For Your Home, The Best Smart Light Switches

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Using a basic smart plug or a smart lightbulb like the Philips Hue, you can conveniently apply smart features to floor or table lamps. Smart light switches, on the other hand, will have much more versatility and are a perfect way to bring voice or app-based lighting control to your house.

What to Think About

Since smart light switches are hardwired and, in many cases, properly assembled, you’ll want to make sure you get the right ones the first time.

Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit.

If you have other devices that rely on a specialized smart home platform like Z-Wave or ZigBee, you’ll want to make sure you pick a corresponding light switch to get the most out of your system.

How We Chose

To pick the products highlighted here:

Wirecutter, TechHive, Tom’s Guide, and others are reputable websites who have checked and evaluated a wide variety of smart light switches. We have considered a large number of online user ratings, concentrating on items that are regularly ranked four out of five stars or better.

Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch

The TP-Link Kasa HS220 smart dimmer is a Wirecutter top choice and an Amazon best-seller, thanks to its mix of versatility and affordability, making it an especially good choice if you choose to add a bunch of them in your home۔

Pros

  • Simple operation
  • Affordable
  • Clean, streamlined appearance

Cons

  • Cover plate can be tricky to remove

GE C-Start Smart Switch Motion Sensing Dimmer

The GE C-Start Smart Switch is a perfect choice if you want a bit more from your smart light switch than voice or app-based commands. It has built-in motion and ambient light sensors that can switch on the lights as you step into a room or change the lighting depending on natural light. It also has Alexa and Google Assistant integration.

Tom’s Guide was also impressed with the switch’s range of features, although it wasn’t as big a fan of the smartphone app to manage all of them۔

Pros

  • Motion and ambient light sensors
  • Loads of features and customization options

Cons

  • App has drawn complaints

Lutron Caseta Smart Starter Kit

Lutron’s Caseta light switches rely on a separate hub to get around the neutral wire requirement, which can also help simplify the installation and improve reliability

iMore also singles out the Caseta as a particularly good option for anyone using Apple’s HomeKit for their smart home needs, while TechHive found the remote that comes with the starter kit to be a welcome.

Pros

  • Hub system is easy to set up and expand
  • Doesn’t require a neutral wire
  • Comes with remote control

Cons

  • Pricier than some other options

Leviton Decora Smart Voice Dimmer

Voice command is a core function in most smart light switches, but it typically necessitates the use of a different unit, such as the phone or a smart speaker. This Leviton turn, on the other hand, goes a bit further by including a built-in microphone and amplifier, negating the need for an Amazon Echo or Google Nest.

Pros

  • Works without a phone or smart speaker
  • No hub required

Cons

  • Built-in speaker won’t cut it for music listening
  • Extra features come at added cost

Philips Hue Smart Dimmer

Philips Hue smart light bulbs are a nice way to avoid the need for a smart light switch, but the firm still sells its own switches for those who want a more comprehensive smart home solution.

The switch isn’t technically connected to anything because it depends on Philips’ wireless Hue bulbs, but mounting is as easy as putting it on the wall. You can power up to 10 light bulbs with a single button, or up to 50 with a Hue Bridge—other accessories like a motion sensor can also add features.

Pros

  • Simple installation and setup
  • Accessories offer easy expansion

Cons

  • Cost of Hue bulbs can add up
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