
Frequently Asked Questions
We aim to make your smart home journey as easy as possible. This is why we compiled a list of the most asked questions and their answers in this page.
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How to?
Smart Bulbs
A smart bulb is a type of light bulb that can connect to your home Wi-Fi network or a smart home hub, allowing you to control it remotely using a mobile app, voice commands, or automation. Overall, smart bulbs offer flexibility, convenience, and energy efficiency, allowing you to customize your lighting experience and create a smarter and more comfortable home environment.
PROS: Setup is relatively simple with the bulb approach, and it’s easy to move a bulb to a new fixture if needed.
CONS: The bulbs won’t work if the light is switched off. Most smart bulbs fit in the common E27 light socket (lamba barem), and will not fit in other smaller sockets
Smart Switches and Relays
Smart switches are devices that replace traditional light switches in your home, offering enhanced control and automation capabilities. Smart switches provide an alternative to smart bulbs, offering control and automation at the switch level rather than individual bulbs. This can be beneficial if you have multiple bulbs connected to a single switch or prefer the convenience of controlling all the lights in a room through one switch.
- If you want to keep your wall switch and want to put a small smart relay inside the existing wall switch and
- your wall switch contains one button, then check out the Sonoff MINI R4.
- your wall switch contains two buttons, then check out the Sonoff DUAL R3.
- If you want to replace your wall switch by a smart one:
- you’re looking for a 1-2 or 3 buttons, check the Sonoff TX Ultimate Touch Wall Switch, Sonoff SwitchMan M5 Matter Smart Light Switch.
- you’re looking for an all-in-one solution with touch screen and two buttons, check the Sonoff NSPanel.
PROS: With a smart switch, you’re free to use whatever bulb you want — perfect if you’re picky about light quality, or if your fixture requires bulbs of a particular size, shape, or style that’s incompatible with smart bulbs. In many cases, your scheduled lighting changes will still run even when the switch is turned off.
CONS: Installation requires DIY skills and is more difficult than smart bulbs, because wiring is needed, and you do not have control over the brightness and colors of the light bulb
You can combine smart switch & smart bulb to get the best of both worlds!
There are other types of smart lightning, that are more use-case-specific.
Smart LED Strips
Smart LED strips are flexible strips with built-in LEDs that can be controlled and customized using a mobile app or a smart home hub. Smart LED strips are a versatile lighting solution that can add vibrant and dynamic lighting effects to your space. They are often used for accent lighting, creating ambiance, or highlighting architectural features. When choosing smart LED strips, consider factors like length, connectivity options, color accuracy, and compatibility with your preferred smart home platform or ecosystem.
Smart Outdoor Lights
Smart outdoor lights, also known as smart outdoor lighting systems, provide advanced control and automation features for your outdoor lighting. Smart outdoor lights provide convenience, security, and energy efficiency by allowing you to control and automate your outdoor lighting according to your preferences and needs. When selecting smart outdoor lights, ensure they are suitable for outdoor use and compatible with your preferred smart home platform or ecosystem.
Smart Gaming Lights
Smart gaming lights are specialized lighting systems designed to enhance the gaming experience by providing dynamic and immersive lighting effects. Smart gaming lights are designed to add visual flair and immersion to your gaming environment, making the gaming experience more engaging and enjoyable. When choosing smart gaming lights, consider compatibility with your gaming platform, the available customization options, ease of integration, and the overall aesthetics and design that align with your gaming setup.
Check this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/BDc9uROtJus
You can also check the Sonoff NSPanel.
Once set up, the device will show as ONLINE when power is present. If the power source loses connection, it will indicate as OFFLINE after five minutes, and you will receive a notification alerting you to the status change.
This setup allows you to monitor both the grid and generator status accurately and helps you create automation scenes based on each device’s status.
- Sonoff TH Elite 20A or Sonoff TH Origin + Sonoff Indoor Temperature/Humidity Sensor THS1
- PROS: Affordable - WiFi connected.
- CONS: Bulky - requires a wired connection to electricity (no battery power).
- Sonoff ZigBee Temperature Humidity Sensor
- PROS: ZigBee connection - Long battery life.
- CONS: Requires Sonoff ZigBee Bridge Pro - Does not have a screen.
- Sonoff ZigBee LCD Temperature Humidity Sensor
- PROS: Good price and large screen - Battery operated
- CONS: ZigBee connection - Requires Sonoff ZigBee Bridge Pro
- Sonoff IP65 Zigbee LCD Smart Thermometer SNZB-02WD
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- PROS: Splash-proof and large screen - Battery operated
- CONS: ZigBee connection - Requires Sonoff ZigBee Bridge Pro
You can use one of the below options:
- Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch to control devices that need a “dry contact” connection.
- Sonoff 4CH PRO R3 4-gang Smart Switch. It supports four channels of 220V AC or 9-23V DC.
- If your wall switch contains one button, then check out the Sonoff MINI R4 / Matter Version.
Already have a Sonoff ZigBee Bridge Pro? You can use the Sonoff Zigbee Extreme Smart Switch with it. - If you want to take advantage of Sonoff’s remote-control features, consider the latest Sonoff S-MATE.
- If your wall switch contains two buttons (two light switches) then check out the Sonoff Mini Duo 2.
Also available in Zigbee: Sonoff Mini Duo 2 Gang Zigbee Switch. - If your wall switch contains roller shutter or curtain then check out the Sonoff Roller Shutter Switch.
Also available in Zigbee: Sonoff Zigbee Smart Roller Shutter Switch.Note: If the motor load is higher than 1A, you should consider using the Sonoff Dual R3 instead.
- If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution with touch screen and two buttons, check the Sonoff NSPanel it comes in Type 86 and Type 120 sizes.
- Option A:
- If your AC saves its power state after electricity is restored, you can use a Sonoff Basic Gen5 Matter to control it ON/OFF and set schedules.
- If your AC does not save its power after electricity is restored, using a Sonoff Smart Plug or Sonoff Basic will not help and you should check the option B.
- Option B ( If your AC has an infrared remote):
- You can use the BroadLink RM4 Mini IR to control it on/off and change its temperature and other settings. Check this video to learn how to use the Broadlink to control your AC.
- Note: The Broadlink does not remember the state of your AC (just like the remote), it just assumes it. So if the AC is off and you turn it on using the Broadlink app, it will turn on, and if it is on and you turn it on as well from the Broadlink app, it will turn off, because the ON/OFF signal is the same IR signal (unless your AC has separate buttons for on and off).
- Other option compatible with Apple HomeKit
- Broadlink RM-MAX Universal Smart Home Hub with Matter and IR controller.
- You can use the BroadLink RM4 Mini IR to control it on/off and change its temperature and other settings. Check this video to learn how to use the Broadlink to control your AC.
- If you care about seeing the water temperature of your water heater, and the distance between the Sonoff device and the water tank is less than 5 meters, check out the Sonoff TH Elite and the Sonoff water temperature sensor.
- If you don’t need temperature monitoring, then the Sonoff Basic Gen5 is the best choice.
- If you prefer to replace your current breaker, you can go with the Tongou eWeLink Smart Circuit Breaker 63A, and you will also be able to monitor the power consumption of the water heater.
Sonoff
- Option A:
- If your AC saves its power state after electricity is restored, you can use a Sonoff Basic Gen5 Matter to control it ON/OFF and set schedules.
- If your AC does not save its power after electricity is restored, using a Sonoff Smart Plug or Sonoff Basic will not help and you should check the option B.
- Option B ( If your AC has an infrared remote):
- You can use the BroadLink RM4 Mini IR to control it on/off and change its temperature and other settings. Check this video to learn how to use the Broadlink to control your AC.
- Note: The Broadlink does not remember the state of your AC (just like the remote), it just assumes it. So if the AC is off and you turn it on using the Broadlink app, it will turn on, and if it is on and you turn it on as well from the Broadlink app, it will turn off, because the ON/OFF signal is the same IR signal (unless your AC has separate buttons for on and off).
- Other option compatible with Apple HomeKit
- Broadlink RM-MAX Universal Smart Home Hub with Matter and IR controller.
- You can use the BroadLink RM4 Mini IR to control it on/off and change its temperature and other settings. Check this video to learn how to use the Broadlink to control your AC.
- The Sonoff Basic is larger in size and can handle various appliances such as heaters and boilers.
- The Sonoff MiniR4M is smaller and designed for controlling lights and other small appliances only. Its compact size allows it to fit into a single-gang electrical box behind a light switch.
- Both devices support remote on/off control, scheduling, and are compatible with Matter.
- Overall, the main difference between the Sonoff Basic Gen5 and Sonoff MiniR4M is their size and design, with the Mini being more compact for smaller installations.
- The Sonoff Basic Gen5 is a DIY switch, meaning that you will need to use your own wires to link it to input and output.
- The Sonoff S60 is a smart plug, it does not require any DIY work. You just plug it in your wall outlet.
- If you care about seeing the water temperature of your water heater, and the distance between the Sonoff device and the water tank is less than 5 meters, check out the Sonoff TH Elite and the Sonoff water temperature sensor.
- If you don’t need temperature monitoring, then the Sonoff Basic Gen5 is the best choice.
- If you prefer to replace your current breaker, you can go with the Tongou eWeLink Smart Circuit Breaker 63A, and you will also be able to monitor the power consumption of the water heater.
- Sonoff MINI Dry Wi-Fi Smart Switch, It can work with both regular electricity (AC) and low-voltage (DC) power with both Normally Open (NO) and Normally Closed (NC) options, with dry contact output.
- Sonoff 4CH PRO R3 4-gang Wi-Fi Smart Switch, supports four channels of 220V AC or 9-23V DC.
Govee
- Vibrant RGBIC technology for multicolor effects.
- Sync features with music, creating a dynamic atmosphere.
- Easy customization via the Govee Home App.
- Indoors for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices.
- Outdoors for patios or garden lighting (specific outdoor-rated models only).
- The Govee Home App: Available on iOS and Android, the app provides full customization and control.
- Voice Assistants: Many Govee products work with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control.
- Manual Controls: Certain products also have physical buttons for basic functions.
You can check our Pickup and Delivery page for more information.
Alexa
If you cannot find it on your phone’s App Store or Play Store, you can check the guide for Apple [click here] and Android [click here].
Once you have one, you can control everything with just your voice.
For example, you can ask, ‘How’s the weather today in Beirut?’, ‘Add batteries to my shopping list,’ or ‘Play some Fairouz music.’ Alexa makes everyday life easier — whether you want to check the news, set reminders, or control smart home devices around your house.