Smart plugs without apps or location?

[ripe tree]

ETA: Zigbee it is! Are there any smart plugs that work with HA that do not require and app to set them up and that do no need "precise location" like KMC does? I am trashing my KMC plugs, what worthless plugs. So, does anyone sell smart plugs that do not require an app or your precise location?

[vocal moth]

Look into the wonderful world of zigbee.

[ripe tree]

Recommendations please

[vocal moth]

For a coordinator I recommend a SLZB model from SMLIGHT. For plugs you can get IKEA ones if you want something reputable or just something cheap from aliexpress that fits your socket. It's all I own so I cannot recommend anything better. Just depends on what you're looking for and willing to spend.

[ripe tree]

Okay thank you for the info. I ordered that coordinator and CMARS Zigbee plugs. I hope to have a better experience with that stuff than with the for two smart plugs I bought. I trashed both sets.

[vocal moth]

I probably should have linked this too: https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/zha/
It explains zigbee and has some hardware recommendations too.

[chilly sierra]

fyi, the reason "precise location" is required when pairing many devices, including matter devices, is because that's the name of the permission that allows the app to scan for nearby bluetooth devices. The initial setup and network provisioning is often performed via bluetooth.

[ripe tree]

So does that allow apps to have my precise location?

[chilly sierra]

to my understanding, yes (at least on android) - since the permissions aren't separate, there's no way for the app to ask for the ability to find nearby bluetooth devices without also getting general location access.

but the permission can be limited to while the app is running, or manually revoked later.

[ripe tree]

I got my first two "mini: mart plugs US-101s in today. The coordinator will arrive tomorrow. I am excited to think that I might be able to get smart plugs working with HA for once.

[regal glacier]

I recommend you the Ikea ZigBee smartplugs, as their remotes or bulbs or door sensors

[regal glacier]

And if you want WiFi smartplugs (not recommended), try with some that works with the Tasmota software, but you need to tinker into firmware and so on. But the device will be yours, working only locally 🙂

And I also recommend the SMLIGHT SLZB-06, it's what I got and works as a charm

With Zigbee2MQTT 😃

[ripe tree]

I got my SLZG-06 antenna in today. I am still messing around with it but I was able to add my CMARS zigbee smart plugs, they are working. No model number listed for some reason. I am not using MQTT right now, maybe later.

[ripe tree]

Is it possible to use smart plugs to monitor wattage draw? I looked through the option, I did not see any option for this.

[south mirage]

the smart plug will need to support energy monitoring - if it doesn't report power you should use Voltage x Current

[ripe tree]

I know about Ohm's law. Instead of computing that myself, I wish I could just see it as an option for my HA.

NM, wont work.

[south mirage]

I'm not sure about those devices - you could look at https://zigbee.blakadder.com/ for known devices

[south mirage]

You can set up a template sensor to show the Watts

[regal glacier]

Try installing and configuring Zigbee2MQTT. It gives you all the available info from the devices, if supported

[ripe tree]

I have mosquito broker installed for MQTT but how do I use it?

[regal glacier]

Look in YouTube for videos to configure your SLZB-06 with the Zigbee2MQTT addon. Several steps to explain here easily 🙂

[vocal moth]

Addon*

[regal glacier]

As the name suggests, Zigbee2MQTT makes a "bridge" to make the info of the device available. From ZigBee, to MQTT