sorry not those ones.

I have a mix of these

https://amzn.eu/d/0jh5HBfE

And these

https://amzn.eu/d/0dcqK9mI

Bluecube · 14 Jul 2026 at 14:41

kakarott said:
I'm assuming it can pair with any bulb? Does anyone have this or is there even an alternative?

Whichever switch you buy, it won't be paired with the bulb. Assuming it's HA compatible, you'll make an automation defining what will happen with you press the switch. The switches that robj20 recommended will work but note that they're Zigbee and not wifi. Not quite sure what you mean when you're asking for info on a "wireless" switch

kakarott · 14 Jul 2026 at 15:04

Bluecube said:
Whichever switch you buy, it won't be paired with the bulb. Assuming it's HA compatible, you'll make an automation defining what will happen with you press the switch. The switches that robj20 recommended will work but note that they're Zigbee and not wifi. Not quite sure what you mean when you're asking for info on a "wireless" switch

Yea I think I realised that I'll probably need a hub for the lutron Pico switch as it doesn't directly pair to a bulb, doh!

What I meant by wireless is I don't think I can run a wire from one wall switches/plug outlet next to the door. So I was looking for a smart switch I can stick to the wall and control the bulb.

Ok so if get those switches and a ZigBee dongle, I'll be good to go?

robj20 · 14 Jul 2026 at 16:01

kakarott said:
Yea I think I realised that I'll probably need a hub for the lutron Pico switch as it doesn't directly pair to a bulb, doh!

What I meant by wireless is I don't think I can run a wire from one wall switches/plug outlet next to the door. So I was looking for a smart switch I can stick to the wall and control the bulb.

Ok so if get those switches and a ZigBee dongle, I'll be good to go?

You have Home Assistant running?

kakarott · 14 Jul 2026 at 16:12

robj20 said:
You have Home Assistant running?

Yes

robj20 · 14 Jul 2026 at 16:16

kakarott said:
Yes

Get a POE ZigBee dongle would be my advice. Can locate it anywhere that way.

kakarott · 14 Jul 2026 at 16:29

robj20 said:
Get a POE ZigBee dongle would be my advice. Can locate it anywhere that way.

Something like this? https://a.aliexpress.com/_Eyy3lcS

Edit: why PoE?

robj20 · 14 Jul 2026 at 17:52

kakarott said:
Something like this? https://a.aliexpress.com/_Eyy3lcS

Edit: why PoE?

Because you can put it anywhere in your house doesn't have to be directly connected to the HA server.

I have this one.

SLZB-06Mg24U — EFR32MG24 — AI/ML accelerator on-chip. | SMLIGHT

SLZB-06xU — SMLIGHT's flagship single-radio Ethernet coordinator family. Six SoC choices across TI and Silicon Labs. Pre-flashed, PoE-ready.

smlight.tech

Bluecube · 14 Jul 2026 at 18:09

An SMlight zigbee dongle is a sound investment. If you don’t have a PoE network switch then you can connect the dongle to your Wyse via a USB cable

kakarott · 14 Jul 2026 at 19:21

Bluecube said:
An SMlight zigbee dongle is a sound investment. If you don’t have a PoE network switch then you can connect the dongle to your Wyse via a USB cable

Sonoff dongle should be fine as well right? At least better than the other one above? Just need to watch my budget

SONOFF ZB Dongle-P Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus Universal Zigbee Gateway Support via ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT Sonoff Zigbee Series - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

Bluecube · 15 Jul 2026 at 06:51

Yes. I used one of them previously. Just make sure you plug it in using a cable and sit it away from the computer to minimise interference.

robj20 · 15 Jul 2026 at 07:03

kakarott said:
Sonoff dongle should be fine as well right? At least better than the other one above? Just need to watch my budget

SONOFF ZB Dongle-P Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus Universal Zigbee Gateway Support via ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT Sonoff Zigbee Series - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

They are fine if you can position the HA server in a location that's also suitable for your Zibgee co-ordinator.

kakarott · 15 Jul 2026 at 08:31

So ordered
Sonoff Zigbee usb dongle
Sonoff Zigbee switch
Zigbee compatible bulbs x4
Zigbee window sensors X2
Magnetic tablet wall mount X2
And other bits and bobs to make up £60 to get a £9 discount.

kakarott · 15 Jul 2026 at 20:50

Is there such thing as a smart speaker to play audio or even talk into so others can hear you from another room? Can't remember which video I saw, someone used a switch to play music.

robj20 · 15 Jul 2026 at 21:49

kakarott said:
Is there such thing as a smart speaker to play audio or even talk into so others can hear you from another room? Can't remember which video I saw, someone used a switch to play music.

Can do that with Amazon echo.

kakarott · 15 Jul 2026 at 23:43

robj20 said:
Can do that with Amazon echo.

Bought a used echo dot a few weeks ago actually but the other half is not fond of It all. Listening to conversations and all that...

robj20 · 16 Jul 2026 at 04:34

kakarott said:
Bought a used echo dot a few weeks ago actually but the other half is not fond of It all. Listening to conversations and all that...

You'll have to avoid any smart speaker then. Remind her that her phone does it as well.

kakarott · 16 Jul 2026 at 05:19

robj20 said:
You'll have to avoid any smart speaker then. Remind her that her phone does it as well.

Might just have to settle for some Bluetooth speaker.