Best smart light switches in 2022
All-time smart lite switches in 2022
Included in this guide:
The best smart light switches are an economical way of making all your lights "smart," without having to replace a ton of bulbs.
Like traditional wall switches, a smart light switch can plough your fixtures on and off, just considering the switch is linked to the cloud, you tin can too control it remotely from your telephone. This allows you do to a bunch of groovy things, like setting a schedule for when lights will turn on and off, and controlling them with a phonation assistant like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. If you go on holiday, you can fifty-fifty set them to plough on and off randomly, to make it look like you're dwelling.
These are just a few of the examples of the things that smart light switches can practice. Only some are better than others, so read on to see which we retrieve are the best smart lite switches.
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What are the best smart calorie-free switches?
After putting countless models to the exam, we recommend the GE C-Start Smart Switch Movement Sensing Dimmer every bit the best smart light switch overall. It'due south compatible with most smart dwelling hubs, including Alexa, Google Home and Apple tree HomeKit and features congenital-in motion sensors, so the lights will automatically switch on when you come home. It also comes with an ambient light sensor, which means information technology will self-adjust the brightness if there'southward daylight or sunlight in the room, ultimately saving you money. The dimmer switch even works with a wide range of bulb types.
However, the look of GE'south smart switch isn't for everyone. If you're looking for something more subtle, then Leviton'due south Decora smart dimmer might be to your gustation. It looks like a traditional paddle switch, is easy to install and doesn't require a hub. However, it doesn't characteristic a motility or ambient light sensor and it lacks 2-factor hallmark.
If you want to go real high-tech and high-stop, the Brilliant command panel is the way to go. Not but does it control your lights, but information technology can be integrated with Alexa and exist used to control other smart home devices, await in at security cameras, play music through smart speakers, and more than.
TP-Link announced two new smart switches that will piece of work with HomeKit: The Tapo S500 and the Tapo S500DM, the latter of which is a move-activated dimmer switch. Both should be released this twelvemonth, though pricing has not been appear.
Read on for our full list of the best smart low-cal switches.
The best smart light switches you can purchase today
The GE C-First Smart Switch isn't the sexiest or sleekest, but information technology's the all-time smart calorie-free switch considering information technology gets the task done and is packed with features. The Wi-Fi-connected switch works with all kinds of bulbs, has apps for iOS and Android, and lets yous control lights with a bear upon, voice, motion or remotely via a smartphone.
Installation, as with most other smart switches, requires a neutral wire, but information technology'south fairly straightforward. The switch includes an ambience low-cal sensor (and then it can be set not to come on in daylight) and a motion sensor to automatically trigger the calorie-free. The latter characteristic worked seamlessly. If you lot plow it off with the switch, afterwards a few minutes C-Kickoff will appoint the motion sensor again, or you tin can disable the sensor via the app in case you don't want it switched on in the middle of the nighttime.
Like other Alexa-enabled switches (information technology besides works with Google Assistant and HomeKit), the C-Start dimmer responds to voice commands, merely the C past GE Android app needs some work; setting up an automation for a room is confusing, and it can even be difficult to tell when you've scheduled it to go along and off. At effectually $seventy, information technology'due south more expensive than most other smart light switches, only the C-Starting time Smart Switch gives yous a lot for the toll.
The 2d-generation Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer looks much the same every bit the original — an unobtrusive paddle switch with a smaller toggle on the correct. Nonetheless, installation is a bit easier in this model. As before, it works with three-way switches, but Leviton also released an Anywhere Dimmer (sold separately), which lets you lot add a secondary light switch without having to connect whatsoever wires.
The Leviton Decora works with Alexa, Google Assistant HomeKit, August and IFTTT, merely information technology supports fewer smart dwelling house systems than Lutron does. The Leviton besides lacks the geofencing feature found in Lutron's app. It also lacks ii-factor authentication, so we wouldn't recommend using it unless y'all're pairing it with HomeKit.
Read our full Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer review .
The Vivid bear on-screen light switch lets you control not merely your lights, just likewise other smart home devices, such equally cameras, speakers and more. The panel has a large touchscreen, which you can use to look in on your security cameras, play music through smart speakers, and more. A impact-sensitive slider to ane side is a elementary way to modify the brightness of the lights. Brilliant sells models with multiple sliders, in the event you have multiple light groups.
In addition, the console has born motion sensors, so it tin turn lights on and off every bit y'all enter and leave a room; a minor camera lets you utilise multiple Brilliant panels equally video intercoms. The Brilliant console too works with a wide range of smart home systems, such as Alexa, Google Banana, HomeKit, Band, August, Ecobee, Honeywell, Sonos, Philips Hue, and Genie.
However, the Brilliant command panel is expensive, as it starts at $299 for a single-switch panel.
Read our full Brilliant smart home controller review .
The Caséta line of switches from Lutron offers an impressive listing of features: geofencing, which means your lights volition automatically turn on or off when you leave or arrive at domicile; the ability to schedule your lights to turn on or off at particular times or days; dimming capabilities; and compatibility with a long list of smart dwelling platforms. You can as well control the system using your voice through Amazon Alexa and Google Home, among many others. It's one of the best HomeKit devices, also.
Lutron's smart starter kit comes with one in-wall switch, one wireless remote and i smart span (hub), which tin also be used to connect other Lutron products to the cloud and control them.
The switch itself looks high-tech, with several buttons laid out to command the numerous options Caséta offers. Lutron has gone for function over fashion for the well-nigh part with this dimmer: The white and grayness buttons are forepart and heart, not hidden by affect-sensitive controls, as is the case with other dimmers in this category.
The just downside is that the switch, similar all of Lutron'southward products, must be linked to the Smart Bridge. The bridge itself must be plugged into your router so that you can control information technology from your smartphone.
In some households, wall switches command an outlet, rather than a light fixture, so you tin plug in a floor or table lamp, and then switch information technology on or off from your wall, rather than the lamp itself. Just if you lot also use that outlet for devices that take to stay on all the time, similar a clock radio, then y'all have to tape over the wall switch or resort to some other method to keep from accidentally flipping the switch and turning off ability to everything connected to the outlet.
The Lutron Aurora is a simple, elegant solution to that problem. Information technology clips onto the toggle switch, but links directly to Philips Hue lights, letting you command them by borer or turning the dial, all while maintaining ability to the outlet. While this is a specific use case — and you also need Philips Hue lights — it works well. The company also makes a model for paddle switches as well.
Read our full Lutron Aurora review .
For those who have outfitted their homes with Philips Hue bulbs or don't want to replace their wall switches, the Philips Hue dimmer is a handy little device. It can exist used as a wireless remote or equally a wall switch, but this switch doesn't need any installation, autonomously from peeling the roofing off the adhesive on its back.
This switch works with just Hue bulbs, though it'south almost magic when it does. Just turn on the light containing the Hue bulb as you normally would (fifty-fifty if it's via a traditional wall switch); and so, start using the Philips dimmer, and it will automatically work. And don't worry — in that location's no interference or conflict between the Hue Dimmer and your normal wall switch. The magic in the dimmer lies in the Philips Hue bridge, which is required ($59) for the dimmer to piece of work (and is required for any Philips Hue organization).
The Philips Hue app is total of fun controls and artistic themes for your Hue bulbs. You tin can gear up schedules for your Hue bulbs, which can be controlled by your voice through Amazon Alexa, Google Dwelling house and Apple HomeKit. It's also uniform with a host of other smart home platforms.
Calling a smart light switch Universal is a bold merits, but this Legrand switch gets pretty shut, every bit it tin communicate with the holy trinity of smart abode systems: Apple Homekit, Amazon Alexa and Google Home. There's no directly support for IFTTT or Zigbee devices, though.
The universal moniker besides applies to what information technology is controlling, with Legrand claiming that it car-detects and calibrates with LED, CFL, halogen, incandescent, and EFL bulbs. It tin control up to 450W of LED and CFL or 700W of halogen and incandescent, which should cover well-nigh light sources. We tested it with a number of dimmable LED and incandescent sources and institute that it worked as advertised, controlling these light sources without problems.
The paddle switch itself has a overnice clicky experience to it, but information technology is smaller than nearly: those who like to bash paddle switches with the side of their hand may prefer the larger Leviton Decora switches. Adjacent to the primary switch is a dimmer switch, along with seven small white LEDs to evidence the dimming level. Next to this is the air gap switch, a tiny switch that turns the entire switch mechanism off when installing bulbs.
Although the Tru-Universal dimmer lives up to the proper noun, those who employ HomeKit may adopt the Leviton Decora DH6HD, which is less expensive.
For those who accept one of the best smart home hubs, the Jasco Enbrighten Z-Wave dimmer is a very skilful smart low-cal switch. Information technology'southward a cinch to install, as there'due south no neutral wire needed and the terminals are agnostic. A simple paddle switch handles both on/off duties too as dimming functions.
If that's all you need, and so you're all set. However, more audacious types can also change the switch's code to change what happens when you lot press its switch. The Enbrighten tin can likewise piece of work with a host of other smart home systems once yous connect it to a hub, too. We but wish it came with a comprehend plate.
Read our full Jasco Enbrighten Z-Wave No Neutral Smart Dimmer review
The original Wemo Smart Dimmer had a absurd LED status light, good construction, and we liked the app's unlike lighting modes, including nighttime fashion. This time around, the dimmer loses the big status bar LED at the bottom and uses the ring effectually its power icon to reach the aforementioned task, which we believe is the right pick, making information technology only a little more than classy in its advent.
The switch retains the little finger groove that you slide your finger in to adapt brightness. Information technology'south an intuitive control machinery that is very satisfying to use — as you slide your finger, niggling dots forth the groove low-cal up to let you lot know to what percentage brightness y'all're setting your bulb. Overall, information technology has a clean, uncomplicated design that even extends to the back of the device, which is now a touch shallower, making it easier to install. The color-coded wires coming from the back make for simpler installation as well.
As regards smart home compatibility, Wemo is broadly compatible, hitting all three major voice assistants and working with IFTTT. Wemo'south dimmer is very responsive to vox commands via Siri, our chosen test assistant in this case. However, certain smart home devices can be very finicky on some networks, and Wemo is no exception: In testing, it routinely became unresponsive to voice commands and the Home app and had to be reset. The problems disappeared when we switched it to a smart-home-friendly mesh network, just it'southward worth noting that not all the smart home devices on the previous network had this issue.
If you use the Wemo app, you'll detect some nice features, such as long printing to toggle other Wemo devices, and a schedule which sets the switch to a given brightness level if used during sure hours (this is the dark mode we mention above). However, the app lacks 2 factor hallmark; given that y'all can access Wemo remotely, this is inherently less secure. Because the switch retains its core functionality when solely continued to HomeKit, however, we can still recommend information technology.
At that place aren't a ton of smart switches with Alexa built in, probably because it'south far simpler to just stick an Echo Dot in your room. The Leviton Decora Smart Voice Dimmer with Alexa 1-ups the Ecobee Switch+ by the inclusion of a key feature: Dimming. Yeah, unlike Ecobee's on/off switch, Leviton'southward lets you incrementally adjust the brightness of your lights.
Even so, it's not the prettiest of switches: There are two apartment rectangular buttons for turning your lights on and off, and a small mesh grille on the bottom 3rd for the Alexa speaker. A modest rectangular LED at the top lights upwardly bluish when y'all engage Amazon'southward smart banana, and a small green LED at the bottom of the switch turns on when your lights turn off, so you can more easily find the switch in the nighttime.
The Leviton app isn't the almost intuitive, simply lets yous configure a ton of things: you lot tin specify the seedling type, fade on/off rate, and set the dimming range, besides. The switch tin likewise be connected to Alexa, Google Banana, August, IFTTT. Notwithstanding, it lacks two-factor authentication, which is the bare minimum security mensurate a company should offer.
The small speaker in the Decora Smart switch is adept for asking Alexa the news and atmospheric condition, but non much else. Like the Ecobee Switch+, it's modest and tinny, so listening to music borders on painful.
How to choose the all-time smart low-cal switch for you
Smart light switches vs. smart light bulbs vs. smart plugs
First thing to consider is whether yous need a smart light switch or a smart light bulb. The divergence is, with a smart light bulb, you tin control the bulb itself with your phone, rather than the switch. Because of this, smart lite bulbs are a proficient pick if you're just trying to command a unmarried low-cal. If that's the case, we've rounded upward the all-time smart lite bulbs to help you cull.
Smart lite switches are a meliorate option if you have lots of bulbs though or multiple rooms you lot want to control. They also tend to be much more cost efficient than splashing out for lots of smart light bulbs.
If you're onetime school and your home is lit via floor and table lamps, then one the best smart plugs is likely the best choice for you. You simply connect your lamp directly to information technology, so the smart plug into your wall socket, no wiring involved! Smart plugs tend to be less expensive than smart low-cal switches as well.
Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or Z-Wave?
Smart light switches commonly connect to your internet via Wi-Fi, Z-Moving ridge, or Zigbee. Through Wi-Fi, your switch links to your router, whereas Z-Wave and Zigbee use smart home hubs. While the latter options mean you will need to purchase a divide hub, it does hateful you will nonetheless be able to utilize the smart light switch when the internet is down.
Neutral wire
Some smart light switches will need a neutral wire to work. Homes which were built in or after the 1980'due south probable will accept one, but older homes might not. Because of this, it'due south a good thought to bank check whether your home has a neutral wire before yous brand a purchase. If you're unsure, hither'south a breakup on what's a neutral wire and what to do if yous don't have i.
Three-fashion switches
If your lights are controlled by more than i switch, and then you will need to invest in a three-manner smart switch. These are ideal if you accept light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs for instance.
Dimmer
Some smart switches have a dimmer role, and so you can accommodate the level of the lights. While these more often than not cost more non-dimmer switches, information technology's nice functionality to have.
Motion sensor
If yous don't want to bother actually pressing a light switch, then check out models which take built in motility sensors. These tin sense your presence in a room and turn the lights on automatically. Just be sure that information technology's in a place where it tin sense you the entire fourth dimension you're in the room, or else information technology'll plow the lights off on you lot!
Smart home connectivity
Most smart light switches will work with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, so you can connect them to other smart home devices, and control them using your phonation.
Away Style
This is a feature we like: If a smart lite switch has this characteristic in its app, information technology will automatically turn your lights on and off randomly while you're abroad, to make information technology expect like you're home.
How to install a smart calorie-free switch
Unlike most smart home devices, which only require you to plug them into an outlet, installing a smart switch involves replacing a current in-wall switch. Since few, if any, light-control products include professional person installation every bit part of the package, yous volition need a basic agreement of electric work, which includes turning off the circuit breaker. For full wireless access, you and then replace the entire existing unit of measurement with the smart switch by attaching all the wires to the new switch, including the neutral wire.
Smart switches are often bulkier than their traditional counterparts, however; and so if they don't fit in the electrical box properly, y'all may need to go a new box, which is probably a job for an electrician. Similarly, some older homes don't accept the correct wiring, so an electrician is a skillful idea here, too. Finally, some smart switches won't piece of work if you lot have multiple switches controlling a unmarried light (which is chosen three-manner or four-fashion lighting).
How we examination smart light switches
To examination smart switches, we either installed them ourselves, or had an electrician install them in our house. Nosotros so evaluated the switches based on the post-obit criteria:
- Design: Is it an attractive switch? The best will come in multiple colors to best match your decor.
- Functionality: Does it support three-way or four-way connections?
- App: How easy was it to utilize the app that works with the switch? What sort of features do you get, such as scheduling when lights turn on and off?
- Smart Home Compatibility: Does the switch work with other smart habitation devices? How many?
- Price: While smart light switches are more expensive than traditional switches, some are pricier than others.
- The best Alexa skills
- The best Google Assistant commands
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-smart-light-switches,review-4463.html
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