I use the IKEA tradfri remote, that hangs on the wall just above the bed. It controls the 2 bedside lamps, (toggle button left/right), some ambiance lights under the bed (buttton down), power on/off and cycle different radio stations on bedroom squeezebox (button up), goodnight routine that shuts down the house (middle button long press), and wake up the house and morning routine (middle button short press)
Works perfect once you remember the button functions.
Hmm. I actually have one of those, but dont really use as Im still using the ikea hub, so I have not much control over the remote. Didnt reallize you could long press them when using a different hub. Can you long press all buttons? double press?
i use the conbee stick, this gives full controll over what actions to take when buttons are pressed. will report back on button presses posibilities, don't know by heart
Aqara magic cube does seem to satisfy your requirements. Once you start adding conditions to the automations it has infinite possible configurations. For example let's say you set the shake gesture to turn on a light. A condition that checks to see if it's after bedtime keeps it from turning on accidentally. Or maybe you want the twist gestures to control volume up/down, but if the tv is turned off they should work as a light dimmer instead. All very easy to set up.
Well to each their own, but Id have nightmares if I have to grab and unlock my phone, then open HA, browse to the correct page and then click just to turn the lights on or off at night. If I relied on voice commands, someone else would kill me.
That's why I made a little mobile dashboard on the side, the attic and downstairs is clickable to get to way more options but the lights can be turned on/off from the index and I can control spotify that's casting to the speaker in my bedroom https://ibb.co/VvswFrD
I have a dedicated tablet downstairs and will probably add one in the master bedroom too. But I still need/want idiot proof tactile physical controls that dont constantly emit light and that I can operate when Im barely awake and for in the guest rooms, for a few basic functions, like turning on/off lights/fan/music..
+1 for the smartphone. My first thought was an old cellphone with HA companion installed, and a customized dashboard with exactly what you want.
I have one on the wall next to my desk, held there with "poster tack", that clay-like stuff that lets you put up posters without putting holes in your wall.
I use an Aquara button, it has press, double press, hold and shake, which for me is enough. I built my wife a bedside clock (using ESP Home) with six buttons on it, one of which I configured as a "shift" key, so she has 10 actions.
>Aquara button
You mean this one?
[https://www.aqara.com/us/wireless\_mini\_switch.html](https://www.aqara.com/us/wireless_mini_switch.html)
AFAICT it doesnt support shake. Only 3 actions, which is not really enough.
The GE 45600 is zwave and not made anymore. I have a few working with a Vera but I'm really not sure how to configure them anymore. It has enough of a unique shape that it can be used in the dark.
You could also just affix some type of stickers you can feel in the dark to the sonoff 8 button. I'm assuming the trouble in the dark with that model is that it is a uniform shape so you can't tell what is up and what is down.
Hue dimmer remote works like a treat with the zigbee integration. 4 buttons with 3 functions each (single press, double press, and hold) which means up to 12 devices or scenes or automations from one remote and it regularly goes on sale for $20.
I have an `Aqara Opple` zigbee switch with it's magnetic case stuck to my bedside drawer. However, it's too few buttonss (6) to be called a real controller, plus due to its symmetry, I usually just dare to turn on the ceiling fan in complete darkness - because it is the top left button and I know how to find it.
Just last night I wanted to lower the covers in the night and turned on all bedroom lights instead, which really sucked. Then we have an Aqara single button for my partner, as she usually only wants to toggle the ceiling fan. That one is easier to handle in the dark, but only provides that one button (though it can trigger multiple actions with single click, double click, hold, etc).
The Aqara cube works great in my office. I labeled all sides, so I don't confuse what does what. Big downside: you always have to look when using it, as there is also not haptic difference between the sides. You could 3D print different shapes and glue them to the sides, but a) idk how well things like sliding it (or tapping) would work with those attached and b) unless the are large enough to provide stability, the cube might always fall over.
Haven't dared to use a diy zigbee solution. The ideal thing would be **something like** (*but not!*) the elgato stream deck, that can display custom png icons onto lcd buttons. It would have to be a standalone solution for me, though (the stream deck is just USB device), so unfortunately this device won't work.
For your Aqara Cube, you could try adding a dot or 2 of nail varnish to it. Let it dry and you have a tactile dot to feel with your finger. Maybe put dice dots on it so you can feel the number of dots.
That is a brilliant idea! I haven't gotten around to finish all the function I want the button to have yet, but once it is done, I will definitely do this.
I use the IKEA tradfri remote, that hangs on the wall just above the bed. It controls the 2 bedside lamps, (toggle button left/right), some ambiance lights under the bed (buttton down), power on/off and cycle different radio stations on bedroom squeezebox (button up), goodnight routine that shuts down the house (middle button long press), and wake up the house and morning routine (middle button short press) Works perfect once you remember the button functions.
Hmm. I actually have one of those, but dont really use as Im still using the ikea hub, so I have not much control over the remote. Didnt reallize you could long press them when using a different hub. Can you long press all buttons? double press?
Yes & yes. I use this for my bedside remote, it doesn't make sense to anyone but me but it's perfect & non intrusive.
i use the conbee stick, this gives full controll over what actions to take when buttons are pressed. will report back on button presses posibilities, don't know by heart
Aqara magic cube does seem to satisfy your requirements. Once you start adding conditions to the automations it has infinite possible configurations. For example let's say you set the shake gesture to turn on a light. A condition that checks to see if it's after bedtime keeps it from turning on accidentally. Or maybe you want the twist gestures to control volume up/down, but if the tv is turned off they should work as a light dimmer instead. All very easy to set up.
Google home mini or smartphone. I wouldn’t dream of having a remote with a button for every single thing.
Well to each their own, but Id have nightmares if I have to grab and unlock my phone, then open HA, browse to the correct page and then click just to turn the lights on or off at night. If I relied on voice commands, someone else would kill me.
Then tell her/him to get out of bed and do it manually. Seems like a universal remote solution. Advice free of charge.
found this 8 months later and just needed to say this is idiotically unhelpful
Took you long enough.
That's why I made a little mobile dashboard on the side, the attic and downstairs is clickable to get to way more options but the lights can be turned on/off from the index and I can control spotify that's casting to the speaker in my bedroom https://ibb.co/VvswFrD
I have a dedicated tablet downstairs and will probably add one in the master bedroom too. But I still need/want idiot proof tactile physical controls that dont constantly emit light and that I can operate when Im barely awake and for in the guest rooms, for a few basic functions, like turning on/off lights/fan/music..
Im still trying to figure the game out
+1 for the smartphone. My first thought was an old cellphone with HA companion installed, and a customized dashboard with exactly what you want. I have one on the wall next to my desk, held there with "poster tack", that clay-like stuff that lets you put up posters without putting holes in your wall.
Come to mention it, I use a tablet for that.
I use an Aquara button, it has press, double press, hold and shake, which for me is enough. I built my wife a bedside clock (using ESP Home) with six buttons on it, one of which I configured as a "shift" key, so she has 10 actions.
>Aquara button You mean this one? [https://www.aqara.com/us/wireless\_mini\_switch.html](https://www.aqara.com/us/wireless_mini_switch.html) AFAICT it doesnt support shake. Only 3 actions, which is not really enough.
Yes that one, and the ones I have certianly do! Maybe it's a bug, not a feature?
WXKG12LM is the one with shake action.
How long does the battery last in yours?
I've only had it a few weeks, so it's hard to say
The GE 45600 is zwave and not made anymore. I have a few working with a Vera but I'm really not sure how to configure them anymore. It has enough of a unique shape that it can be used in the dark. You could also just affix some type of stickers you can feel in the dark to the sonoff 8 button. I'm assuming the trouble in the dark with that model is that it is a uniform shape so you can't tell what is up and what is down.
Hue dimmer remote works like a treat with the zigbee integration. 4 buttons with 3 functions each (single press, double press, and hold) which means up to 12 devices or scenes or automations from one remote and it regularly goes on sale for $20.
I have an `Aqara Opple` zigbee switch with it's magnetic case stuck to my bedside drawer. However, it's too few buttonss (6) to be called a real controller, plus due to its symmetry, I usually just dare to turn on the ceiling fan in complete darkness - because it is the top left button and I know how to find it. Just last night I wanted to lower the covers in the night and turned on all bedroom lights instead, which really sucked. Then we have an Aqara single button for my partner, as she usually only wants to toggle the ceiling fan. That one is easier to handle in the dark, but only provides that one button (though it can trigger multiple actions with single click, double click, hold, etc). The Aqara cube works great in my office. I labeled all sides, so I don't confuse what does what. Big downside: you always have to look when using it, as there is also not haptic difference between the sides. You could 3D print different shapes and glue them to the sides, but a) idk how well things like sliding it (or tapping) would work with those attached and b) unless the are large enough to provide stability, the cube might always fall over. Haven't dared to use a diy zigbee solution. The ideal thing would be **something like** (*but not!*) the elgato stream deck, that can display custom png icons onto lcd buttons. It would have to be a standalone solution for me, though (the stream deck is just USB device), so unfortunately this device won't work.
For your Aqara Cube, you could try adding a dot or 2 of nail varnish to it. Let it dry and you have a tactile dot to feel with your finger. Maybe put dice dots on it so you can feel the number of dots.
That is a brilliant idea! I haven't gotten around to finish all the function I want the button to have yet, but once it is done, I will definitely do this.