Hi guys, I am pretty new to the Home Assitant topic. For now I am using a Phillips Hue Bridge + Alexa for controlling my (Phillips and Ledvance Zigbee) lights, Phillips switches and some no-name Zigbee power outlets. I ordered a Zigbee USB stick which is working absolutely fine but I am overwhelmed with controlling the lights and power outlets with voice (Alexa devices). From my research I am aware that there are 4 possibilites to connect HA to Alexa services:
Nabu Casa (which is too expensive imo),
Emulated hue (where only on/off is possible),
Node-red solution which is discontinued for now,
The self-host skill in Lambda (where you need to expose your HA to the internet),
Is there any possibility which I did not find during searching? Or is it somehow possible to use the self-hosted skill with a secured VPN or something similar? Many thanks in advance. Bests
Alexa is exposed to web. Not going to be able to do it without the web which ever way you choose. You will need home assistant voice if you want it local only. And then unless you have expensive hardware the experience of Alexa is going to be difficult to match. You can easily use web based AI with HA voice which brings it nearer to Alexa but still not quite there.
With a bit of scripting, I also use it to control my thermostat’s temperature setting (the thermostat is handled like a light, its temperature is brightness).
Spend the $ on Nabu Casa. It not only gives you everything you’re asking for here, but secure external access and it furthers the development of Home Assistant, which benefits us all.
If you’ve been able to afford Phillips lights and the Hue Bridge, I’m willing to wager that you can find the 6 or 7 dollars or euros somewhere in your budget.