Best Smart Light Switches iMore 2019
Installing a smart light switch is a great way to reap the benefits of connected lighting without having to worry about buying individual smart light bulbs in all different sizes. Best of all, having an in-wall smart switch means that you will not have to explain how your smart home works to your guests when all they want to do is turn on and off the lights. The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch is the best overall smart switch for its ability to be installed without a neutral wire and it performs with a high level of responsiveness and reliability. We have gathered up all of the best smart light switches to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
- Best Overall: Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch
- Best Value: Kasa Smart Light Switch
- Best Capabilities: Ecobee Switch+
- Best Dimmer: Wemo Dimmer Wi-Fi Light Switch
- Best Toggle Switch: GE Smart Toggle Light Switch
- Best for HomeKit: Eve Light Switch
Best Overall: Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch
The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch combines robust smart home integration, solid performance, and more with an easy to install package that can have you up and running in no time. Lutron's low power Clear Connect technology enables the ability to function wirelessly without the need of a neutral wire, which many older homes may lack. This proprietary wireless protocol also provides ultra fast response times, and rock solid reliability.
Lutron's Dimmer can be controlled via all of the major smart home platforms, such as Siri, Alexa, and the Google Assistant with just your voice. Of course, you can also use the Caseta Wireless App, or Apple's Home App for those that use HomeKit, to toggle your lights on and off when you are away. Physical dimming buttons are also located on the switch itself, providing a quick and easy way to adjust the light levels in your home.
The Caseta Wireless Dimmer can also be used in more complicated electrical scenarios, such as three-way wiring where two light switches control the same fixture. This type of wiring is a breeze with the Caseta Dimmer, as a coordinating Pico wireless remote can be used to replace the second light switch entirely. Other Caseta accessories include fan speed control switches, and traditional on and off switches to cover pretty much every switch type that you may need.
Pros:
- Fast & responsive
- Neutral wire not required
- Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google
Cons:
- Busy design
- Requires Caseta hub
- Expensive
Best Overall
Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch
Fast, reliable, and highly compatible
The Caseta Wireless Dimmer is the only smart switch on the market that does not require a neutral wire. This dimmer is fast to respond, and supports all of the major smart home platforms.
Best Value: Kasa Smart Light Switch
The Kasa Smart Light Switch from TP-Link is a cost effective solution for those who just want the smart lighting basics. With a no frills, simple on and off design, the Kasa smart switch is simple to install and an accompanying App provides step by step instructions on how to get the job done in minutes.
TP-Links smart switch utilizes Wi-Fi for a direct connection to your home network, allowing it to work inside the home and out without the need of a separate dedicated hub. This switch also features a compact design, which is critical if you will be installing multiple switches within the same wall box as every inch counts when it comes to ensuring that your switches fit in properly.
Pros:
- Low price
- No hub required
- Compact design
Cons:
- Neutral wire required
- Does not support 3-way installation
- Does not support HomeKit
Best Value
Kasa Smart Light Switch
Cost effective
TP-Link's Kasa Smart Light Switch checks all the boxes when it comes to smart switches, and does so without breaking the bank. Wi-Fi connectivity means that no hub is required.
Best Capabilities: Ecobee Switch+
Ecobee, the company behind the famous connected thermostats has used their smart home expertise to bring a light switch to the market that truly puts the "smart" in smart light switches. The Switch+ houses a temperature sensor, motion sensor, night light, microphones and a speaker in one tiny package.
This technology enables the Switch+ to house a full version of Amazon's Alexa, built right into the switch. This means that you can simply ask Alexa to turn on and off the light that it is connected to without needing another device to manage it all. Having Alexa built right in opens the doors to other capabilities that were never once though possible from a simple light switch.
Pros:
- Built in Alexa
- Motion detection
- Temperature sensor
Cons:
- Expensive
- Design
- Requires neutral wire
Best Capabilities
Ecobee Switch+
Jack of all trades
Ecobee's Switch+ combines a smart switch, temperature sensor, and motion sensor all in one convenient package. Alexa is also built in, thanks to an included speaker and microphone.
Best Dimmer: Wemo Dimmer Wi-Fi Light Switch
The Belkin Wemo Dimmer Wi-Fi Light Switch is a thoughtfully designed device that is packed full of little touches that make it a solid choice. It has features such as a inset dimmer surface, where your finger acts as the sliding mechanism to dim the lights, and additional actions like a tap and hold to control other switches in your home. They are a perfect example of the power that a connected light switch brings.
Belkin's dimmer switch is designed to work with all of the smart home assistants, and does so with a direct Wi-Fi connection that does not require any additional purchases or hardware. The Wemo dimmer is also backed by a three-year manufacturer's warranty, ensuring that your investment will be well protected for years to come.
Pros:
- No hub required
- Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google
- Three-year warranty
Cons:
- Not 3-way compatible
- Requires neutral wire
- Non-traditional design
Best Dimmer
Wemo Dimmer Wi-Fi Light Switch
Slide it
The Wemo Dimmer Switch offers light dimming capabilities without the need of a separate hub. This dimmer also works with HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google making it a solid choice.
Best Toggle Switch: GE Smart Toggle Light Switch
The Smart Toggle Light Switch by General Electric puts modern smart technology into a tried and true, traditional form factor. The toggle design allows you to install these where needed without having to worry about them sticking out like a sore thumb if your home is already full of toggle switches.
GE's Toggle Switch connects to your home using Z-Wave technology, which requires an additional hub such as ones from Wink or SmartThings. Z-Wave allows the toggle switch to respond fast to commands and enables solid reliability along with lower prices.
Pros:
- Traditional toggle design
- Supports Alexa, Wink, SmartThings
- Comes in multiple colors
Cons:
- Requires Z-Wave hub
- Wall plate not included
- Neutral wire required
Best Toggle Switch
GE Smart Toggle Light Switch
Traditional style, modern capabilities
The GE Smart Toggle Switch is one of the few switches on the market that utilizes a traditional toggle design. This allows the switch to blend seamlessly with other switches in your home.
Best for HomeKit: Eve Light Switch
The Eve Light Switch is a beautiful, minimalist take on the smart smart switch. Instead of a toggle or rocker switch, Eve's light switch incorporates one solid state capacitive touchpad that encompasses a large portion of the device. This makes turning on and off the lights a breeze with single tap anywhere on the touchpad.
The Eve Light Switch uses Bluetooth technology for communications with Apple's HomeKit platform. A direct Bluetooth connection makes pairing fast and easy, with a simple scan of the included HomeKit code after installation. HomeKit integration enables powerful automations and scenes, such as turning off all the lights by saying "Goodnight" to Siri on your iOS devices or HomePod.
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Stylish design
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons:
- Limited range
- Touch surface
- HomeKit only
Best for HomeKit
Eve Light Switch
Hey Siri, turn on the lights
Eve's Smart Light Switch uses Bluetooth to instantly pair to Apple's HomeKit without Wi-Fi or a hub. HomeKit integration enables the switch to work with Siri, automations and scenes.
Switch it Up
Having smart light switches in the home enables the smart home of the future, today. Setting your home's lighting devices to come on according to your schedule not only offers convenience, but also provides a little extra security when you are not around by making it seem like someone is within the home.
If you are in the market for a light switch that is fast, reliable and is compatible with all of the major smart home platforms, then the Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch is the right switch for you. The Caseta Dimmer Switch is also the only switch on the market that does not require a neutral wire, making it a perfect choice for those with older homes.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Christopher Close spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit for iMore. If you wish to join him on his quest to automate everything, you can follow him on Twitter at @itschrisclose.
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