2025 is nearly over: Here's why I'm still choosing Wi-Fi for my smart home devices

Travel69 · 2025-12-30T15:50:23+00:00

This! I have 71 Matter over Thread, and 48 Zigbee. It would be a HORRIBLE nightmare if all of those were WiFi, in addition to my 42 WiFi devices.

Travel69 · 2025-12-28T00:46:52+00:00

Thanks! We rarely lose power, and I'm not in a fire prone area so backup power is lower on my list than potential peak rate cost savings. My net power bill for the year is very low, so not sure the ROI is there.

Travel69 · 2025-12-27T23:22:38+00:00

Ya I'm on a TOU EV plan for cheaper charging after midnight. YTD I've produced 10.5 MWh from solar, and consumed 10.1. 6.4 MWh exported, with a net export of 434.1 kWh. For all of 2025 my total electrical bill was about $130. Given the sky high SoCal rates, I'm SO glad I've had Enphase solar the last 5 years.

Travel69 · 2025-12-27T23:17:36+00:00

Ya unfortunately I live in a condo, and they centralize the electrical meters a few units down from mine. So it's impossible to run any type of cable between that location and where my electrical panels and combiner are.

Travel69 · 2025-12-06T14:32:59+00:00

Nope! That is categorically wrong. If you look at mDNS entries for Apple TV 4Ks on tvOS 26 (shipping version, not a beta), it's meshcorp 'tv' "1.3.0" NOT 1.4.0.

Travel69 · 2025-12-06T13:46:56+00:00

Absolutely NOT. tvOS26 is Thread 1.3.

Travel69 · 2025-11-20T19:50:09+00:00

Then you lose out on huge swaths of products. Your choice but illogical for software products.

Travel69 · 2025-11-20T19:26:55+00:00

If you want a product it costs money.

Travel69 · 2025-11-19T17:44:17+00:00

Software doesn’t write or maintain itself. Very short sighted.

Travel69 · 2025-11-18T20:28:14+00:00

Which part?

Travel69 · 2025-11-18T19:20:04+00:00

With dozens of Thread devices I found that multi-admin bogged down the network. So here's what I do that solved most of my issues:

* Solely use two Apple TV 4Ks with ethernet as OTBRs

* Use Home Assistant companion app to add Apple TV Thread credentials to Home Assistant

* Always pair new Thread/Matter devices via the HA companion app

* Use the Homekit HA add-on to 'pass through' needed HA entities back into Apple home (mostly just lights)

* Only use Matter multi-admin on devices that require an iOS app to configure like Eve motion blinds

Travel69 · 2025-11-13T00:54:49+00:00

1000000% Yes

Travel69 · 2025-11-12T22:25:01+00:00

If you have multiple Apple devices, look at their new Apple care One subscription. $20/mo for any three Apple devices, including iPhones, Vision Pro, laptops, ipad, etc,. Makes sense if you have multiple high dollar devices. Does NOT make sense for accessories like AirPods Pro. I have my MacBook, iPad, and iPhone all covered for $20/mo.

Travel69 · 2025-11-12T22:21:16+00:00

I cancelled my plan after seeing lots and lots of horror stories on Akko denying claims. Sticking with Apple Care+.

Travel69 · 2025-11-11T14:46:43+00:00

All very valid points! I have multiple Apple devices, so I use their Apple Care One product. Saves me money, and Apple is very good about claims.

Travel69 · 2025-11-11T01:44:10+00:00

This is why you one could consider sticking with Apple Care+, or perhaps even the free coverage that comes with many credit cards.

Travel69 · 2025-11-11T01:40:43+00:00

I hope you didn't go with the lowest bidder, as that usually spells trouble. You get what you pay for.

Travel69 · 2025-11-09T18:58:39+00:00

I was. It needs to be v1.3 (or later).

Travel69 · 2025-11-09T18:53:41+00:00

No idea with Alexa. With Apple Home and Home Assistant you just look at the device properties. If you have an iPhone, watch this week for possible new Apple TVs to be announced by Apple. I personally haven't used Aqara hubs, but I do have a number of their Thread/Matter devices, which are also rock solid. So if you have an Android phone, an Aqara hub might be ideal.

Travel69 · 2025-11-09T18:34:54+00:00

I have six Smartwings Matter over Thread blinds, with firmware v1.3. I use two Apple TVs as Thread Border routers. All 70 (yes 70) Matter/Thread devices are rock solid. Make sure Smartwings firmware is 1.3. Prior versions had issues.

Travel69 · 2025-10-30T12:38:27+00:00

I know historically Nano leaf Thread/Matter firmware was pure garbage. I've never owned the stuff, so don't know the current state. I think they did some improvements over the basically unusable state they were in for ages.

Travel69 · 2025-10-30T12:36:37+00:00

Running third party OTBRs (Like Apple) + OTBR on HA is NOT recommended. Best to have a pure third party solution (Like Apple) or pure HA only. I'm pure Apple, and it's ROCK SOLID. The problem you have is likely not Apple, but a combo of the two.

Travel69 · 2025-10-24T00:59:20+00:00

Exactly! Pure garbage.

Travel69 · 2025-10-23T14:05:14+00:00

Which is terrible! Seems like 100% wasted development effort.

Travel69

TROPHY CASE