(Part 2) Top products from r/HomeKit

Here are my thoughts:

• HomeKit is definitely the correct choice for ease of use and privacy
  
• plugs are easy to install, can be used for a variety of things, do not require any modification of the home, and doesn't introduce confusion with wall light switches. My recommendations are the Satechi Dual Smart Plug (two- smart outlets that don't block an outlet and monitoring) and the VOCOlinc SmartBar (cheaper and doesn't block an outlet, but only one smart outlet)
  
• get smart bulbs if you don't want to mess with wiring. The HUE are probably the best, and the IKEA are probably a more attractive price. Don't get too many color bulbs until you try one. The use of color in bulbs grows old after three days of "coolness". Wi-Fi bulbs will not require a bridge from the manufacturer. HOWEVER, you may want to consider something with bridge (like the HUE or IKEA). The bridge will have better performance due to how HomeKit communications work, and it might be better if you are in an apartment with congested Wi-Fi signals
  
• The Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmeris plugs into your outlet for connecting lamps that you want to dim
  
• If you don't mind wiring, (its so easy to do that you could easily remove them when you move out) I highly recommend the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Dimmer Switch. Rock solid and fast and easy to install. Its the best for lights because you don't have figure out the physical "switch" problem, and anybody can still use the lights in the apartment without having access to HomeKit.
  
• An AppleTV for your hub
  
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  That should get you going!

I answered above in this thread with some thoughts on smart switches, the tl;dr is the Lutron Caseta is by far the most versatile option for converting a full house. Leviton has some good options if you want hardware switches in 3-way environments instead of utilizing the remotes from the Lutron system, but frankly the hardware switches from Leviton cost about the same as the remotes from Lutron and the Lutron is a lot easier to install and operate...

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeKit/comments/d7r9ch/monthly_buying_megathread_ask_which_accessory_to/f1mskrn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

This goes doubly for ceiling fans, I adore their ceiling fan controllers. I have 4 of them, and in one room where I didn't have the wiring necessary to wire in a lutron fan controller I actually installed an insteon fan controller inside the fan housing and connected that to homekit via their insteon pro hub. Its a huge hassle, and the lutron wall fan controllers are a million times better but they do require neutral wiring in the wall.

Finally, for garage doors my reco is to go with the insignia universal garage door adapter and pair it with this magnetic sensor instead of the one included because its a hell of a lot better and will give you a more reliable sensor reading: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GUSNQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Well, do you want any color control, or do you want them to just turn off/on?

What sort of automation would you like to have happen, or do you want to simply control them from your phone/voice?

Some lights do not come with a hub, but all HomeKit products can use an AppleTV 3rd generation (or later) as the HomeKit Hub. You'll need this to control your lights when you aren't on your home network.

I haven't tried any smart bulbs myself, yet... However, I'd recommend (if you don't want color) trying out the Hubless Sylvania Smart Bulbs. They are well reviewed on Amazon and likely the least expensive way to try HomeKit.

https://www.amazon.com/White-Philips-RunLessWire-Compatible-Assistant/dp/B07MMWH2YB/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=78340278976959&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&hvqmt=b&keywords=runlesswire+switch&qid=1570124725&s=gateway&sr=8-3

This fits standard US light switch plates. It's technically designed to work as a dimmer for Hue, but it can setup to work with HomeKit to trigger scenes as well. I'm pretty sure it required a Hue hub though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075KBHXFP?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

These are the bulbs I got; you have to be careful when looking at Sylvania cause they have all sorts of different smart devices for different ecosystems.

You just need to make sure it says HomeKit, those are the Bluetooth devices that Sylvania sells.

Only time I use airplay in my home is to stream music directly to my HomePod; works perfect without a WiFi Router.

Oh okay, have you checked out Logitech Pop yet? They are just a single gensture based HomeKit button that consist of one click, two click, long press. They communicate via Bluetooth with the bridge that plugs into the wall and connects to Wi-Fi. They are a taaad bit delayed because of the Bluetooth but still gets the job done.

But before you drop money on those I’d go the hue route to be honest because it’s so much more expandable. Plus, Run Less wire has a hue compatible 4 button switch that actually mounts in a gang box and a regular faceplate can fit over it to make it look built in rather than stuck on the wall.

You wouldn’t necessarily have to buy any hue bulbs in the beginning to just get the switches. Bridges sometimes go on sale or you can get a used one off eBay or something fairly cheap. Heck I’ve got a spare unused hub I got on sale for $15 off Facebook that someone was selling that came out of the starter pack.

Just in my setup, I have a Hue Tap that turns on 6 hue lamps, 4 Wemo minis, 2 lutron in wall dimmers, and 6 lutron plug in dimmers. I have a Hue Dimmer Switch that controls one lutron device and one Wemo device. And I’ve got 4 Logitech pop buttons that set scenes. So out of all of my switches I’d have to say the hues are my favorite because of the near zero latency, whereas the pop buttons have maybe a second or 2 before the commands are executed.

Logitech Pop Starter -$59.99

Vs
Hue Bridge- $46.40 plus Hue Dimmer Switch -$21.80 or Hue Tap- $49.37


Oh and with hue, you can even use their indoor and outdoor motion sensors to integrate with HomeKit.

Sure. Just replace the switch with a Homekit enabled switch. The one in your post looks similar to this one in my neighbor's house: https://www.amazon.com/SHARNDY-Warmers-Heated-ETW13-2A-Bathroom/dp/B00S4FJ6YY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1551004089&sr=8-4&keywords=heated+towel+rail . In her house, this is just plugged into an outlet, located in the wall, that's turned on/off by a regular switch. I replaced the original switch with a Lutron Caseta switch and now the towel warmer comes on via schedule for her.

I have this floor standing model: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016L5H0U/ref=twister_B00F3X79IU?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1, and it's plugged into a VOCOlinc Smartbar:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NJRS8TX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mine also turns on and off via a schedule. In addition, I also placed an Aqara water sensor in my shower, so when it gets wet, the water sensor turns on tower warmer if it's not already on and it turns off after 2 hours.

Caseta has non-dimming switches that work with HomeKit. The more reasonably priced one requires neutral but the hard to find one doesn't. (For some reason it's on Amazon for $58 instead of $70+ as I write this)

These can be used to turn a fan on and off, but not control the fan speed.

I wish there was a Caseta version of this combined controller (for a reasonable price) that can work with one wire to the canopy.

I have 3 of the Hunter fans. They replaced older RF remote based fans that all had in wall mounted controls. I replaced them with a Hunter control that wires in the same way and works great with the fan.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WLM8LBG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I assume that it is, but I can't confirm it. Are you in the US? If so, you'd be better buying either of these, which I can confirm are two wire:

Dimmer and Remote

Dimmer

Both are less expensive than the item on eBay, and the first one comes with a Pico remote. I've bought several of each of Amazon. (Lowes and maybe Home Depot also stock these).

Look at the Broadlink RM on Amazon. It'll do most IR remote controls for fans, blinds or lights.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FK2SDOC

Here's a review: https://stephenradford.me/homekit-ir-blaster-controlling-my-tv-with-homekit/

I bought one two weeks ago and hope to set it up this week. (Been swamped with work) Be aware it does require installing Homebridge so you'll need either a Mac that's always on or a Raspberry PI to get it to work with HomeKit/Siri.

If you don't want to mess with Homebridge then a Homekit compatible IR controller for blinds and fans is Bond. I know next to nothing about it:

https://bondhome.io

Some new solutions were just announced at CES 2017, so they won't be out for a bit:

http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/5/10706816/apple-homekit-light-switch-power-outlet-idevices-ces-2016

http://www.macrumors.com/2017/01/05/leviton-homekit-light-switches-dimmers

I believe this one is already available, but I'm not 100% sure it supports non-wifi/Bluetooth connected bulbs.

https://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Connected-HomeKit-technology-Bluetooth/dp/B01M8HI8L5

There are others out there, too!

I don’t think it would work with a normal smart switch. This switch will probably do what you want it to though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WLM8LBG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511486986&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=hunter+fan+control&dpPl=1&dpID=41fxKaqMpxL&ref=plSrch

You could always go the pop button route and use a light switch cover like one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Amerelle-SG1-Switch-Guard-White/dp/B000NCV1SK/ref=pd_sim_75_2/131-1612548-3818927?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HMXFP98TV7Y6YRZAKCSC

Or here’s another style: https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Switch-Light-National-Mfg/dp/B00O6WYE1E/ref=pd_sim_60_3/131-1612548-3818927?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HNXK7ZCG6WBJ46QYNDPD&dpID=31KilZn0JDL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

Eve Light Switch is $48 @ Amazon which seems to be an alltime low.

A couple Wemo devices have been on sale recently at Amazon. The Wemo Dimmer was $59.99 and the Wemo Mini Smart Plug was $23.99. I wouldn't be surprised if they hit those prices again this weekend.

My mistake... I was thinking of this plug https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01DVIG20O/ which doesn't seem to have alexa support.

Just installed my august lock... although i dont see an option with "Friday" to remote lock/unlock outside of home network.

Would be interesting to hear the reviews, i wonder how the motor compares between the 2.

Haven't tried it but seems like this would work: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MMWH2YB/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_J16OCb9JMN3B8

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Just hard wire the switch and put this in the gang box. It's listed on Hue's website so should be compatible.

Awesome.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Wireless-Single-Pole-PD-FSQN-WH-Assistant/dp/B07N1GXM38

I know this is a reach, but what else would I need to make this work with HomeKit? HomeBridge? I do have an extra raspberry pi I could use.

My use case is really simple. No light, only ceiling fan. I currently use this switch:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011E5WXE

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These are it if I'm not mistaken, expensive but Lutron Caseta is rock solid in my experience

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NO7Z80S/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A1GAF1H4JQJZXC&psc=1

The cheapest way is to purchase a Caseta starter kit. It'll include a dimmer for a light and bridge. The bridge adds easily to HK. It was one of the first (and IMHO one of the best) HK integrations.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Wireless-Lighting-P-BDG-PKG1W-Assistant/dp/B00MXCRAX8/ref=pd_cp_60_2?pd_rd_w=1Cc2X&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=11WQJXBMVDNVY35FZZ8T&pd_rd_r=5bc69812-c3b0-40eb-9ff8-ecfefccc9026&pd_rd_wg=hEiyD&pd_rd_i=B00MXCRAX8&psc=1&refRID=11WQJXBMVDNVY35FZZ8T

Lutron PD-5WS-DV-WH Caseta Wireless 5 Amp Lighting and 3 Amp Fan RF On/Off Light Switch, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NO7Z80S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-Sg7Ab8RP8M9Z

Same here, plus I didn't want to fork over that much money just to turn a tower fan and atv on. It's a RM Mini3: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FK2SDOC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497038649&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=rm+mini+3&dpPl=1&dpID=418npUQ%2BGKL&ref=plSrch

ISmartgate lite

ISMARTGATE LITE Garage (aka. New Gogogate2) - HomeKit, Google Assistant, Alexa and iFTTT Compatible Controller to remotely Open, Close and Monitor from Anywhere with Smartphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PX311B3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.O-HDbGFVENY2

Vocolink plug

VOCOlinc Smart Plug, Wi-Fi Mini Outlet Socket, Works with HomeKit (iOS12 or +), Alexa & Google Assistant, Timer, No Hub Required, 15A 1800W, 2.4GHz, Smartbar (2 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJRS8TX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_t2-HDbQP800M4

I'd go with Elgato Eve Motion Sensors.

They are very reliable and promised to have better response time with iOS 11. Also they offer slight water resistance making it possible to place them outside in a covered area.

Just a side note: Make sure when you set any Elgato Eve products up you use your primary device that you use to set up HomeKit. I originally set mine up with my iPad but had to factory reset it. Made all my eve products go crazy.

Try this

I've thought about using these on my wall switches.. will let me resist the temptation of using the wall switch.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NCV1SK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499281949&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=switch+blocker&dpPl=1&dpID=31-JdmvrGsL&ref=plSrch


For somethings I find flicking the switch faster than using my phone, watch or Siri to turn the lights on

I got you fam. I know you already returned them but Lutron makes switches that don't require a neutral. They're not exactly cheap but they work, they're just simple on/off switches.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCEMBIA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here you go.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Wireless-Single-Pole-PD-FSQN-WH-Assistant/dp/B07N1GXM38/

Not under, but the silver is $107 at the moment. link

Take a look at Eve Motion: https://www.amazon.com/Eve-Motion-technology-resistance-Bluetooth/dp/B01MAV39M8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540884081&sr=8-1&keywords=elgato+eve+motion

If you don't mind the using a dimmer instead of the a switch, you can find the dimmer/hub bundle for not that much more.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lutron-Caseta-Wireless-P-BDG-PKG1W-In-Wall-Dimmer-Kit-w-Smart-Bridge-White-NEW/323233088576?epid=0&hash=item4b42318440:g:tE0AAOSwreVZzNrL

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Wireless-Lighting-Starter-P-BDG-PKG1W/dp/B00MXCRAX8

This is the on/off switch: 5 Amp Max. 2 Button RF Switch - 120/277V White - Lutron PD-5S-DV-WH https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NCEMBIA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apip_9LRpO3dF8vuUH

I used these as it worked with my setup. https://www.amazon.com/Potter-Amseco-ODC-59A-Overhead-Switch/dp/B000GUSNQW/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?crid=1QV6K3GF45HYY&keywords=wired+garage+door+sensor&qid=1556336767&s=gateway&sprefix=wired+garage+door+&sr=8-13

They need to wire into the iSmartgate unit (not the gate/garage motor) so if that’s in your garage you’d need to run wiring back to your garage to supoort it.

Dimmer Light Switch, Compatible with Philips Hue (White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MMWH2YB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gwpKDbK6WS77X

Hmm, $69.99 for HomeKit version on US store. Weird it would be $150 for .ca

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MA5FM54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_op0PAb44KXK4G

It’s doesn’t help that some of them are sold using the name HUB

The URL says bridge but the product title says hub. It’s just adds another unnecessary level of confusion

The Koogeek plug in outlets work that way. While the instructions will tell you to set up an account and install the app, you can simply set them up from the Home app with no extra setup required.

The taxes will probably drown you out of the iDevices Thermostat with a base price of 108 euro...

https://www.amazon.com/iDevices-Thermostat-Enabled-HomeKit-Amazon/dp/B019GQM6LY