Home Assistant
Updated
Is Home Assistant worth it, what hardware it needs, how to add Zigbee, Z-Wave and Thread radios and how to reach it safely from outside.
Home Assistant is free, open-source software that runs on a small computer in your home and controls devices from almost every brand locally. It suits people who want privacy, complex automations and no subscriptions, and who accept some setup time.
You will need an always-on device to run it, a Zigbee, Z-Wave or Thread radio for low-power devices, and a secure way to reach it remotely. Our guides cover each step.
Start with Matter vs Zigbee to pick your radios.
Kits 2
KitLocal-only smart home kitRun lights, sensors, plugs and cameras from a controller in your home so they keep working without the internet. The shopping list, what each part…KitHome Assistant starter kitA shopping list to start Home Assistant: a small always-on computer, a Zigbee radio, door and motion sensors, plus optional backup power, storage…
Guides 9
GuideZigbee and Wi-Fi interference: how to choose channelsZigbee and Wi-Fi share the 2.4 GHz band. Fix dropouts by fixing your Wi-Fi to channel 1, 6 or 11, running Zigbee on 15, 20 or 25, and moving the…GuideMatter bridges: use your Zigbee devices with MatterA Matter bridge shows Zigbee, Z-Wave or Bluetooth devices to Matter apps as if they were Matter devices. Learn what it exposes, what it cannot do…GuideZ-Wave explained for US homesZ-Wave is a sub-GHz smart home network with mesh and Long Range options. Learn how it works, why region matters, what hub you need, and how S2…GuideIs Home Assistant worth it for your home?Home Assistant is free software that runs your smart home on your own hardware. Here is who gets real value from it, what you need to buy, how…GuideSetting up a Zigbee coordinator for Home AssistantA Zigbee USB coordinator is cheap, but placement and the ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT choice decide whether your network is stable. Here is how to set it…GuideHome Assistant remote access, done safelyYou can reach Home Assistant from anywhere with a paid cloud link, a VPN or a tunnel. Here is how each works, what it costs and why simply opening…GuideLocal voice control without the cloudA local voice assistant keeps your commands at home, but it needs more setup than a smart speaker and understands fewer phrases. Here is how it…GuideWhich smart home hub works with no subscription?Core control should not cost a monthly fee. Pick a hub you already own, a local hub for Zigbee and Z-Wave, or Home Assistant, and know where fees…GuideWhich door, motion and leak sensors for Home Assistant or SmartThings?Pick the radio first: Zigbee, Z-Wave or Matter over Thread. Then match battery type, reporting and your hub. This guide helps you choose sensors…
Comparisons 6
ComparisonMatter vs Zigbee: what changes for your smart homeMatter promises devices that work with every ecosystem; Zigbee is proven, cheap and battery-friendly. Here is what each really means for…ComparisonmmWave presence sensor vs PIR motion sensor: which one fitsPIR sensors see movement and run for years on a coin cell; mmWave radar also sees a person sitting still, but costs more and needs power. Here is…ComparisonZigbee vs Z-Wave for a US smart homeZigbee runs on 2.4 GHz with a wide, low-cost device range. Z-Wave uses a sub-GHz band with fewer products and its own Long Range option. Compare…ComparisonHome Assistant vs SmartThingsSmartThings is an app-and-hub system from Samsung; Home Assistant is free software you run yourself. Compare where each runs, how hard each is,…ComparisonZigbee hub vs USB Zigbee coordinator: which one fits your homeA ready-made hub is the quick start; a USB coordinator in a Home Assistant box gives you more control for $20–$45. See the differences in setup,…ComparisonWi-Fi vs Zigbee smart plugs: which type to buyWi-Fi plugs need no hub but each one joins your router; Zigbee plugs need a hub but also strengthen a mesh for your sensors. Compare setup, range,…