This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/homeassistant by /u/gosuzbone on 2026-06-24 01:20:15+00:00.
I'm closing on my first home in one week. I've been doing some (read: a lot) of research about smart home automation and I'm fascinated by the level of customization possible within home assistant. My problem: it's a lot to take in and I have information overload.
I'm hoping the folks here can steer me in the right direction as I start my smart home journey. I've ordered an Aqara G410 video doorbell Aqara W200 Smart Thermostat and have two smart plugs I bought a couple of years ago sitting in storage.
A few questions I'd love direction on:
- How important is it to stick to one protocol: Zigbee vs Zwave vs Matter. I chose the Aqara devices because they use Matter and I've heard that is the future of smart home integration.
- How do I know when I need a hub or border router?
- When should I invest in a dedicated machine to run HA?
- What are your must-have devices (bulbs, outlets, etc) that make your smart home run well?
Thanks in advance!