XPosted to Reddit HomeAutomation.
[Updated Dec 18, 2019 (but nothing really new, just a few touch-ups)]
Quick reviews of things I've tried, with a few tips and tricks throw in. If it's not listed, I've probably not used it. Will edit over time with everything I've forgotten to mention, or with new things.
Controllers
SmartThings
Pro: Easy to set up.
Pro: Relatively easy to use.
Pro: Decent app (with presence tracking).
Pro: Google Home and Alexa integration.
Pro: (Unofficially) supports a crazy number of devices.
Pro. Allows custom drivers and apps.
Pro: Large library of community built apps and drivers.
Pro: WEBCORE! Awesomely powerful rules engine.
Pro: 3rd party ActionTiles dashboard (for a fee).
Pro. Quiet affordable (and no fees or subscriptions).
Con: Mostly cloud processing. (That means 2+ second delays for everything.)
Con: Installing apps and drivers require web portal; overly difficult.
Con: Questionable company direction (with Classic vs Connect).
Con: Dishonest company marketing (with Classic vs Connect). Poor integration at best for Samsung's own smart products.
Con: Uses obscure Groovy programming language.
Con: Presence not reliable on SO's phone.
Note: Uses obscure Groovy programming language, but allows Java.
Hubitat Elevation
Note: This is for the reddit post. You should be familiar with it already.
Pro: Easy to setup.
Pro: Alexa integration.
Pro: Supports a crazy number of devices.
Pro. Allows custom drivers and apps.
Pro: Great integration with Philips Hue.
Pro: Large library of community built apps and drivers.
Pro: WEBCORE! Awesomely powerful rules engine. (But see con.)
Pro: Built-in presence support (using free 3rd party app)
Pro: No fees or subscriptions
Pro: Under active development (with pretty good communication and great interaction with community).
Pro: Great support staff!
Pro: Free built-in okayish dashboard.
Con: NO APP! Minimalist app.
Con: No Google Home integration.
Con: Uses obscure Groovy programming language.
Con: Lacks clear technical documentation (but mostly matches SmartThings). [They have created a dedicated area for documentation, and actively adding to it. I haven't looked at it, so unsure whether original statement holds true.]
Con: WebCore doesn't work (for me).
Con: Startup company; potentially unreliable over long term (but, Pro, with local processing, what it would still work even if they go out of business or get bought out).
Note: Uses obscure Groovy programming language, but allows Java.
Lighting
Smart bulbs (in general)
Pro: Allows color
Pro: Allows controlling "temperature" color (technically same as above, but deserves a second bullet)
Pro: Allows controlling individual bulbs
Pro: Allows mixing and matching bulbs (eg having a remote linked to bulbs in different rooms)
Pro: Easy to install (How many reddit threads does it take to install smart lights? A lot.)
Con: Won't work if light fixture is turned off
Con: Not available in many socket types [Some less common socket types may not be available, but the basic ones are]
Con: Not available in specialty styles (eg filament bulbs)
Smart switches (in general)
Pro: Can control multiple bulbs at once
Pro: Can control non-lighting devices (eg vent fans)
Pro: Allows using any type of bulb/socket
Con: Hard to install
Con: Expensive
Con: Most require a neutral wire
Con: May break building Code, which in U.S. requires a manual switch in utility room, attic and crawlspace; requires ability to cut power in all rooms except hallways and stairwells.
Hue
Pro: Easy to setup.
Pro: Easy to add devices.
Pro: Nice app.
Pro: Supports grouping lights.
Pro: Allows adding some other bulb brands (Cree, Sylvania, IKEA, Gledopto, and others), and LED strips (more below).
Pro: Good quality bulbs (perfect consistency for color and brightness).
Pro: Great stability.
Pro: Scene support.
Pro: Direct Google Home and Alexa integration.
Pro: Wide variety of bulbs including color, white, and "Ambiance" ("temperature" control).
Pro: Dimmers are affordable and have great features.
Pro: Bulbs can be directly connected to HA controller without the hub (but I don't recommend it).
Con: Uses Zigbee Light Link (rather than typical Zigbee Home Automation).
Con: Bulbs don't act as repeaters for "Zigbee" devices.
Con: Pricey (but prices have been dropping).
Con: Dimmers can only be connected via rooms, and don't allow mixing.
Con: No built-in automation abilities.
Con: Changing network routers may require factory reset.
Pro: Connects to Hue hub
Pro: Cheap
Pro: Vibrant colors
Pro: Both 6W and 12W versions (Hue are 8.5W; 12W version is over-sized)
Pro: Candelabra, GU10 and "downlight" versions available, as well as stand-alone flood lights and garden lights
Con: 12W version is larger than typical bulb
Con: Dim colors [newer version is better]
Con: Flickers and flashes [have not noticed newer version having this issue]
Con: Doesn't fade between changes
Con: Not compatible with Hue Sync (color matching with tv)
Con: No way to update firmware (that I know of)
LEDs strips and controls
Quick rundown on LED strips, because they've been a learning curve... First, there's addressable and non-addressable. Addressable LEDs can be controlled at the individual LED level, so can do all sorts of fancy ■■■■. They make good Christmas lights, if you're into spending all your time planning out your Christmas lights. Non-addressable LEDs will all be the same color at the same time; they can change colors, but they all change. I have not messed with addressable with the exception of a noob kit. Everything below is for non-addressable. Do NOT get addressable for use with any of the controllers, etc., below!
There are various sizes of LEDs. Most commonly 5050, 2538, and 3825. Those are tenths of millimeters for width and height, so 5050 is significantly larger than 3528. Which size is best depends on the application. For most home lighting, IMO bigger is better. See here for more info.
LED strips come in lengths of five meters (16.4 feet). Unless it's a premium brand (like Philips Hue LightStrip), I'd avoid anything in an odd size. Normal density of LEDs is 30 per meter (150 per strip). High density with 60 per meter (300 total) is very common, and what I use for normal applications. Very high density is 120 per meter (600 total), and fairly uncommon except as "double row" (especially at 5050 size - but I provide a link below).
It depends on the size and number of LEDs, but the rule of thumb I use for power with 12 volt strips is 3 amps per strip. However, unless you use my recommendations below, you should find the power consumption either for the whole strip, or per LED segment (which will be three LEDs), then do the math - in fact, do the math anyways. If watts are provided, then divide by volts for the amps.
Finally, there are waterproof and non-waterproof. Pretty obvious, but remember that in damp conditions, the wire connectors and controller aren't water proof. Personally, I usually get waterproof because they look slightly better and they're easier to work with. And use common sense - don't try to install a $12 Chinese LED strip inside a swimming pool because they say it's IP67.
For brands/vendors, I haven't yet settled on one. Cheap no-name strips from Amazon/Ali-Express will supposedly dim within 6 months, but I've never had a set that lasted that long. Although I have not purchased high quality LEDs, the trick to finding them is to search for "CRI" values, like "CRI 90 led strip". Also, look for strips that list output (either total lumens, lumens per foot or meter, or lumens per segment).
Fibaro LED controller
Pro: Small profile.
Pro: Good screw-down connectors.
Pro: Built-in effects.
Pro: Good quality.
Con: No Hue integration.
Con: Over priced.
FLS-pp lp
Pro: Connects to Hue.
Pro: Decent price.
Con: Pin type connectors; requires separate purchases and more effort.
Pro: Easy to use push connectors.
Pro/Con: Low cost, but cheap quality.
Con: Connectors made of plastic.
Con: Connectors don't hold tight. At all. As in, the wires can sometimes just fall out.
Note: The connectors look like screws, but don't turn them. Yes, I personally learned that the hard way; let's not talk about it again.
MagicNight LED strips
Pro: Cheap.
Pro: Reliable quality (in comparison to other budget strips)
Pro: Offer signal amplifiers.
Pro: Offer noob kits (LEDs + PSU + remote) (actually good option for instant gratification, since they're like $10 more)
Con: Wires for red and green reversed from the norm.
Con: Color matching distorts at low dimming level. (Also true for all other LED strips I've tried).
Con: Cheap tape backing; requires separate purchase.
Con: Doesn't offer RGBWW (color + warm white).
No name high density LEDs
Pro: Put out a lot of light
Pro: 3M tape
Con: Doesn't offer RGBW/WW
Con: Requires twice the power; if powered by a controller, only allows one strip
Accessories that come in handy for LED strips:
-
Strip connectors like these, but I've not had any need for any.
Note: I'm still trying to find the magic sauce for using multiple strips on a FLS-pp lp; going to try adding pins to low-gauge wire rather than buying high-gauge "jumper wires" which melt a little bit if powering more than one strip.
Voice assistants
Google Home
Pro: Awesome AI; can answer amazing range of questions.
Pro: Lot of flexibility in language for voice controls.
Pro: Great language comprehension (eg with background voices or speaking with an accent).
Pro: Allows chaining commands (eg "Turn the light on" - "Set it to 100%").
Pro: Allows setup custom commands (without a separate trigger like "Play").
Pro: Under active development.
Pro: "Broadcast" feature great for household alerts.
Pro: With Google Assistant, can type commands.
Pro: Very affordable.
Con: Poor hearing.
Con: Clunky app. [It's improved, and have not nor will compare newer version to Alexa]
Con: Lacks home automation features.
Con: "Hey Google" is difficult to enunciate.
Con: Only a few models; no accessories.
Con: Tightly controlled API (including for "broadcast" feature).
Con: Probably listens to everything everyone says - high potential for future enslavement.
Alexa
Pro: Good hearing.
Pro: Spot, View, Plus, Show, Portal, Input, Flex, Studio, Sub, etc. (etc., etc.)
Pro: Very affordable.
Con: Poor AI.
Con: Probably listens to but misunderstands everything everyone says - high potential for badly targeted ads.
Con: Sold by company with terrible employment practices.
Note: I have not used Alexa much, so may they may have added features I addressed with Google Home.
Bixby
Pro: Does everything Google Home and Alexa combined, but better.
Pro: Complete automation control.
Pro: Guaranteed future-proof.
Pro: Gives blow jobs (with optional attachment).
Con: Stupid name.
Con: Doesn't listen to anyone at any time - great companion for depressed paranoid schizophrenics.
Con: More difficult to set up than Pet Rock.
Switches/controls
Lutron Caseta/Pico
Pro: Easy to install.
Pro: Very easy to add devices (but not so easy to add the devices to Hubitat).
Pro: Fast
Pro: Reliable
Pro: Good range
Pro: Many options - 2-button, 4-button, and 5-buttons in both Caseta switches and Pico remotes. Also have many colors and supposedly custom labels for a premium price.
Pro: Pico remotes and in-wall switches and dimmers match each other.
Pro: Fit standard wall plates (and offer a mounting bracket).
Pro: Pico remotes are very affordable.
Pro: Offers customization options for premium price (supposedly custom printing, and wide range of colors).
Pro: Have in-wall switches (and dimmers) that do not require neutral wire
Con: Proprietary protocol; won't act as repeaters
Con: Requires a hub
Con: Requires cloud processing on SmartThings
Con: Requires Pro Bridge on Hubitat (or other local controller with local processing)
Con: Few built-in options/features (eg long press or multi-click).
Note: [Removed for spamming my phone] has great prices. I keep saying this, but they've yet to send me any referral payments or even free swag... hint hint
Hue Dimmer
Pro: Fast and reliable
Pro: Has built-in progressive push-and-hold dimming
Pro: Has built-in support for multi-press
Pro: Comes with wall mount, with magnets
Con: Can only be mapped to a "room"
Con: Multi-press can't control different lights (when Dimmer is connected through the Hue hub)
Con: Doesn't fit in standard wall-plate
Con: Pricey
GE 3-speed fan controller
Pro: Works well
Con: Requires neutral wire
Sensors
Xiaomi (aka Aqara and/or Mi Aqara) humidity, water, temperature, door/window, vibration/acceleration
Pro: Cheap
Pro: Look good and small; surprisingly well designed
Con: Hard to get connected
Con: Often don't stay connected
Note: Those branded as "Aqara" are the newest, at time of last edit.
Xiaomi magic cube
Note: This is a cube with an accelerometer and orientation sensor, allowing "knock", slide, shake, left rotate, right rotate, flip 90°, and flip 180°, as well as what side is up. They work great for nightstands, and are just divine for kids.
Note to Xiaomi: Glow in the dark! Seriously, how haven't you done that already!!
Pro: Awesome
Pro: Cheap (~$13 direct from China; AliExpress or GearBest)
Pro: Fun
Pro: Tactile
Pro: Easy to find in the dark
Con: Only 3 colors for old Mi version; new Aqara version only comes in white
Con + Pro: The dog keeps taking mine and chewing on it, but she hasn't touched any of the other ones.
SmartThings Multipurpose sensor
Pro: It works
Pro: Has sensors for multipurposes
Smart plugs
Iris (have NOT really tested it)
Pro: Acts as repeater for both Zigbee and Z-wave
Note: Iris is now defunct. Be sure to get the right kind. They can be hard to find, even on eBay.
TopGreener USB wall outlet (also 3-port model)
Pro: 2.4 amps per outlet; highest currently available on the market (that I've seen)
Con: Not smart
Locks
Note: I'm a fan of truly keyless locks (I went with Yale B1L). Just FYI, specifically the front door is the most common point of entry for burglars (~34%). (About as many use any window.) Most of those get in by turning the door knob. 6% gain entry by manipulation of the lock.
Schlage
Pro: Quality locks
Pro: Has a connector to manually connect an external 9v battery
Pro: Work well
Yale
Pro: Quality locks
Pro: Has a connector to manually connect an external 9v battery
Pro: Work well
Note: My Z-Wave locks now refuse to connect after excluding it from prior network. Unknown whether it's a Yale or Z-Wave issue.
Kwikset
Have not used one, but....
Pro: Cheaper than Schlage and Yale
Pro: Nice looking designs
Con: Cheaper than Yale and Schlage
August
Have not tried it, so just a couple basics....
Pro: Can retrofit most any lock; good for renters
Con: No combination pad
Con: Makes using the deadbolt manually more difficult
Samsung Smart Lock
Hove not tried it, but based on research....
Pro: Fairly sexy
Pro: Has a lot of neat security features
Pro: Supports RFID
Con: It's NOT "SMART". WTF Samsung, you make SMARTThings, so stop calling random ■■■■ "smart"! Or, better yet, Make your ■■■■ compatible with your own ■■■■! (Sorry, I had to get it out.)
Con: Read a lot of complaints that it just doesn't work all that well
Note: I pretty sure it has a battery connector like the Yale and Schlage, but not positive.
Robot vacuum
Samsung PowerBot
Pro: Works pretty well
Con: Expensive
Con: Misses some rooms
Con: No sensor for canister full; will keep vacuuming when full and jam up
Con: No map
Con: Requires app to connect to SmartThings. Actually, requires one app to say the instructions are wrong about which app, then another app to connect it.
Con: I got the Darth Vader model, and it's just ■■■■■■■ annoying - lot of breathing sounds, and Imperial Marching. And oddly "NO!" when it docks.
Con: Poorly designed controls. Seriously, black on black buttons (with Darth Vader model)! WTF?! Odd pictograms on the remote
Note: It died after running over some dogshit.
Xiaomi RoboRock
Pro: Cheap
Con: Small dust-bin
Con: Named for obscure Chinese cultural reference
Note to robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers... I want a vacuum that will give me an exportable proper house plan, with measurements.
Thermostats
Nest (the thermostat, not the hijacked brand name)
Pro: Sexy
Pro: Has a lot of features built in (I think the filter change reminder is particularly thoughtful)
Pro: Easy to use
Pro: Well designed
Pro: Looks great
Pro: Small profile
Con: Over-priced
Con: Tightly controlled API (since purchased by Google)
Note: A generic Z-Wave thermostat can be had for $50, and automate every feature the Nest (or EcoBee) has.
Misc
Fingbox
Pro: Allows monitoring network (WiFi) devices
Pro: Allows monitoring peoples' use of the network
Pro: Allows blacklisting and pausing network devices
Pro: Allows adding connecting to the network as a presence sensor
Pro: Can notify when known devices come within range of WiFi
Con: Can't restrict device access with IPv6.
