Bluetooth is a handy way for Home Assistant to communicate with various devices, but range can often be a limitation. One device I highly recommend is the Inkbird thermometer. However, like many Bluetooth devices, its performance can suffer if it’s too far from your Home Assistant setup.
The Problem: Limited Bluetooth Range
Distance from your Home Assistant computer to the Bluetooth device can be problematic. Bluetooth range is limited, and obstacles can interfere with signal strength. Luckily, there’s a simple and effective solution to this issue: a Bluetooth Proxy.
The Solution: ESP32 Bluetooth Proxy
Setting up a Bluetooth Proxy to extend your Bluetooth range is super simple. Here’s how you can do it:
- Buy an ESP32 device. I use this one: ESP32 Device.
- Plug it into your computer and visit this website: ESPHome Projects.
- Select “Bluetooth Proxy,” choose “Generic ESP32,” and click “Connect.”
- Follow the installation process, which will include entering your WiFi credentials.
Once installed, the ESP32 device connects to your WiFi network and Home Assistant will automatically recognize it and set it up. This effectively extends the range of your Bluetooth devices. As a result, Devices that were previously too far from your Home Assistant instance but are near the ESP32 device will now connect with good Bluetooth reception.
Enhancing Your Setup
You can use multiple ESP32 devices in different locations to cover a larger area. For better protection and aesthetics, I use this enclosure: ESP32 Enclosure, which works great. Another ESP32 option that already comes with an enclosure and is more aesthetic is this one: M5 Stack Atom Lite.
Conclusion
Extending your Bluetooth range with an ESP32 Bluetooth Proxy is a game changer for Home Assistant users. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to ensure your Bluetooth devices stay connected and perform optimally, no matter where they are in your home.
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