Does anyone have any experience or recommendations for a physical remote control that can be used with HomeAssistant? I’m hoping to find a multi-button zigbee or wifi device that HA can recognize and allow me to configure buttons to HA automations.
I’m already using a couple single button devices that can be configured to perform different actions on single press, double press, and long press, but would love a single device with multiple buttons for some locations.
There are lots of cheap Zigbee (multi) buttons available. If you want something a little bit fancier I can 100% recommend Home Buttons. You can either build it yourself (3D printed enclosure, custom PCB) or buy one already built for you. They each fancy an e-ink display you can configure with Material Design Icons (or even custom text in case of the bigger one). They integrate into Home Assistant via MQTT and can be fully used for any automation you would like. You can even change the 4 or 6 button labels using Home Assistant.
Very cool buttons! Thanks!
Oh, those look nice! Looks like they’re sold out at the official retailer sites though. Bummer.
From Zigbee devices I’d highly recommend the ones from Ikea (Somrig, Styrbar, Symfonisk - depending on what you’re going to use it for), and there are a lot more on AliExpress.
Another route might be using ESPHome and program something like Cheap Yellow Display (5-10$ on AliExpress) with LVGL.
That’s correct, they are pretty cheap too. It’s a shame that they don’t sell anymore the rotary volume control that I use as dimmer
They’re pretty cheap for something you’re not ordering from China too. If not reliable they’re from Ikea, so good customer service and they’ll replace them if something breaks (had it happen with Somrig).
As for a rotary I’ve ordered and I’m going to try this one.
ESPHome is a really good thing to look into if you’re a bit more advanced user, and CYD is a steal for what it is (even with the resistive touch screen it has).
I’ve bought a couple of the same rotary button today! 😄 About Esp home, I’ve abandoned building my own staff, there’s not time for everything.
Some of the stuff doesn’t need that much building, and some of it makes your life better (and there’s no alternative available in the market), that it makes it worthwhile.
I have multiple Aqara Apple 4/6 buttons. They have 1/2/3/4 push and long press. I really like them
I use the ones from Ikea, they are pretty good but kind of a lot in terms of configuration.
I had a Hue remote laying around from before I started using HA. When I moved everything Hue onto my zigbee dongle from the hub I did the same with the remote. There is a blueprint out there that makes configuring it a breeze.
I have a couple of these: https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/devices/LKWSZ211.html
They’re just OK. Single clicks work just fine, but double clicks have to be done very quickly or they register as single clicks. The button hold function is ridiculous and takes a full 4 seconds before transmitting. I’ve found no way of changing any of the button timings.
These work really well, but they’re single button:
The Aqara Cube looks interesting—it uses gestures instead of buttons.
I actually bought that one. I don’t recommend. Buggy as all get out and most of the functionality requires their proprietary hub. Cool concept though, shame it didn’t work very well.
The Ikea Stygbar remote is cheap and has 4 buttons plus long press capability. I got a ton for dirt cheap, they’re great.
Have you looked on aliexpress? They’re great for cheap zigbee devices (less so zwave). Just search for zigbee button. I know tuya makes a 4 button panel that I’ve used before, but there’s several out there.
I’ll probably go this route, thanks!
I have a bunch of Tuya and Aqara buttons from AliExpress and I’m happy with them. I haven’t found anything similar on Canadian Amazon at least.
2,4,6 button variants of https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/devices/WXCJKG11LM.html#aqara-wxcjkg11lm
4 button https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/devices/TS004F.html#tuya-ts004f
