Reddit mentions of VRPD3-1LW LEVITON VIZIA RF PLUG IN

Hub: Wink Hub 2 -- very similar functionality as the SmartThings but more device type compatibilities (Lutron, etc.) and I'd recommend it since it seems to have a nicer user experience / easier setup, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/Wink-WNKHUB-2US-Hub-2/dp/B01KW8WGZQ/ref=sr_1_1

Lamps: I would recommend these since they are easy (no wiring). https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-VRPD3-1LW-Capable-Dimming-Module/dp/B00JFF4RG4/ref=sr_1_2 -- I prefer this to smart light bulbs since light bulbs can break and every bulb doesn't fit every fixture.

Voice Echo or Echo Dots, but that's mostly personal preference

TV Harmony

I got a family member very into home automation by simply purchasing a Wink Hub 2, an Echo Dot, and a Leviton Lamp Dimmer.

Totally! Some of the modules "leak" current and the bulbs perpetually have a dim glow. I haven't had any problems with this module, and by all accounts they are solid. I'm really liking the Leviton gear in general. I have several of their dimmer switches as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JFF4RG4/

any of them that are rated for LED?

Check this one.

this is literally in the description for the Monoprice plug-in dimmers:

"The dimmer uses the leading-edge phase-cut (TRIAC controlled) method of dimming and is suitable for use with resistive and inductive loads, which include incandescent and halogen lamps. It will work with some LED lights, but others won't work properly, even if from the same manufacturer. When using LED lighting, always make a mock-up of your project to test the compatibility of specific LED bulb models and the total load with this dimmer prior to installation."

Yes, it helps. You could just as well plug something like this into an outlet. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JFF4RG4/ref=pd_lpo_60_lp_t_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=785TVZQTG3NA6RMN08QY

And then plug a dumb power strip into the outlet, and all of your lights into the power strip. On/off/dim would be conrolled by the smart outlet and feed to everything else. Note however, the limitations on wattage, 100w for CFL/LED 300w for incandescents. If you have 6 60w incandescent bulbs, it won't work.

Plug for anywhere you sleep. After a power outage, bulbs will come back on full strength (they think you just flipped the wall switch on). I have 2 of these and love them. In my kitchen I have just bulbs though.

Home assistant will interface with all sorts of products you can look at the Home Assistant website to see all things it interfaces with.

I will also say that this is the most active community and the fastest to incorporate new products. Over the last five months I have been tinkering with HA many new products have been incorporated.


As for the Iris Smart Plug it is a zigbee device that contains a Zwave radio. It will connect to your Zwave network and be an always on device (meaning that it will extend the reach of your mesh network) but you will not be able to control the on and off of the plug. I have two of them and they work great if you use something that has Zigbee radio.
If you are only going to utilize the Z-Stick you will want to use something like one of the following:

[Leviton VRPD3-1LW Vizia RF] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFF4RG4/ref=twister_B01JJKURQS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) I have this one for my Christmas tree

GE Lighting Lamp Module with Dimmer Controller

[GE Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Control Outdoor Module] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013V8K3O/ref=twister_B017SOTBJG?_encoding=UTF8&th=1) I have a few of these outside

As for the GE Duplex outlet, I have one or two of them but I really like the design and functionality of the Leviton VRR15-1LZ Vizia RF + Split Duplex Receptacle better.

As for light bulbs, I own Hue, Link, Cree, and maybe one more. They are all Zigbee bulbs so I connect them to the Hue hub and let it interface with HA. They work fine for my uses but I really don't care about the colors. When Lifx put its bulbs on sale a few weeks ago I almost bought some of the BR30 but didn't because they don't interface with Home Kit. I really don't need them since the fixtures already have a zwave switch but I thought it would be nice to change colors if I wanted to. Also I have found that some of the Zigbee bulbs loose the connection with the hub if they are turned on and off from a switch. I was hoping the Lifx being wifi would not do that.

Would anyone be interested in some youtube videos explaining my setup and discussing my experiences with products?

Remember what matters is the protocols that the hub supports.

I also like to think of some devices as 'accessory' or 'auxiliary' devices, which provide a function or connectivity to gadgets (like light switches, outlets, locks, etc.) versus 'main' or 'hub' devices, which serve to unify/centralize your accessory/auxiliary devices and give you a central interface.

Insteon is a little different, since it's more of an auxiliary device (since you need the Hub/Modem to communicate with Insteon devices), but the Insteon hub also tries to be a 'main' device--not that it's a bad thing. You can actually use this to your advantage and switch to an Insteon Modem to use your Insteon devices with other 'main' hubs like Vera and Smartthings.

Anyhow, the Wink 2 supports, Bluetooth LE, Kidde, Clear Connect, Z-Wave & ZigBee. You are not limited to the Wink-branded modules! You can get any Z-Wave module. That said, the Wink site pushes the Leviton DZC Series Z-Wave lamp dimmers, but you can just as well go with a different Leviton or a GoControl/GE/Linear.

That said, you may also want to double-check the web to ensure that whatever you get will work out of the box with the Wink itself. This site shows both of those I listed as working.

As for recommendations, I've heard good things about the Smartthings hubs as of late. Winks have mixed reviews, but I think most are happy with them, especially for an easy, 'turnkey' device.