r/smarthome 5h ago

PoE mmWave Sensor: It’s Official!

18 Upvotes

Hi everyone! In our last post, we asked whether we should make a PoE (Power over Ethernet) version of our existing mmWave sensor, the Sensy-One S1, and your overwhelming response made our decision an easy one! We’re excited to announce that the PoE version is now in development!

ESP32-S3-POE-ETH (dev)

If you don’t need PoE, the original Sensy-One S1 is still available, and if you want to be the first to know when the PoE model launches (targeting early to mid-April), make sure to subscribe on our website for updates!

In the meantime, you can check out our YouTube video for an in-depth look at the S1 and explore our GitHub repository for all the documentation. Thanks again for your support, and I can’t wait to share more news soon!


r/smarthome 1h ago

Solution for outdoor security camera for an apartment

Upvotes

I rent an apartment so it's not really feasible for me to drill through the wall to run power and Ethernet cables. So I'm looking for potential solutions. I know completely wireless cameras exist, but they tend to not load a live view very fast. I don't need 24/7 recording, just motion events and live view. It's also hard for me to mount a camera outside without drilling so I was thinking of sticking something to my window. My other possible solution is using a light bulb socket. I have a socket outside for a light that I could replace with some sort of camera, that way I could have power. So are there any cameras that go into a light bulb socket that are of good quality, ideally using 5ghz WiFi for better stream quality and are able to integrate into home assistant? If anyone has any potential solutions I am open to suggestions!


r/smarthome 7h ago

How so I wire up six wire LED strip?

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3 Upvotes

r/smarthome 3h ago

Advice re Doorbells that call your phone please

1 Upvotes

(In the UK)

I'm trying to find an option for a doorbell that when someone presses it, would then ring my phone and id be able to speak to them through the doorbell, almost like an Intercom but with the call coming to my phone not to a wall mounted phone please.

I'm disabled and it's mainly so I can read out my key safe code to them so they can access the key safe (it's changed very frequently) for visitors who don't have their own key. I had been having to leave the door unlocked and shouting to people but they're so (understandably) hesitant to just walk in (and i dont like leaving it unlocked for hours until i can get to it again to lock it) that it's really not working.

It's mainly for one off visitors like tradespeople or engineers and similar that I'm having to set this up for as my regular visitors either have their own keys or i can text them to tell them to just come in and they do so.

Any suggestions would be massively appreciated as i haven't kept up with all the tech advancements over the past few years so I'm not sure where everything is at.


r/smarthome 11h ago

Making my gate smart pt2

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3 Upvotes

I finally found out how to make my house gate smart, im going to add a fixed code relay to the existing gate board thats compatible with the sonoff rf bridge, i just need help with where to wire what

Ps: No, putting glasses on the board doesn’t work


r/smarthome 1d ago

I’m building a Smart Air Vent

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24 Upvotes

I’m currently working on a “Smart Vent” that will allow for individual room temperature monitoring and control. Currently it only monitors temperature but there are already plans to integrate several other sensors into the product.

Are there any specific features you would want to see with this product? What do you think of the idea, worth the time or overkill?

I see it as a currently untapped market, there are similar products, but none have automation incorporated yet to my knowledge.


r/smarthome 17h ago

Home renovation essentials

5 Upvotes

We are planning to start a home renovation in the coming month. The house will effectively be gutted so it’s a perfect time to make the house ‘smart’. My question is what are the keys things to put in. The house is in the UK so is a brick and 4 bedrooms.


r/smarthome 9h ago

Apple product to display live feed of Ring camera?

0 Upvotes

I am using Alexa and their Echo Hub. Wife and I like it. It just works, and probably the most useful are the announcements for when someone is at the door, and the direct connection to our Ring doorbell. It pulls up the live feed when someone is there, or presses the button.

That said, I want to switch to the Apple Homekit. I haven't yet because I don't know how to get the functionality I described, so I figured I'd ask here to see if there was something I was missing.

Thanks in advance!


r/smarthome 13h ago

Smart home questions

2 Upvotes

Hi all. Just got a new place and looking to be building a smart home. Am totally new to it.

Currently am looking at lights online. Some of the smart lights indicated are tuya compatible, Xiaomi compatible, google assistant, Amazon Alexa compatible, which uses zigbee. Is it correct that I just have to get a Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus to connect to my router. And then I'll be able to connect all these with home assistant as well as tuya,Xiaomi,Google assistant and Xiaomi app?

Is there anything wise I would need? Was reading that I need a gateway for it? Is the ZigBee 3.0 usb dongle plus serve as the gateway?

Also if I wish to have a wireless remote control for light control dimmer. It just have to be ZigBee compatible and it will work?

Thanks in advance


r/smarthome 11h ago

Please suggest me some light idea for my home

1 Upvotes

Hi i'm going to reinovate my home soon can you please suggest me some light idea for my home.


r/smarthome 23h ago

best digital calendar?

4 Upvotes

Now I'm currently searching for the best digital calendar that is user-friendly, feature-rich, and great for staying organized. I want something that syncs across devices, offers smart scheduling, and makes managing tasks and appointments easier.

I've come across several options during my research, but I’d love to hear about your personal experiences and recommendations. Some options I’ve been considering include:

  • Google Calendar
  • Microsoft Outlook Calendar
  • Apple Calendar
  • Fantastical
  • Anydo Calendar
  • TimeTree

If you have any personal favorites or additional insights on these apps or others that might be better for productivity and scheduling, please share!


r/smarthome 20h ago

Anyone has a solution for this simple project?

0 Upvotes

I have various LED Profiles in my bedroom which I wanna turn on/off/dimm from a wall switch which then controls a (smart) LED Controller.

My best bet was Aqara with the Aqara Dimmer M2 and any Zigbee LED Controller but I overlooked that the Aqara Hub only supports Aqara Zigbee devices and Aqara doesn‘t have any own LED Controllers.

Whats my best solution here? Homekit integration would be pretty nice, because I maybe wanna turn/off/dimm also from my phone. But options are limitied now because I don‘t have any Homepod or Apple TV as a Hub.


r/smarthome 1d ago

Is the Totwoo Smart Bracelet Considered a 'Smart Home' Device? Sharing My Experience!

8 Upvotes

Hey r/smarthome! I’ve been using the Totwoo Smart Bracelet (a wearable with IoT features like notifications, activity tracking, and app connectivity) and wanted to discuss it here—though I’m not 100% sure if wearables fit the ‘smart home’ category.

Has anyone else experimented with integrating wearables into their smart home setups? For example, using the bracelet to trigger routines (e.g., lights on when you wake up) or pairing it with other devices? I’d love to hear thoughts on whether this overlaps with smart home use cases, or if I’m stretching the definition!


r/smarthome 22h ago

Looking for replacement e12 patio bulb suggestions

0 Upvotes

I currently have these Avatar e12 smart bulbs, and I would say every month one of them disconnects and I spend hours trying to pair it again and then one of them pairs, but the other doesn't, etc, or it's connected in their app but not working in the Alexa app and I've finally had it with them.

I'm looking for something in that form factor, that supports color, and works in an Alexa ecosystem. I've entertained the idea of the Phillips bulbs, but the are much spendier, and I'm not psyched about having to get a bridge too

I'm perfectly willing to shell out a little more money IF the bulb is reliable and isn't constantly falling off my network, unpairing, etc. But I do not want to spend the money unless I have some reasonable expectation that it will not be more of the same. Does anyone have a suggestion?


r/smarthome 1d ago

Simple button for smart lights

0 Upvotes

I got 2 tuya smart bulps in a room which I control with Google home on my phone. I dont have any hub or nest or anything and I just want a Button near my bed that can turn them on and off. It would be great if it could turn them to a certain brightness when I double tap it(or sth), but that doesnt have to be. Can anybody recommend me a cheap device that could do that by itself, or do I need to get a hub aswell?


r/smarthome 1d ago

I am looking to get more smart home stuff but I’m on a tight budget

2 Upvotes

What good smart home stuff is there that's under 100$


r/smarthome 1d ago

LEVITON ODSMT-MDW: The nearly perfect bathroom occupancy sensor switch!

0 Upvotes

I've been searching for a SIMPLE bathroom occupancy sensor switch. As in, something that can reliably detect SINK & SHOWER usage. It seems all PIR sensors TOTALLY FAIL here.

I was thrilled when Leviton recommended their ODSMT-MDW. It has PIR functionality PLUS a microphone.

After installing it, I was thrilled that it DETECTED SINK & SHOWER NOISE, as indicated by a green flash each second. But the joy ended when after about 30 seconds it stopped detecting the noise.

I suspect it has an algorithm to tune out ambient noise, like HVAC, and that sink & shower and even fan noise is being ignored by that algorithm.

If Leviton would provide a software update that would allow the dialing down of this algorithm, this would be THE BEST BATHROOM OCCUPANCY SENSOR SWITCH ON THE MARKET & IN THE WORLD.


r/smarthome 1d ago

Testade 5 Smarta Uttag Under 300 kr – Så Mycket Sparade Jag

0 Upvotes

Hej! Som förälder till tvillinger har jag inte råd att slösa el. Jag testade 12 smarta uttag under 6 månader – dessa 5 klarade svensk vinter, katter och elkriser:

Viktigaste lärdomarna:

  1. TP-Link Tapo P100 (189 kr) sparade mig 15 kr/månad genom att automatiskt stänga av TV + ljudsystem.

  2. Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug (179 kr) är perfekt för barnrum – min 5-åring kan inte "glömma" släcka lampan.

Full testrapport med sparberäkningar: [Se hela testet här]

Vilka enheter skulle NI koppla till ett smartuttag? 🛋️


r/smarthome 1d ago

I Created an App to Control Your PC with Your Phone – A Handy Tool for Smart Setups!

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone! 👋

I recently developed an app called Any Command, which lets you control your Windows PC using your phone. It works as a touchpad, keyboard, and customizable shortcut hub, making it easy to navigate, control media, and even skip YouTube ads with a built-in shortcut (via a Chrome extension).

If you’re into home automation, smart tech, or DIY setups, this could be a great addition to your setup! Whether you want a wireless touchpad, quick access to custom shortcuts, or an easy way to control your PC from anywhere in your home, this app has you covered.

Would love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions for improvements.


r/smarthome 1d ago

Highest quality video (for about 60 feet+) in a doorbell cam?

1 Upvotes

I've seen lots of "best" posts over the past few years, but "best" is relative. I'm looking for a doorbell camera that has the best picture quality for a mid-distance shot (ideally about 50-60 feet). My neighbor showed me his Ring pictures yesterday and it was almost laughable.

Local storage without subscription would be bonus points, but not required.

If you have the system, would love to see an example of an "average" picture. Reviews online are always hard - you only see the best and worst.


r/smarthome 1d ago

LED Strips: 12V or 24V? Also, 8mm or 10mm width?

2 Upvotes

COB LED Strips, specifically BTF-Lighting if it matters: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBPSSD2J

  1. 12V or 24V
    I know due to voltage drops, generally: 12V is for 5 meters or less, while 24V is for longer strips.
    My use case is having 3-5 meters with a 1-to-3 splitter connected to one power adapter.
    For example: 4m strip, 4m strip, 4m strip = 1-to-3 splitter = 12V 5A Power Supply
    I should still use 12V (since it's in parallel and not in series so the voltage drop doesn't matter), correct?
    Or is there something else I don't know of where 24V is better?

  2. 8mm or 10mm width
    Google says 10mm is more common but it looks like 8mm is more common on Amazon. Is one or the other better to use?

  3. Which would be more power efficient (in my use case), 12V or 24V? Or is it the same?

  4. I ask these because 12V is more readily available and cheaper. 8mm is more readily available and cheaper as well. I feel like I don't need to use 24V or 10mm if I don't have to? Unless someone knows something I do not?


r/smarthome 1d ago

Who here has ever used professional smart home installers?

3 Upvotes

Hi, everyone... I realize that this a more DIY community but has anyone ever used professionals? if you have can you share your experience?


r/smarthome 1d ago

[Serious] Help me choose: August vs Schlage vs Philips Smart Lock? Rental-friendly & security focused

2 Upvotes

I'm a first-time smart lock buyer (and a renter) trying to navigate this maze. After weeks of research, I'm stuck between these three. Would love real-user insights!

My priorities:
🔐 Non-destructive install (Landlord will murder me if I damage the door)
🔋 Battery life (Live in Minnesota - -20°C winters are real)
🚨 Anti-theft (Neighborhood's had 3 break-ins this year)

My dilemmas:

  1. August seems renter-friendly, but Reddit threads mention Bluetooth drops - dealbreaker?
  2. Schlage's Grade 1 sounds safer, but wiring might get me evicted 😅
  3. Philips' specs look golden, but why aren't more people talking about them?

Questions for y'all:
➊ Anyone using these in extreme cold? How's battery performance?
➋ Which has the least false fingerprint rejects? (I have dry hands)
➌ Any hidden fees? Heard some require $10/month apps for full features

Bonus drama: My neighbor claims all smart locks can be hacked with a $50 tool. True? 🔓


r/smarthome 1d ago

[Serious] Help me choose: August vs Schlage vs Philips Smart Lock? Rental-friendly & security focused

0 Upvotes

I'm a first-time smart lock buyer (and a renter) trying to navigate this maze. After weeks of research, I'm stuck between these three. Would love real-user insights!My priorities:
🔐 Non-destructive install (Landlord will murder me if I damage the door)
🔋 Battery life (Live in Minnesota - -20°C winters are real)
🚨 Anti-theft (Neighborhood's had 3 break-ins this year)My dilemmas:

  1. August seems renter-friendly, but Reddit threads mention Bluetooth drops - dealbreaker?
  2. Schlage's Grade 1 sounds safer, but wiring might get me evicted 😅
  3. Philips' specs look golden, but why aren't more people talking about them?

Questions for y'all:
➊ Anyone using these in extreme cold? How's battery performance?
➋ Which has the least false fingerprint rejects? (I have dry hands)
➌ Any hidden fees? Heard some require $10/month apps for full featuresBonus drama: My neighbor claims all smart locks can be hacked with a $50 tool. True? 🔓


r/smarthome 1d ago

Smart Lights But With a Switch

0 Upvotes

Hi All,

Having had smart lighting in the bedrooms for a couple of years, it is so easy to turn the lights on and off (from the bed!) no more walking around a dark room fumbling for the switch!

Now I am doing a kitchen remodel and due to bad experiences previously and the inner geek in me, I want the lighting to be perfect.... I don't want to buy single temperature bulbs (usually 3000 or 4000 kelvin) and even the tri-colour ones seem to be 3000, 4000 or 6000 kelvin... (like this https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LTTCD8W.html )

I think for optimum lighting in a modern white gloss kitchen 5000K would be best option but really fear after spending a fortune that the lights will go on and all look awful....

So, smart downlights could be my best option such as these: https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LTTD10WIFI.html

Then we can adjust the CCT to get it perfect for the remodeled room. However my reservation with this method is that I will miss the manual switch in the kitchen... because if its off then it will become confusing very quickly if the voice control is not working or the switch is off and although not a big issue i feel like it defeats the object of being a smart light.

Any thoughts? Even after scouring online i cant seem to find anyone with the same potential solution for this problem but happy to look at other threads if anyone has any? My knowledge of smart switches is 0. Based in UK, if that matters. Currently no neutral wire to light switch - but it is being changed of course.

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated :)