Best smart buttons and remotes for Home Assistant

If you’re building a local-first smart home with Home Assistant at the center, you’ll need reliable, easy-to-integrate smart buttons and remotes. These devices are essential for triggering automation, controlling scenes, and interacting with your smart home without relying on cloud services. While Home Assistant is the focus, some of these products also work well with HomeKit or Hubitat, so we’ll mention those where relevant. Let’s look at the best options.

Smart Buttons: The Core of Local Automation

Smart buttons are your go-to for quick, physical interactions with your smart home. They’re especially useful for triggering scenes, turning lights on/off, or sending notifications. When choosing a smart button, prioritize local integration, battery life, and ease of setup.

Third-Reality Smart Button

The Third-Reality Smart Button is a standout for its simplicity and reliability. It pairs directly with your Home Assistant instance via Zigbee or Z-Wave, depending on your hub, and offers a clean, tactile button that feels like a physical switch. It’s great for triggering scenes or sending push notifications. One downside is that it doesn’t support HomeKit natively, though it can be used with a Home Assistant HomeKit bridge.

Aeotec Smart Home Hub

If you’re using Z-Wave, the Aeotec Smart Home Hub is a must-have. It acts as a central controller for Z-Wave devices, including smart buttons, and integrates cleanly with Home Assistant. It’s also compatible with HomeKit via the Home Assistant HomeKit bridge, making it a versatile choice. The hub is a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for the reliability and range it provides.

Shelly Plus 1 Mini Gen3

For a more affordable option, the Shelly Plus 1 Mini Gen3 is a solid choice. It supports both Z-Wave and Zigbee, and it’s compatible with Home Assistant through the Shelly integration. It’s small, energy-efficient, and can be used as a smart button or a relay. It doesn’t support HomeKit, but it’s a great option for those who prefer a local-first approach.

Remotes: Control Everything with a Tap

Smart remotes are ideal for controlling multiple devices, especially if you have a complex setup. They can act as a universal remote, allowing you to control lights, thermostats, and even security systems. When selecting a remote, consider compatibility, range, and whether it supports local or cloud-based control.

Apple HomePod Mini

If you’re using HomeKit, the Apple HomePod Mini is a great remote. It can control HomeKit devices via voice or physical button presses. While it’s not a traditional remote, it’s a convenient way to manage your smart home. However, it’s not compatible with Home Assistant directly, so it’s more of a HomeKit-specific solution.

Google Nest Mini

For those using Google Home, the Google Nest Mini is a compact and powerful remote. It supports voice commands and can control a wide range of smart devices. It’s also compatible with Home Assistant via the Google Home integration. One limitation is that it doesn’t support Z-Wave or Zigbee devices natively, so you’ll need a separate hub for those.

Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch

If you’re using Philips Hue, the Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch is a great remote. It allows you to control lights and scenes with a physical dial, and it integrates cleanly with Home Assistant. It’s also compatible with HomeKit via the Philips Hue Bridge. The downside is that it’s more of a light control device than a universal remote.

Local Integration: The Key to a Reliable Smart Home

When building a local-first smart home, it’s crucial to prioritize devices that integrate directly with Home Assistant without relying on cloud services. This ensures that your system remains functional even if your internet connection drops. Most of the smart buttons and remotes we’ve discussed support local integration, but it’s always worth double-checking the integration details in the Home Assistant documentation.

For example, the Third-Reality Smart Button and Shelly Plus 1 Mini Gen3 are both excellent choices for local-first setups. They don’t require a cloud connection and work reliably with Home Assistant. If you’re using HomeKit or Hubitat, look for devices that support those platforms or use a compatible bridge.

Quick Verdict

If you’re looking for a reliable, local-first smart button, the Third-Reality Smart Button is a solid choice. For a more versatile remote, the Aeotec Smart Home Hub offers excellent integration with both Z-Wave and Home Assistant. For those using HomeKit, the Apple HomePod Mini is a great option, while the Google Nest Mini works well with Google Home. Always prioritize local integration and compatibility with your existing setup to ensure a smooth and reliable smart home experience.