This Home Assistant Green review finds the plug-and-play box is the easiest way into Home Assistant, a free, open-source platform that 6 Months Later, a smart home channel that used one for six months, says “can do more than most of the other smart home platforms I’ve used.”
It launched at $99, the channel says. On Amazon on October 16, 2026, it listed at $219.00. Nabu Casa, the team behind Home Assistant, lists a quad-core processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage.
Home Assistant Green review: Key Specs
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Home Assistant Green | |
|---|---|
| Radios | None built in (add USB radios) |
| Hardware | Quad-core, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB storage (listed) |
| Subscription | Free; optional Nabu Casa cloud |
| Automations | Visual editor, YAML, community blueprints |
| Best for | Tinkerers and power users |
| Price | $219.00 |
| Buy | Check price |
Home Assistant Green review: what it does well
- Setup: plug in power and Ethernet; Home Assistant is preinstalled (listed). 6 Months Later says first setup can take up to 20 minutes.
- Local by default: better privacy, quicker automations and less impact from outages, per 6 Months Later.
- Open source: Home Assistant is now run through the Open Home Foundation, a nonprofit, the channel notes.
- Expandable: two USB-A ports for radios such as Zigbee and Thread sticks.
- Fanless and silent (listed).
What you will need to add
Automate Your Life says the real drawback is that you research and buy your own radios. For Z-Wave, Nabu Casa sells the Connect ZWA-2; for Zigbee and Thread, a USB stick. Budget for one or two.
Who Home Assistant Green is for
6 Months Later sees two fits: people who already have some smart home gear and want more local control, and advanced users who like to tinker. It does not yet recommend it to casual users who want plug-and-play. For them, see Smart Home Hub for Beginners.
Alternatives
Want easier automations? The Homey Pro (2026) ($449.00) has every radio built in. Want local, no-subscription reliability? The Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro is $194.95. Compare: Homey Pro vs Home Assistant Green.
What YouTube Reviewers Found With Home Assistant Green
These points are paraphrased from the video transcripts and credited to each creator. They are the creators’ own findings and opinions, not mine.
- 6 Months Later: it is basically a cheaper alternative to Home Assistant Yellow, which has a built-in Zigbee chip but needs a Raspberry Pi Compute Module.
- 6 Months Later: some devices are discovered automatically; others, like its Roborock vacuum, had to be added manually.
- Automate Your Life: it has not hit any device limits running Home Assistant Green.
- Automate Your Life: for a visual flow builder like Homey’s, install Node-RED.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Home Assistant Green worth it?
6 Months Later says it is a powerful, flexible start for people willing to learn.
Does Home Assistant Green have Zigbee?
No radio is built in. Add a USB Zigbee or Thread stick.
Does Home Assistant need a subscription?
No. Nabu Casa’s cloud service is optional; Paul Hibbert pays for it to support development.
Home Assistant Green vs Yellow?
Yellow adds a built-in Zigbee chip but needs a separate compute module, per 6 Months Later.
Sources
- Amazon product listings for the products linked above, checked October 16, 2026
- 6 Months Later: “Home Assistant Green Review – 6 Months Later”
- Automate Your Life: “I’ve Tested Every Smart Home Hub and These 3 Are The Best!”
Related: Homey Pro vs Home Assistant Green | Hubitat vs Home Assistant | Best Smart Home Hub
Notes and disclosure
Note: Prices come from Amazon listings checked on October 16, 2026. Prices change often, so check the current listing. Specs are the manufacturers’ listed numbers unless a reviewer is credited. Test results and opinions quoted above come from the YouTube reviewers and sites credited in each section; prices those reviewers mention are as of their videos. I have not tested these products myself yet.
Affiliate Disclosure: If you purchase an item through the links on this page, I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.