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Home Assistant Green is a ready-to-use appliance that runs Home Assistant OS, the open-source smart-home platform. Connect it to power and your router by Ethernet, then complete setup in a browser or the app. It costs $199 in the United States or €179 in the European Union at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price checked August 18, 2026. The key buying caveat: Green has no built-in Zigbee, Thread, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth radios. You’ll need an appropriate adapter or an existing compatible bridge for devices that use those protocols.
Green suits people who want a supported, low-hassle starting point for Home Assistant without assembling a computer. It is not a universal radio hub or a fully managed consumer ecosystem: device compatibility, setup, and maintenance still take some learning.
What is Home Assistant Green?
It helps to separate three things that are often conflated:
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- Home Assistant is the open-source home-automation software. It is free to use; there is no required subscription. Home Assistant’s FAQ explains its pricing and services.
- Home Assistant OS is the managed operating system that runs the software and supports the appliance-style experience.
- Home Assistant Green is the preassembled computer with Home Assistant OS installed. It is designed to run continuously as the local control center for a home.
Home Assistant Cloud is a separate optional paid service from Nabu Casa. It can provide remote access and make integrations with Google Home and Amazon Alexa easier, but it is not needed for local dashboards, automations, or local operation.
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- Home Assistant provides a professional and reliable platform for home automation, designed to run continuously 24/7.
- Powered by a 64-bit Quad-Core Cortex-A53 processor, delivering smooth and efficient performance for smart home automations.
- Includes 4GB SDRAM for reliable multitasking and 64GB eMMC
- Features a Mali-450 MP2 GPU for responsive visual interfaces, housed in a compact 85 × 85 × 15mm (3.35" × 3.35" × 0.59") design that fits easily in any space.
- Typical power consumption is under 10W, with fanless operation for quiet performance suitable for any room in your home.
Green is a small always-on computer, not a smart speaker or a proprietary device ecosystem. Home Assistant can bring many brands and protocols into one interface, but the features available for a particular product depend on its integration and how it communicates.
What comes in the box—and what does not
The package includes the Green appliance, a Gigabit Ethernet cable, a universal 12 V DC, 1 A power supply with EU, U.S. and U.K. plug adapters, and quick-start, warranty and safety documentation. See the official Green page for the product details.
It does not include smart-home devices, a Zigbee coordinator, a Thread radio or border router, a Z-Wave adapter, a Bluetooth adapter, Wi-Fi connectivity, or a display, keyboard or mouse. A Home Assistant Cloud subscription is also not included. You do not need a monitor or keyboard for normal setup; use a phone or computer on the same network.
Hardware specifications and practical limits
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Rockchip RK3566, quad-core Arm Cortex-A55, 1.8 GHz |
| Memory | 4 GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC flash |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB | Two USB 2.0 Type-A host ports |
| Video and recovery | HDMI for diagnostics; microSD slot for recovery |
| Power | 12 V DC, 1 A; 5.5 × 2.1 mm barrel connector |
| Stated power use | Approximately 1.7 W idle and 3 W under load |
| Dimensions and weight | 112 × 112 × 32 mm; 340 g |
These specifications are suited to ordinary Home Assistant duties such as integrations, dashboards and automations. They are not a performance guarantee for demanding workloads such as several camera streams, advanced video analysis, large voice models or heavy databases. Green uses eMMC as its normal storage; the microSD slot is for recovery, not presented as the usual storage-expansion route. HDMI is for diagnostics rather than desktop use.
What can Home Assistant Green control?
Green runs the control software; it does not itself supply every radio needed to talk to devices. It can connect to devices through Ethernet or a home network, work with supported cloud integrations, and communicate through compatible existing bridges or separately added radios. Before buying a device, check the official integrations list and, where relevant, the Works with Home Assistant program.
“Works with Home Assistant” can mean a reliable local integration with extensive controls, a cloud-dependent integration, reduced functionality through Matter, or a community integration with uncertain maintenance. Discovery alone does not guarantee every feature you expect. A product’s native integration may expose more than a general interoperability standard.
Zigbee
For Zigbee devices, add a supported coordinator such as Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2, configure it for Zigbee, then set up the Zigbee Home Automation (ZHA) integration. ZHA connects many Zigbee products directly to Home Assistant and can replace some vendor bridges; check the compatibility of specific devices before purchase. The ZHA documentation explains the integration.
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Zigbee devices form a mesh. Mains-powered devices commonly act as routers and can extend coverage; battery-powered devices generally do not. Radio placement and 2.4-GHz interference matter. Avoid hiding a coordinator behind a metal cabinet or next to a Wi-Fi access point or noisy USB equipment. Use an extension cable where supplied to move the radio away from Green.
Thread and Matter
Matter is an application standard that can run over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Thread. A Matter-over-Wi-Fi or Matter-over-Ethernet device does not need a Thread radio, though you must configure the Matter integration and Matter Server. A Matter-over-Thread device needs access to a Thread network and a compatible Thread border router. That may be an existing compatible border router on your network or a Thread-capable accessory such as ZBT-2.
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- Custom fit design provides a snug and secure hold for your compatible with Home Assistant Green, ensuring stability and easy access at eye level.
- Space-saving wall installation helps declutter surfaces by moving your smart home hub off counters and onto the wall for a cleaner setup.
- Durable construction crafted for reliable long-term use with quick and straightforward mounting on various wall surfaces.
- Sleek minimalist style complements modern home aesthetics while keeping ports and displays accessible.
- This product is a third-party accessory designed to be compatible with Home Assistant. Our products are not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by it and are mentioned for compatibility purposes only.
ZBT-2 must be dedicated to either Zigbee or Thread; it cannot run both protocols simultaneously. If you want Zigbee and Thread at once, plan for separate radios or another compatible arrangement rather than assuming one ZBT-2 will cover both. Also, Matter does not guarantee feature parity: a product’s native integration can expose controls or functions that Matter does not. See the Matter integration documentation.
Z-Wave and Bluetooth
Z-Wave requires a compatible USB adapter, such as the Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2, and the Z-Wave JS integration. Other adapters may work if supported by Z-Wave JS; consult the integration documentation. Bluetooth devices likewise need a compatible adapter or a supported networked Bluetooth proxy. USB ports alone do not make every Bluetooth accessory compatible.
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Many devices communicate over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, while others connect through an existing vendor bridge. Home Assistant also has integrations that can link supported services and ecosystems, including Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings. The exact setup and feature set varies by integration; vendor cloud services may remain necessary. Green itself is Ethernet-only: it has no built-in Wi-Fi, and Nabu Casa support does not recommend using a Wi-Fi USB dongle as the solution.
How to set up Home Assistant Green
- Place Green indoors in a ventilated spot near your router or network switch.
- Connect the supplied power adapter and Ethernet cable. Green needs a wired network connection.
- Wait for the first boot to finish. On a phone or computer connected to the same network, open the Home Assistant onboarding page using the local address or app.
- Create the owner account and enter your home name, location, unit system and time zone.
- Install available updates before beginning a large migration. Home Assistant describes basic onboarding as a short process; integrating devices and designing dashboards takes additional time.
- Go to Settings > Devices & services and choose Add Integration to connect a supported service or device.
- For Zigbee, Thread or Z-Wave devices, connect and configure the required radio or border-router path before pairing.
- After initial setup, make a backup. Add one or two devices first, test that they work as expected, then expand.
Most integrations, dashboards and common automations can be configured in the interface; YAML is available for advanced configuration but is not required for a functional installation. For installation details, see the official installation guide.
If the setup page does not open
If http://homeassistant.local:8123 does not load, troubleshoot in this order:
- Confirm Green has power and its Ethernet cable is firmly connected to a working router or switch port.
- Wait several minutes, especially during first boot or after an update.
- Try
http://homeassistant:8123. - Look up Green’s IP address in your router’s connected-device or DHCP list, then open
http://<IP-address>:8123. - Try another browser or the mobile app, and check that your phone or computer is not on a guest network or isolated VLAN.
- If the problem affects the wider network, investigate the router or network connection. Avoid resetting Green as a first response: a reset may erase local configuration if you do not have a backup.
More troubleshooting guidance is available in the Green support troubleshooting section.
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Devices, entities and a first automation
After adding an integration, assign devices to areas such as “Hallway” or “Kitchen,” give their entities clear names, and test basic control before building more elaborate rules. An entity is an individual control or piece of information exposed by a device—for example, a light, motion sensor or temperature reading.
A simple automation might work like this: when a hallway motion sensor detects movement after sunset (the trigger), and someone is home and the light is off (the conditions), turn on the hallway light at 30% brightness (the action). An additional action could turn it off after five minutes. The visual editor handles this kind of automation; YAML and templates are useful for more advanced logic, but they are not a prerequisite. Dashboards let you display controls and sensor information. Areas and labels make the system easier to manage as the number of devices grows.
Local control, privacy and internet outages
Home Assistant runs on hardware in your home, and local protocols such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, Thread and ESPHome can operate locally. That can reduce dependence on a vendor cloud and keep some automations working through an internet outage. But “Home Assistant is local” does not mean every connected device or feature is local. A cloud-only product still depends on its vendor’s service; remote access and cloud voice services also need internet connectivity.
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- [Multi-Protocol Hub with Matter Bridge] The Aqara Hub M200 is a versatile smart hub that supports multiple advanced features, acting as a Matter Controller, Thread Border Router, and Matter Bridge. It integrates third-party devices into the Aqara Home app. With advanced Matter bridging functionality, it syncs Aqara-exclusive features with ecosystems like Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home for seamless integration. Supports up to 40 Aqara Zigbee devices and 40 Thread devices.
- [Smart IR Blaster with Feedback and Learning] The 360°IR blaster not only sends commands but also provides accurate status updates by detecting traditional remote use. It connects IR air conditioning units to Matter, functioning as an AC thermostat when paired with an Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor. (Note: Only one AC device can be exposed to Matter. Functionality may vary based on the Matter integration app. For Apple Home exposure, use Matter integration instead of HomeKit.)
- [Wired & Wireless Connectivity with PoE Support] Enjoy flexible setup with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) using advanced WPA3 security, and Power over Ethernet (PoE), making the M200 a versatile PoE Ethernet Smart Home Hub. The USB-C port supports mini-UPS or power bank connections for uninterrupted operation, ensuring your energy-saving and security automations stay online. (*2A USB power adapter is not included. )
- [Home Automation and Alarm System] Works with all Aqara devices to create a comprehensive, smart home automation system. The Aqara Hub M200 is equipped with a built-in speaker that can be used in a variety of ways: security alerts, doorbell, alarm clock, and custom audio messages. (** 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐙𝐢𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬)
- [Local Automation for Reliable Performance] Supports local execution of automations for Zigbee and Matter devices, ensuring smooth operation even without Wi-Fi or cloud access. Enjoy millisecond response times for a more stable and reliable smart home experience. (Some automation, such as cloud push notifications, will still require the cloud connection to be executed.)
Home Assistant Cloud is optional and can simplify secure remote access and Google or Amazon voice-assistant setup. Voice assistants from those providers generally involve cloud services. If you want a strictly local-only system, avoid cloud-dependent devices and services and check what data each integration sends. Apple Home can also act as a front end through HomeKit-related integrations, but behavior depends on the integration and device.
Price and the cost of a complete setup
As of August 18, 2026, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for Green is $199 in the U.S. (before sales tax) and €179 in the EU (including VAT). Retailer pricing varies by region. The official price change notice is at Nabu Casa. Older articles quoting $99 or $129 are out of date.
Buy accessories for the protocols you actually plan to use, not as a bundle by default:
- Zigbee or Thread: ZBT-2 is listed at $49 U.S. or €45 EU. Choose its mode deliberately; it cannot run Zigbee and Thread at the same time. An existing compatible Thread border router may already meet your Thread need.
- Z-Wave: ZWA-2 is listed at $69 U.S. or €59 EU. It is a purpose-built option with a setup wizard, firmware updates, an 800-series chipset and Z-Wave Long Range compatibility. If you have no Z-Wave devices, there is no reason to buy it preemptively.
- Remote access or easier Alexa/Google integration: Home Assistant Cloud is optional; the price seen August 18, 2026 was $6.50 per month or $65 per year in the U.S., before local sales tax. Check the current pricing page for your region.
The actual system cost is Green plus only the accessories and services required by your devices and preferences. Local dashboards, automations and local radio networks do not require Home Assistant Cloud.
Green compared with Yellow and other ways to run Home Assistant
| Option | Best suited to | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant Green | Beginners and users who want official, preassembled hardware | Simple to install, but Ethernet-only and requires separate radios for Zigbee, Thread or Z-Wave |
| Home Assistant Yellow | Enthusiasts who value expansion and built-in Zigbee/Thread capability | More assembly and configuration than Green; not automatically a better choice if simplicity is the priority |
| Raspberry Pi | People who already own compatible hardware or enjoy a DIY build | Requires choosing and assembling the board, storage, power supply and case; storage reliability and cooling need attention |
| Mini PC, NAS or virtual machine | People with an existing home server or heavier workloads | More configuration and maintenance; a server may use more power, and one failure can affect multiple services |
| Home Assistant Container | Linux and Docker users with an established container environment | More manual management and no Home Assistant OS apps/add-ons experience; hardware integrations can require additional work |
Home Assistant describes Green as an appliance to use as-is and Yellow as the more extensible official option. Green is often the more sensible choice if you want to get started without assembling or maintaining a general-purpose server. If you already have suitable hardware, compare its setup and maintenance costs before buying another computer. Installation choices and their trade-offs are described in the installation documentation.
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- Back up before change: Take a backup before major updates, migrations or replacing a radio adapter, and keep at least one copy away from Green. Confirm backups are available. A Home Assistant configuration backup does not necessarily capture every vendor account or external service.
- Keep network credentials: Record relevant Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave network details when appropriate, particularly before replacing or resetting equipment.
- Do not confuse local and cloud control: A local controller cannot keep a cloud-only device working when the vendor service or internet is unavailable.
- Check community integrations carefully: Integrations installed outside the official system can be useful, but may be less consistently maintained and can break when dependencies change.
- Plan updates: Home Assistant publishes a stable release on the first Wednesday of each month, with patches as needed. Back up first and avoid updating right before a trip or important event.
- Place radios deliberately: USB placement affects range and reliability. Keep adapters away from metal enclosures, crowded USB equipment and sources of radio interference.
- Do not reset without a recovery plan: A reset can remove local data. Confirm you have a usable backup before taking that step.
Home Assistant’s FAQ describes backups and updates; the Green data-handling support section covers backup, restore and migration topics.
Is Home Assistant Green worth it?
Green is a strong choice if you want an official, ready-to-run Home Assistant appliance and are comfortable learning how integrations and device networks fit together. It avoids assembling a controller or installing an operating system, while leaving you free to mix supported brands and protocols. It is particularly appealing if you want to move gradually from Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or SmartThings rather than replace everything at once.
It is less compelling if you expect a complete multi-radio hub out of the box, need Wi-Fi for the controller, want a tightly managed consumer experience with little configuration, or already own a capable always-on computer. If built-in radio capability and expansion matter more than minimal setup, compare Yellow. If your devices are cloud-dependent or rely on community integrations, investigate their limitations before making Home Assistant the center of your home.
A practical decision is simple: buy Green for the controller; add Zigbee, Thread or Z-Wave hardware only for the devices you plan to use; consider Cloud only if you need its remote-access or voice-assistant conveniences; and check device support before purchasing new accessories.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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