đź“Ś What is ESPHome?
ESPHome is a system that makes it easy to create smart devices based on an ESP8266 or ESP32. You don’t need to write complicated code — just create a YAML file describing what the device should do.
“Measure temperature every 10 seconds” or “Turn on a LED when someone enters the room.”
With ESPHome, you can create switches, sensors, and other modules that integrate perfectly with Home Assistant.
🏠ESPHome + Home Assistant = Perfect Combination
Most people use ESPHome together with Home Assistant. Home Assistant lets you manage all your smart devices in one place.
- ESPHome controls your sensor or switch
- Home Assistant displays it in a nice dashboard
- You can create automations (“do this when that happens”)
An ESPHome motion sensor sends a signal to Home Assistant → Home Assistant automatically turns on the lights.
🔧 Difference between ESPHome and Arduino
Many beginners ask: What is the difference between ESPHome and Arduino?
| ESPHome | Arduino |
|---|---|
| No coding, just YAML configuration | Write everything in C++ |
| Perfect integration with Home Assistant | No direct integration, you build everything yourself |
| Easy for beginners | More possibilities for advanced users |
| Automatic updates and OTA | OTA must be programmed manually |
If you want to quickly build smart devices, ESPHome is ideal. Want full control and custom code? Then Arduino is better.
🚀 What can you make with ESPHome?
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Door/window sensors
- LED lighting (like WLED)
- Relay circuits
- Motion sensors
- Plant moisture sensors
- Automower integrations / Modbus / serial readings
Anything an ESP can measure or switch can be done with ESPHome.
đź“Ą Example of a simple ESPHome configuration
esphome:
name: livingroom_sensor
platform: ESP8266
board: d1_mini
wifi:
ssid: "MyWiFi"
password: "MyPassword"
sensor:
- platform: dht
pin: D2
temperature:
name: "Living Room Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Living Room Humidity"
model: AM2302