A Hands-On Review: Exploring a Four-Button Zigbee Scene Switch and Integrating it with Home Assistant.
We’re going to take a look at this four-button Zigbee switch. We’ll explore how easy it is to hook it up with Home Assistant, a popular home automation platform. So, let’s get started!
Unboxing and Build Quality: Before we begin, let me share my previous experience with this brand. I had the chance to check out their smart radiator valves, and while I found them impressive in terms of functionality, the build quality left something to be desired. I’ve got the white four-button version, and upon unboxing, it’s pretty straightforward. The package contains the switch, a user manual, and a couple of double-sided sticky tapes.
It requires a CR2430 battery for operation; I didn’t have a CR2430 battery on hand, but I discovered that a CR2032, which is more commonly available, fits in the compartment. Keep in mind that the battery life might be shorter with the CR2032, so you might want to switch to the recommended battery later.
Design and Functionality: The switch has a satisfying clicking sound when the buttons are pressed, which adds a nice tactile experience. However, if you prefer a silent switch, this might not be the best option for you. The design allows easy access to the battery compartment. Simply push down and slide it across, and voila! Speaking of buttons, each one can be programmed for a single click, double click, or long press, offering a total of 12 different actions with the four buttons combined.
Pairing with ZHA in Home Assistant: Once the battery is in, hold down the first button for 10 seconds to enter pairing mode, indicated by all four lights flashing green.
In Home Assistant, navigate to Settings, then Integrations, and select your Sonoff Zigbee stick (or other Zigbee co-ordinator). From there, add the device and wait for it to be discovered. Once the device is found, it will stop flashing. During my testing, it took a bit longer than expected for the switch to pair, but eventually, it showed up in Home Assistant. However, I noticed an oddity: instead of individual buttons appearing as entities, there were four battery entities listed and no entities for the buttons. But don’t worry, I soon realized that some Zigbee devices function as devices rather than entities. When I set up an automation everything worked seamlessly.
Testing the Switch: With the switch successfully paired, it was time to put it to the test. I connected a lamp to a smart plug and assigned a button to control it. Pressing the button indeed triggered the desired action, turning the light on and off promptly. The switch demonstrated good responsiveness, which was pleasing to see.
First Impressions: My initial impression of the four-button Zigbee switch is positive. It boasts an attractive design, and its lightweight construction makes it easy to mount on walls. The switch is quite responsive, delivering smooth control over my devices. However, I did come across some complaints online regarding battery life. Considering I’m using a CR2032 battery instead of the recommended CR2430, monitoring battery performance will be essential.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this four-button Zigbee switch appears promising. Its aesthetics, ease of use, and responsiveness make it an appealing choice for home automation enthusiasts. If you’d like to see more product reviews or learn about other Zigbee devices, please let me know in the comments.