The recent announcement of an official Home Assistant add-on for eWeLink, the app used to control SONOFF's Wi-Fi devices, was met with excitement and caution. This development signifies a growing trend of companies officially integrating their smart home products with Home Assistant. However, there are reasons to be cautious about adopting this new integration immediately.

The Two SONOFF Integrations

Home Assistant users with SONOFF Wi-Fi devices like smart switches, bulbs, and breakers currently rely on two primary integration methods: flashing their devices with alternative firmware such as ESPHome or using the SonoffLAN custom component. Flashing ESPHome on a SONOFF smart switch can be daunting for some, while the custom component depends on developers offering their expertise for free. Given these options, the official add-on might seem like the perfect solution. But is it? Despite the anticipation, users should be cautious before diving into this new integration. It might not meet expectations or could introduce unexpected issues.

Privacy Concerns: The Achilles Heel

The official eWeLink Home Assistant add-on requires users to register for an account, a significant concern for those prioritizing privacy from tech giants like Google and Amazon and entities like ITEAD Studio. This requirement could deter potential users. Moreover, the add-on features a sidebar menu entry redirecting to a web dashboard with a conspicuous link to the SONOFF store. Home Assistant users generally appreciate SONOFF products and don't need such advertisements within the add-on.

The Allure of Cloud-Free Alternatives

Alternatives like the SonoffLAN custom component and flashing SONOFF smart switches with ESPHome or Tasmota make the official add-on less appealing. These options allow devices supporting DIY mode to integrate seamlessly with Home Assistant without relying on cloud services, providing privacy and peace of mind.

In conclusion, while the official eWeLink Home Assistant add-on marks a milestone for SONOFF and Home Assistant, its privacy concerns and unnecessary advertising may hinder its adoption. Privacy-focused users might prefer the SonoffLAN custom component or flashing their devices with ESPHome or Tasmota.

Is the eWeLink Add-on a Technical Misstep for SONOFF?

Insightful opinions on Home Assistant are best left to its founder, Paulus Schoutsen. In a Reddit thread announcing the eWeLink add-on for SONOFF devices, he criticized it, stating “the eWeLink Home Assistant add-on is a big hack and I would not recommend using it.” This critique should, for obvious reasons, not be ignored.

The Add-on Conundrum

Another issue with the official SONOFF integration from eWeLink is its implementation as an add-on. For those hosting Home Assistant in a Docker container, this complicates the installation process. A custom component would better streamline the user experience and be more accessible to a broader range of Home Assistant enthusiasts.

Advice for SONOFF-owning Home Assistant Users

Given the shortcomings of the official eWeLink add-on, Home Assistant users with SONOFF devices should stick with their current setup. There’s no need to change what’s already working.

For those using flashed SONOFF devices, continue with your current setup and flash future purchases as needed. If you’re using the SonoffLAN custom component, sticking with it remains the best course of action. This custom component outperforms the official add-on in terms of user-friendliness and privacy.

Ultimately, the adage rings true: “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.” Home Assistant users can continue enjoying their current SONOFF setups without exploring the uncharted territory of the official eWeLink add-on.