I have four Amazon Wi-Fi smart plugs that I would like to control with the habitat. I understand that I can control habitat devices with Alexa but I would like to be able to set up rules for the Alexa smart plugs on the habitat. Otherwise I will have to buy hubitat compatible smart plugs. Does anybody know a way to do this?
The rest of my house is automated with Z-Wave and zigbee devices through habitat.
Create virtual switches in HE, and then have Alexa routines control the plugs based on the switch values. Switch on, plug on, switch off…
You can also use echo speaks and send commands to Alexa devices as if you are speaking to a echo device. So in a HE rule you can send a command to turn plugs on and off directly.
I ended up ordering for zigbee smart AC receptacles for 18 bucks a pop on Amazon to make it simple. Now I can simply control everything from the hub. I can already control the Amazon smart plugs through Alexa but the main reason I wanted to be through the hub so that I can have a rule that toggles all my lights in the house when we leave at night depending upon the time. Plus I wanted to be able to control the smart plugs with my smart controllers.
Best solution!
I know that you know this, but adding clarity for others who might pursue this solution.
Alexa routines cannot be triggered by a switch, so using a virtual switch isn't sufficient. However, you can use a "virtual switch with contact" or "virtual switch with motion" driver (search for it in the Community). This allows you to treat it as a switch on the Hubitat side, yet use it as a sensor trigger on the Alexa side.
I have quite a few Amazon plugs that I handle like this. I cannot resist the temptation to buy an Amazon plug for 99 cents when they are on a super promo.
Thanks, I sometimes forget to clarify as I normally use a custom switch that has at least two capabilities (switch with contact and/or motion/presence)
By the way I was using the voice software on my phone. Excuse the typos.
I have that same problem with Siri. Only thing she seems to get consistently right is when I start cussing at her for all the mistakes.
Those work great and they are reliable. It was the right choice.
I have a couple of TP-Link Kasa WiFi plugs that can be controlled with Alexa, so they would work the same as the Alexa plugs. Although they could be set up to work with Hubitat using virtual devices to synchronize Hubitat rules with Alexa routines, it is not an elegant solution. I replaced the Kasa plugs with inexpensive eWeLink Zigbee plugs; life is good. I might use the Kasa plugs to control Christmas lights, but for year-round use, the Zigbee plugs are a far better option.
The Kasa integration package seems to give much simpler direct local control of most TP-Link wifi devices with the hubitat, so they are much simpler and more reliable than Amazon plugs.
My personal preference is to NOT let alexa control anything. That way if my internet goes down, but I have power the hub can still do everything. I use alexa for two things anymore, speaking (via ring etc and echo speaks) and presence.
If you want want to control smart plugs with your Alexa, I would highly recommend using a Zigbee plug connected directly to Hubitat and then use the Alexa Hubitat integration to link Hubitat and Alexa. If the Internet goes down, all the Hubitat rules will still work.
The Zigbee plugs I use are based on eWelink technology. They work well with Hubitat. If you have any Aqara devices on your mesh, make sure you get devices that are Zigbee 3.0 compatible. I had some older Centralite and Smartthings plugs that were ZHA1.2. The Aqara devices would not stay connected until I replaced the ZHA1.2 plugs as they do not repeat the Aqara signals properly.
Here are the eWelink plugs (made by CMARS) I am currently using.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08K45W4LR/
There are also some inexpensive Third Reality plugs that are Hubitat compatible. I have not used them, but am ordering some right after Christmas.
Download the Hubitat app
