Get switches/lights smart using Zigbee

Hardware
1

Hi all,
I’m currently setting and configurating some devices in my HomeAssistant instance, which is running without any problems in one of my Proxmox machines.
Apart from some BT temperature/humidity sensors (Xiaomi LYWSD03MMC) and other devices I would like to smart up my lights and/or switches using Zigbee Devices
The problem: I am not sure, which aprroach fits best:

1.) Installing a “flush-mounted box Zigbee switches” like the one from LED Trading

Pros:

  • I can use my old switches.
  • I can use normal / non-smart lamps, which is usually cheaper
  • Wife-Acceptance-Factor would probably be the highest

Cons:

  • ?

2.) Changing all my lamps to smart bulbs + changing my old switches to Zigbee switches. Technically I would modify the lamps’ powerlines to “continuous” on; controlling the lamps is then done by the smart switches.
Pros:

  • Highest flexibility

Cons:

  • Changing all switches to new ones to controll the actual lights is probably more expensive since bulb + switches needs to be changes.

Is there any recommendation? Do I miss anything?
Would be great to hear from you. Maybe you have an advice :slight_smile:

2

If I have to choose between smart switches vs smart bulbs… Smart switches always.

Smart bulbs would probably make sense only if/when you want them to do change colors (e.g. for notifications). Outside of that use case… smart bulbs are not very practical.

Also, I’d search here:
Supported Devices | Zigbee2MQTT

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