Zigbee2MQTT vs ZHA vs deCONZ - WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU DECIDE!
TLDRThis video offers a comprehensive comparison of three popular methods for integrating Zigbee devices with Home Assistant: ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT, and deCONZ. The creator shares their experience with installation, device support, ease of use, and automation capabilities for each option. After testing with common devices like IKEA light bulbs, Aqara motion sensors, and Blitzwolf smart plugs, they conclude that ZHA is ideal for users seeking simplicity and ease, while Zigbee2MQTT is best for power users who appreciate extensive customization and documentation. The video emphasizes the importance of checking device compatibility before choosing an integration method.
Takeaways
- 🛠️ The video compares three methods of integrating Zigbee devices with Home Assistant: ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT, and DeCONZ.
- 📦 The presenter installed each integration from scratch to evaluate their setup process, user interface, device pairing, entity visibility, and automation capabilities.
- 💡 ZHA was the easiest to install with minimal issues and supports the most coordinators, making it beginner-friendly.
- 🌐 Zigbee2MQTT had a more complex setup process but offers extensive device support, including exotic devices, and a robust interface for power users.
- 🔌 DeCONZ, being the official software for certain coordinators like the Conbee and RaspBee, had a straightforward installation but limited coordinator support.
- 📈 Zigbee2MQTT excels in documentation, providing detailed information for each supported device, a significant advantage over ZHA and DeCONZ.
- 🔄 All three integrations support over-the-air updates for firmware, allowing for device updates without removing them from the network.
- 🔗 Zigbee2MQTT and DeCONZ allow for binding devices directly to one another, which ZHA does not support without Home Assistant running.
- 💻 In the event of a Home Assistant reboot or update, Zigbee networks using Zigbee2MQTT and DeCONZ remain operational, unlike ZHA.
- ⚙️ For advanced users seeking customization and fine-tuning, Zigbee2MQTT provides the most extensive options.
- 🏆 The presenter concludes that ZHA is best for ease of use and simplicity, while Zigbee2MQTT is preferred for its flexibility and features for power users.
Q & A
What are the three methods discussed in the video for integrating Zigbee devices with Home Assistant?
-The three methods discussed are ZHA, Zigbee to MQTT, and deCONZ.
What was the speaker's initial approach to comparing the three Zigbee integrations?
-The speaker decided to set up all three integrations to see which one works best for them by installing each on a fresh Home Assistant installation and testing with the same devices.
Which devices were used for testing the integrations in the video?
-The devices tested were an IKEA light bulb, an Aqara motion sensor, and a Blitzwolf smart plug with power metering.
What was the easiest integration to install according to the video?
-ZHA was the easiest integration to install as it worked right out of the box with no issues.
Which integration supports the most coordinators?
-ZHA supports the most coordinators among the integrations tested.
How does the device support compare between ZHA and Zigbee to MQTT?
-Zigbee to MQTT has superb device support and supports the most devices, including exotic ones, while ZHA supports a lot but not all exotic devices.
What is the main advantage of Zigbee to MQTT in terms of documentation?
-Zigbee to MQTT has very good documentation on every device, including what you can do with them, which is a significant advantage over ZHA and deCONZ.
Can firmware updates be performed using these integrations, and which one supports the most?
-Yes, firmware updates can be performed with all three integrations, but Zigbee to MQTT seems to support the most over-the-air updates.
What does 'binding' mean in the context of Zigbee devices and which integrations support it?
-Binding means connecting one Zigbee device directly to another so it can control the other device immediately. All three integrations (ZHA, Zigbee to MQTT, and deCONZ) support binding.
Which integrations allow the Zigbee network to remain operational during a Home Assistant reboot or update?
-Zigbee to MQTT and deCONZ allow the Zigbee network to stay alive even if Home Assistant is down for an update or reboot, unlike ZHA.
Who are the two winners according to the speaker's opinion, and what are their ideal user types?
-The two winners are ZHA for those who want an easy and simple setup, and Zigbee to MQTT for power users who want more fine-grained control and tweaking possibilities.
What is the speaker's final recommendation before making a choice between the integrations?
-The speaker recommends checking if your devices are supported by the integration before making a final choice.
Outlines
🔧 Home Assistant Zigbee Integrations Comparison
The speaker discusses their experience with three different Zigbee integrations for Home Assistant: ZHA, Zigbee to MQTT, and deCONZ. They describe the process of setting up each integration, starting with a fresh Home Assistant installation and pairing the same devices to all three. The devices tested include an IKEA light bulb, an Aqara motion sensor, and a Blitzwolf smart plug with power metering. The speaker also mentions the coordinator used, the Combi2 stick, and provides a list of supported Zigbee devices for each integration. ZHA is highlighted for its ease of installation and broad coordinator support, while Zigbee to MQTT and deCONZ are noted for their device support and user interfaces.
🛠 Detailed Assessment of Each Integration's Features
This paragraph delves deeper into the specifics of each integration. ZHA is praised for its ease of use and the most entities visible in Home Assistant, making it user-friendly. Zigbee to MQTT is commended for its extensive device support, including exotic devices, and its stable performance once set up, despite a more complex installation process. deCONZ is noted for its user-friendly interface, Foscon, and stability but has limited coordinator support. The paragraph also touches on the visibility of entities in Home Assistant, with ZHA showing the most. Additionally, the speaker discusses the importance of documentation, with Zigbee to MQTT having the most comprehensive device documentation, and the ability to perform over-the-air updates, which all three integrations support.
🏆 Determining the Best Zigbee Integration for Different Users
The speaker concludes by summarizing the strengths of each integration and recommending which type of user each might suit best. ZHA is suggested for those seeking an easy and straightforward setup with good device support, while Zigbee to MQTT is recommended for power users who require more granular control and extensive tweaking options. The speaker emphasizes the importance of checking device compatibility before choosing an integration. They also highlight the continued support for the Zigbee network even when Home Assistant is down, a feature that Zigbee to MQTT and deCONZ offer but ZHA does not. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Zigbee
💡Home Assistant
💡ZHA
💡Zigbee to MQTT
💡DeCONZ
💡Coordinator
💡Pairing
💡Automation
💡Documentation
💡OTA Updates
💡Binding
💡Tweak Possibilities
Highlights
The video compares three methods for installing Zigbee devices using ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT, and deCONZ.
The presenter used to rely on deCONZ but was curious about ZHA and Zigbee to MQTT.
All three integrations were tested with a fresh Home Assistant installation.
ZHA was the easiest to install, with no issues and broad coordinator support.
Zigbee to MQTT had a more complex installation process involving Mosquitto Broker.
Zigbee to MQTT supports the most devices, including exotic ones, out of all integrations.
deCONZ is user-friendly with a nice interface for pairing devices like foscon.
ZHA showed the most entities in Home Assistant compared to other integrations.
Automation setup and testing were successful with all three integrations.
Zigbee to MQTT has excellent documentation for each device, unlike ZHA and deCONZ.
All three integrations support over-the-air updates for Zigbee devices.
Binding between Zigbee devices is possible with all three integrations.
Zigbee to MQTT and deCONZ maintain network functionality during Home Assistant downtime.
Zigbee to MQTT offers extensive tweaking options for power users.
ZHA is recommended for easy setup and broad device support.
Zigbee to MQTT is suggested for power users who need more control and customization.
The presenter concludes there are two winners depending on user needs and preferences.
A reminder to check device compatibility before choosing an integration.
Transcripts
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