Zigbee - Options to Control Multiple Brands? (Hue, IKEA, Tuya) ?

Low Punt on 28/08/2024 - 07:57

Hi

I started with Hue but was too expensive so moved to IKEA using prepaired devices (switch to light/socket) and would now like to try some of the Aliexpress alternatives.

I’ve had no luck getting the IKEA switches recognised by the Hue app/hub and limited success with globes. I have a number of ikea switches and their sockets which I use regularly. I cannot change their functionality however unless I buy ikeas hub and I don’t want a different fir for every brand.

Is there a single hub that covers all brands? If not what are my options to combine all to one ecosystem?

I’m quite comfortable with electronics and computers.

Thank you

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Bruceflix on 28/08/2024 - 08:09
    +3

    I use this
    SONOFF ZB Dongle-E Wireless Zigbee Gateway
    about ~$30 from aliexpress

  • johndoe2 on 28/08/2024 - 08:10
    +4

    If you feel like tinkering, have a look into Home Assistant and a supported Zigbee controller. Ties multiple IoT platforms together nicely.

    • Arcanetemplar on 28/08/2024 - 08:14
      +3

      Be warned though, you may not be able to get the exact functionality with your devices as you would have with a hub dedicated for them. For example, I know IKEA switches are notoriously difficult to program push to dim.

      • eug on 28/08/2024 - 08:33
        +4

        If you want to program the dimming functionality from scratch it'll be tedious. You can just install a blueprint instead though, which does all the work for you. e.g. this.

        More blueprints
        Another dimming option

        • theguyrules on 28/08/2024 - 11:23
          +1

          Thanks for that Awesome Blurprints site!

          • eug on 28/08/2024 - 11:32
            +1

            @theguyrules: Always happy to feed people's addictio hobbies!

  • LeeStevens318 on 28/08/2024 - 08:13
    +1

    As suggested use a SONOFF Zigebee Dongle, with an old NUC/RPI or on your PC with Docker with Home Assistant and zigbee2mqtt (dont't use zha, limited)

    • theguyrules on 28/08/2024 - 11:21
      +1

      ZHA has been great for me. Is zqmtt that much better? I guess it probably depends on your devices.

      • Bruceflix on 28/08/2024 - 12:20

        ZHA works great for me too. Presuming ZQMTT may have a larger compatibility list. YMMV

      • LeeStevens318 on 28/08/2024 - 13:17

        I had issue with some Tuya and SONOFF devices using ZHA it wasn't exposing some of the stuff correctly

  • paulhaddon on 28/08/2024 - 08:31
    +1

    The issue is that companies with proprietary cloud products (Hue etc) don't want you buying other companies devices, so they make it difficult or impossible.

    The best type of home automation is a smart hub that can talk to almost anything, so you can mix & match devices and have the hub do all the coordination.

    Home Assistant is the best open-source smarthub solution available, with other ready-to-go (non open-source) options being Hubitat and Homey App.

    Home Assistant (aka: HA) software will run on a PC or a Raspberry Pi and control almost all Zigbee devices, as well as Zwave, Matter, a lot of wifi, and bluetooth when you plug in an appropriate coordinator (radio). It has 1000s of integrations for cloud services and devices as well.

    A secondhand pc or laptop with run HA just fine, and a lot of us run it on an ex-business mini PC from one of the several companies advertising on ozbargain.

    Hue & Ikea zigbee devices are supported by HA, and it has a Tuya integration available which will enable it to control a large percentage of Aliexpress wifi smart devices.

  • drc13 on 28/08/2024 - 08:53
    +2

    Smlight slzb-06 with home assistant and you’re set for pretty much anything

    • Low Punt on 28/08/2024 - 11:55

      Interesting. I’ll look into it.

  • sumyungguy on 28/08/2024 - 09:02
    +1

    I would read up on using Matter in Home Assistant to ensure you're future-proofing

    • lgacb08 on 29/08/2024 - 20:32

      Don't waste your time, they've talked about it for ages and nothing happens, matter is just clunky and makes things more obfuscated

      • sumyungguy on 29/08/2024 - 20:40

        I setup Hue & Eve devices in HomeKit at a client site. They elected to switch everything to Matter. All works fine; I get zero support calls.

  • theguyrules on 28/08/2024 - 11:21
    +1

    I got a Conbee II and use ZHA with Home Assistant.
    Previously I used Deconz and wouldn't recommend that if using Home Assistant. Soooo many more blueprints available for ZHA/zqmtt

  • Low Punt on 28/08/2024 - 11:54

    Thanks. Seems HA is the most suggested. I think I have the odd esp8266 device that should also integrate.

    If using HA are devices still paired directly to each other or do they need to contact HA first? As in, my simple on off switch is paired to a light bulb, it works without a hub. If however, I use HA will they still be paired or does the switch send the signal to HA then HA sends the command?

    I currently have a small server and a spare pi.

    Is there a preferred AP, I’m seeing a few when I search mqtt/zigbee?

    Suggested getting started guides? I’m not looking for any fancy integration.

    • eug on 28/08/2024 - 13:19

      If using HA are devices still paired directly to each other or do they need to contact HA first?

      It can be both, with Zigbee Binding. But you have to make sure your devices support it. That way you can still control your light bulb even when HA isn't running.

  • bargaino on 28/08/2024 - 12:24

    Hue Bridge works fine with Ikea and other bulbs for me.
    I prefer connecting all my Zigbee bulbs via Hue, rather than the Sonoff dongle. They can then be controlled by Hue switches or google/alexa even if HA is down.

    The problem with Ikea switches is that while you can pair them to the Hue, the Hue software does not recognise them. It can work, but is a PITA, as OP discovered.

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