This new $69 Home Assistant device gives your old electronics a smart upgrade

Credit: Home Assistant Published Nov 13, 2026, 6:15 AM EST Viraj Gawde is a Tech Journalist with bylines at Travel+Leisure India & South Asia, Android Headlines, 91Mobiles, Croma Unboxed, etc. He has written thousands of news pieces, how-to guides, product comparisons, listicles, and op-eds on consumer tech. Currently, Viraj is obsessed with the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping the way we work, create, and use tech. As a curious generalist, Viraj's work extends into a wide range of subjects, formats, and storytelling styles. When away from desk, he is a finance, sports, and travel geek with a constant curiosity for new experiences. Sign in to your How-To Geek account Following the major release of Home Assistant 2026.11 last week, Nabu Casa is now expanding its hardware lineup with a new launch. Called the Home Assistant Connect AUX-2, it is a compact hub that can stream audio to existing speakers, control TVs and other equipment over serial connections, and act as a Bluetooth hub. Rather than replacing equipment that lacks modern connectivity, AUX-2 brings compatible older, non-smart gear into Home Assistant and gives it new capabilities. Home Assistant Connect AUX-2 gives old devices new purpose Speakers, TVs, and more get a second life The AUX-2’s headline feature is audio streaming. You can connect it to a stereo, amplifier, AV receiver, or powered speakers using analog and optical output, and the device can stream music from local files or supported services through the free Music Assistant software. An older hi-fi system can also be grouped with compatible smart speakers like HomePod and some Sonos speakers for a multi-room audio setup. The AUX-2 supports optical audio output with lossless CD-quality playback, but it does not amplify sound, so unpowered speakers still need an amplifier. The device also lacks audio input, so you’ll have to get the required audio and serial cables separately. Audio streaming isn’t the only trick AUX-2 has up its sleeve. It features two RS-232 serial ports that allow users to control compatible smart TVs and AV receivers. The open-source home automation platform says that this lets users cut a smart TV off from the internet while still controlling it locally. However, you won’t get access to features such as built-in streaming apps. Gear like climate systems and solar inverters can also be connected to the device using a separate USB RS-485 adapter. The main catch is that the device being controlled must have Home Assistant integration. Power, price, and what you need to get started One cable can handle power and connectivity AUX-2 also works as a Bluetooth proxy, helping nearby Bluetooth smart home devices connect directly to Home Assistant without flashing or manual setup. Another key addition is Power over Ethernet (PoE). With a compatible PoE switch, it lets AUX-2 receive both power and an internet connection via a single Ethernet cable, so you don’t need a separate power adapter and a network cable. The Home Assistant Connect AUX-2 costs $69 and is now available for purchase worldwide. It requires a setup running Home Assistant 2026.9 or later, where it's added through the ESPHome integration. Although not necessarily a must-have for owners of older audio gear or other devices gathering dust, the AUX-2 gives you a cheap way to extend their usefulness, even though some setups may require extra cables or adapters. All you need to do is check if the equipment has an audio input or serial port with a supported Home Assistant integration. Source: Home Assistant