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Bluetooth Low Energy sensors and trackers have limited range from a single Home Assistant controller — Bluetooth proxies solve that by relaying BLE signals from multiple points around the house.
M5Stack Atom Lite: the popular DIY ESPHome proxy
The Atom Lite is small, cheap, and runs ESPHome’s Bluetooth proxy firmware reliably, making it the most commonly recommended starting point for extending BLE coverage around a home.
- Compact and Portable: The ATOM VOICE is designed with a small form factor, measuring only 24 * 24 * 17 mm. Its compact size mak…
- Voice Interaction and AI Capabilities: The built-in microphone and speaker allow for voice interaction, enabling voice control,…
- Wireless Music Playback: Utilizing the BT capabilities of the ESP32, you can wirelessly play music from your mobile phone or ta…
Shelly BLU Gateway: a purpose-built, no-flashing option
Shelly’s dedicated gateway device works as a Bluetooth proxy out of the box without needing to flash custom firmware, a good pick if you want the functionality without the DIY setup step.
- Shelly BLU RC Button 4 ZB – Smart four-button Bluetooth and Zigbee-operated remote with built-in magnets and a magnetic holder…
- Smart blinds or curtains – Effortlessly open or close motorized blinds, roller shutters, or curtains with a single touch. A qui…
- Garage door opener – Take advantage of the robust encryption of the Shelly BLU RC Button 4 ZB to securely control your smart ga…
An ESP32 dev board for building your own
A basic ESP32 dev board paired with ESPHome’s proxy configuration gives you the cheapest possible per-unit cost if you’re placing several proxies around a larger home.
- The esp32s module has 38 pins and has more features than a 30-pin module, narrower width, compatible with breadboard
- ESP32 is a WiFi+Bluetooth chip developed. It is designed to provide access network functionality for embedded products.
- ESP32s development board support Lua program, easy to develop, support of three modes: AP, STA and AP + STA.
Place proxies in the rooms furthest from your main Home Assistant hardware first — that’s where BLE range limitations actually show up as missed sensor readings.