I’ve been slowly looking at smart home stuff, but a lot of it feels like the kind of thing that sounds useful in a demo and then becomes unnecessary once the novelty wears off.

I’m not really trying to automate my entire house. I just want a few things that actually make everyday life easier and are worth spending money on. Smart plugs, lights, doorbells, thermostats, sensors, robot vacuums, whatever.

For anyone who has tried a bunch of this stuff, what seemed gimmicky at first but ended up being something you’d immediately buy again if it broke? Also curious what you bought that definitely wasn’t worth it.

Everything here is free, runs in your browser, requires no account, and nothing to install.

We’ve been dumping old video games to files for years so they don’t disappear when the cartridge is gone. I started thinking: why don’t we do the same thing with remote controls?

When a remote breaks, gets lost, or the manufacturer stops supporting it, the codes can disappear with it. So I’ve been building an archive to preserve them.

Remote Finder

Search by brand, device, or simply what the device is — TV, fan, garage door, blinds, bed, etc.

There are currently 1,000,000+ remotes and codes covering 12,000+ brands, including IR, RF, network, and Bluetooth.

Find a remote, preview it, and download it.

Remote Finder:
https://readyware.net/signal-editor.html#finder

The Remote Finder is at the top of the page. If you can't find a brand or model, let me know and I'll see if I can add it.

Use whatever format your setup needs

IR remotes can be exported in formats such as BroadLink, Flipper, Pronto, LIRC, ESPHome, Global Caché, GIRR XML, CSV, JSON, and more.

So whether you're using a BroadLink, Flipper, Home Assistant, ESPHome device, custom hardware, or something else entirely, you can get the remote into the format your gear requires.

RF is supported too — including things like fans, outlets, blinds, and gates at 315/433/868 MHz. Just keep in mind that the hardware still has to support the frequency and type of RF you're working with.

You can also clone DIP-switch remotes without any additional hardware, along with a bunch of other tools.

Rolling-code devices, such as most modern garage door openers and car fobs, are flagged because they can't simply be cloned like a standard fixed-code remote.

One important detail

Some of the RF, network, and Bluetooth tools save the remote as .irc. That's an open format that can hold an entire remote rather than just one type of signal.

Drop the .irc back into the editor, hit Bulk Export, and convert it to whatever format your hardware or software requires.

Network and Bluetooth remotes stay as .irc because they aren't IR codes.

And if your remote isn't in the archive, you can paste a learned BroadLink code into the editor and it will identify the protocol and clean it up.

The whole idea is pretty simple:
Generate. Convert. Clean. Move. Preserve.

I got tired of fighting with IR and 433 MHz codes — capturing raw timings, converting them for whatever blaster I was using, and hoping they actually worked. So I built these browser tools to make the process easier.

If there's a remote you've been trying to find and it's not in the archive, I'd genuinely like to know what it is. That's how I can keep growing it.

Enjoy the tools!

We are closing on our first home in late October, and I have always wanted a smart home. Talking thermostat, locks, lights, the whole kit and caboodle. I have found individuals of the things I want, but at the same time I dont want to have 40 different apps on my phone to do everything, and would prefer one hub. Is everything mostly compatible with things like Google Home or Alexa, or am I going to need to specifically look out for compatible devices?

Thank you!

(Sorry for my bad english). Hello i am looking to replace my lock with a smart one but i am very new to this. I checked a few models online but they dont seem to fit my front door but ia m not sure. Also my budget is tight (100$ ). Thank you for your help.

My Aqara U200 seems to be dying so I wanted to check what the current recommendations are for UK 5-point-doors. Are there any smart locks that solves the lift-to-lock issue? Often end up realising that the handle wasn’t lifted up all the way and then have to go back downstairs to lock the door manually. A lock that solves this issue would be superb, but I haven’t seen any that provide a solution for that problem yet.

So I do like the "What happened today" feature for my security cameras for Gemini, it's mostly accurate.

But.

It is absolutely bloody horrible at animals.

We have a Wallaby that is basically living on our farm, so much so we've called him Wally.

He got himself hurt one day and we got the vet out, got him patched up, now he hangs around.

The system consistently, constantly says he's a kangaroo.

No matter how many times and ways I tell it he's a Wallaby, it thinks he's a kangaroo.

We also have a Kookaburra that often comes around, but the system calls him an Eagle. No idea where it gets that from.

The one day we had a Wedge Tailed Eagle land in our yard, I was stoked! Gemini called it a "Large Parrot"...yep...a parrot that could eat your dog...

It also considers sulphur crested arseholes cockatoos to be parrots

How do I get it to identify animals better?

Can anyone recommend a programmable transmitter/reciever? I'm trying to connect all the 12v lights in my RV to a single switch, so i can turn them all on/off from one location. They currently turn on/off at the fixture. I'm hoping to find something simple, that's just programmable with dip switches. Everything i find uses those cheap keyfobs, or is a $200 monstrosity, with an app, and a touch screen wall panel

Hello guys!

I am about to father and my baby will be here next year. I have a bunch of cameras from google. I have the indoor camera, 2 outdoor cameras, and the nest doorbell. I also have the google hub and bedroom hub. I gotten these in 2022. I was perfectly okay with the subscription prices and it was not insanely expensive and reasonable. Now it has gotten out of hand and my subscription is about to expire in Nov and I am also about to move very soon.

So I told myself this would be a perfect time to ditch all google. I also have there google thermostat but I am keeping that as it is compatible with other smart home devices.

Anyway, I really don't know who to go for. I feel as if I should go for Eufy as I plan to buy the E21 Baby monitor and I also have a Eufy E28 Omni Robot vacuum so I feel like that would be the best way to go. Keep in mind I also have Philips Hue smart light bulbs, and a govee backlit smart LED lights for the TV.

TL:DR: I want to ditch google but don't know what brand to go for that is reasonable and does break the bank. I want privacy and something I can keep long term. Thinking of Eufy.

Good afternoon. I have a nest protect combination, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. It's nearing it's ten years and i'm looking to replace but they don't make them anymore. I got it because I like being able to get and alert to my phone if it detects smoke, carbon monoxide or a low battery, I find that very convenient. I am not a big tech smart home type person. I want simple. I want easy and I give you permission to treat me like a 3-year-old, use small words and speak slowly...lol. i also have three regular combination units that are not smart, but I may want to connect them in the future when those units have to be replaced. Hopefully you get my drift... thank you.

I have my YoLink sensor set to send an app message in the temp goes outside the 35-45f degree range in my fridge. But I ONLY want to get notifications if the temp stays above/below those set points for an hour or more (in case of malfunction), not someone rummaging in the fridge looking.

I don’t see any option in the automations setup to create an ‘IF temp stays above for 60 minutes THEN notify’.

I have the YoLink hub, my other smart devices run off of SmartThings.

Bought a home recently and previous owners are communicative. I want to update the light around the house. Does anyone know what light this is? Does seem like it’s solar powered and the battery would be too small. I’m hoping there’s power to it. We won’t move in for a few weeks so can’t get anymore pics for now.

3D temperature heatmap replay, useful for spotting HVAC behavior, uneven heating/cooling, sunlight effects, or possible insulation/building-envelope issues that aren’t as obvious from individual sensor charts.

Curious whether people working with building IoT/HVAC data would find this type of historical spatial view useful.

I'm moving into a new home and want to get a smart thermostat to use. The home is 2 floors with 2 zones so each floor is its own zone + thermostat.

For my smart home platform I am using home assistant. I do primarily have apple devices + an Apple TV as a homekit hub. I like to keep everything locally controlled, but if there is functionality that is only available through their app I am not opposed to using that. I should also note I do not have any other Ecobee devices nor Google smart home devices, but I do have an Aqara door lock and m100 hub already (not the doorbell though).

For the setup I want each paired with at least 1 temp sensor.

I've narrowed it down to:

• Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
• Ecobee Premium (costco deal)
• Aqara W200

Price wise they're all effectively the same, so that is not a factor.

The reason I can't decide between them is mainly due to the energy saving features. One thing is that my electricity provider does not have any type of clean energy time/savings periods. That seems to be a big selling point for each of these (they try to optimize usage during cheaper electricity times, but this does not apply to me).

Based on research I've done:

• For All: They all offer ways to use presence detection and home/away to optimize usage.
• Nest: Seems like it may offer the most opportunity for savings? It says it learns how your house naturally heats and cools and uses that to control when it will run. Self programming schedule seems useful too. Main downside seems to be you're locked in to needing google home app and what the future may bring
• Ecobee: Most energy saving features focus on presence or home/away, which all 3 do. Does suggest schedule changes automatically though. Also seems like it has the most detailed energy usage reporting.
• Aqara: Doesn't really seems to have any energy savings optimizations other than the presence + home/away stuff. Does seem to be the best option for fully local control and home assistant integration

Any comments or recommendations from users who have used one of the above? I'd be especially interested in comments from any Nest Learning users, did those features actually help save money to a noticeable degree?

I went to Hammerbarn/Bunnings this morning, and they were advertising Gen3 models of the lock. Does anyone know if this is just a ploy to sell old stock or if it's an upgrade from V1 or V2?

I I have this Tuya TS0601 thermostat, and after what I assume is the setup process, it displays a code.

Here is the procedure I follow:
I insert the battery; the display shows "LA." Once the pin is fully retracted (it pauses briefly at that point), I pull the battery out.
Then I mount the unit and insert the battery. After a short while, it shows the display screen.
Please help—I’m at a loss as to what to do next.

Hi there! Does anyone have recs for a smart lock that can be opened by phone and also by a key fob?

Do any of you know what brand these light switches are? we just bought a house and these switches were in two of the rooms.

Does anyone know how to get these connected? I used these in 2024 but changed my setup and just tossed them in a drawer. I’d like to use them to control my indoor Halloween lights. I forgot what app I used with them and am not having much luck finding what app to use. Anyone know? Thanks!

It uses a usb c cable with no rocker switch, it only turns on via iv remote

Any help is greatly appreciated

Just got some matter lightbulbs and thermo sensors.

Should i get the echo dot max or google home Speaker as an TBR and smart speaker?

Echo dot max is 60€ and Google speaker 120€ but looks a bit better

Both probably sound bad for music?

Hello.

Does anyone have recommendations for a fan switch? It must:

- Zigbee or Z-Wave, NO WIFI

- The buttons to switch speeds can be touch capacitive, but the main on/off can not be. (pet peeve)

- Literally just the ability to use a slider/buttons to switch fan speeds.

- Preferably not control light or even have a light option.

The Zooz 800 Series ZEN32 800LR scene control in itself seems good for this, although the huge issue for me is that it can't independently change fan speeds by itself, it would need a separate fan controller. The switch should control fan speeds, be smart, and not control light.

Afterthought, this is a stretch and genuinely hard to find for me. Not the main question, but a fan controller that dims light and controls fan speed in one switch that is Zigbee/Zwave would be amazing, although I can't find one.

Any ideas, people?

Does this exist? It looks like Yale used to make one, but they don't have it on their website anymore. I just need to lock one kitchen cabinet with a smart lock or a lock with a keypad. Most of the options I see out there don't look particularly...reliable

The whole thing started when I pointed a network sniffer at my Rs.500 Wiz bulbs. Turns out there's no encrypted API. They just listen for raw JSON on UDP port 38899. This is enough to turn one red:{"method": "setPilot", "params": {"r": 255, "g": 0, "b": 0}}From there it got out of hand over one weekend. Rough progression:1. wiz_control.py, a Python class to discover bulbs and send commands, wrapped in a FastAPI server (api_server.py) with a basic index.html UI.2. audio_visualizer.py: grabs mic audio, runs an FFT in real time, and maps bass (20-250Hz) to red, mids (250-4000Hz) to green, treble (4000-20000Hz) to blue. Also a pulse mode (warm white, brightness follows amplitude), a strobe mode (white flash per beat) and a multi mode where each bulb takes one band.3. video_visualizer.py: a DIY Ambilight using OpenCV. Reads an mp4 frame by frame, with a dominant_color mode (K-means on the whole frame) and an edge_analysis mode that only samples the outer border pixels like a real Ambilight. A hybrid mode takes colour from the video and brightness from its audio track. I measured about 93ms latency.4. A stock ticker: fetch current vs opening price via the Groww Trading API, go greenish if up, reddish if down, brightness scaled to the size of the move. stock_replay.py replays a historical day at 20x.Honest caveat: the "simple weekend thing" ate the whole weekend, with 20 tabs of obscure docs and a lot of back and forth with Claude and ChatGPT to get it there. And having your room turn angry red when a stock drops is questionable for mental health. I don't actually trade, mutual funds only.Code is in my GitHub repo wiz-hack.Full write-up with the details: https://blog.shravanrevanna.me/i-hacked-my-smart-lights-and-things-got-way-out-of-hand