ESPHome
Open-source firmware framework that configures ESP32/ESP8266 microcontrollers via YAML for home automation.
HN commenters use it to add local smarts to ordinary appliances and custom-built devices1234, often alongside Home Assistant.567 The main reported snag is a 433 MHz transceiver that did not work well with it8, plus a wish to test YAML configs before flashing them to a device.9
Why people recommend it
Smart appliance upgrades · 3
Commenters retrofit simple appliances and remotes with ESPHome while keeping their original controls and full offline control.
“I love upgrading simple home appliances with homebrew smarts using ESPHome”
“Last year I replaced the controller with an Esphome device I built, and it's been going strong all summer and winter”
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“emulate them with ESPHome to make them "smart" fully offline under my control”
Custom DIY builds · 3
People build their own ESPHome devices, from sprinkler controllers to motorized fader boards and e-ink displays.
“i even built my custom ESPHome device”
“use motorized faders with ESPHome and other microcontrollers easily”
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Home Assistant integration · 3
ESPHome devices are used with Home Assistant for things like voice mics and door access.
“uses ESPHome-based mics for the STT”
“I use Unifi Access + ESPHome + Zwave deadbolt”
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“I often write a bunch of Esphome ‘code’ , which I then use with various esp32 based devices”
Large project ecosystem · 1
One commenter notes there are already dozens upon dozens of ESP32/ESPHome projects for common ideas.
“This really screams esp32/esphome, and as you'd expect, there are already dozens upon dozens of such projects”
Cheap hardware · 1
One builder made a full ESPHome board for under $20 and configured it to use IDF.
“I set ESPHome to use IDF under the hood, you can check out my full ESPHome config for this”
Caveats and dissent
433 MHz radio · 1
A commenter's 433 MHz transceiver did not seem to work well with ESPHome.
“my 433 MHz transceiver does not seem to work well with esphome?”
Pre-flash testing · 1
A commenter wants a way to run ESPHome YAML configs before uploading, to avoid finding out on the device that they don't work.
“I often write a bunch of Esphome ‘code’ , which I then use with various esp32 based devices”
Board choice · 1
ESP32 is said to have better ESPHome support than alternatives such as the RP2040.
“ESP32 would add wifi and better ESPHome support.”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- My fan worked fine, so I gave it WiFi 2 mentions
- I hired an illustrator to draw my house. Now it's my Home Assistant dashboard 1 mention
- Saving money on Google Photos with Immich: Your own personal photo storage 1 mention
- Hacked Amazon Echo Dot 2 and can run LLMs locally 1 mention
- I wanted a clock that never needed setting. Things escalated 1 mention
- AI Agent – TRMNL 1 mention
Data: esphome.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 14
“I use Unifi Access + ESPHome + Zwave deadbolt”
“it was tied to my ESPHome”
“uses ESPHome-based mics for the STT”
“This really screams esp32/esphome, and as you'd expect, there are already dozens upon dozens of such projects”
“flashing them with ESPHome”
“emulate them with ESPHome to make them "smart" fully offline under my control”
“my 433 MHz transceiver does not seem to work well with esphome?”
“use motorized faders with ESPHome and other microcontrollers easily”
“Last year I replaced the controller with an Esphome device I built, and it's been going strong all summer and winter”
“ESP32 would add wifi and better ESPHome support.”
“I often write a bunch of Esphome ‘code’ , which I then use with various esp32 based devices”
“i even built my custom ESPHome device”
“I set ESPHome to use IDF under the hood, you can check out my full ESPHome config for this”
“I love upgrading simple home appliances with homebrew smarts using ESPHome”