(Part 3) 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
  
  ​
  
  That should get you going!

My recommendation would be lighting first. HomeKit has great support for smart lighting products and seems to work the best at the moment.

I went with Lutron Caseta for all of my overhead lights because I like to be able to control them with the switch when I need to. They are good for chandeliers or anything with multiple/specialty bulbs. Casetas require a bit of electrical knowledge. Only go this way if you're comfortable with installing light switches or willing to learn. Also not a good idea for renters.

As an alternate route, you can go with Philips Hue white and color ambience bulbs. This are great for lamps or any lights that do not have an easily accessible switch. A good choice for renters and easy non-invasive installation.

Thermostats, Locks, and Sensors should come after you get a good idea on how to set up your lighting scenes and home automation.

If you want to be able to remotely control your HomeKit devices, you should buy an Apple TV 4th Generation.

Everyone has different needs in their home. What would you like to convert to a smart product first?


Lutron Caseta starter kit:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XPW6824/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1483293754&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=caseta&dpPl=1&dpID=41ceEVWftrL&ref=plSrch

Philips hue starter kit:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MF63MGR/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1483293817&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=philips+hue+starter+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=31kPit0lUAL&ref=plSrch

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

Here’s a set of two dimmer switches, hub and remotes. No neutral wire required for these so couldn’t be easier to fit

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Wireless-Lighting-P-BDG-PKG2W-Assistant/dp/B01M3XJUAD/ref=sr_1_7?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1535840828&sr=1-7&keywords=lutron+caseta

And here’s just the hub and a basic switch. You do need a neutral for the switch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XPW67ZM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017LRCG38/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It’s not cheap to get started for sure (mainly due to that bridge) but Caseta, apart from HomeBridge, has been my most solid HomeKit device. The bridge never requires a restart in my experience. I honestly wish I hadn’t invested so much in Hue before I used this.

Can someone please help me?

I have the following garage opener: Chamberlain WD1000WF 1-1/4 HPS Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013UGZYOM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pgfJzbNESY9AX

If i want to add homekit to it, do I buy only this new device or something else as well?

Thank you

I use the Bond Fan controller. It’s not HomeKit compatible yet but the company has said its coming soon. It works well with Alexa to control speed and lights. You would need to have remote control modules in each fan but they are reasonably priced ~$20 per fan.

https://www.amazon.com/BOND-Ceiling-Instantly-Amazon-Compatible/dp/B071GVGVVH/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1516833372&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bond+home&psc=1

Wait for the Vocolinc to come back in stock. I’ve not used the light strips specifically, but their bulbs have been great for me and the reviews look solid.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078MTP8CN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9XpIAb3NNW8DS

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.

I was surprised at first by the lack of HomeKit support, considering that most of not all of their other products are compatible. But like others have said, battery life is probably the main concern. Phillips Hue has a battery powered wall dimmer switch that can control other HomeKit devices and scenes, but they’re only able to accomplish this through the Hue bridge. Also, they are similar, but not quite not decora sized unfortunately.

Most people who go all in on Hue cover the light switches with something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078MDDFM7/ref=dp_cerb_2 and add some of these for switches https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Hue-Dimmer-Installation-Free-Exclusively/dp/B076MGKTGS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1538531531&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=hue+dimmer+switch&psc=1 or https://www.amazon.com/Philips-without-Batteries-Installation-Free-Exclusively/dp/B079P5H2WG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1538531555&sr=1-1&keywords=hue+tap

I currently split my time between two residences and one has hue the other Lutron and I find the hue just has all sorts of nice bells and whistles like sleep cycle alarm integration along with having solid lights that have consistent dimming and color options. The Lutron works and adds some smart functionality to your lights but in my experience getting it up to what Hue gives you takes a lot more work.

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B013UGZYOM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pgfJzbNESY9AX

---

^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

Thank you!! Looking on Amazon, see one similar to what you described, that look about right?

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

I've been using LeGrand. Easy to install and VERY reliable (no hub required other than the standard HomePod, iPad or AppleTV for HomeKit)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FPB9VC4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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.

This one, safe and sound is crazy expensive

Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector | Hardwired | First Alert https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYQZ52Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8EwxDb5YT3ZEC

I have been using the Legrand Smart Switches for a few months with 0 issues.

Google Wifi mesh router system


https://www.amazon.com/Legrand-Q-Tru-Universal-Assistant-Compatible/dp/B07FPB9VC4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=legrand%2Bsmart%2Bswitch&qid=1572954178&sprefix=legrand%2Bsm&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUE9NMDBSWlgwRFNOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzc3MzAxMjFUM0FKQzBCUVU1VCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDkzNDQ4MlBKQ0NVU0pJOUtTSCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

Don't mean to hijack but I see this as relevant, if I purchased this kit which states it's homekit enabled (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XPW6824/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

and this switch which has no mention of homekit (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJY0S4G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3TX4YUK2VIRSQ)

Will the seperate switch work with the hub and all switches would then be homekit compatible? Thanks heaps if you are able to confirm this

Do you know how to tell which devices are compatible with this firmware? I have one of these, I'd like to get native compatibility with:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752P57ZG

​

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

Can't answer about ANY stickers, but I bought these and they work just fine with the feature.

I just installed Lutron Caseta switches on some three-way circuits. You replace one of the switches with a new switch, and then you tie all the wires from the second switch together and mount a Pico remote in its place. Works well, and works with Homekit.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-P-PKG1WB-WH-Caseta-Wireless-Dimmer/dp/B07HM6L48C

I have iPhone X .
These tags work fine

GoToTags Heavy Duty On-Metal NFC... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015EM34WY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

My understanding is that the Bond uses IR, requiring line-of-sight.

Actually, looking closer at the Amazon listing, the product description mentions IR AND RF.

www.amazon.com/dp/B071GVGVVH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zPBCCbT3FPDDE

I know the Bond doesn’t do native Homekit, but there is a Homebridge plug-in available.

you can also look at the iHome sensor. It's wifi and homekit native.

https://www.amazon.com/iHome-iSS50-Smartmonitor-monitoring-anywhere/dp/B076TDZX9J/ref=pd_sim_201_14?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01LZUSJ26&pd_rd_r=W6RM32BTB7HG6EN2AXS4&pd_rd_w=kTX7Y&pd_rd_wg=5Usk9&refRID=W6RM32BTB7HG6EN2AXS4&th=1

IHome makes one for $26.99 that I believe HomeKit compatible

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B076TDZX9J/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Fibaro Homekit Flood Sensor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MA5FM54/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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

The Voco lightstrip: https://www.amazon.com/VOCOlinc-HomeKit-Assistant-Required-Controller/dp/B078MTP8CN/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519414378&sr=8-3&keywords=vocolinc is IP67 waterproof rated.

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.

It's only $60 on Amazon

Most old openers have the option to wire a momentary push button on a wall, to open the door. You can parallel in a dry contact from a Wi-Fi IOT sensor like this: https://www.amazon.com/Channel-Inching-Self-locking-Wireless-Control/dp/B0752P57ZG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1519067560&sr=8-4&keywords=Inching+smart+switch

Just add any tiny 5 VDC power brick for power and wire a dry contact across the push button contacts. Downside is this isn’t HomeKit.

Alternatively you could use a HomeKit plug like iDevices, iHome or Eve Energy. But you’d have to wire a 120 VAC relay to the plug and wire a dry relay contact across the momentary switch. Downside is this isn’t a momentary output (plug is On or Off), So in operation you’d have to give it an On and then an Off without any feedback on what happened. This is OK but not ideal. I’d add contacts or even a camera for open/close state confirmation.

I’m adding the first option to my home as a backup way to get into my garage. This winter I got locked out as front door latch froze up and I was on foot ( no opener). But it was a comedy of errors.

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

99107 is a weird component.

99107 receives BT from the simpleconnect wifi app, then relays RF to a 99199 receiver.

99158 and 99198 are RF controls that communicate directly with a 99199 receiver.

https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-99107-SimpleConnect-Programmable-Control/dp/B00UQOP2JO

https://www.hunterfan.com/ceiling-fan-accessories/universal-receiver---4-speed-99199

hunter still has 2 simpleconnect apps. simpleconnect wifi and simpleconnect.

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

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m afraid that’s not the case, but there is a product for retrofit fans by Hunter:

https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-99107-SimpleConnect-Programmable-Control/dp/B00UQOP2JO

The product you linked just adds wireless communication to a Casablanca wall switch or remote.

However, if you look at the reviews of their SimpleConnect app and how difficult it is to get it work with HomeKit or Alexa, maybe you should search for another option