Cheap Homebridge Compatible Wifi Outlet

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Cheap Homebridge Compatible Wifi Outlet

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#296292 5-Jun-2022 14:49

I'm looking for a cheap Homebridge compatible wifi power outlet.

I currently have a TP-Link HS100 which works really well using the TPLink Smarthome Homebridge plugin, but it looks like these are out of stock, or not sold any more.

There are plenty of cheap options available from PB Tech (like this), Bunnings (like this) etc.

I'd just prefer to buy something that someone else can confirm they have working through Homebridge already.

Thanks in advance.

boosacnoodle

956 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2923004 5-Jun-2022 15:15

Arlec is Tuya and works well with Homebridge LAN / web plugins. The PB brand is probably the same. Most generic brand smart stuff is just rebranded Tuya.

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ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2923052 5-Jun-2022 15:20

Thanks, I’ll give the Arlec ones from Bunnings a go.

michaelmurfy

meow
13195 posts

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#2923055 5-Jun-2022 15:57

The Mirabella Genio stuff at Kmart is also worth looking at - it is also Tuya based (use the official Tuya app) and also very cheap.

It is what I use. Works well.

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ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2923068 5-Jun-2022 18:20

Ended up buying a double Arlec GridConnect outlet from Bunnings.

After mucking around for far too long trying to get the Tuya LAN plugin working, I gave up and used the web plugin, which works fine.

Nowhere near as simple as the TP Link setup, but it's now working directly from Homekit, happy days.

eugeneykc

101 posts

Master Geek

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#2923082 5-Jun-2022 19:57

Just curious, the spec says "dual Wi-Fi controlled power outlets", can you control each outlet individually? Or do they both have to be either on or off? Thanks!

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2923087 5-Jun-2022 20:35

I wondered the same thing 😀

They are added automatically as two separate switches by the Tuya web plugin. You can group the switches into a single one if you prefer, but by default they are individually switched.

phrozenpenguin

833 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2923098 5-Jun-2022 22:16

Would someone be able to explain the Tuya/Homekit options? I'm a little out of the loop but did at one stage delve deeply into Home Assistant, Z-Wave, Homebridge etc. But I have an old Home Assistant install running that I would like to simplify..! The last I heard about Tuya was it was all cloud controlled with "unknown" servers etc. Has that changed / are they now regarded as a good option?

michaelmurfy

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#2923108 5-Jun-2022 23:11

@phrozenpenguin Tuya, by default is not Homekit capable. This is where Homebridge comes in.

Tuya itself is cheap and a well established smart home platform. Many security experts state they're secure and Tuya sell their microcontrollers / software on a white-label level to manufactures like Arlec / Brilliantsmart etc. They're still mainly cloud based but the official Home Assistant addon for example does make use of local communication.

eugeneykc

101 posts

Master Geek

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#2923240 6-Jun-2022 15:51

I run Homebridge at home with a number of different brands of smart home platforms, including Xiaomi, Yeelight, Ring, Broadlink and Tuya, with mixed successes, but the one platform standing out is Tuya. Tuya has native support for Homebridge so adding new devices was quite a breeze.

michaelmurfy:

@phrozenpenguin Tuya, by default is not Homekit capable. This is where Homebridge comes in.

Tuya itself is cheap and a well established smart home platform. Many security experts state they're secure and Tuya sell their microcontrollers / software on a white-label level to manufactures like Arlec / Brilliantsmart etc. They're still mainly cloud based but the official Home Assistant addon for example does make use of local communication.