1) I am using Aqara D1 switches and I would say they are pretty good but it will get very expensive when you want many of them, you could buy loads on installments if you don't want to deal with the lump sum at the start. I would say that for the D1 switches and most switches, the neutral ones are usually the best, depending on your house set up, you could pull a neutral from a near by AC switch (I have done this), the areas I don't have something to pull from, I used the non neutral ones. For Aqara switches, you can see power consumption as well have the switch act as a repeater for the signal from the hub, that isn't the case for the non-neutral ones. I have also used a Ewelink supported AC switch which I use for water features outside as well as my water heater. D1 switches through the hub have native HomeKit support (so you can use with your iPhone), but if you want it to work with Google Home or Alexa there is a way but its not natively supported.

2) AC you can control through an IR blaster (I am using Broadlink RM4C and RM4Pro), for this use case go for the RM4c, you can also control your fan speed through it.

3)I also have plans for curtains but its for the future.

4)IMO if you and your dependents if you have any, are all using iPhones, go for the HomeKit options and use the Home app, you will control automations through that and Siri.

I have used Sonoff mini and the AC switches are compatible with Ewelink (the software Sonoff switches use), they are good value for money IMO. But for my use case I prefer having things that is compatible with HomeKit natively. Yes I am using the Aqara Hub, no you don't need a specific version, I am using the Chinese hub but the switches and everything pairs with any hub if I am not mistaken, and I don't use the aqara app other than to add the switches to the hub, I use the Apple Home app.

Neutral switches for Aqara at least, you can see power consumption and it act as a repeater for the Zigbee signal so you don't need many hubs to cover your home if its large. I have heard people having issues with non neutral one but I personally have not experienced that, I am using 2 non neutral Aqara switches and around 10+ neutral ones.

I also controlling everything with Alexa with homebridge but I am in the process of moving to Home Assistant. I might still use both, feel homebridge is more noob friendly.

You can configure that either in the home app or aqara app. You can put timer, put it in a scene where a certain event triggers the lights to on or off, in the aqara app with neutral switches you can program double press of switch button and assign it to something else. Maybe double press to off everything etc.

Main reason I went with Aqara is HomeKit support and the big factor is that it’s still a mechanical switch unlike the sonoff touch based ones. For young people either is fine, not so much for old folks.

How do you guys create a dummy switch in HA? I want to create one to notify through Alexa and one for HomeKit automation (through the HomeKit Bridge), I already have the Alexa Media Player. But I am a noob, I have tried looking but I don't see examples for this, I see people mentioning Input Booleans.

1 stateless one for Alexa notification and one stateful one? If anyone has knowledge in this, if can point me in the right direction, that would be great. Thanks.

Thanks mate that helped. Only issue is that using the configuration way there isn't many things I can change right? Like so far I was able to create switches and also automations but I wasn't able to create a switch that auto turns off on its own, I guess I have to use the yaml way for that? Thanks anyway..

You will need a homebridge or home assistant to get non compatible stuff onto HomeKit. I am using both atm, I like the UI of the home app.

Any ideas converting dumb doorbells to smart ones?

Seen some people recommending putting a contact sensor right in the door bell ding dong.

Smart as in just notify me when its rung, I purchased a Hue Outdoor Motion sensor that will be on the opposite pillar of the doorbell and there is already a CCTV camera that I have gotten the RTSP stream for. So the idea is that if motion is detected, then I will be alerted with a snapshot (through HomeKit) and if the bell is rung I will be alerted through Alexa (Home Assistant). I could import the motion sensor to Home Assistant first as well.

Problem would be the power for the ESP device with relay

Just regular dumb doorbell with chime, so powered by mains.

Haven't got it yet, en route from US LOL

There are HomeKit sockets, I am using a koogeek one. But its more expensive, more economical to get the ones that support google home and Alexa, and use home assistant or homebridge to bring it into HomeKit.

Thanks mate I was dumb!

Here is my set up if anyone in the future needs some reference. A virtual switch (input boolean) that is passthrough to HomeKit and Alexa, and an automation to trigger an announcement to my Alexa devices, as well as to toggle off the virtual switch.

Imported all my aqara switched to HA, quite happy with the outcome so far.

https://imgur.com/a/y5fzGE8

Bro I am also buying, there is an echo dot with a life bulb for $19 ...wish I waited till today to buy all my echo dots (I bought them for $29 a month a go LOL).

I am looking at Echo Studio $149.

You can use manually without the hub, but you need the hub to make it "smart".

Thanks but I think you only get that 10 after prime day ...nevertheless its a good deal

Wait how? I only see Echo Show 5 for that $45, got a better deal is it?

No luck for me also, there is a deal if subscribe to SiriusXm for 3 months ($17) you get 2 echo dots free. Crazy deal.

https://slickdeals.net/f/14431763-two-2-ama...earchBarV2Algo1

You have to use VPN for that site, and you'll have to wait an hour to get the confirmation and also the code for echo dot. They will say its free 1 echo dot but that's at full price, so that's why when you apply the code at checkout you will get both free.

I used US card, should have mentioned that.