HouseMaxer

The door unlocks as you walk up, the lights fade when you brush your teeth, and it all runs on one Raspberry Pi.

Start here · on Amazon

The bugESP32 boards, 3-pack. One per room, so the apartment knows where I am. The brainHome Assistant Green. Plug it in and it runs the whole place. The lockAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock. The door that opens as I walk up.

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Every part

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The brain

Pick one of three ways to run Home Assistant. Guide 1 explains the difference.

Option 1 · EasiestHome Assistant comes installed.

Home Assistant GreenPlug-and-play: Home Assistant already installed. Easiest way in.

Option 2 · One boxEvery Pi part in one kit.

CanaKit Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO (8 GB, 128 GB card)Every Pi part in one box: board, case, fan, power supply, microSD.

Option 3 · Part by partPick the cooler or the case, not both.

Raspberry Pi 5, 8 GBMax uses thisThe board I use. 4 GB is enough for Home Assistant alone. Raspberry Pi 27 W USB-C power supplyThe Pi 5 needs 5 V at 5 A; phone chargers make it limit USB power. Raspberry Pi Active CoolerStops the Pi 5 slowing itself down when it gets hot. Official Raspberry Pi 5 case with fanCase and cooling in one, instead of the Active Cooler. SanDisk Extreme 128 GB microSD (A2)Home Assistant writes to disk all day: buy a good card.

For any option

SONOFF Zigbee USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-E)Zigbee radio for plugs and sensors. I use a Nortek HUSBZB-1, which is no longer sold.

Network

ASUS ZenWiFi meshMax uses thisI use the ZenWiFi AX (XT8). Any current ZenWiFi works the same with Home Assistant.

Bluetooth scanners (one per room)

ELEGOO ESP32 dev boards, 3-pack (USB-C)Max uses this🐛 The bugBluetooth proxies for Home Assistant and the room tracker. USB-A to USB-C cables, 1 ft, 5-packMax uses thisPower and flashing. They carry data, which flashing needs. USB wall chargers, 5-pack (5 V 1 A)Max uses spare power banksOne per board. An ESP32 needs very little power.

Front door

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen)Max uses thisFits over your deadbolt; your key still works. Comes with DoorSense.

Lights

Hue replaced the bulb models I own (LCA005, LCA009, LTA008) in 2025. These are the current versions of the same bulbs.

Philips Hue BridgeMax uses thisLinks the bulbs to Home Assistant; works without the internet. Hue White and Color A19, 1100 lm, 2-packMax uses an older modelMost of my lamps and ceiling fixtures. Hue White and Color A21, 1600 lm, 2-packMax uses an older modelFor tall floor lamps that need more light. Hue White Ambiance A19, 2-packMax uses an older modelWarm-to-cool white only, cheaper than color.

Curtains

SwitchBot Curtain 3 (rod)Clips onto your rod; Bluetooth to Home Assistant. Also sold for U-rail and I-rail: match your track. SwitchBot Hub 2Max uses thisOptional: puts SwitchBot on Wi-Fi for the app and voice assistants; adds a temperature sensor and IR remote.

Aquarium

Fluval Flex 32.5 gal aquarium kitMax uses thisMy tank. The integration needs a light that works with the FluvalSmart (Bluetooth) app: check the box before you buy. SONOFF S40 Lite Zigbee smart plugSwitches the tank's UV filter (or anything else) from Home Assistant.

Robot vacuum

Roborock Qrevo Plus (new / like new)Max uses thisVacuums, mops, empties itself, washes its pads.

Bathroom

Oral-B iO Series 9Max uses thisIts Bluetooth state starts the bedtime routine. The iO Series 8 works too.

Also in my Home Assistant

Not needed for any guide, but they plug into Home Assistant with built-in integrations.

LG OLED evo C6, 65"Max uses an older modelI have the older C2. LG webOS integration: on/off, volume, inputs, and the screen glows on the 3D dashboard. Samsung HW-Q990D soundbarMax uses thisVolume and sound modes from Home Assistant.