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 won't have to explain how your smart home works to your guests. The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch is the best overall smart switch for its ability to function without a neutral wire and it performs with a high level of responsiveness and reliability.

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 for 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 works with all of the major smart home platforms, such as Siri, Alexa, and the Google Assistant using just your voice for commands. 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 function 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 replaces 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 and 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

Lutron's dimmer is the only switch that works without 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 and does so without breaking the bank. Wi-Fi connectivity creates a direct, hubless, connection.

Best Capabilities: Ecobee Switch+

Ecobee, the company behind the famous connected thermostats, has used its 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 without needing another device to manage it all. Having Alexa built right in opens the doors to other capabilities that were never once thought 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

The Switch+ combines a smart switch with temperature and motion sensing in one convenient package. Amazon's Alexa is also built directly into this switch.

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 an 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 works 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 three-way compatible
  • Requires neutral wire
  • Non-traditional design

Best Dimmer

Wemo Dimmer Wi-Fi Light Switch

Slide it

Wemo's dimmer offers adjustments without the need of a separate hub. This dimmer also works with HomeKit, 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 combines a traditional toggle design with smart internals. This allows it 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 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 a 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 switch instantly pairs to HomeKit via Bluetooth without Wi-Fi or a hub. HomeKit enables the switch to work with Siri, automation, 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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