I have began to get more and more alerts that my outlets in the Home app is “No Response.” It only takes a few minutes to reset them but I am thinking that I am overtaxing my wifi network. Can anyone suggest a solid hub/outlets devises that work all the time?
Thank you.
I will assume the smart plugs are using Wi-Fi?
(If not, ignore the rest of this)
Unfortunately, IMHO and many others, Wi-Fi is broken in HomeKit.
There are many things you can do to minimize Wi-Fi problems, but you can’t completely eliminate them due to the internal design of HomeKit.
The least problematic solution is to invest in a wireless technology for smart plugs (and most other home automation devices) that is not Wi-Fi.
Thread hardware is up and coming, but not fully tested yet in large installations and it doesn’t have the long-term installed base success - yet.
If you don’t mind being a beta tester or subject to beta-level issues, then use Thread based Smart Plugs like Eve Energy.
However, I believe the best choice now is to use Zigbee based devices as they are reliable and also lower cost.
You will have to invest in a Zigbee bridge (aka “hub”) to link the Zigbee network to your Wi-Fi/Ethernet network, but companies like Aqara have a range of affordable (under $100) choices.
Once you add a bridge, you gain other benefits so the common newbie’s reluctance to use a hub or bridge is IMHO, misplaced and short-sighted.
If you are in the US, there are also smart plugs from Lutron for the popular and super reliable Caseta lighting control system. But the Lutron smart plugs are big, ugly, and expensive so most consumers have avoided them.
I totally understand not wanting to pay $80 to $150 for a smart plug these days, but from first-hand experience I will say, FWIW, Lutron smart plugs are just as amazingly reliable as their more affordable lighting dimmers and switches.
Disclaimer: This type of discussion often devolves into a “but it works for me” point/counterpoint a la Steve Jobs famous “You’re holding it wrong”.
Yes, Wi-Fi can be made to work with HomeKit, and yes, it might be the network, the WiFi radios, the router, switch or other gear, but at the end of the day, the clients I work with don’t care if it is, or is not directly Apple’s fault - they are simply frustrated that Apple smart home doesn’t work while non-Apple smart home does.
So my TL;DR is a pragmatic solution, but not the only approach.
Thank you so much SpivR for your in-depth answer to my question. Yes all my devices (And they are growing monthly) are on wifi. And I was suspecting this was a Home app problem. But also I think I just have too much stuff connected to my wifi too. Thank you for your recomandeations too. I am thinking that I might want to go with a hub for the smart plugs and then leave the rest on the wifi. I will research this a bit more but I think I am willing to pay a bit more for long time reliability. (I’m in Canada so I think the Lutron might be available here.) thanks again for your help.
Leo.
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