My 8 Favourite House Assistant Integrations

I’ve been utilizing House Assistant for over 5 years, and it’s the excellent sensible dwelling hub for me. I’ve no plans of searching for a substitute. One of many largest causes for that is due to all the House Assistant Integrations. The whole lot I wish to do and combine with works with House Assistant. I’m utilizing 40+ integrations! However with so many, that are my favorites? Right here is my record and why they’re my favorites.

#8 Google SDK

The Google SDK integration is the latest integration on this record. Though House Assistant integrates with lots, it doesn’t combine with every thing. The Google SDK integration permits House Assistant to regulate units which have Google Assistant integrations, even when they don’t (but) combine with House Assistant.

Any machine that you would be able to management by way of Google Assistant voice command you may management by way of the Google SDK integration. Moreover, this integration lets you broadcast messages to Google Assistant-powered audio system and shows. Chances are you’ll suppose you might already do that by casting to Google audio system. Nonetheless, with broadcast, you pause no matter is taking part in, play the message, after which it goes again to what was taking part in. With forged, it stops no matter is taking part in.

This integration is extra concerned than most to arrange, however it’s nicely value it if you wish to management one thing with House Assistant with no native integration.

#7 Telegram Bot

The notifications that my sensible dwelling gives me are invaluable. I do know when upkeep is required (e.g., low batteries), I get warnings earlier than conditions develop into catastrophic (e.g., leak detectors), and I obtain many sorts of safety messages (e.g., doorways left open or unlocked, alarm set off, and many others.). Having a dependable and well timed notification system is extraordinarily essential. That’s the place the Telegram Bot integration is useful.

My Telegram notifications are instantaneous, work on a number of platforms (Chromebook, Linux, Home windows, cell), and permit me to assessment outdated notifications. Telegram is every thing I would like in a notification service.

#6 ESPHome

I actually began stepping into ESPHome once I constructed my first air high quality sensor. I additionally used ESPHome to enhance my air high quality sensor and to create a fingerprint-powered storage door opener. House Assistant runs ESPHome and the mixing is tightly coupled.

There’s seemingly no finish to issues you should use ESPHome for, which makes it an incredible House Assistant integration.

#5 Shelly

The Shelly units help so many protocols that they’ll combine with absolutely anything. Earlier than Shelly had a totally supported House Assistant integration I used their MQTT and REST interfaces. Nonetheless, utilizing the Shelly integration makes every thing fast and seamless, and good factor to as a result of I take advantage of Shelly units for a lot of issues like:

#4 WLED

Addressable LEDs are simple and cheap so as to add to your property if use WLED. I’ve added WLED-powered shows inside and outdoors of my dwelling. A part of what makes WLED nice is how nicely it integrates with House Assistant.

Utilizing the mixing, I can use automations in House Assistant to alter the colours, results, playlists, and presets to match the season (winter, spring, summer time, fall), and occasions (panic button, alarms, varied statuses in my dwelling). All on autopilot!

#3 MQTT

MQTT ought to be extra talked about and extra used. It’s a nice protocol for integrating and controlling varied sensible dwelling units. House Assistant’s integration with MQTT is top-notch. I take advantage of MQTT because the engine behind sensible sensors, RF integrations, irrigation system automation, and far more.

#2 Nabu Casa

My household actually likes the power to remotely management the sensible units in my home. They don’t wish to be taught an app or something like that. They only wish to inform Google or Alexa to show the lights on, arm the alarm, open the storage, or activate the TV and gaming console. House Assistant’s cloud integration with Google Assistant and Alexa makes something controllable in House Assistant out there to our favourite voice assistants. Nabu Casa makes it a snap to arrange!

Nabu Casa additionally permits for safe entry to my House Assistant interface from anyplace on the planet.

#1 Z-Wave

I do know that Matter is right here. I additionally know there are many different sensible dwelling protocols (Thread, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). My sensible house is full of units that use all of those protocols. However, I’ve extra Z-Wave units than I’ve every other kind of sensible dwelling machine. And, it’s vital that my sensible dwelling controller integrates nicely with Z-Wave.

House Assistant’s legacy Z-Wave integration was okay. Nonetheless, it was somewhat sluggish, and sluggish to help new units. That every one modified after they added the Z-Wave JS integration. After I made the change, all my units turned well-supported and response instances have been virtually instantaneous. My sensible dwelling can be a lot dumber with out Z-Wave integration.

Closing ideas

Selecting simply eight integrations was exhausting, however these are my favorites. This record has modified since I made an analogous record of favourite House Assistant integrations a number of years in the past. I’m wondering what my favorites shall be in a number of years.

Editor’s Word: You must also try my favourite House Assistant automations.

What are your favourite House Assistant Integrations and why? Let me know within the feedback or on Twitter.