Exploring Zigbee Options and Smart Lighting Integration

Hi everyone, I’ve been diving into the world of Zigbee and smart lighting lately, and I wanted to share my experiences and gather some insights from the community.

I’ve been using Home Assistant Green for a while now, and I’m looking to expand my setup with Zigbee2MQTT. I’ve come across two main options for Zigbee sticks: the Nabucasa ZBT-1 and the Sonoff Zigbee Stick. From what I understand, the ZBT-1 is future-proof with Matter support, but I’m a bit concerned about its external antenna for better range. On the other hand, the Sonoff sticks are reliable, but I’m wondering if they’ll keep up with future advancements.

I’d love to hear your experiences with these devices. Have you noticed any differences in performance or compatibility? I’m also curious about any tips for ensuring optimal signal strength, especially in larger homes.

Another area I’ve been exploring is smart lighting integration. I’ve set up virtual switches to control groups of lights, but I’ve noticed some quirks. For instance, when I say, Alexa, Inside Lights Off, it doesn’t always turn off all the lights if some are already off. It seems like the virtual switch state isn’t updating correctly unless all lights are on. I’ve heard that routines can help, but I’d love to find a more seamless solution.

Lastly, I’ve been experimenting with Govee lights for ambiance, and they’ve been a hit in my home. I’d love to hear about your favorite lighting setups or any creative ways you’ve integrated smart lights into your daily routines.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences! Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other create smarter, more connected homes. :rocket: