Physical wireless remote control to control lights? (Similar to IKEA Tradfi remote)

Hardware
1

I’m trying to automate the ceiling lights in an apartment.

The ceiling lights are dimmable LEDs - each one has its own LED driver, which is then directly plugged into a normal 2-prong power plug.

I was thinking of putting a Shelly Dimmer 2 inline to each LED.

However, what do I do about the wall switches? I assume the existing wall switch just needs to be left in the permanent on position.

Is there some kind of wall-mount or remote option that can be used to trigger the lights over Wifi (or other wireless standard). Perhaps something like the IKEA Tradfi remote:

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but that is compatible with HomeAssistance/Tasmota/ESPHome?

Or what do you guys use to control the lights, if you don’t want to use your phone or computer each time?

2

Tbh, making the tradfri remote working with HA is kinda simple: Get a zigbee USB stick like deconz or a preflashed one for use with zigbee2mqtt like this https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07ZZ88BWZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_HZR3Fb94C44TN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1and plug it into your ha host. Then setup the zha integration from ha settings and search for new devices, then get the remote into pairing mode. Then you can use button presses on it as trigger for automations by using as trigger device->tradfri remote->the button you want to use.
I’m using it like this and so far it’s stable and fast. Of course can make a circuit like a relay with it’s coil connected to your wall switch and pull an esp pin high or low, but that will require some harder tasks and an electrician to properly install it. There are also smart switches like lutron casetta to replace the normal wall switches, but they’re a bit expensive and I personally don’t like their looks. I’ve seen a few showcases from a YouTuber called smarthome solver, that’s a source for a few recommendations.

3

Just use the IKEA remote with a Conbee 2. I tried deCONZ but have found ZHA better. Personal preference really.

4

Oh sweet, that is pretty awesome.

So it seems like I can use the IKEA TRÅDFRI Remote or Philips Hue Dimmers directly with Home Assistant, I just need to buy a Zigbee USB dongle like the ConBee II, and install Deconz or ZHA

The Conbee 2 is a USB dongle, which I assume I plug into my HomeAssistant box. (I was actually going to virtualise my HomeAssistant box, but I guess I’ll figure out a way to pass USB devices through to it).
This host will be in sound-proof server rack, under the stairs.

Question - this is for a two-storey apartment, and I’m concerned about range.

Is there some way of having multiple ConBee II dongles, each plugged into say a separate Raspberry Pi (or NUC) and communicating with a central HomeAssistant host? (I can then have these outside of the server rack, and in a central location on each floor).

5

I dont know about the conbee, but with the software zigbee2mqtt its possible to setup multiple pi zeros, connect them via mqtt to the mqtt broker and have multiple zigbee networks. OR you setup some zigbee routers, at the zigbee2mqtt page theres a descirption how to flash zigbee sticks as router. Or you use mains powered devices like switchable outlets as router.