Home Assistant Yellow
In October 2025, Nabu Casa announced the end of production for Home Assistant Yellow. The device will no longer be restocked, so if you're interested in purchasing one, you need to act quickly while some units are still available at distributors.
Software support will continue - as long as it's possible to run Home Assistant on Yellow, new versions will be released (just like Home Assistant Blue, which ended production in 2022 but still receives updates).
For new users, the recommended solution is now Home Assistant Green, which offers an easy start with Home Assistant.
Home Assistant itself has gradually started to focus on hardware, and currently, they have two plug and play solutions for running Home Assistant - Home Assistant Green and Yellow (this page).
The individual devices have similar names, but they are quite different, and we will look at the second one called Yellow. If you are interested in the first one, then look here.
Home Assistant Yellow was the first hardware device directly from Home Assistant (announced back in 2021 under the name Amber), and its goal was to build a slightly modified Raspberry Pi (thanks to the use of the Raspberry Compute Module) for Home Assistant users' needs - especially thanks to the integrated Zigbee & Thread module and the possibility to install an M.2 SSD disk.
In contrast, Home Assistant Green is a pre-prepared computer at the lowest possible price, but with performance that will still be sufficient for Home Assistant. Green has strong sales and has become the primary recommendation for beginners.
Specifications
- Processor: Quad-core ARM 1.5GHz (Cortex-A72 for CM4) or Quad-core ARM 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A76 for CM5)
- RAM: 2-8GB for CM4, 2-16GB for CM5
- Storage: 0-32GB eMMC for CM4, 0-64GB eMMC for CM5
- Ports: USB 2.0 2x + USB-C 2.0 1x
- Network: 1GBit Ethernet port (optionally with POE support)
- Dimensions: 123 mm x 123 mm x 36 mm
- Bluetooth: optionally as part of CM
- Zigbee/Thread: integrated Silicon Labs MGM210P
CM = Compute Module - a special variant of Raspberry Pi that can be replaced over time with a newer one.
The latest module from Raspberry called CM5 is compatible from HassOS version 14.
CM5 can bring significant improvements for more demanding users:
- Up to 3x faster ESPHome compilation
- More efficient local speech-to-text processing
For most users who will use HA Yellow only for controlling a smart home, the specifications should be more than sufficient.
Very similar options are also offered by Raspberry computers which I recommend looking at as well.
I have not yet had the opportunity to physically test this, so I am relying only on information from the official manufacturer's website.
Pros
- ✅ Modular design: Offers flexibility in hardware configuration and the possibility of upgrades (including upgrade from CM4 to CM5).
- ✅ Option to choose between different Compute Modules: Allows users to select optimal performance and storage capacity.
- ✅ POE (Power Over Ethernet) compatibility: Allows power and network connection through a single cable, which is ideal for clean installation.
- ✅ Integrated Zigbee & Thread module: No need to purchase a USB dongle.
- ✅ NVMe slot and GPIO: Possibility to expand with fast disk and GPIO pins for additional projects.
- ✅ Long-term software support: Even after end of production, it will continue to receive updates.
Cons
- ❌ End of production: No longer manufactured as of October 2025, limited availability.
- ❌ Higher configuration complexity: May be more challenging to set up than Home Assistant Green.
- ❌ Larger dimensions: May require more space for installation (123 mm x 123 mm x 36 mm).
- ❌ Declining community support: With the transition to Green and Mini PCs, there may be less active community support.
Home Assistant Installation
The installation is really simple. Just physically connect the Ethernet cable and power supply to the device, and then wait a few minutes for the initial setup.
You can then complete it either using the Home Assistant mobile app or through the web interface.
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