Stammy

I wanted a simple, no-hub HomeKit compatible light switch so I got the latest Belkin WeMo “with thread” plug.

💩 Wow, what a piece of crap. Randomly doesn’t work and when it does it takes 5 seconds to flip the light 💡

What are more reliable no-hub HomeKit plug options?

Feb 12, 2023 at 9:32pmWeb
Show threadStammyFeb 12, 2023
On second thought, maybe it’s my WiFi. I have the Amplifi alien meshkit.. I should try removing one and see if that works
Show threadRhett RogersFeb 12, 2023
@stammy I have a few of those but I don’t remember having many problems with them. I have a UniFi setup with multiple APs.
Show threadtotoFeb 12, 2023
@stammy often it’s a problem with multicast IP delivery on Wi-Fi (with smart home stuff in general, I don’t know that specific switch). If your Wi-Fi has an option to disable „smart multicast“ or similar features that might help. I have some of my devices in a special Wi-Fi for that very reason.
Show threadManikFeb 12, 2023
@stammy I constantly have issues with these types of switches & alien mesh. I switched back to nest wifi (until I install unifi) and the switches are more reliable.
Show threadWilliamFeb 12, 2023
@stammy On r/HomeKit these Wemo Thread plugs are known for being bad, it's probably a Belkin issue rather than you
Show threadClaude FlammangFeb 13, 2023

@stammy
Your Thread infrastructure definitely must not depend on WiFi.
I would invest in an ATV or another wired Thread border router, Since iOS 16.x HomeKit has been quite consistent with keeping your ATV the active Home controller and as thus probably also border router (even if I currently don’t know a way to verify that).

WiFi should never be part of any mission critical infrastructure.

Show threadWilliamFeb 12, 2023
@stammy just get the Eve one and never think about it ever again :~)
Show threadRyan ChristensenFeb 12, 2023
@stammy I've had good luck with Meross Smart Plug Minis. Respond quickly, rarely (if ever) have failed.
Show threadHelix CavendishFeb 12, 2023
@rpch @stammy I’ve had the opposite experience with Meross stuff, to the point where I got rid completely. Far too many slow or non-responses for me. No idea why.
Show threadMario GuzmánFeb 12, 2023
@stammy I have WeMo plugs without thread bc I got them a while back and they really all pieces of crap. They constantly need to be reset. HomeKit will see them but their own WeMo app only sees some of them. Idk how they still make them?!
Show threadDave KleinFeb 12, 2023
@stammy I’ve tried *so many* products across Alexa, HomeKit, and now Google Home. There is no 100% reliable switch or light bulb. It’s maddening.
Show threadHelix CavendishFeb 12, 2023
@stammy the only lighting system I’ve found to be 100% reliable for HomeKit control is the Phillips Hue one. It’s flawless. I know it has a hub so isn’t a perfect answer to your question, but it’s the only completely invisible solution I’ve found.
Show threadEvan DavisFeb 12, 2023
@stammy Kasa plug with HomeKit - they make a hunch that *dont* work with HomeKit so make sure you get the right one, but I’ve had no issues. Plus if you have a Sense to monitor your electricity usage it can pair with that
Show threadEvan DavisFeb 12, 2023
@stammy
Show threadDevin ReamsFeb 12, 2023
@stammy I’m here to second Kasa by TP-Link. Was previously a WeMo user, not any longer.
Show threadAndrew Ng Feb 12, 2023
@stammy Eve. Now also supports Matter (in beta).
Show threadAJ BourgFeb 13, 2023
@stammy eve all the way. A couple years without a single hitch with a bunch of them.
Show threadJoe Fabisevich Feb 13, 2023
@stammy I bought the same thing to help Colleen’s coffee get started when she wakes up, and even it keeps failing. No matter how many times I’ve reset it, it works for a couple of days, and boom, I have to reset it again.
Show threadjazzychadFeb 13, 2023
@stammy I have several Meross plugs (from Amazon) that work great https://a.co/d/fECd8sG
Show threadDavid BloomFeb 13, 2023
@stammy the Sylvania ones are laggy but reliable. And dirt cheap. https://a.co/d/6sCHLW6
Show threadDavid BloomFeb 13, 2023
(Although I should clarify, my experience was with an earlier hardware revision: https://a.co/d/aG94Okd)
Amazon.com

Show threadJaviFeb 13, 2023
@stammy Thread is still in its infancy. Given that, no-hub is unlikely to happen. If you want the most reliable light switches, Lutron's have been 100% rock solid for me. They respond immediately 100% of the time for me.
Show threadJoefrey Kibuule, MDFeb 13, 2023
@Javi @stammy Even Bluetooth had to start somewhere and it is literally *everywhere*.
Show threadJaviFeb 13, 2023
@jeffkibuule @stammy oh, Thread is coming, and I'm excited about it, but if you want something today, it's likely not Thread yet.
Show threadJaviFeb 13, 2023
@stammy I just realized you meant smart outlets not light switches lol. I've also tried a bunch of them. Kasa are the most reliable, also great price. No hub required and you get data on energy use which I find super helpful when I use them with electric heaters.
Show threadJaviFeb 13, 2023
@stammy I recently got an Eve Energy and it's been great too. Just more pricy, but it supports Thread already!
Show threadChris Feb 13, 2023
@stammy back before I moved everything to Z-Wave and Zigbee, I was very happy with the iDevices brand hardware.
Show threadSalem SayedFeb 13, 2023
@stammy I have a cheap generic wifi switch that works with Tuya app and I bring into homekit using homebridge, it's cheap and works great
Show threadPaul FisherFeb 13, 2023
@stammy 2nd or 3rd vote for the Meross Smart Mini plugs. Have a few of them, and generally they drop out 1-2 times a year each, and that includes the ones I put in a box outside at -2C for the Christmas lights
Show threadPanos KorrosFeb 13, 2023
@stammy the Eve Energy Switch works great for me. I use the European versions for quite a while now and they never failed me. It even acts as a thread network extender.
Show threadtschlanderFeb 13, 2023
@stammy Eve is working here for years and it is reliable.
Show threadJordan BorthFeb 16, 2023
@stammy we use Eve Smart Plugs and have never had an issue in the 1.5 years we’ve had them https://www.evehome.com/en/eve-energy
Eve Energy | evehome.com

With Eve Energy, switch your lights and appliances on and off using your voice or an app, and control them from afar. Matter-enabled to let you seamlessly control your home across smartphones and voice assistants of all major platforms.

evehome.com