I bought the Switchbot curtain bots on a crowd fund site which is how I found about Switchbot products initially. The curtain bots are absolutely brilliant. I bought them to open & close when I'm away from home making the flat look occupied (along with some smart lights).
Switch bot has been a life changer for me I was able to use it to make my heating system smart and work with my Google home as I am disabled being able to turn my heating on and off by voice has help a lot with my chronic pain and as I rent my property I couldn't add a smart thermostat this was great way to achieve smart heating
Absolutely! Its such an easy way to retrofit even in places that are rented as it uses a simple sticky back to it and requires no drilling. The same with almost all their products!
Great video and very interesting. I have quite a few of the switchbot products and they do have a few negatives. 1 you need a switchbot hub for a lot of the devices to work properly, 2 they connect via bluetooth to the hub which limits the range, 3 a lot of their funtionality is only available within the switchbot echo system, for example the door contact sensor also has movement detection and a light sensor, neither of which can be used in the alexa app or smartthings, which makes these features useless. I have no switchbot plugs to control and as far as I can see there is little I can control with switchbot. It is a shame they lack so much compatibility. Make the hub and devices zigbee and open up their funtionality to other environments and this would be a fantastic system. Oh and when I can get things like the humidity sensor to control other devices in Smartthings, it can be very hit and miss as to whether the automation runs of not. Great video Stu, keep up the good work.
I do like SwitchBot products, I only have the hub, 1 finger bot and a temp sensor at the moment but I do plan to buy more. Unfortunately now I use the finger bot I can't actually close my kitchen door now as its that close to the switch haha. Love your license plate. Great one for the channel. Side note though on 1 of the things you mentioned. Putting heaters on smart plugs isn't advisable as they draw more wattage than the plugs are normally rated for meaning it can become a fire hazard, that being said you can buy smart plugs that are designed with this in mind.
So... the contact sensor could also be your off trigger for your studio. You wouldn't need the motion sensor there. You could use it on the stairs for instance... I just backed the kickstarter for the blind tilt they are coming out with, highly recommended! I picked up 16 which will do all of our windows except our bathroom windows.
@@StusReviewsUK Sorry Stu, assuming that you close the door to your studio, that would be the trigger to turn on your devices and would also be the trigger to turn them off when you leave. If however, you do go in and out a lot, then, yes, an occupancy sensor such as the motion sensor would be better. I apologize for the confusion sir. Also, I loved the Audi TT automation!
@@usa-earth within Alexa, the two automation triggers are either ‘when it opens’ or ‘when it closes’, so the problem would be automating this to shut everything off. There’s no current way to automate ‘every other time the door is opened, turn off X X and X’. If I left the door open, then yeah that would work, because ‘when open turn on, when closed turn off’, but unfortunately I open and close the door on each actuation. So for now, motion sensor is the only way until Alexa allows better control I think!
I also have the Switchbot Door l Iock, and the door keypad/touch. My son asked me why....."Because I can" was my answer. 😂 Probably gonna get the curtain things soon.
@@StusReviewsUK the door lock is very good as is the touchpad/keypad. If you get one...don't let the wind blow the door closed before you've calibrated fully 😂 It happened to me and I had to call my son with my spare key 😂. Anyway, now I have the keypad fixed outside abs if there's an emergency I have a spare key in a secure box. But I'm glad I got the lock and keypad.
Please please do a follow-up to this. Also i notice you don't review any sonoff stuff. Sonoff is more available in south Africa than switchbot. Love your work man.
I have been using TPLink smart energy monitor plugs, Govee thermometers and various brands of smart LED bulbs for the past 6 years now, they work great. However the WIFI element of the device will draw a small amount of power even when idle. Not found a need for a switchbot (Robot finger) yet, generally a smart plug / bulb does the job for most things for basic on/off. I do like the idea of smart curtain / blind operation but they are super expensive, will likely look unsightly and i suspect wont fully draw the curtain properly. I have also found the IFTT network fussy for device support
I think that I'd probably spray paint the white housing of the bulbs black once happy that they're going to stay (I'm only 8 mins into the video, so maybe you mention this later). Switchbot should maybe make a black version though.
I guess most lights and bulb fittings are white so does make more business sense to make it in white, but I agree, black would be good for situations like mine! I’ve thought about 3d printing a fitting to go round the base of the bulb!
Another great video mate and definitely leads me to want to buy an energy meter and see if IKEA smart lights are efficient as my kitchen is full of them. I have annoyed my wife by installing motion sensors in the basement and connecting to a Xiaomi night light and hub. Maybe more to do with the lack of light than automation 🤣
These little gadgets are great I need to grab some of fingers for automating some of my dumber appliances like my coffee machine, the ability to shout at my ALEXA to make me a coffee is a pretty exciting idea lol
They do, but aren't particularly bright, which was part of the reason for changing these as well. And colour... got to love colour! (But yes black surround would have been better)!
I always thought the thermostat on them was just the internal temp of the radiator, so when it achieves its temperature it’ll switch off and on to maintain this, it doesn’t actually allow you to control the temperature of the room via actual temp reading. I guess as well, with my temp reading for control on the other side of the room, it’s more accurate than any internal temp near the unit if it does read room temperature. Also it allows better automation with turning on and off at times of day based on room temperature at that given point!
@@StusReviewsUK I think it’s supposed to represent room temperature, but you’re right it would be better with an independent sensor. Mines a pain and needs a few buttons hitting before it gets going after power on, so not ideal for smart automation
Hi Mr Stu, another good review, I think, I say that because, as you have a hate for unnecessary plastic, I, or rather my poor dog has a hate of the swear word bleeper sound, I don't know why, but he really hates it and runs and hides, there's also a lot of TV progs that use the same sound, they are in my block list, don't want to put you on it..... 🤔
Ill consider what can be done in future episodes instead David, but it’ll be around for a little while I’m afraid, with all the stuff we have already filmed.
Having a switchbot press the button to raise a sit/stand desk a couple of times a day, is great if you have a habit of sitting all day and not taking breaks
Hey stu hows it going bud. Did you pay £25 for just the switch bot button pusher? Seens a bit expensive for that price. Do you think they'll be deals coming up for it?. Also the child in me thinks it would be a good prank to stick it on a friends doorbell and keep pushing it😁 Do a video on that 😂😂😂
That sir, is a FANTASTIC idea. I absolutely have to do it... Would make a fun episode... Smart home pranks(tm). 😂. As for cost, i thought £25 is quite reasonable, although certainly keep an eye out on amazon for sales around black friday!
@@StusReviewsUK It sure does! You'll get out when you've paid your electric bill! BTW, anyone know how to type the pound symbol on an American Mac Mini keyboard? Speaking of my Mac Mini, since I've had it, my electric usage has dropped 25% from when I was using my Windows computer.
I’m paying a legacy fee which is about the cost of 1/4 pint a month… I’m quite okay with that for the extra functionality that ifttt gives me (on a bunch of products, not just SwitchBot). Although I agree, would have been nice to have been free forever!
Switchbot is a mainland Chinese company. This means the company has to do everything the government of China tells it to. Is it wise to trust their hardware and software?
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I don't know if it's intentional, but your presentation is very clarkson like. That's not a bad thing, love your videos.
OHHHH MAN. A fine glass of whiskey!? I'm so in. I'll bring a dehumidifier!
Best had! 😂😂😂🥃
This video should have more views this gives great advice. Started to watch your videos again
Welcome back!
I bought the Switchbot curtain bots on a crowd fund site which is how I found about Switchbot products initially. The curtain bots are absolutely brilliant. I bought them to open & close when I'm away from home making the flat look occupied (along with some smart lights).
So useful!
Switch bot has been a life changer for me I was able to use it to make my heating system smart and work with my Google home as I am disabled being able to turn my heating on and off by voice has help a lot with my chronic pain and as I rent my property I couldn't add a smart thermostat this was great way to achieve smart heating
Absolutely! Its such an easy way to retrofit even in places that are rented as it uses a simple sticky back to it and requires no drilling. The same with almost all their products!
Great video and very interesting. I have quite a few of the switchbot products and they do have a few negatives. 1 you need a switchbot hub for a lot of the devices to work properly, 2 they connect via bluetooth to the hub which limits the range, 3 a lot of their funtionality is only available within the switchbot echo system, for example the door contact sensor also has movement detection and a light sensor, neither of which can be used in the alexa app or smartthings, which makes these features useless. I have no switchbot plugs to control and as far as I can see there is little I can control with switchbot. It is a shame they lack so much compatibility. Make the hub and devices zigbee and open up their funtionality to other environments and this would be a fantastic system. Oh and when I can get things like the humidity sensor to control other devices in Smartthings, it can be very hit and miss as to whether the automation runs of not.
Great video Stu, keep up the good work.
oooh the zigbee
I like the Switch it lamps. As these have an ESP32 inside you can also flash them with Tasmota.
I do like SwitchBot products, I only have the hub, 1 finger bot and a temp sensor at the moment but I do plan to buy more.
Unfortunately now I use the finger bot I can't actually close my kitchen door now as its that close to the switch haha.
Love your license plate. Great one for the channel.
Side note though on 1 of the things you mentioned. Putting heaters on smart plugs isn't advisable as they draw more wattage than the plugs are normally rated for meaning it can become a fire hazard, that being said you can buy smart plugs that are designed with this in mind.
Remote unlocking wherever did you come up with that one amazing
So... the contact sensor could also be your off trigger for your studio. You wouldn't need the motion sensor there. You could use it on the stairs for instance... I just backed the kickstarter for the blind tilt they are coming out with, highly recommended! I picked up 16 which will do all of our windows except our bathroom windows.
Not sure I’m following… how would you use it to determine occupancy of the room? As far as I can tell, there would be no reliable automation for this?
@@StusReviewsUK Sorry Stu, assuming that you close the door to your studio, that would be the trigger to turn on your devices and would also be the trigger to turn them off when you leave. If however, you do go in and out a lot, then, yes, an occupancy sensor such as the motion sensor would be better. I apologize for the confusion sir.
Also, I loved the Audi TT automation!
@@usa-earth within Alexa, the two automation triggers are either ‘when it opens’ or ‘when it closes’, so the problem would be automating this to shut everything off. There’s no current way to automate ‘every other time the door is opened, turn off X X and X’. If I left the door open, then yeah that would work, because ‘when open turn on, when closed turn off’, but unfortunately I open and close the door on each actuation. So for now, motion sensor is the only way until Alexa allows better control I think!
@@StusReviewsUK The contact sensor has a built in motion sensor too. It can be set to the condition of 'when closed' and 'no motion for x minutes'.
Wait.. I’ve only just seen that in the settings. Is that for motion of the door though and not presence??? I will test this…
I also have the Switchbot Door l Iock, and the door keypad/touch. My son asked me why....."Because I can" was my answer. 😂 Probably gonna get the curtain things soon.
I’ve got of them to, just yet to test it out! How are you finding it?
@@StusReviewsUK the door lock is very good as is the touchpad/keypad. If you get one...don't let the wind blow the door closed before you've calibrated fully 😂
It happened to me and I had to call my son with my spare key 😂.
Anyway, now I have the keypad fixed outside abs if there's an emergency I have a spare key in a secure box.
But I'm glad I got the lock and keypad.
I’m pretty sure the door im intending on it going on only let’s a key in from one side at a time 👁👄👁
"I live in wales, the wettest country in the world"
As a fellow welsh man I concur with this statement haha
Please please do a follow-up to this. Also i notice you don't review any sonoff stuff. Sonoff is more available in south Africa than switchbot. Love your work man.
Bit of a follow on-
You won’t BELIEVE What SwitchBot Hub 2 Can Do!
ruclips.net/video/I0ocy9x4tK4/видео.html
I was more shocked to find out a mk2 Audi TT doesnt have remote locking ... even my old 2000 model Focus had that
I think I phrased it wrong! It has remote unlocking, what I meant was smart unlocking/remote unlocking through phones 🙈🤦♂️
@@StusReviewsUK Makes sense, i love Audi TT's and have considered buying one for years, so glad thats not the case.
I have been using TPLink smart energy monitor plugs, Govee thermometers and various brands of smart LED bulbs for the past 6 years now, they work great. However the WIFI element of the device will draw a small amount of power even when idle. Not found a need for a switchbot (Robot finger) yet, generally a smart plug / bulb does the job for most things for basic on/off. I do like the idea of smart curtain / blind operation but they are super expensive, will likely look unsightly and i suspect wont fully draw the curtain properly. I have also found the IFTT network fussy for device support
I think that I'd probably spray paint the white housing of the bulbs black once happy that they're going to stay (I'm only 8 mins into the video, so maybe you mention this later). Switchbot should maybe make a black version though.
I guess most lights and bulb fittings are white so does make more business sense to make it in white, but I agree, black would be good for situations like mine! I’ve thought about 3d printing a fitting to go round the base of the bulb!
Another great video mate and definitely leads me to want to buy an energy meter and see if IKEA smart lights are efficient as my kitchen is full of them. I have annoyed my wife by installing motion sensors in the basement and connecting to a Xiaomi night light and hub. Maybe more to do with the lack of light than automation 🤣
Haha! You should, it may surprise you what you find out! I’ve got an episode in the pipeline on this topic coming soon!
These little gadgets are great I need to grab some of fingers for automating some of my dumber appliances like my coffee machine, the ability to shout at my ALEXA to make me a coffee is a pretty exciting idea lol
Well the switch on is automated but that's it, you still would need to fill it up with water, coffee and have a cup waiting.
I’ve thought about this… there’s a piece of old tech called the ‘goblin teasmaid’… been tempted to get on to automat making a full brew!
They got low energy LED bulbs that look just like the old-school Edison bulbs and are also smart bulbs and also have a black base to them
They do, but aren't particularly bright, which was part of the reason for changing these as well. And colour... got to love colour! (But yes black surround would have been better)!
Don’t those oil radiators already turn themselves off when a temperature is reached?
I always thought the thermostat on them was just the internal temp of the radiator, so when it achieves its temperature it’ll switch off and on to maintain this, it doesn’t actually allow you to control the temperature of the room via actual temp reading. I guess as well, with my temp reading for control on the other side of the room, it’s more accurate than any internal temp near the unit if it does read room temperature. Also it allows better automation with turning on and off at times of day based on room temperature at that given point!
@@StusReviewsUK I think it’s supposed to represent room temperature, but you’re right it would be better with an independent sensor. Mines a pain and needs a few buttons hitting before it gets going after power on, so not ideal for smart automation
If it helps, I’m using this one (bought it a few months ago and been quite impressed); amzn.to/3zq5OKL
Cant use finger switch bot for my boiler as I have just 1 button that cycles through off, timer, and on
You could set up an automation to press it twice?
@@StusReviewsUK you know, i dont even know why i didnt thing of that lmao, cheers!
It’s always the simplest solution! Haha!
Hi Mr Stu, another good review, I think, I say that because, as you have a hate for unnecessary plastic, I, or rather my poor dog has a hate of the swear word bleeper sound, I don't know why, but he really hates it and runs and hides, there's also a lot of TV progs that use the same sound, they are in my block list, don't want to put you on it..... 🤔
Ill consider what can be done in future episodes instead David, but it’ll be around for a little while I’m afraid, with all the stuff we have already filmed.
Having a switchbot press the button to raise a sit/stand desk a couple of times a day, is great if you have a habit of sitting all day and not taking breaks
This is a great idea to force a stand!
Hey stu hows it going bud. Did you pay £25 for just the switch bot button pusher? Seens a bit expensive for that price. Do you think they'll be deals coming up for it?.
Also the child in me thinks it would be a good prank to stick it on a friends doorbell and keep pushing it😁
Do a video on that 😂😂😂
That sir, is a FANTASTIC idea. I absolutely have to do it... Would make a fun episode... Smart home pranks(tm). 😂. As for cost, i thought £25 is quite reasonable, although certainly keep an eye out on amazon for sales around black friday!
It looks like you already drank your whiskey. I don't see the bottles. I don't even see your furniture. I hope everything is ok. I'm getting worried.
Send help. I’ve been locked in a basement and forced to make RUclips videos! (Watch the last and next unboxing), should explain things!
@@StusReviewsUK It sure does! You'll get out when you've paid your electric bill! BTW, anyone know how to type the pound symbol on an American Mac Mini keyboard?
Speaking of my Mac Mini, since I've had it, my electric usage has dropped 25% from when I was using my Windows computer.
FIRST.....Feed me stu
CHICKEN DINNER 🍗
Did you say, 'flirting with Home Assistant?' Tell us more.
I never kiss and tell 😉. Although i probably will, so stay tuned.
Second comment hey Stu!
🥈
Too bad your using IFTTT as your losing money by paying them a subscription cost for use!
I’m paying a legacy fee which is about the cost of 1/4 pint a month… I’m quite okay with that for the extra functionality that ifttt gives me (on a bunch of products, not just SwitchBot). Although I agree, would have been nice to have been free forever!
Switchbot is a mainland Chinese company. This means the company has to do everything the government of China tells it to. Is it wise to trust their hardware and software?