Setting up a smart home.

[MagicDrop]

I picked up some Philips Hue bulbs and I know having a hub gives them more range but I can use them without a hub having my Echo Show 2nd Gen.
What cameras and door locks can work with the Echo Show without getting a hub? I would rather not have hubs if at all possible.

[kevb]

Ring doorbells and cameras work well with Echo Show. I don't know about locks.

[asianrocker]

Wow didn't know echo show has built in hub too. Googling it says compatible with zigbee devices.

Honestly I wouldn't even buy hue bulbs for it. I think there are cheaper zigbee light bulbs?

[renegade600]

see the following site for more smarthome info. it might not give hub info for everything but it could help.

https://www.cnet.com/smart-home/

[renegade600]

Wow didn't know echo show has built in hub too. Googling it says compatible with zigbee devices.

Honestly I wouldn't even buy hue bulbs for it. I think there are cheaper zigbee light bulbs?

just to clarify for those who don't know.   it is only the second generation show that has the hub.    walmart has some very cheap, smart, light bulbs that work without hubs.  Merkury brand.   Never heard of them until I saw them on display the other day.  color ones are around 13 bucks and white was around 8.  wish they were around when I started. 

[fstbusa]

I personally don't like using smart bulbs unless in a table or floor lamp.  If anyone turns the switch off then the bulb doesn't work.  Also if someone is visiting, they won't know how to operate the lights if you have to use alexa for everything.  I chose to go with a central hub(Smartthings) and use smart light switches.  You can still operate them as a normal switch for those that don't want to utilize the smart aspect or be operated via phone, automation, alexa, etc.  You can use normal bulbs and replace them as needed.

[renegade600]

I personally don't like using smart bulbs unless in a table or floor lamp.  If anyone turns the switch off then the bulb doesn't work.  Also if someone is visiting, they won't know how to operate the lights if you have to use alexa for everything.  I chose to go with a central hub(Smartthings) and use smart light switches.  You can still operate them as a normal switch for those that don't want to utilize the smart aspect or be operated via phone, automation, alexa, etc.  You can use normal bulbs and replace them as needed.

just about any hub with work with the smart light switches.  If I owned my home, I would have went with wall switches instead of bulbs.  one thing to remember, the wall switches require a neutral wire.  so it is something you should not buy unless you know your house has the proper wiring.

[MagicDrop]

I personally don't like using smart bulbs unless in a table or floor lamp.  If anyone turns the switch off then the bulb doesn't work.  Also if someone is visiting, they won't know how to operate the lights if you have to use alexa for everything.  I chose to go with a central hub(Smartthings) and use smart light switches.  You can still operate them as a normal switch for those that don't want to utilize the smart aspect or be operated via phone, automation, alexa, etc.  You can use normal bulbs and replace them as needed.

just about any hub with work with the smart light switches.  If I owned my home, I would have went with wall switches instead of bulbs.  one thing to remember, the wall switches require a neutral wire.  so it is something you should not buy unless you know your house has the proper wiring.

That’s my problem it’s an old house with the old down on the white up on the black no ground wiring. I’m not tearing out all my walls just to run new 12/3 for this.

[anthonylaizure86]

I personally don't like using smart bulbs unless in a table or floor lamp.  If anyone turns the switch off then the bulb doesn't work.  Also if someone is visiting, they won't know how to operate the lights if you have to use alexa for everything.  I chose to go with a central hub(Smartthings) and use smart light switches.  You can still operate them as a normal switch for those that don't want to utilize the smart aspect or be operated via phone, automation, alexa, etc.  You can use normal bulbs and replace them as needed.

My home was built in 1970 and most of my house doesn't have ground wires but I have have GE switches working with no issues.

just about any hub with work with the smart light switches.  If I owned my home, I would have went with wall switches instead of bulbs.  one thing to remember, the wall switches require a neutral wire.  so it is something you should not buy unless you know your house has the proper wiring.

That’s my problem it’s an old house with the old down on the white up on the black no ground wiring. I’m not tearing out all my walls just to run new 12/3 for this.

[fstbusa]

I personally don't like using smart bulbs unless in a table or floor lamp.  If anyone turns the switch off then the bulb doesn't work.  Also if someone is visiting, they won't know how to operate the lights if you have to use alexa for everything.  I chose to go with a central hub(Smartthings) and use smart light switches.  You can still operate them as a normal switch for those that don't want to utilize the smart aspect or be operated via phone, automation, alexa, etc.  You can use normal bulbs and replace them as needed.

just about any hub with work with the smart light switches.  If I owned my home, I would have went with wall switches instead of bulbs.  one thing to remember, the wall switches require a neutral wire.  so it is something you should not buy unless you know your house has the proper wiring.

So I had to buy a replacement dimmer for my basement lights because the zwave module appears to have kicked the bucket.  I ended up buying this one and to my surprise, it DIDN'T have a neutral connection.  The old one I had needed a neutral and this new one did not.  I ended up capping off the neutral and it works perfectly.   I also have LED bulbs and it works fine.  This model doesn't have a neutral connection.  The recommended model for LED does have one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07361Y54Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[SylvainG]

I personally don't like using smart bulbs unless in a table or floor lamp.  If anyone turns the switch off then the bulb doesn't work.  Also if someone is visiting, they won't know how to operate the lights if you have to use alexa for everything.  I chose to go with a central hub(Smartthings) and use smart light switches.  You can still operate them as a normal switch for those that don't want to utilize the smart aspect or be operated via phone, automation, alexa, etc.  You can use normal bulbs and replace them as needed.

Usually these works by always leaking a small current through the light to energize its circuit and with incandescent lights, work well. However, with LED lights that don't require much current to work, you might end up with lights that never fully shut off.

just about any hub with work with the smart light switches.  If I owned my home, I would have went with wall switches instead of bulbs.  one thing to remember, the wall switches require a neutral wire.  so it is something you should not buy unless you know your house has the proper wiring.

So I had to buy a replacement dimmer for my basement lights because the zwave module appears to have kicked the bucket.  I ended up buying this one and to my surprise, it DIDN'T have a neutral connection.  The old one I had needed a neutral and this new one did not.  I ended up capping off the neutral and it works perfectly.   I also have LED bulbs and it works fine.  This model doesn't have a neutral connection.  The recommended model for LED does have one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07361Y54Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[fstbusa]

I personally don't like using smart bulbs unless in a table or floor lamp.  If anyone turns the switch off then the bulb doesn't work.  Also if someone is visiting, they won't know how to operate the lights if you have to use alexa for everything.  I chose to go with a central hub(Smartthings) and use smart light switches.  You can still operate them as a normal switch for those that don't want to utilize the smart aspect or be operated via phone, automation, alexa, etc.  You can use normal bulbs and replace them as needed.

Usually these works by always leaking a small current through the light to energize its circuit and with incandescent lights, work well. However, with LED lights that don't require much current to work, you might end up with lights that never fully shut off.

just about any hub with work with the smart light switches.  If I owned my home, I would have went with wall switches instead of bulbs.  one thing to remember, the wall switches require a neutral wire.  so it is something you should not buy unless you know your house has the proper wiring.

So I had to buy a replacement dimmer for my basement lights because the zwave module appears to have kicked the bucket.  I ended up buying this one and to my surprise, it DIDN'T have a neutral connection.  The old one I had needed a neutral and this new one did not.  I ended up capping off the neutral and it works perfectly.   I also have LED bulbs and it works fine.  This model doesn't have a neutral connection.  The recommended model for LED does have one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07361Y54Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Whether they turn off or not.... the bulbs are dark.  The switches themselves are always using power anyway for the zwave or ZigBee transmitter and receiver so using a few more watts from 6 LED bulbs isn't going to significantly increase my electric bill anyway.

[froglips]

I picked up some Philips Hue bulbs and I know having a hub gives them more range but I can use them without a hub having my Echo Show 2nd Gen.
What cameras and door locks can work with the Echo Show without getting a hub? I would rather not have hubs if at all possible.

WYZE cameras work great with Echo show no hub needed. These things are AMAZING for $25! https://www.wyzecam.com/

[jwlv]

I have 3 of these Wyze cams. They are really great for the price!