Hello everyone,
Looking for some recommendations for Wi-Fi based wall switches and dimmers that can be locally controlled. I have a Unifi network so Wi-Fi is not a problem for me as I have a solid connection and a separate network/VLAN for my IoT devices. I run Home Assistant inside a Docker container and it works well. I also have an MQTT broker in a docker container as well. HA is my central hub, but I run HomeKit as another control layer on top of that. My wife likes to control things with Siri, but Home Assistant is the real brain and makes all the devices available to HomeKit. So HomeKit compatibility is of no real concern to me. I’ve have had good luck converting some Tuya based devices (pre-2021) to Tasmota. Those seem to work well. I also have some Tuya cloud based wall plugs/bulbs, but I would eventually like to phase those out. But for my wall switches and Dimmers I would like those to be completely local an not on the cloud. I’m not going to waste the time or money putting something in my wall that relies on a cloud service.
It seems over the last year or so many of the Tuya devices have started migrating away from ESP (ESP32 or ESP8266) based controllers to RTL type controllers…which makes flashing with Tasmota firmware (or anything else) impossible now. Even looking at the blakadder template page it seems that even models that I’ve had some luck with have started swapping out the controller chips but sticking with the same model. So that makes me reluctant to buy the same switches.
I recently added a Shelly One to a 4-way switch configuration. I do like the Shellys, they are a good product. Not only are they UL listed, but the UI seems nice and it gives the option to use locally or optionally connect to their cloud. Setup was easy and I have it setup locally with MQTT. So I am open to other local control options beside Tasmota. Shelly Unfortunately doesn’t make wall switches and dimmers and I think that would be more suitable for most of my applications
Here is my general criteria:
Single Gang US style Decor format
Wifi based controller
ESP based chipset that can be flashed with open firmware OR offers local based control like the Shelly’s or can be locally controlled via a HA integration.
Reasonable price range (not pricey like the Lutrons), maybe $30 USD or less per device?
Offers relay controlled Switches and Dimmers as options
Models that would support 3-Way Control, I think I’ve seen some that will allow the remote switch to be a dumb switch as well.
I should have Neutral wires in most my locations, so neutral requirements are a non-issue in my case.
I have some TreatLife, Gosund and some other off brand devices that I’ve flashed, but it doesn’t appear that I can confirm the new devices haven’t had their controllers switched. I’ve searched and searched and feel like I am coming up short. Most of the information is either out of date or irrelevant. The change over the last year (2021) with the Tuya devices seems to have hampered the Tasmota/ESPHome options. That is why I am posting to see what others are doing for locally controllable wall switches and dimmers.
I had the Treatlife Dimmers DS01C all around the house and I needed to buy some additional ones while renovating… and it turns out those are now WB3S based… so not ESP based… meaning no ESPHome or Tasmota can be installed on those.
With insteon dying I had pretty much the exact same question. Hopefully this will prompt a few more responses-- UL and ESPHome are pretty important to me as well.
Linus (Tech Tips) is putting GE/Jasco devices (z-wave) in his new house and just posted a video discussing issues he’s having with them and it can apparently be resolved with firmware but Jasco is will not make the new firmware available to the end user because they claim it is proprietary. SMH
I was looking at TP-Link Kasa switches and dimmers. Those appear to be the best option I can find so far but I’ve yet to commit. Still closed firmware but I believe you can locally control them via the HA integration. Some still require the cloud to setup though.
I just wish these companies would get their crap together and come out with an open standard product and stop trying to shove junk/proprietary apps down our throats. They are making home automation worse not better.
I just returned some Shelly devices. The Shelly Dimmer 2 I installed, let’s just say it’s much more involved, you need to go out and buy some spare solid copper wire, the instructions are not great for people who aren’t electricians or have an electronics back ground.
I do understand them however, and wired it up, worked good.
The next day I got a notification it was over heating. When I squeeze lightly I can hear a crinkling sound, my brand new one does this also. The plastic is cheap, lots more potential for exposed wires, it cramps your electrical box and just feels like a fire hazard compared to something self contained.
Oh also the Shelly dimmer 2 only works with a standard switch, if you attempt to wire in a dimmer switch it won’t work at all. If you want a physical dimmer, you Need two spare switches, or you need a momentary button that you press or hold to do different things.
All of these extra features weren’t really needed, I just want the lights to turn off automatically at a certain time, turn off after a specific time, have them work without internet and use wifi instead of zigbee zwave etc. So I went out and got the TP Link Kasa HS220 Dimmers. All I can say is wiring them Up and configuring them has never been easier. The whole connection part was one of the smoothest I’ve had. The switches are also less expensive. While they switches do less, they do enough. I tested the switches after unplugging my cable modem, they still work over wifi and they respond near instantly. No unusual delay afterward.
My only gripe is there’s no ability to share with other users. Fortunately with Home Assistant that doesn’t really matter.
Also, their dimmer calibration was a little wonky.
I’ve kind of put my home automation expansion on hold for a while because of all the convoluted product offerings. I have had two Shelly relays installed for a while now and have been happy with them. UL listed also. One of them is in a ceiling box in a 4 way switch configuration without neutrals to the switches. Works great after I was able to diagram out a schematic.
Looks like Shelly recently released a US based wall dimmer that fits a standard Decora plate. It’s also UL listed. Has the Shelly firmware on it which I’m fine with, but is ESP32 based so should be flashable. I ordered one to give a try. Hoping they also come out with some wall switches too. Especially ones that support true 3-way with traveler wires to support a dumb switch on the other end.
Martin Jerry also has some pre flashed Tasmota switches but those don’t appear to tick my UL listed checkbox. Their dimmers also look stupid.
did you find anything?, I’ve just got the pre-flashed Martin Jerry tasmota but have some issues with the switch being unresponsive. It gets all of the mqtt messages and works intermittently even when operated from the web console. Just checking as I have similar preferences
Hi,
Like misteraon I have a dreamweaver se and setup a seperate vlan for my automation devices. I just purchased and installed the Shelly plus Wall Dimmer and it worked great.
My HA raspberry is on a separate VLAN and that was no problem. I did not install any Shelly apps or use any cloud interfaces. Simply logged into the device( via its access point ) set my automation vlan wifi credentials, went into HA, clicked add device, selected shelly and there it was. Granted it has only been a few hours, however it is much more stable than my 38 zwave devices.
Mike
