Can I flash Tasmota on my Shelly?

Yes, it's technically possible, but there's rarely a reason to do so. Shelly's native firmware has local API, MQTT support, and good Home Assistant integration. You also void the warranty.

Why choose Tasmota over ESPHome?

Tasmota is easier to get started with on ready-made devices. The web interface makes configuration easy without writing YAML. It also has better support for many specific devices via templates.

Are WiFi devices worse than Zigbee?

Not necessarily. WiFi devices have higher power consumption (bad for batteries), but work directly without a coordinator. For mains-powered devices like switches and smart plugs, WiFi is perfectly fine.

Can my WiFi devices work if the internet is down?

Yes! With Shelly (local API), Tasmota (MQTT), or ESPHome (native API), everything works locally. Only cloud-based devices stop working during internet outages.

WiFi Devices in Home Assistant

Shelly Tasmota ESPHome

Shelly WiFi Devices

WiFi-based smart home devices are often the easiest to get started with. No coordinator, no mesh - just your existing WiFi network. This guide covers the big three: Shelly, Tasmota, and ESPHome.

🔌 Shelly - Plug & Play

Shelly devices are Bulgarian-made WiFi products that just work. Out of the box. No flashing, no configuration - connect power, join WiFi, done.

Why Shelly?

Advantage	Description
Local API	Works 100% without internet
No cloud required	Disable cloud entirely if you want
CoIoT/MQTT	Choose your protocol
Power metering	Most models have built-in meters
Compact size	Fits behind switches and in junction boxes

Popular Shelly Models

Model	Function	Channels	Power	Price
Shelly 1	Relay	1	16A	~$13
Shelly 1PM	Relay + metering	1	16A	~$17
Shelly 2PM	Relay + metering	2	10A/ch	~$24
Shelly Plus 1	Gen2 relay	1	16A	~$16
Shelly Plus 2PM	Gen2 relay + metering	2	10A/ch	~$27
Shelly Pro 4PM	DIN rail, display	4	16A/ch	~$80
Shelly Dimmer 2	LED dimmer	1	220W LED	~$27
Shelly Plug S	Smart plug	1	12A	~$20

Installation in Home Assistant

Home Assistant automatically discovers Shelly devices on your network:

Connect Shelly to power and WiFi via Shelly app
Go to Settings → Devices & Services
Shelly appears under “Discovered” - click Configure
Enter IP address if not auto-discovered
Done - all entities are created automatically

CoIoT Configuration (Gen1)

For faster updates on Gen1 devices:

# In Shelly's web interface:
# Internet & Security → Advanced - Developer Settings

# Enable CoIoT
Enable CoIoT: ✓

# Set unicast to Home Assistant
CoIoT peer: 192.168.1.100:5683  # Your HA IP

MQTT vs Native Integration

Aspect	Native Integration	MQTT
Setup	Automatic	Manual configuration
Speed	Fast (CoIoT/WebSocket)	Fast
Cloud	Can run simultaneously	Gen1: Either/or
Recommendation	✅ For most users	Only if you need MQTT

Rule of thumb: Use the native Shelly integration. MQTT rarely provides benefits and requires more maintenance.

⚡ Tasmota - Liberate Your Devices

Tasmota is open source firmware for ESP8266/ESP32-based devices. Flash it on cheap Sonoff switches or Chinese smart plugs, and you get full local control.

When to Use Tasmota?

You have cheap Tuya/SmartLife devices requiring cloud
You want MQTT-based control
The device isn’t directly supported in Home Assistant
You prefer web-based configuration over YAML

Supported Devices

Tasmota runs on almost anything with ESP8266 or ESP32:

Device Type	Examples
Sonoff	Basic, Mini, S31, 4CH Pro, POW
Tuya/SmartLife	Smart plugs, switches, LED bulbs
Shelly	Can flash to Tasmota (but why?)
BlitzWolf	BW-SHP6, BW-SHP10
Gosund	SP1, SP111, WP3
NodeMCU/Wemos	DIY projects

Flashing Methods

The easiest method - requires only Chrome/Edge browser:

Go to tasmota.github.io/install
Connect device via USB (or USB-to-Serial adapter)
Select firmware variant (typically “Tasmota”)
Click Install and wait
Device creates WiFi network “tasmota_XXXXXX”
Connect and configure your WiFi

Desktop application with more options:

# Windows: Download .exe from GitHub
# Linux/Mac:
pip install tasmotizer
tasmotizer

Advantages:

Backup original firmware
Erase before flash
Direct WiFi configuration

Command line for full control:

# Install esptool
pip install esptool

# Erase flash (recommended)
esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash

# Flash Tasmota
esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash -fm dout 0x0 tasmota.bin

# ESP32 variant:
esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash 0x0 tasmota32.bin

Initial Configuration

After flashing:

Connect to tasmota_XXXXXX WiFi network
Open 192.168.4.1 in browser
Select your WiFi and enter password
Device restarts and gets new IP from your router
Find IP in router or via Tasmota Device Locator
Open Tasmota Dashboard at the new IP

Select Device Template

Tasmota needs to know which GPIO pins control what:

# In Tasmota Dashboard:
# Configuration → Configure Other

# Paste template from templates.blakadder.com
{"NAME":"Gosund SP1","GPIO":[56,0,158,0,132,134,0,0,131,17,0,21,0],"FLAG":0,"BASE":45}

# Or select module:
# Configuration → Configure Module → (select from list)

MQTT Setup

Tasmota primarily communicates via MQTT:

# Configuration → Configure MQTT

Host: 192.168.1.100      # Your MQTT broker (often HA)
Port: 1883
Client: tasmota_%06X     # Unique per device
User: mqtt_user
Password: mqtt_password
Topic: gosund_office     # Choose descriptive name
Full Topic: %prefix%/%topic%/

Home Assistant Integration

Tasmota has native integration via MQTT Discovery:

Enable MQTT Discovery in Tasmota:
```
SetOption19 1
```
Install Tasmota integration in Home Assistant:
- Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration
- Search “Tasmota”
Devices are automatically discovered via MQTT
All entities (switches, sensors, metering) are created

🔧 ESPHome - YAML Magic

ESPHome is the most flexible choice. You write a YAML file, ESPHome compiles firmware, and you get exactly the functionality you want.

ESPHome vs Tasmota

Aspect	ESPHome	Tasmota
Configuration	YAML files	Web interface
Flexibility	Unlimited	Limited to templates
HA Integration	Native API (fastest)	MQTT
Learning curve	Steeper	Easier start
DIY Projects	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Ready-made devices	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When to Choose ESPHome?

DIY projects with sensors and actuators
You want native Home Assistant API (faster than MQTT)
You need advanced logic on the device itself
You prefer declarative configuration

ESPHome on Ready-Made Devices

You can flash ESPHome on many Tasmota-compatible devices:

# Example: Sonoff Basic
esphome:
  name: sonoff-kitchen
  platform: ESP8266
  board: esp01_1m

wifi:
  ssid: "MyWiFi"
  password: "secret"

api:
  encryption:
    key: "your-encryption-key"

ota:
  password: "ota-password"

binary_sensor:
  - platform: gpio
    pin:
      number: GPIO0
      mode: INPUT_PULLUP
      inverted: true
    name: "Button"
    on_press:
      - switch.toggle: relay

switch:
  - platform: gpio
    name: "Kitchen Light"
    pin: GPIO12
    id: relay

status_led:
  pin:
    number: GPIO13
    inverted: true

Migration from Tasmota to ESPHome

Flash Tasmota Minimal first (frees up space):
- In Tasmota: Firmware Upgrade → Upload tasmota-minimal.bin
Flash ESPHome via HTTP:
- Compile ESPHome firmware (.bin file)
- In Tasmota Minimal: Firmware Upgrade → Upload your .bin
Alternatively: Flash via serial/USB as normal

📊 Comparison

Feature	Shelly	Tasmota	ESPHome
Requires flashing	❌	✅	✅
Out of box	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
HA Integration	Native	MQTT	Native API
Power metering	Built-in	Depends on device	Configure yourself
Price	Higher	Cheap devices	Cheap devices
Support	Commercial	Community	Community
Warranty	Preserved	Voided	Voided

What Should You Choose?

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      WHICH FIRMWARE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                      │
                      ▼
         ┌────────────────────────┐
         │ Want to build it       │
         │ yourself?              │
         └────────────────────────┘
                 │           │
                Yes          No
                 │           │
                 ▼           ▼
            ESPHome    ┌─────────────────┐
                       │ Have Tuya/cheap │
                       │ devices?        │
                       └─────────────────┘
                            │         │
                           Yes        No
                            │         │
                            ▼         ▼
                       Tasmota     Shelly

🔒 Security Tips

Isolate IoT Devices

WiFi devices are potential security risks. Consider:

# Separate VLAN for IoT
IoT VLAN: 192.168.10.0/24
  - No internet access (local only)
  - Communication only with Home Assistant
  - Firewall rules for MQTT/API

Disable Cloud

All three platforms support 100% local control:

Platform	How to disable cloud
Shelly	Internet & Security → Cloud → Disable
Tasmota	No cloud by default
ESPHome	No cloud by default

Keep Firmware Updated

Shelly: OTA via app or web interface
Tasmota: OTA via web interface
ESPHome: OTA via Home Assistant dashboard

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

Can I flash Tasmota on my Shelly?: Yes, it's technically possible, but there's rarely a reason to do so. Shelly's native firmware has local API, MQTT support, and good Home Assistant integration. You also void the warranty.
Why choose Tasmota over ESPHome?: Tasmota is easier to get started with on ready-made devices. The web interface makes configuration easy without writing YAML. It also has better support for many specific devices via templates.
Are WiFi devices worse than Zigbee?: Not necessarily. WiFi devices have higher power consumption (bad for batteries), but work directly without a coordinator. For mains-powered devices like switches and smart plugs, WiFi is perfectly fine.
Can my WiFi devices work if the internet is down?: Yes! With Shelly (local API), Tasmota (MQTT), or ESPHome (native API), everything works locally. Only cloud-based devices stop working during internet outages.

📚 Next Steps

ESPHome Advanced

Build your own sensors and devices.

See guide →

Zigbee2MQTT

Alternative to WiFi protocol.