The Home Assistant ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly, and several exciting updates have just landed for some of the most popular Home Assistant hardware devices. These new capabilities expand how users can improve smart home coverage, build synchronized audio systems, and deploy smarter automations throughout the home.
Here’s a look at the biggest updates now available for Home Assistant users.
Connect ZBT-2 and ZWA-2 Can Now Work as High-Performance Repeaters
The Home Assistant Connect line has become even more versatile.
Experimental firmware is now available for both the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 and Connect ZWA-2, allowing them to function as dedicated Zigbee and Z-Wave repeaters.
Previously, these devices primarily acted as coordinators for Zigbee and Z-Wave networks. With this new firmware, they can now also be used to extend mesh coverage and improve signal reliability throughout the home.
Why this matters
Many smart homes experience weak signal areas or “dead spots,” especially in larger homes or spaces with thick walls. Dedicated repeaters help strengthen the mesh network and improve communication between devices.
Because the Connect adapters feature optimized antennas and clean industrial design, they provide stronger and more reliable coverage than many standard smart plugs commonly used as repeaters.
Benefits include:
- Improved responsiveness for distant devices
- Better mesh stability
- Reduced connection dropouts
- Expanded Zigbee and Z-Wave coverage
- Flexible deployment throughout the home
This update makes the Connect adapters useful not only as coordinators but also as dedicated mesh extenders for growing smart home setups.
Voice Preview Edition Now Supports Multi-Room Audio
The Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition has gained powerful new functionality with support for synchronized whole-home audio.
Using the Sendspin protocol alongside Music Assistant, multiple Voice Preview Edition devices can now play synchronized audio throughout the home.
This transforms the device from a voice assistant into a budget-friendly multi-room audio platform.
New possibilities include:
- Whole-home music playback
- Synchronized room-to-room audio
- Open-source multi-room audio systems
- Integration with existing Home Assistant environments
Users can also connect external speakers through the audio output on the rear of the device for cleaner and more powerful audio playback.
For users looking to build an affordable smart audio setup without locking into proprietary ecosystems, this is a significant development.
Connect ZWA-2 Gains Wi-Fi, Ethernet, PoE & Bluetooth Proxy Support
Another major enhancement comes to the Connect ZWA-2 through new experimental firmware.
Previously, the ZWA-2 required a direct USB connection to a Home Assistant system. The updated firmware now enables network connectivity over Wi-Fi, allowing the device to be placed almost anywhere in the home for improved Z-Wave coverage.
With additional hardware, users can also deploy the device using Ethernet or Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), creating more flexible installation options for advanced smart home deployments.
Key new capabilities:
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Ethernet support
- Power-over-Ethernet deployment
- Improved placement flexibility
- Bluetooth proxy functionality
This makes the ZWA-2 an even more capable option for users building larger or more advanced Home Assistant environments.
More Smart Home Products Are on the Way
Nabu Casa has also previewed upcoming hardware focused on bringing smart capabilities to older and legacy devices.
Upcoming products include:
- A device designed to connect legacy audio equipment to Home Assistant
- “Product Blast,” an IR and RF blaster capable of controlling traditional remote-controlled devices such as TVs, air conditioners, and audio systems
These additions continue the push toward making more household devices compatible with the Home Assistant ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
These updates significantly expand what users can do with Home Assistant hardware.
From improving Zigbee and Z-Wave mesh coverage to enabling synchronized whole-home audio and flexible network deployments, the latest firmware enhancements add real-world value for both new and experienced smart home users.
The growing flexibility of the Home Assistant ecosystem continues to make it one of the most powerful and open smart home platforms available today.
If you’re looking to upgrade your Home Assistant setup or expand your smart home coverage, these new capabilities make the Connect Series and Voice Preview Edition more compelling than ever.