I typically avoid anything smart, but given practicality, I’m looking for general tips or recommendations for smart bulbs?
I have just started self-hosting home-assistant, and would prefer ones which integrate well with that.
What should I look out for when buying them? Any brands to avoid? Any cybersecurity concerns you’ve come across? Or should I avoid them altogether?
**Thanks everyone for the responses! I may not get back individually, but it’s a great point to jump in from
Avoid TP-Link wifi bulbs. The ones I bought reboot again and again if their constant reports to China are blocked. TP-LInk and their employees do not need to know when I’m home and when I’m on vacation.
I replaced them with inexpensive Thirdreality Zigbee bulbs and they have worked perfectly for over a year.
I would also get the thirdreality bulbs, they’re kind of the cheapest but still decent zigbee brand. I am struggling with my piece of shit sonoff zigbee dongle though, so maybe look into that.
(It’s unavailable in home assistant, all the fucking time. I can fix it temporarily by unplugging and plugging it back in but it barely lasts).
One more thing - check your cable. If I’m remembering correctly it’s the high frequency electrical noise generated by USB 3.0 ports that causes the problem. USB 2.0 cables block those frequencies so the dongles will work.
Do you have it plugged directly into the USB port? I had to buy a USB extension because my Sonoff dongle wouldn’t behave without it.
I tried it that way, but started with the included USB extension.
So far I’ve tried with or without the extension, every USB port on the PC, and trying different locations within reach of the extension.
If you end up replacing it, in my experience Hamgeek coordinators work much better than Sonoff.