These three ESPHome projects can extend a Home Assistant setup in different ways: improve Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) coverage, route compatible infrared or radio-frequency commands through a proxy, or add a room-based voice endpoint for Assist. Pick the project that fits your hardware and target device, check its compatibility limits, then use ESPHome’s ready-made project guides.
Choose the project that solves your problem
| Project | What it adds | Best fit | Key constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth LE proxy | Relays nearby BLE signals to Home Assistant over the network. | A supported BLE device is out of range of Home Assistant’s existing Bluetooth adapter. | It is for BLE devices and supported integrations, not every Bluetooth product or classic Bluetooth use. |
| IR/RF proxy | Extends Home Assistant remote-control capability for compatible infrared or radio-frequency equipment. | You have a target device whose remote protocol and signals your chosen hardware can handle. | Compatibility depends on the specific protocol and transmitter or receiver hardware. |
| Voice assistant endpoint | Streams microphone audio to Home Assistant for processing by Assist. | You want Assist available from a room with suitable microphone and speaker hardware. | Audio features use significant device resources; combining them with other components can cause problems. |
These are three options from ESPHome’s ready-made project ecosystem, not an official ranking. ESPHome generates firmware from configuration, and Home Assistant connects ESPHome devices through its native API. The ready-made project page describes browser-based installation and says the installer requires a desktop browser with WebSerial support; it names Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Improve Bluetooth coverage with an ESPHome proxy
A Bluetooth proxy is a separate networked device—typically an ESP32 running ESPHome—placed nearer to Bluetooth devices. It receives their signals and relays them to Home Assistant over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Home Assistant can combine ESPHome proxies with locally connected Bluetooth adapters, so a remote proxy can help when a supported BLE device is beyond the reach of the existing adapter.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe compatibility boundary matters: ESPHome’s proxy supports BLE devices and their Home Assistant integrations. It is not a general-purpose bridge for classic Bluetooth or every Bluetooth product. Check the documentation for the integration serving your specific device before choosing this project.
#1 Best Overall
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- Ultra-Low power consumption, Compatible with Arduino IDE
- ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
Check scan and connection requirements
Some integrations need active scanning or a connection to a BLE device. Passive scanning may miss information an integration needs, so confirm what your integration requires. ESPHome documentation recommends Auto scanning for most setups and says it can reduce scan-related battery drain on nearby Bluetooth devices by around 95–96% compared with continuous Active scanning. That is the documentation’s estimate, not an independent measurement.
Home Assistant’s Bluetooth documentation lists these ESPHome firmware minimums for proxy capabilities:
Rank #2
- Dual-Core Performance Up to 240 MHz: Run sensor processing, wireless communication, automation logic and connected-device tasks on a 32-bit dual-core ESP32 platform designed for responsive embedded and IoT projects
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2: Connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks or use Bluetooth Classic and BLE for wireless sensors, smart devices, remote controls, home automation and other connected projects
- Flexible Power-Saving Modes: ESP32 power-management features support dynamic clock scaling and low-power operating modes, helping developers reduce energy use in compatible sensing, monitoring and connected-device applications, suitable for battery-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
- USB-C Programming with CP2102: Connect through USB-C for power, sketch uploads and serial monitoring, while GPIO, UART, SPI and I2C interfaces support sensors, displays, motor drivers and other modules (USB-C cable not included)
- Over-the-Air Update Support: Configure OTA functionality through a compatible ESP-32 software framework to update deployed firmware over Wi-Fi without reconnecting the board by USB for every revision
- Advertisement listening: 2022.8.2
- One active connection: 2022.9.3
- Multiple active connections: 2022.11.0
- Advertisement bundling: 2023.6.0
These are documentation-listed minimum versions; check the current guidance before installing. Place remote adapters with separation to reduce interference rather than clustering them together. See the ESPHome Bluetooth Proxy documentation and Home Assistant’s Bluetooth integration documentation.
Use IR or RF controls with compatible equipment
ESPHome’s IR/RF proxy component is intended to expand Home Assistant’s remote-control capabilities. It can be a useful route for compatible equipment whose original remote is not already part of your automations, but the component name does not promise universal remote replacement.
Rank #3
- Powerful ESP-32 Board: Unlock the world of Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced electronics with the heart of this kit: the ESP-32 board. It features a powerful dual-core processor, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2, making it perfect for building connected, smart devices that communicate with your phone or the cloud. It's fully compatible with the Arduino IDE for easy programming.
- Super Starter Kit: This kit contains over 35 different modules and electronic components, including sensors, displays, motors, and input devices. From LEDs and buttons to an OLED screen, servo motor, and keypad, you have everything needed to explore a vast range of projects in one box.
- Step by Step Online Tutorial: Jump right in with our detailed, beginner-friendly tutorial. Access 30+ projects with complete code, clear circuit diagrams, and step-by-step instructions. Learn the fundamentals of electronics, coding, and how to utilize the ESP-32's unique capabilities without any prior experience.
- Hands-on Learning for All Skill Levels: Perfect for students, makers, engineers, and hobbyists. Start with basic circuits and coding, then progress to intermediate and advanced IoT applications. Build practical projects like weather stations, smart home controllers, remote-controlled devices, and interactive gadgets. The skills you learn are the foundation for real-world innovation.
- Quality & Great Support: Elegoo is committed to quality. We provide a clear, detailed tutorial guide, refined code, and a well-organized component kit. All modules are carefully selected for reliability and ease of use. Our dedicated technical support team and active online community are ready to help you succeed in your learning journey.
First identify whether the original remote uses infrared or radio frequency, and determine the relevant RF frequency and protocol where applicable. RF is not one universal signal type. Then verify that the selected hardware has the transmitter or receiver capabilities needed to capture or send that signal. The ESPHome IR/RF Proxy documentation describes the component, but does not establish a universal supported-frequency list or appliance-compatibility guarantee.
Add a voice endpoint for Home Assistant Assist
ESPHome’s Voice Assistant component lets a device with a microphone stream audio to Home Assistant, where Assist processes it. The documented requirement is Home Assistant 2023.5 or later. You also need hardware appropriate to the endpoint’s audio role, such as a microphone and speaker, and enough device resources to run the selected components.
Rank #4
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos;ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- Ultra-Low power consumption, Compatible with Arduino IDE
- 1PCS 30Pin ESP32 Development Board 2.4GHz WiFi Dual Cores Microcontroller Integrated with Antenna RF Low Noise Amplifiers Filters
ESPHome warns that audio and voice components consume significant resources and that crashes are likely when too many components are combined. It also notes known issues combining Bluetooth/BLE components with Voice Assistant and other audio components. Avoid assuming a small board can reliably serve as both a voice endpoint and Bluetooth proxy; check current support and the resources available on the device.
ESPHome’s ready-made page names the M5Stack Atom Echo Development Kit, ESP32-S3-BOX-3, and Home Assistant Voice: Preview Edition among voice hardware choices. It describes the Atom Echo as a tiny ESP32 board with a built-in speaker. Check the current project listing and product details for availability and suitability rather than assuming a particular board is in stock or works for every configuration. See the ESPHome Voice Assistant documentation.
Best Value
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Ultra-Low power consumption, works perfectly with the Arduino IDE
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
Install through the ready-made project path
- Choose one capability. Match the project to the device or room you want to serve, using the limits above to rule out incompatible targets.
- Check the hardware and network. Confirm the device has the required BLE, radio, or audio capability and can join the network Home Assistant uses. For a Bluetooth proxy, plan placement near the BLE device and away from other adapters.
- Open ESPHome’s Ready-Made Projects page. Select the Bluetooth proxy, IR/RF proxy, or voice assistant project and follow its current installation instructions.
- Use a supported desktop browser for the installer. ESPHome names Firefox, Chrome, and Edge as browsers supporting the required WebSerial feature.
- Confirm the result in Home Assistant. Check that the ESPHome device connects and that the intended integration or Assist workflow works with your target hardware.
For background on ESPHome devices and the Home Assistant integration, see Home Assistant’s ESPHome integration documentation.
Quick Recap
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.
