Two kinds of trouble with Hue: ZHA -> Hue Bulb results in missed state changes, but HA -> Hue Bridge -> Hue Bulb is very slow. Should I try DeConz? Switch bulbs?

Hi all. I have about 12 Hue bulbs in my studio apartment. I interact with them mainly through three Hue dimmer switches. For a few reasons, the logic governing what my dimmer switches do is complex enough that I want to run it through Home Assistant rather than Hue rules. So I got a zigbee stick (HUSBZB-1) and tried two things:

  • Dimmer switch connects to HA via ZHA; HA interfaces with the Hue bulbs through the Hue bridge. In this setup, the first command gets a near-instant response, but the second and subsequent commands are very laggy. For example, when I use the dimmer switch to change brightness, my script loops through all the Hue light groups that are on and sets each of them to the new brightness. The first light group changes right away, but it can take up to 15 seconds for all the lights to change. I have confirmed that the delay is not coming from my script.

  • Dimmer switch and hue bulbs connect to HA via ZHA. Hue Bridge is not used. In this setup, I get faster but less reliable responses, even if I use Zigbee groups for the lights. Light groups will turn off as instructed, only for a single light to turn back on moments later. Or lights will turn off and stay off, but their state will be stuck as on in Home Assistant for ten seconds or more. (Because the logic for my dimmer switches depends on which lights are on and which are off, this is more problematic than it sounds.)

Has anyone dealt with this problem? Has anyone solved this problem?

I am considering switching to DeConz, because some anecdotes implied to me that it might be less temperamental than ZHA. I already have the stick, but I don’t want to mess with my current setup (which uses the hue bridge and is mostly adequate) for nothing. I also am considering switching to another brand of Zigbee lights, but I don’t want to spend the money only to have the same problem.

What would you suggest?