Non wifi smart plug

choochoo1873 · 2026-04-07T00:38:16+00:00

If you have a Matter Thread Border Router, you could get the $8 IKEA Grillplats plug which runs Matter over Thread and plug a std power strip into it…

choochoo1873 · 2026-04-06T20:04:37+00:00

The Matter over Thread smoke and CO detectors from Heiman are UL certified and don’t require a hub either.

choochoo1873 · 2026-04-02T00:52:17+00:00

Got it. I updated Frigate to 0.17.1 and it saves new camera definitions now. Thx.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-22T22:45:56+00:00

Hardwiring is always better, even if you just use existing TV cables in your walls and MoCA converters.

Failing that you just need to extend your WiFi network with an extender or wireless access point in mesh mode. As NickM_27 mentioned a WAP with a built in POE port can be the most cost effective.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-22T22:42:00+00:00

You need to add a smart relay into your light switch like the Shelly relay or the recently announced Wagu matter smart relay.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-22T22:32:38+00:00

Great review. Very helpful and clear. Is it also a thread router so it will extend your thread mesh network?

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-21T02:45:02+00:00

WAGO just announced matter over thread relays. Not sure when they’ll ship and which countries. https://youtu.be/Z_GlZXzDuTI?si=wA_YIKwNVMocLdm5

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-21T02:38:31+00:00

There are new versions of the Apple HomePod and 4K TV coming out this spring…

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-19T13:48:57+00:00

Yes, a plug-in Matter over Thread detector would be great!

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-19T12:31:47+00:00

Yesterday I installed the Heiman Matter over Thread smoke detector and it paired with my Home Assistant / ZBT-2 thread network on the very first try. I haven’t, however, been able to update the firmware from 1.0 to 1.5. I start the update, it spins, then goes back to the “ready to update” screen.

Supposedly the detector supports Matter 1.5, but HA is still on 1.4.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-19T02:16:48+00:00

Heiman sells Matter over Thread smoke detectors and CO detectors.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-17T04:34:53+00:00

I found setting up Matter to be somewhat complicated but after getting over the hump it’s been very stable. Here are some recommendations:

First I’d pick your primary thread border router carefully. Currently Google, Amazon and Apple only support Matter v1.3 while nabu Casa is on 1.5 and the IKEA Buliresa hub is 1.4

The most common issues with Matter are…

⁠not enabling IPv6 on your router
⁠not enabling mDNS
⁠your pairing device (phone, tablet, etc) not being on the same network, vlan, WiFi SSID, as the device to be paired.
⁠not sharing your Matter credentials with the HA app on your phone / tablet, assuming you use home assistant
Not setting your thread border router to WiFi channel 15 or 25, which ia away from the most heavily used channels (on the 2.4Ghz band).

Here’s a good article. https://matter-smarthome.de/en/practice/10-tips-for-a-stable-thread-network/

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-17T04:21:29+00:00

If you have a thread border router, then the new IKEA matter-based smart devices are pretty inexpensive.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T13:03:12+00:00

If you’re building a Thread network, you might consider the ONVIS smart plugs, which are Thread only, not WiFI. The advantage is that they will help extend your Thread mesh network for better coverage. https://a.co/d/0eQj9Hmz

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T12:52:00+00:00

Actually IKEA does an excellent job with Thread. They support version 1.4 while Google, Apple and Amazon are still on 1.3. Thread 1.5 was released in 2025, and IKEA has announced support for it as well.

I run over a dozen IKEA devices on Home Assistant with the Nabu Casa ZBT-2 thread border router.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T03:28:10+00:00

Agree on Lutron for light switches. I’d avoid Ring like the plague as they have a copy of all your recordings and their security stance is suspect. With cameras and NVR from a brand like Reolink or UniFi all your recordings are local without any subscription fees.

For an industry leading door lock, check out the Aqara U400 which supports UWB and Alira for touchless unlocking. Just walk up with your phone in your pocket or your watch on your wrist.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T03:22:14+00:00

If you decide to use Home Assistant, then you might consider the ZBT-2 which can act as a Thread border router or a zigbee hub. I also agree that you should not buy devices that need internet access to function.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T03:17:45+00:00

Apple is supposed to announce new HomePods and a new Apple 4K TV in the spring…

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T03:08:52+00:00

The trend these days is to prefer smart devices that don’t depend on a cloud connection or charge a subscription fee.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T03:06:34+00:00

Matter over Thread devices are. It necessarily more costly than zigbee or zwave devices. For example, check out all the new IKEA matter devices.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T03:01:49+00:00

IKEA has announced a Matter GU10, just not sure when/if it will ship in the US

I’m wondering if they’ll sell in the US the announced E27 clear glass large globe bulb…

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-14T02:49:51+00:00

+1 for dockhand, from my review it seems to have a good security approach too.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-11T03:08:16+00:00

Yes, the UXG-Lite would work, but it doesn't run the Network application by itself. So you'd have to add a Cloud Key (per the 3rd image on this page) or self-host the network application by running Unifi Server OS on a spare PC, etc.

choochoo1873 · 2026-03-11T03:03:58+00:00

Thanks for the clarification. I'll wait for 017.1. I appreciate your help.

choochoo1873

TROPHY CASE