Gear List: Text-First Catalog for Home Assistant

February 3, 2026

I get asked two questions all the time: “What gear are you using?” and “What do you actually recommend for Home Assistant?” This is my answer — a simple, text-first catalog you can scan fast and filter when you’re shopping or planning the next project.

Gear List page: https://www.vcloudinfo.com/gear/

Why this is different

Text-first: no endless image grids — just the essentials.
Filterable: narrow it down by category, brand, or tags.
Real-world: this is the gear I’m running (and the list changes as I add/replace/remove things around the house).

The catalog (right here)

If you want the live version (with the latest adds/removals), use the page link above. Otherwise, you can browse the same catalog below:

Voice control and front-door video pop-ups when the August lock unlocks.

Why I Use It

Acts as a quick visual notifier and hands-free controller near the entry.

Pros

Good doorbell display
Multi-room voice assistant
Works as intercom

Cons

Camera privacy to manage
Another device on the counter

Front-door lock with status and control exposed to Home Assistant.

Why I Use It

Ties front-door events to cameras and lighting while keeping the existing deadbolt.

Pros

Retrofit install
Reliable presence unlocks
Works with existing keys

Cons

Batteries need tracking
Bridge adds another point of failure

Robot vacuum tied to cleaning schedules and HA notifications.

Why I Use It

Keeps floors clean with HA pausing runs for presence and quiet hours.

Pros

Reliable cleaning
App + HA controls
Quiet enough for night runs

Cons

Consumables to replace
Mapping can drift after moves

433MHz outlets driving accent lighting relays.

Why I Use It

Cheap remote outlets I can toggle from HA RF bridges for quick wins.

Pros

Low cost multi-pack
Works with RF bridges
Fast toggles

Cons

No power monitoring
Requires RF bridge setup

LED controller powering monthly color scenes for the exterior.

Why I Use It

Cheap RGB control that plays well with HA scripts and holiday presets.

Pros

Budget friendly
Works with HA scenes
Flexible LED support

Cons

OTA firmware can vary
Needs careful power planning

Cloud-connected garage opener with reflection alerts tied to HA automations.

Why I Use It

Reliable garage control with feedback that ties into my perimeter lighting and arrival flows.

Pros

Simple install
HA-friendly API
Good alerting on obstructions

Cons

Requires Wi-Fi in the garage
Cloud-dependent status

ESP8266 + PIR combo that drives office motion lighting.

Why I Use It

Cheap, fast motion detection that is easy to reflash and integrate.

Pros

Low cost
Fully local
Easy to reprogram

Cons

Needs USB power
Enclosure required for tidy installs

Inline leak detection with automatic shutoff and HA-driven alerts.

Why I Use It

Protects the house from leaks and gives HA a direct shutoff control path.

Pros

Accurate flow detection
API hooks for HA automations
Automatic shutoff

Cons

Professional install recommended
Needs Wi-Fi near the main

Weather-aware irrigation that respects rain delays and seasons.

Why I Use It

Lets HA skip watering when the forecast or sensors say we are covered.

Pros

Strong weather intelligence
Easy zone mapping
HA service hooks

Cons

Cloud account required
Outdoor enclosure may be needed

Z-Wave backbone for door and hall sensors, running on a Pi 3.

Why I Use It

Keeps Z-Wave radio stable and separable from the main HA container.

Pros

Stable USB Z-Wave radio
Cheap dedicated host
Easily replaceable

Cons

Pi stock can vary
USB range depends on placement

Streaming presence signal that drives living room scenes and lighting.

Why I Use It

Makes TV presence a reliable trigger for lights and notifications.

Pros

Cheap presence signal
Easy HA integration
Low power

Cons

Wi-Fi reliant
Needs CEC in some setups

Battery backup feeding HA load-shed automations and outage alerts.

Why I Use It

Keeps the house up during outages and lets HA prioritize critical loads.

Pros

Seamless backup
Granular energy data
HA-friendly API

Cons

Install lead time
Utility approvals vary

About the links

Some outbound buttons are affiliate links. If you buy through them, it helps support the site (at no extra cost to you). Thanks — it keeps this whole smart home experiment moving forward.

Bookmark the Gear List and check back — I’ll keep updating it as the smart home evolves.