I would like to have better Thread network coverage outside my home so I can set up a few sensors around the house. Unfortunately just about every one of my Matter devices is a low powered battery something-something, so I’m not getting a network extension out of them. I put an unused HomePod Mini in my garage which solved the network problem there, but I’m still lacking coverage for my garden and rooftop.
I’ve got some network runs on the exterior of my house that can be used, so something like the SMLIGHT products seem great because they can be powered off of PoE. Additionally, I have a utility box that one of these could go inside and I could mount the antennae on the outside of the box. The reviews on these are VERY mixed though, so I am hesitant.
Has anyone been in a similar situation and found a reliable product that works well here?
Do you have a covered outlet outdoors, non GFIC? The Eve energy outlet is a powerful, mains powered thread mesh router. I use one inside my house.
If you have landscape lights are something powered outside, each outlet can be controlled for automations for more use out of it… I’m not using the outlets on mine because the best place for it for the mesh doesn’t need automation; but its worked great for completing the mesh in my house. There’s no way its getting unplugged or interfered with.
If you can do this and the outlet cover is metal, I’d replace it with a plastic one. Also, hopefully a downstream outlet is GFIC as the Eve is not.
I do have an outdoor outlet available but it is indeed GFCI and it is on its own circuit, so I would be removing that fault protection with the Eve outlet. Very cool product, though.
While on the subject - I have an out house in the garden with wifi and an Aqara M100. Devices work fine in the room, as does the outdoor Govee light on the outside. However, the 2 Eve motion sensors to drop off Thread frequently, which is a pain. They’re not even particularly far from the M100 (about 2m but there are walls).
Does the M3 offer better/extended signal strength?