Not sure how common this is here since most people use fancy Zigbee/Matter setups, but I still have a few basic (non-smart) RGB LED strips around my house lol. They came with those tiny IR remotes, and I've already lost like 2 of them.

So instead of buying another cheap remote online, I made a small app that copies the original remote using my phone's IR blaster. It's fully offline too, which is actually kind of nice, no login or cloud stuff needed.

Obviously not as cool as a real smart home setup, just a quick fix for the tiny-remote problem. Anyone else here still dealing with these non-smart IR strips, or am I the only one who keeps losing tiny remotes 😅

In case you also want the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xyz.devnerd.magicrgbremote

https://preview.redd.it/i1sh18dztkbh1.jpg?width=285&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e212263965f6e6fd04d059abb5627b81fcf9c60

Hi there,

I just moved and now need to choose a security camera. But it seems there are two main camps on the market: cameras with local storage and smart cameras.

Cameras with local storage offer the best privacy protection and don’t require a subscription, but the downside is that if the base unit is damaged, I won’t be able to view the recordings.

Smart cameras have AI features that can help me recognize different situations, but I’m worried about my privacy being compromised, and the monthly fees are also a bit of a hassle.

I’d like to know how others make their choices and what considerations go into each decision. Thanks!

I realized it's been two and a half years since I bought my first Smartwings shade, and I now have 19 of them in my house. So I wanted to share a bit about my experience, including the good and the bad.

First some history: I previously had a Z-Wave network at my old house, and I went with Zebrablinds shades. They were decent, and when I sold my house and started all over at my new house in 2021, I even bought one set of Zebrablinds Z-Wave shades for an immediate need in a bedroom. Fast forward a couple years though and Zebrablinds had gone out of business. I also decided to consolidate on Zigbee instead of Z-Wave: somewhat of a tangent there, but although I think Z-Wave is actually the better technology, the industry has really consolidated on 2.4ghz (and sorry but Thread is not polished enough yet) so I feel like that ship has sailed.

Anyway, at my new house, I started getting frustrated with the previous owners' shade situation. It's a large house, and we have four of these three-pane sliders:

https://preview.redd.it/6o6bemcgjhbh1.png?width=1671&format=png&auto=webp&s=884639c53b0afe33981fcac7c31ca742221b4346

The previous ones were cellular shades with pull strings. I'm not exaggerating when I say it would literally take me about 5-6 minutes just to close all the shades for the sliders, not to mention the rest of the windows in the house. It basically just led to never closing the shades because we were too lazy to do it, even though it does provide a little bit of insulation and coziness in the winter.

So I went looking and found these Smartwings roller shades:

https://preview.redd.it/gbhpiozqjhbh1.png?width=1671&format=png&auto=webp&s=280a3f5617444560b90c2f9e682eaf0405ce2938

I was a little worried about them holding up, but the fabric feels indestructible. In fact, the style of the head rail on these changed at one point between two orders of mine. When I contacted Smartwings to complain that they didn't match, they sent me a free replacement. With nothing to do with the old one, I trashed it. I tried to rip the fabric apart and literally could not tear them they are so strong. They've also held up pretty well to dirt, just requiring a little wipe down if they get dirty. And we're pretty happy with how they look, including the fabric headrail.

I bought a dozen of these for the sliders and other windows around the house and have been pretty happy with them in main living areas. One problem I encountered though is I bought a few for a guest bedroom. Unfortunately, while they look nice, they really don't block enough light due to the gaps around the edges:

https://preview.redd.it/7vbvqe61lhbh1.png?width=947&format=png&auto=webp&s=c46409c688f03cbd10b46f3d4c99c84fb069ab8d

And while they do sell side rails and light blockers, I really don't like the look of them.

So for the next bedroom, I went with their cellular shades instead:

https://preview.redd.it/7o63rik4lhbh1.png?width=947&format=png&auto=webp&s=732f95db17dc5e9d9a84d7443b4c921f054d6d36

While there's still a bit of a gap, it's much smaller and blocks the vast majority of light, so I'm pretty happy with them.

Next came our primary bedroom, though. It has one of the three-panel slider doors in it, that goes out to a balcony. Cellular shades don't work there because the span is too large, and separating into multiple would leave gaps in the middle, where you can't even install side rails. So I decided to go with a set of curtains that spans the entire wall:

https://preview.redd.it/ylvo3fwsmhbh1.png?width=1671&format=png&auto=webp&s=f59e421ba2d9b089f7884965073b92de8ca0a7c3

https://preview.redd.it/2klum7cumhbh1.png?width=1671&format=png&auto=webp&s=5ab8de8774ed2d90ef71e39cd55c407ffdbfc993

I was pretty nervous about this one, as these are really expensive with such a large span, but we're super happy with how they turned out. They dramatically change the look and feel of the bedroom, with a much warmer, cozier feel. And they do a pretty good job of blocking most of the light coming in.

As for the Zigbee radios themselves, they're pretty good and have been working well in Home Assistant. The default configuration is backwards, where the open command closes and the close command opens. But you can flip it with a sequence command on the remote (you really have to read the manual!). I have most of them set up with automations that open at 8AM and close at sunset, fully automating the previous several minutes of string pulling.

I have had one issue with the Zigbee devices that I'm still not sure if it's my network or these shades, but I do think it's the shades. Once in a while, one of the shades will get into a weird state where it'll report its status of open/closed if I use the remote, but it won't respond to Zigbee commands. It eventually fixes itself, but I haven't been able to figure out what causes it or reliably find a way to repair it when it does happen. None of my other Zigbee devices show a similar behavior, so I do think it might be the shades. Unfortunately, they also don't seem to have any firmware updates so I don't know if they even support OTA firmware updates, which is a little concerning.

At every shade (or shade group), I have a 5 channel remote mounted on the wall for local control:

https://preview.redd.it/fwff13xzqhbh1.png?width=1432&format=png&auto=webp&s=980d9288a8b46d1c2c2b559e9cb79ff3417e388a

This works well enough, but I do wish they had a simpler, smaller, two button remote since this is a little large. Maybe they'll come out with one later (I've given them this feedback).

One more negative thing I want to add is I do find their website pretty confusing to navigate. It's not always obvious what the difference is between some of their models, and their stock pictures are not very helpful.

Lastly, let's talk about battery life. I've been pretty impressed. I don't use the solar panel, as I don't like the way they look from the outside. So with daily use, they last about 6 months. Here's the battery percent of one of the shades:

https://preview.redd.it/ehmxl370shbh1.png?width=770&format=png&auto=webp&s=0a37a76ed8991429ba06a69ad85709385f4bd492

You can see I charged it on February 11th, 2026 and I charged it a little early at 30% on July 2nd, 2026. It would probably last 6-7 months total if I left it get to zero.

Overall, I'll say I'm pretty happy with these and will continue to buy more as I retrofit the entire house over time.

I'm looking for a doorbell camera, but I really don't want another monthly fee just to see who came to the door. I don't mind paying more upfront if it means the basic features actually work without being locked behind a subscription.

Mainly want it for package deliveries, motion alerts, and checking the front door when I'm not home. Clear video, decent night vision, and reliable notifications matter more to me than fancy extras.

I've seen a few that offer local storage, but the reviews are all over the place. Some people say they work great without paying monthly, others say the free version is basically useless.

For anyone using a doorbell camera without a subscription, which one did you go with? Are you still happy with it, or did you end up needing the paid plan anyway?

Now I'm currently searching for the best whole house water leak detectors that are smart, reliable, and effectively monitor everyday plumbing risks like pipe bursts, appliance leaks, slow drips, and flooding before they cause serious water damage. I want something with instant alerts, automatic shutoff capability, and that integrates seamlessly with smart home systems without complicated installation or frequent false alarms.

I've come across several options during my research, but I'd love to hear about your personal experiences and recommendations.

I've been thinking about replacing my regular front door lock with a smart one, mostly because I'm tired of wondering whether I locked the door after I leave the house.

I don't need anything loaded with features just for the sake of it. I'd mainly like reliable locking and unlocking, good battery life, and something that won't randomly stop working when I need it most. Being able to give temporary access to family or guests would also be nice.

I've watched plenty of reviews, but most of them are based on a few days of testing. I'm much more interested in hearing from people who've actually lived with one for a year or two.

If you have a smart lock, would you buy the same one again? Has it been reliable, or have you run into issues that made you wish you'd chosen something else?

Hi.

Can someone recommend some cheap door sensors that work well? I was cleaning my closet and found a cheap Tuya door sensor. It's wifi and it works, but it doesn't seem to have a lot of "range". Like I taped the inert part of the sensor to a door and set the active part on the floor inside. I left like 0.5" - 0.75" of space to account for the sensor when the door closes and apparently that's too much. It kept saying "ON". That too is weird; ON is the status when the sensor is open and "off" when it is closed. Seems backwards to me.

I moved it closer and now it practically touches each other and it works. I have Samsung sensors I bought years ago, they have more range wiggle room. I like that. So I Googled Samsung door sensors and 3 are like $120!! That's nuts. The Tuyas are under $6 each. It's irritating to have to align them so closely and I don't know yet if they support IFTTT but to save $34 per sensor I'll deal with it lol.

But before I buy a bunch I wanted to see if anyone had recommendations? Ideally something that can be IFTTT triggered but even if they just pop a notification on my phone that'd be fine.

Thanks!

My building uses an intercom system that rings a standard telephone in my apartment whenever someone buzzes my unit. To let a visitor in, I have to answer the phone and press 9, so I have to be home whenever someone arrives.

I’m wondering if there’s a device or system that would allow those intercom calls to be forwarded to my smartphone, so I could answer them and press 9 remotely to unlock the building door. Ideally, I’d like a solution that works with my existing intercom system and doesn’t require modifications to the building’s infrastructure.

Has anyone used a device like this or have any recommendations?

Olá a todos.
Estou a fazer uma reabilitação completa de uma moradia antiga em Portugal. A casa vai ter cobertura nova, instalação elétrica nova, canalização nova, isolamento, pladur, etc., por isso este é o momento ideal para deixar tudo preparado para uma casa inteligente.
A casa tem cerca de 120 m², distribuídos por 3 pisos.
Os meus objetivos são:
Controlar todos os pontos de luz individualmente;
Manter interruptores físicos (não quero depender apenas da aplicação ou da Internet);
Controlar tudo através do Google Home e por voz;
Criar automatizações;
Integrar futuramente:
Ar condicionado;
Termoacumulador;
Painéis solares;
Carregador para carro elétrico;
Câmaras;
Sensores de movimento e abertura de portas/janelas;
Monitorização de consumos.
Tenho alguma experiência com tecnologia (sou arquiteto e trabalho bastante com tecnologia e automação), por isso não me importo que a solução seja um pouco mais avançada, desde que seja fiável e preparada para o futuro.
Neste momento estou a ponderar:
Google Home;
Home Assistant;
Shelly;
Aqara;
KNX (embora me pareça bastante mais caro).
As minhas dúvidas são:
Se estivessem a construir/remodelar uma casa hoje, que sistema escolheriam?
Home Assistant + Shelly continua a ser a melhor relação entre custo, flexibilidade e fiabilidade?
Colocariam módulos inteligentes em todos os circuitos de iluminação ou apenas em alguns?
O que devo pedir já ao eletricista antes de fechar as paredes? (neutro em todos os interruptores, caixas fundas, cabo Cat6, espaço no quadro, etc.)
Há algum erro que tenham cometido na vossa instalação e que hoje fariam de forma diferente?
O meu objetivo não é ter a solução mais barata, mas sim uma instalação robusta, que funcione durante muitos anos e que possa ir evoluindo sem ter de partir paredes.
Agradeço desde já todas as opiniões e experiências!

Hi folks, I’m absolutely box fresh into the home automation world and have a couple of questions on the setup. I’ve researched but would love some input. Firstly, I’m in the uk, loads of mechanical/electrical experience, no programming Pi experience.

The problem: my pond self cleans and locks out and needs a manual push button clean to reset. Once locked out the pump carries on pumping the filter dry. Usually this happens when I’m nowhere near home. Great.

The solution: I am installing a float switch in the filter. when the water drops I want it to alert my phone. (More than happy to go low tech with a relay and kill the pump if easier than a low volt/dry contact sensor)

I’d then like to be able to turn off the pump (240V 5A)and UV (240V 3A) independently and switch a manual clean (240V 5A) ideally push to make, otherwise push to turn on for 10 seconds.

I’ve been looking at the Sonoff 4ch switch and mini R4M. I think I can then run that through apple home or eWeLink. This can then do the job over WiFi? Is it as simple as this? Do I need a hub? Apple or eWeLink? Tips? Internet security issues? Am I missing something?

I’d look to add more to the network if this goes well. I don’t want to spend £50 on bits to then find I need to spend another £200 and a subscription!

Thanks in advance!

I see IKEA has a new line of Matter over Thread apart power devices at very reasonable prices, like half of what Eve wants for a similar smart plug! Seems too good to be true.

So, a few questions:
- are they reliable, long term?
- are they happy with an Apple border router? Or Home Assistant?
- do they play well with other Matter/Thread devices, like from Eve?

Thanks!

I'm in the process of buying a dumb house, and I would like to immediately start automating it. Below is the strategy that I am polishing, I would like to get some feedback from the community:

MAIN IDEAS:

-Use Home Assistant as main control point but with a fall back in case it stops working, being the fall back the Aqara app via its hub.

-If internet stops working, I expect all to continue working unaffected.

-If home assistant and Aqara hub fail (i.e. network failure), I would like to still be able to operate lights, etc. Of course the automations will not work, but I do not want to go back to the stone ages because the server is not there.

-I value privacy, so if I can take control onsite, I prefer it. I am also familiar with wireguard-kind of solutions to connect remotely (I use Unify for networking). 

-I'm considering to use the Aqara ecosystem as much as possible, so that I can centralise in a single app as many devices as possible and not have to deal with different vendors (unless justified).

-Home assistant will carry most of the heavy lifting in terms of automation and complex automation (alarm system, lights, messaging, etc.).

DEVICES:

- Networking: Unify (I currently have a Cloud Gateway Ultra and a AP7 Pro. I will probably need to expand with a PoE switch depending on how many devices I will wire.

- Aqara Hub M3 as central controller for all Aqara devices. I don't need IR blaster, and I rather not have microphone for privacy reasons in a product that is cloud connected).

- Home assistant running in a tiny PC, probably using Proxmox as virtualisation layer.

- I also have a Synology which runs some dockers, but I don't think this needs to be considered for the home automation. Also, I'll probably migrate the dockers to the tiny pc at some point.

- Exterior cameras: 1 in the garden, 1 in the Garage and 1 outside the garage. I have doubts on which models to pick here... I've been recommended Aqara, but I've seen other brands like Eufy or even Unify (although Unify is bloody expensive). No idea how I'm going to wire all this...

- Smart door lock in the main door, probably a Smart Lock U200 or U400 from Aqara (U400 is not available in Europe yet) or maybe a Nuki (which seems to be higher quality than Aqara).

- 2 Ceiling Light T1M, for Kitchen and Dining Room.

- Maybe some LED Strip T1's in the Kitchen and Dining rooms for ambient indirect lighting

- TVOC & CO2 sensors in each room (I haven't found a good one yet). It is a pity that the FP300 doesn't have CO2 & TVOC sensors embedded.

- I'm considering some local voice assistant but I rather have that completely offline (not via Aqara devices) to keep privacy as much as possible. Nabu? Is it good already?

- Multiple Presence multi-sensor FP300, probably in the rooms, kitchen, garage, dining room and even garden. Although I might cut down here if the price skyrockets. I will use these for presence, light and also for Temperature and Humidity. I've just found out that the reliability of FP300 is not great, due to the need to be low powered. I'm reconsidering options...

- Door sensors covering the doors leading outside, but not the inside ones. I haven't decided a model yet, I guess the P100 or P2.

- Window sensors in the largest windows, probably not in all windows

- Approx 4 Water leak sensors in the washing machine, fridge and potentially under the kitchen sink and next to the water floor heating system.

- I might consider replacing some dimmers already existing with smart ones (Dimmer Switch H2 EU from Aqara)

- I might also consider replacing dumb light switches, but I haven't decided yet

- It would be a good idea to have a Valve Controller T1 to control remotely the main water line, in case any water leak is detected and I'm not at home.

- If I need to replace any electricity outlets, I might go smart with the H2 EU from Aqara

- I'd like to have a few spare wireless switches that I can use for specific automations, probably Aqara wireless mini, or I could try some low cost ones like Ikea's.

- The Energy monitoring I'm still not sure, the house comes with no solar panels nor battery. I will probably install it in the future, once the ROI is decent.

- I also have an old Roborock

- At some point I might automate plants watering, once I build my garden (raise beds, etc.)

FEATURES/AUTOMATIONS:

- Alarm system that changes lights to red if an intrusion is detected, triggering Signal/Telegram messages or other notifications to the mobile devices. Maybe some acoustic alerts to follow if given certain hard conditions. Based on rules coming from all the different devices: window sensors, door sensors, cameras, etc.

- Alarm for leaks, potentially with manual/remote main valve closing

- Automatic light dimming following the sun

- Different light profiles at night, lower intensity, ideally based on presence per room

- Turn on lights when entering home and it is dark

- Turn on mood lights when TV is turned on and it is after sunset

- Energy control per device (I have a few smart meters already, from Tapo and other brands).

- Garage opening somehow. I will probably test different approaches (when the car is nearby, or from the car android auto). It would be great to get a pop-up on my car Android Auto if I am near home, to ask me whether I want to open the garage door or not. Is there anything like this available somehow? Any other more elegant solution?

DOUBTS

- I'm unsure whether I should use relays (Shelly?) or smart switches... any recommendation?

- What do you recommend for local voice assistant? It would be cool to have some Jarvis AI kind of thing... but of course 100% local, nothing cloud.

- I've selected Aqara since it seems reasonable in terms of price and with a wide ecosystem of devices. Should I consider any other brand? I've quickly checked Eufy but it seems very Cloud-based.

- Does it make sense to have both the Aqara hub and the Home Assistant?

- Should I consider a hands free door lock or is that a bad idea?

- What am I missing? What would you change?

I installed this POS in 2021, worked fine until recently. Myself, my wife and our one year old were about to exit our single entry sixth floor condo unit but when we tried to open the door from the inside, the deadbolt would not disengage despite turning the deadbolt lever from the inside and using the app to try and unlock the deadbolt. The deadbolt did not disengage from the outside with turning the manual key either. The locksmith had to remove part of our door to get at the deadbolt to saw it off. A completely dangerous situation as we were trapped in our home for four hours.

Does anyone have any experience with this for outdoor shades?

Hiya, so I have two led strips with each having their own plug, and then my LG C5 also having a plug. How do I automate it so when when the tv turns on or off, the leds do too. I've tried searching around alot but getting alot of mixed things and not sure what can actually work.

Corner property that is wide. I like the Reolink products.

I have a doorbell, which is centered on the front exposure. I was planning to add 2 cameras to the front of the house, left and right corners.

I bought a duo 3v and a CX820.

I was going to put the duo on the corner end of the property since it would potentially be easier to come at the camera from behind via an easy public access road. The CX820 on the opposite end, angling towards the middle of the property. Given the property layout, there is still a bit of land on the side of the house that the CX820 would miss.

Am I better off installing TWO duo 3v (one in either corner) for better coverage. Or is the quality of the CX820 that much better that it’s worth sacrificing some loss of field of view? I could always use the CC820 elsewhere if I were to buy a second duo 3v.

Thanks!!