Greetings, fellow smart home enthusiasts! 
I’ve been diving into the world of e-paper displays lately, and I must say, it’s been quite an exciting journey. I stumbled upon two fantastic options: the Trmnl and the Waveshare e-paper display. Both seem to have their unique selling points, and I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences with you all.
First off, the Trmnl caught my eye because of its sleek design and the fact that it comes with built-in batteries. That’s a huge plus for me since it means I don’t have to worry about constant power supply or dealing with messy cables. The battery life is impressive, and the display quality is top-notch. However, as with most premium products, the price tag is a bit steep. I’m also a bit concerned about potential customs fees since I’m in the EU, but I’m not entirely sure how that would work out.
On the other hand, the Waveshare e-paper display seems like a more budget-friendly option. It’s incredibly easy to set up with Home Assistant and ESPHome, which is a huge advantage if you’re looking for a seamless integration. The community support for Waveshare is also quite robust, which means troubleshooting is usually straightforward. However, it doesn’t come with built-in batteries, so you’d need to have a reliable power source nearby.
I’ve been contemplating which one would be the better fit for my setup. The Trmnl’s portability and battery life are tempting, but the Waveshare’s ease of use and affordability are hard to ignore. I’m curious to hear from anyone who has hands-on experience with the Trmnl. How was your experience integrating it with Home Assistant? Did you face any challenges, and how did you overcome them?
I’d also love to hear if there are any other e-paper display options out there that I might have missed. The possibilities with these devices are endless, from displaying schedules and weather forecasts to creating interactive art pieces. It’s truly amazing how technology can enhance our living spaces in such creative ways.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Share your experiences, tips, and recommendations below. I’m excited to learn more and perhaps even get some inspiration for my own setup. Happy tinkering! 