Main controller of the system running all services through Docker.

Consisting of:

• Intel NUC8i5BEK Bean Canyon
• Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 250 GB
• HyperX Impact 16GB DDR4 2666MHz
• ConBee

Pros: Powerfull, runs all your services on one device. Home Assistant is more responsive, especially with a large network of devices. Can also run other services. Docker (with Docker compose) gives more flexibility.

Cons: A lot more expensive than a single Pi. Higher learning curve.

My main Zigbee hub using software from Dresden Electronics, connected to my Intel Nuc. I use the v1 version, but a newer v2 version is now available. The ConBee is compatible with most of devices of Hue, Osram, Innr, Ikea and Xiaomi. I chose for the USB version so that I could always switch to another device if needed. As I started with a Raspberry pi, and then moved to an Intel Nuc this turned out to be a good choice.

Pros: Huge list of compatible devices, see the compatbility list. Nice interface for joining lights, sensors and switches. The GUI can be used to debug/view the Zigbee network (gives great insight in the mesh abilities).

Cons: More expensive than the flash-your-own Zigbee radios. Higher learning curve than the vendor hubs.

My first smart home setup consisted of Home Assistant, App Daemon and Node-RED are all running on a Raspberry Pi. Two other Pis, one for Deconz and one for PiHole, completed the set. While I could have ran all these services on a single device (like a NUC), I wanted to start small with a single Pi, and I have extended it since then. Currently, the Raspberry Pis have been replaced by a single Intel NUC.

Pros: Cheaper / easier to start with.

Cons: Less room for future upgrades, SD cards will not run indefinately.

I use a basic Fire 7 tablet from Amazon for my dashboard. In combination with the Fully Kiosk Browser it’s a really conventient way of controling my smart home. Fire OS (what runs on these tablets) can be a bit limiting but, for me, is enough for running a dashboard.

Pros: Good price

Cons: Not the fastests tablets. Not available in all countries. FireOS can be restrictive.

A four-button wireles switch that is often present in the starter packs of Philips Hue. Its intended use is to dim lights, however I use it as a remote for my Sonos-powered music system. Using Deconz and Node-RED I mapped the single buttons to music functions: shuffle, volume and skipping songs.

Pros: Four buttons, wall mount using magnets.

Cons: Labels on the buttons (can be a pro or con). Bit more expensive than a single Xiaomi button.

Very useful and cheap (around €7) switch with a single button. I have spread several of these around my house controlling a wide range of functions. They are especially usefull to add a simple light switch to rooms.

The Xiaomi hub is not required as it connects to my ConBee. An alternative is to run Zigbee2mqtt.

Pros: Small form factor. Good price.

Cons: Not available locally

Comparable to the other switch (see above), but this one has a bit larger touch area. I use one in my kitchen as I can activate this switch with my elbows which is usefull during cooking. Its a bit more espensive though, usually around €9. The Xiaomi hub is not required as it connects to my ConBee. An alternative is to run Zigbee2mqtt.

Pros: Larger touch area.

Cons: Not available locally. Bit more expensive than WXKG11LM.

Although a bit expensive, the quality of these bulbs is very good and they have a great range of colors (in comparison to other lights I’ve tested). I use them to create some color highlights. For larger areas that do not need colors I went with the cheaper White Ambiance variant.

Pros: Very good color range. Great dimming capabilities. No problems with faulty bulbs (so far).

Cons: More expensive than alternatives.

I use these lights as a cheaper alternative to the color Hue lights. I use them in places where controlling brightness and color temp is sufficient. Excellent dimming quality and the color warmth has the best range in comparison to the other brands.

Pros: Very good temperature range. Great dimming capabilities. No problems with faulty bulbs (so far).

Cons: More expensive than alternatives.

What can you do wrong with a €7 smart light? Not much. These lights are very good as a basic lights for rooms that do not need more than dimming. I did have some problems with some of these though, like flickering when they were off or not wanting to connect to my hub.

The Ikea hub is not required as it connects to my ConBee. An alternative is to run Zigbee2mqtt.

Pros: Great entry-level light. One of the cheapest Zigbee lights available. Decent light quality. Good value for your money.

Cons: Dimming capabilities are moderate, 1% brightness of this light is 10% of a comparable Hue light. Had some problems with faulty bulbs.

Highest quality GU10 Zigbee lights I found so far. Excellent dimming capabilities (great for night lights) and a wide color range. If they would have been cheaper I would have bought more of these.

Pros: Superb dimming capabilities. Nice color temperature range.

Cons: More expensive than alternatives.

Double the price of the simple Tradfri light but includes adds color temperature. The range of temperatures and the dimming capabilties are still not great, but the lights have a very good value for the price. If you’re not to picky for light quality, these lights are a great starter-buy.

The Ikea hub is not required as it connects to my ConBee. An alternative is to run Zigbee2mqtt.

Pros: Very good price. Decent light quality. Has color temperature support.

Cons: Dimming capabilities are moderate, 1% brightness of this light is 10% of a comparable Hue light. Setting temperature and brightness at the same time can be difficult (more info).

Simple plug that I use for adding on/off control to non-smart devices. I’ve only tested the EU OSRAM version, in the US this brand is available under the Sylvania name.

The OSRAM hub is not required as it connects to my ConBee. An alternative is to run Zigbee2mqtt.

Pros: Good value for your money. Good zigbee meshing capabilities.

Cons: No power measurement (at least in Deconz).

In my opinion, the best motion sensor for this price. I use this sensor in all places where I want to automate something based on motion. Usually sells for around €10 (keep an eye on sales!). The device also includes a light sensor but the sensor readings are very inaccurate. The motion detection range is quite good but large rooms will need more than one.

The Xiaomi hub is not required as it connects to my ConBee. An alternative is to run Zigbee2mqtt.

Pros: Best for the price. Small form factor.

Cons: Not available locally. Sends max. 1 update per minute.

Door sensors are one of the most usefull sensors to integrate in to a smart home. They can of course be used as part of an alarm on both windows and doors. Moreover, my main use for them is to turn on lights when a door is opened. This makes sure that lights are on even if the motion sensors did not register the motion yet and results in a nice transition.

These sensors from Aqara are one of the cheapest available, but work great. They are really small and sell for around €7.

The Xiaomi hub is not required as it connects to my ConBee. An alternative is to run Zigbee2mqtt.

Pros: Best for the price. Very small.

Cons: Not available locally

The Hue motion sensor is bit more expensive than the Aqara motion sensors and is also larger in size. I still bought one as the light sensors in the Aqara sensors are not very precise and I wanted to monitor natural light intensity.

Pros: Very precise light sensor. Can be installed using a magnet.

Cons: Expensive. Larger than the Xiaomi version.