I'm in the middle of expanding my home automation setup and I keep running into a decision I can't settle on my own. I have Universal Devices equipment at home and I want to bring in some YoLink sensors for the garage and basement, mostly for temperature and leak detection. My concern is how well YoLink actually integrates in practice. I've read that it uses its own hub and a different wireless protocol, so I'm unsure whether it works cleanly alongside an ISY or if it needs extra workarounds. I also don't know whether I should pick a hub first or decide on sensors first. I found some third-party comparisons online, but nothing specific to how this plays out in a UD setup. For anyone here already running YoLink: which hub did you start with, and were there surprises getting it to talk to your controller? Any input would help before I buy anything.

Yes, you need the Yolink hub. Additionally, you would need the Yolink plugin for PG3 (or the EISY-plugin). I don't remember the details, but I recall that it took a few steps to get working. I don't recall any surprises.

I started with the original "hub", then migrated to the "local hub". If I recall correctly, the local hub required a different plugin as well. Both worked reliably and the local hub continues to do so. Your choice of hub, as far as I can tell, depends entirely on how important is it to you that your system can operate without an active internet connection.

I use motion sensors, moisture sensors, and a power strip. It is among the plugins that I consider rock solid.

You need a hub and one or more sensors to get started. There are kits to get you started - often on sale (think black Friday). Get the local hub from the beginning if you want the ability to operate without internet (how critical are your sensors to your automations) - not it is more expensive and you can often find starter kits where the normal hub is "free". There is a new alarm hub (i have not tried it) but i guess it will also report power failures. There is also a speaker hub you can get to announce messages etc (this is the only device requiring internet - last I checked) - all other can operate without internet if you have the local hub

If you plan to go a local hub in the future - get the local plugin. It's a little more expensive but there is no way to upgrade the non-local to local later (UDI limitation)

In general the operation is like insteon. There are some scene features that are somewhat lol imited (minor - dimming lights in group with both yolink and insteon) but otherwise it appears like a building device

I wrote the node so other may have found other differences (there are many usecases)