There are a million types of smart home devices out there, of varying types, sizes, and quality. I’ve put together this list which may give you some ideas on what you could automate in your home. I’ve only included smart devices that I personally use, and satisfied with.
Some of these devices are wireless, which means you don’t need any wires to them. I’ve made sure to only include wireless devices which have very good battery life (most of them last 2+ years).
So let’s get started…
For Basic Automations
Turn on the lights when someone enters the room?
Get a Zigbee motion sensor! They’re cheap, they’re tiny, and they’re wireless!
I personally recommend the Aqara motion sensor – This tiny sensor signals your Home Assistant whenever motion was detected. They’re very reliable and the battery lasts forever (2+ years)
Some uses for this sensor would be:
- Detect if a person enters the room (to turn on the light)
- Detect if no person has been in the room for 20 minutes (to turn off the lights)
- Detect if someone is approaching your door by placing 2 such sensors (so you could distinguish between someone approaching vs. someone walking away). If someone is approaching, you could announce “Someone is coming!”.
Know the exact temperature in a specific room? Want to know when the shower is active?
Get a Zigbee temperature & humidity sensor! They’re cheap, tiny & wireless!
I personally recommend the Aqara temperature & humidity sensor – This tiny sensor reports the exact temperature and humidity conditions to your Home Assistant. You can then respond to temperature/humidity changes, or simply display them on your Home Assistant dashboard.
Some uses for this sensor would be:
- Detect if a shower is being used by measuring the humidity next to it
- Know whether the AC is on (by placing them right next-to/inside the vent)
- Keeping track of the temperature in your wine refrigerator
- Showing the real temperature in your living-room / bedroom
Know when a door/window are open?
Get a Zigbee temperature & humidity sensor! They’re cheap, tiny & wireless!
They’re battery operated and have extremely long battery life.
I personally recommend the Aqara window/door sensor – This tiny sensorreports whether a door/window is open/closed.
It’s important if you want to set an alarm system, or create an automation for when someone enters the main door, or control whether a window is open while the AC is on.
Turn on your boiler remotely or on a schedule?
Get a Zigbee heater/boiler in-all switch.
I’ve been working with one for the past 2 years, it works perfectly, it has a beautiful glass finish, and it allows me to set schedules or turn it on/off remotely.
Turn on/off non-smart devices in your home?
Get the Zigbee Aqara smart socket (US version or EU version).
Make sure to pick the Zigbee version!
Just connect your fan/standing lamp/desk light/etc to this smart socket and control it remotely!
Your imagination is your only limitation.
Too lazy to get out of bed? …too lazy to pick up your phone? Want a handy switch to control your lights (or basically anything)?
Get the Zigbee Aqara smart button.
It’s tiny, it’s wireless, and has an amazing battery life.
You can use it to:
- Put it on your bedside, so you could toggle your bedroom lights without reaching out to your phone, opening your Home Assistant app, etc.
- Put it at the entrance to your home. When you arrive home, a simple click would set a specific scenario such as setting a romantic atmosphere.
You could also configure a different scenario by using double-click, click-and-hold, etc.
Want to know when somebody flushed the toilet? Want to know if anyone is knocking on your door? Want to know if someone sat on the sofa?
Get the Aqara Zigbee vibration sensor
This handy sensor can be used in these scenarios, for example:
- Place it hidden in your sofa, and you’ll know when someone sits on it. You can then turn on the TV, dim the lights, lower the shutters etc.
- Place it behind the toilets flush buttons. Then you could turn on the vent when somebody has just flushed the toilet.
- Stick it on your main door, so you’ll know if somebody is knocking.
Safety Smart Devices
Know if there’s a fire in your house?
Get a Zigbee smoke detector! They’re cheap & wireless!
They’re battery operated, very reliable, and have long battery life.
I personally recommend the Heiman Zigbee Smoke Detector.
It’s good practice to test these at least once a year (Add a recurring event to your calendar), as with any other smoke detector, just to be on the safe side and make sure it works. Just light a match next to it, and verify that it beeps and sends a “Smoke” event to your home assistant. You could then run some automations, such as sending you a Whatsapp message or a notification.
Know if there’s a flood or leak in your house?
Get a Zigbee leak detector! They’re cheap, tiny & wireless!
I personally recommend the Aqara leak detector. Simply toss one under your kitchen sink, your toilet, or next to your shower.
If a leak is detected, you’re Home Assistant would be notified. You could then set an automation to send you a Whatsapp message or a notification. You could also automatically shut off the mains water supply valve.
Automatically close the main water/gas valve?
Get a Zigbee automatic water/gas valve controller! They’re cheap, but need a power supply.
In case of an emergency, you could shut off the main water or gas supply remotely, preventing a potential disaster!
