I originally posted this on the HA section of Reddit but all I got was two automated replies about pricing and fake reviews so I am posting here.
Hi there,
I have several LIFX Lightbulbs in both E27 and B22 versions. I wanted to expand the number of Lightbulbs I have, however LIFX are very expensive to purchase, so I decided to look at other options and found these nanoleaf Matter bulbs which are on a good offer, then I realised I probably needed some form of Gateway, so I purchased a MOES Matter/Zigbee Gateway to use with the Lightbulbs.
I have subsequently realised both nanoleaf and MOES seem to require cloud accounts to be set up, which tbh I am trying to avoid.
Would I be better off returning both items to Amazon UK and starting again? If so what recommendations does anyone have?
Ideally something simple I can use, and maybe move over permanently to, and replace the LIFX bulbs with.
Matter devices are controlled over an IP network by a “controller” also on that same network. Home Assistant OS includes a Matter controller add-on that works with the integration to control your Matter devices without any kind of gateway or cloud account, as long as they adhere to the Matter specs.
“IP network” can mean connectivity via Ethernet (wires), WiFi (wireless), or Thread (low-power wireless). All three need something to interconnect devices — you probably already have a WiFi router, but for Thread connectivity you also need a Thread Border Router (TBR). Again, the TBR does not control devices, it just connects them to your network so they can communicate with HA.
Nanoleaf makes both Thread and WiFi-connected Matter bulbs, but you didn’t say which model you have. If they are WiFi, just open the HA companion app for iOS/Android and add new Matter device. If they are Thread, then first you’ll need to setup a TBR (many homes already have them without even knowing). Unfortunately Thread (being relatively new) is still having some UX pains so the commissioning procedure somewhat depends on what manufacturer TBR you have. Highly recommend reading the HA Matter docs for details.
You should probably return the Moes device — not only does it require cloud access, it probably isn’t needed. If you do have Zigbee devices, consider getting a usb dongle to setup Zigbee instead.
Hi peterxian thanks for the extensive reply, I will have a full read later. The nanoleaf bulbs are the Matter version. Sorry I didn’t mention this in my original post. Previously the post included a link but I removed it as I the reply on Reddit was just an autobot.
Based on your response I’ll return the Moes (and possibly the nanoleaf lightbulbs) to Amazon soon and look at the info you recommended.
Just to clarify — unlike Zigbee, Matter is just for control, and can use either of two different underlying connection types, so be aware of which you are buying:
Matter-over-WiFi needs a WiFi router
Matter-over-Thread needs a Thread Border Router
To further complicate things, some Nanoleaf devices are WiFi-connected with built-in TBR. And some WiFi routers (Eero Pro, Google Hub) also double as a TBR. You’ll know if you have a TBR if it appears in the HA configuration settings for the Thread integration.
Just for clarity… I have both WIZ and Tapo WiFI/Matter bulbs. The apps want you to login to their cloud to setup the WiFi but once that is done and they are integrated to the Matter Server add on you never need those apps again unless you must reset them on the WiFi network. The Matter integration is local once they are connected to WiFi. I also ignore the bulbs when the HA Wiz and Tplink integrations find them. I have found the Matter interface to be much more solid and responsive.
For Wiz and Tapo bulbs my high level integration steps are…
NOTE: The HA Matter Server addon must be up and running first
1: Use the phone app to setup the bulbs on WiFi on the same LAN as your HA instance
2: Ignore them if they are automatically found in HA Integration scanning
3: Connect them to the HA Matter Integration following the manufacturers instruction
They are now ready to be used through the Matter integration. I’m sure the same process is true for any other manufacturer bulbs that use Matter. No additional hub or hardware is required.
Just to clarify in order to set up the bulbs you need to register with the app and use it? IE register an account with Tapo/WIZ via their respective apps?
In my experience the Wiz bulbs forced you to login with the app because they were legacy devices with a firmware update to enable Matter, and did not originally ship with a QR code so the app had to generate one. Newer devices should ship with a QR code for commissioning without vendor-specific apps. According to Tapo’s support site, their app is recommended but not required, so hopefully that is accurate.
You may or may not need to register the native app to use it but currently you will need it to establish the network connection. Once the network connection is made and you are connected to the Matter Server the native app is no longer required the device will present itself in HA. It also does not need to be presented in any other HA integrations which is why I ignore them and can be accessed directly through the matter integration.
Actually the Wiz devices I purchased came with a code as well. I believe for other Matter Servers you may be correct that the devices native app is not needed and they can be commissioned directly from that Matter Server however I have no direct experience. I say this as the HA Matter Server add on has an option for “Commission New WiFi” or “Commission New Thread” devices that are currently grayed out but I’m sure will become available as the Matter Server add on matures. So yes I believe Tapo is correct however for the HA Matter Add On specifically the process I outlined is all that is available for new devices that I am aware of.
