Wemo Vs Tp Link Light Switch
Why you should trust us
I start started testing smart-home devices more than 20 years ago, back when the just smart-dwelling house devices were X10. Since 2016, I've been covering smart-home gear for Wirecutter, and I've had my hands on everything from smart bulbs, smart plugs, and h2o-leak sensors to smart video doorbells, indoor security cameras, and security systems. I've besides written tech articles for The New York Times, Wired, and Men's Health, amongst others.
Although I performed hours of testing on each switch myself, my husband, who is a licensed electrician, completed each installation. He has installed literally thousands of switches and was able to help me evaluate each installation and the build quality of each switch; this also made swapping out switches 10 times faster than if I'd washed information technology. If you lot aren't comfortable or familiar with wiring, information technology's ever best to have a professional do it.
Who this is for
No ane likes entering a dark house. Smart lighting allows you to turn lights on and off from virtually anywhere using a smartphone, besides equally to utilise an app to gear up timer-like Schedules and then your lights power on and off automatically based on the time of day, among other variables. At that place are a lot of smart-lighting options (such every bit bulbs and plug-in switches), but in-wall smart light switches are a more permanent fixture, assuasive yous to control one or more lights on a excursion.
Near smart switches are an easy swap (although y'all should hire an electrician if you aren't comfortable with turning off the power and poking around inside the wall). And smart dimmers can assist you save on your electricity bill because y'all'll frequently set the low-cal level at less than full blast.
Most wireless switches connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network, but some need a smart-home hub or proprietary network span that sets upwardly a separate wireless network. In-wall wireless switches can control one or more lights at a time and typically can integrate with other smart devices. So y'all can have your lights triggered past movement sensors, smart locks, cameras, or even the sound of your voice.
One result that comes up a lot when yous're using modern LED lighting and dimmers (smart or regular) is buzzing or flickering, which can be maddening—especially since these switches can be then pricey. We spoke with Brent Protzman, director of building science at Lutron, and he explained that LED bulbs tin can be much more than prone to issues. "The beliefs of the electronic commuter within the LED lamp is quick and directly responsive to the everyday fluctuations on a dwelling house's electrical supply," he said. "Some LED bulbs may also make an aural buzzing sound due to the vibration of its components, and the level of vibration (buzzing) depends on the LED design." And then if yous experience buzzing with your new switches, before ripping out the switches (and your pilus), attempt swapping out the bulbs for a better fit. Or vet the dimmer on the visitor website or with its tech support before ownership, to confirm that the dimmer is compatible with your bulb or fixture.
How we picked
For years, nosotros've been keeping up with reviews and roundups of in-wall smart dimmers and switches. For us to consider a model for testing, it needs to be wireless and designed for installation within the wall. All dimmers are also switches, and nosotros favor dimmers because they're better for setting a mood and saving electricity. We consider all of the following features:
- Dimming: If you lot have a dimmable lite, you need a smart dimmer. 1 of these typically costs around $2 to $x more than the standard in-wall smart switch.
- Scheduling: All smart switches and dimmers offer scheduling, and then you lot can plow lights on and off at predetermined times of day. We consider it a bonus if a model offers scheduling based on sunrise and sunset and the status of other devices, too as scheduling for every solar day of the calendar week or an Abroad Fashion (for security that simulates occupancy by turning lights on and off randomly).
- Smart-abode and vocalization integration: Most of the models on our listing offer some type of voice command, with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant being the standard. Some models tin also necktie in to Apple tree HomeKit or IFTTT (If This So That), which lets you create your own smart-domicile rules, called "recipes."
- Wireless technology: Most of the smart switches and dimmers on our list use Wi-Fi, simply we also consider models that use Z-Wave, Zigbee, and even proprietary wireless technologies.
- More than command options: Only a few companies offer smart switches and dimmers that work in three- and iv-way configurations or have alternative button layouts. If yous need to control lights from multiple switch locations (for example, at the top and bottom of the stairs) or any other not-standard layout, you'll demand to shop around.
Prices for these switches vary widely, but the majority cost $20 to $100, with dimmers and Alexa-integrated models at the college cease of that range.
How we tested
My married man, a licensed electrician, installed each model. Some switches come up with electrical leads attached; others have only terminals. They are as easy to install. But if you take a tight fit in the wall, consider buying switches with terminals because this helps limit the wiring you need to cram into the switch box.
The part of a wireless switch that goes inside the wall is bulkier than that of the average light switch, due to the extra engineering science congenital in. That doesn't mean you'll need to become out a handsaw, merely it does make the installation slightly more than difficult than your average light-switch swap. Almost of the models nosotros reviewed for this guide require a neutral wire. If you lot have older switches, you may not have this wire inside the existing box. If that's the case, you must either buy a switch that doesn't require a neutral wire or hire an electrician to rewire the unabridged switch configuration (you could also consider putting a completely wireless in-wall switch in that location).
Even with the larger switch torso and the wiring requirements, it took my in-firm electrician simply about x to 15 minutes to consummate each installation. This included shutting off the electricity at the circuit billow and removing the sometime switches.
We tested each switch separately for a minimum of ii weeks (most of them for much longer, and some for years) using the same LED bulbs (our runner-upward pick, the Feit Electric threescore W Equivalent Daylight Dimmable A19 Calorie-free Bulb). All of the switches permit you to turn lights on and off remotely, too as to set Schedules using each device'southward respective smartphone app. Dimmers add the pick of triggering a connected light to dim at a sure time of day. All of the models we tested switched lights on and off without delay (except where noted in the Competition), both when we physically touched the switch and when we used app controls.
To test remote functionality and features, we used apps on an iPhone SE, an iPad, and a Samsung Milky way J7 running Android Oreo, when possible. Nosotros as well used an Amazon Echo Dot, Repeat Plus, and Repeat Testify, as well every bit HomePod Minis and a Google Mini, when testing devices that are compatible with vocalization commands.
Security, privacy, and in-wall smart switches
Wirecutter takes security and privacy bug seriously and investigates as much equally possible how the companies whose products we recommend deal with customer information. Every bit office of our vetting process for in-wall smart switches, we looked at all of the security and data-privacy practices behind our picks. We too reached out to the companies that produce our top picks to have them answer an extensive questionnaire (run into Privacy and security: How our picks compare).
All of our picks require a password in order to use their companion apps. Withal, none of them offer ii-factor authentication, a common organization that does a adept job of ascertaining that you lot are indeed y'all when y'all log in, past sending your phone a verification code that's required to log in to the app.
Data sharing is a bigger business, but it'south oft what makes these devices work improve. For case, companies may share the location of your smartphone, in society to trigger smart light switches to proceed and off based on sunrise and sunset times. If these types of features are of no interest to y'all, you can turn off location sharing in your smartphone's settings. All of the companies behind our picks said they never share information for marketing purposes. Still, if you opt to connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, or IFTTT, you are bound to their rules. (And Apple says that HomeKit limits information collection, none is used for targeted advertising, and users are asked before allowing data to be shared.)
Wirecutter long-term tests all of its picks, which includes tracking whatever hardware and software incidents that may surface. Should we find whatsoever privacy or security issues with any of our selected models, nosotros'll written report them hither and, if necessary, update or alter our recommendations.
Our pick: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer HS220
Our selection
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
Afterwards more a twelvemonth of long-term testing, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer HS220 remains the all-time smart light dimmer. Information technology's reliable, easy to use, and affordable enough that you could reasonably install smart dimmers all over the firm. The Kasa app is one of the friendliest nosotros've tested, with clear controls for Presets, Schedules, and Timers. It also responded quickly in our tests, and it allows yous to group a switch with other Kasa devices (such every bit smart plugs and smart bulbs) and to set up integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.
The Kasa Smart HS220 is a standard single-pole dimmer (meaning information technology tin can command just one circuit from one location), and we found information technology dead simple to use—which is exactly what you lot desire in a low-cal switch. There's no trying to effigy out what the buttons practice and no need to root around the iOS or Android app. The actual switch features iii buttons: a large one for on/off and ii small ones to adjust dimming. (In improver to a unmarried-pole dimmer, TP-Link as well makes a single-pole Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch HS200, three-Way KS230 Dimmer Kit, and 3-Way HS210 Switch.)
Once you've pressed the switch, a thin strip of LEDs atop the dimming buttons briefly illuminates to show the dimming level; it then shuts off afterwards a few seconds. When turned off, the HS220 has, in the center of the large button, a faint circular LED that'due south vivid enough to be visible in a dark room but not to keep you up at night. You can dim or shut off the switch by going into the app or by calling out to Alexa or Google Assistant ("Alexa, dim the mud room to 25%"). The Kasa Smart HS220 remembers dimming levels, and then if you lot turn off the light when information technology'due south dimmed to 50%, for case, the adjacent time you lot trigger it, the switch will plough on to the previous setting (unless you've scheduled information technology to do otherwise).
The Kasa app too allows for a level of customization nosotros oasis't seen elsewhere at this cost. Information technology includes options to set dimming fade speeds for on and off, as well equally how long you want that fade off to terminal (four preset speeds vary from instant to a few seconds). Those controls are useful; you lot might, for case, desire to hit the switch and exit a room without having to experience your mode around in darkness. The app also gives yous the option to programme custom actions for the switch based on whether you tap the switch twice or do a long press, and so it will keep and off instantly, fade off, or get to a preset dimming level. For example, nosotros set a double tap to plow the calorie-free on to 50% and a long press to fade it off afterwards a full minute.
I thing we really loved was the Dimming Calibration feature (you tin can detect it at the lesser of the Device Settings menu in the Kasa app). If you've ever dimmed lights using a smart switch and thought they didn't seem dim enough, or if you've experienced flicker, this is how you fix it. Open up the setting and elevate your finger on the dimming strip to find the minimum level at which the bulbs will calorie-free upwards. Once yous've got that, tap Test. The lights will then brighten from the lowest setting to the brightest. The procedure should exist polish, without whatsoever flickering. If you come across flickering, you may need to adjust levels or, potentially, change the bulbs if they aren't compatible.
We tested the HS220 at a diverseness of dimming levels, with both the Android and iOS apps, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. We also grouped it with the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Low-cal Switch HS200 in an arrangement that let us turn on several lights with a single press in the app or a vocalism command. We as well created an Alexa Routine to have the Kasa switch trigger whenever someone approached our Arlo Video Doorbell (our elevation doorbell pick), and we paired information technology with IFTTT to turn on whenever someone walked past a Wyze Cam v3 (an outdoor camera selection). In all of our tests, it worked flawlessly and reacted chop-chop.
Flaws but non dealbreakers
Kasa has confirmed that, confusingly, there are multiple versions of this dimmer model being sold by retailers, and some users have reported that one version creates a slight squeak when the rocker is physically operated. It's not uncommon for companies to update hardware, without notice. If y'all have this effect and are bothered by it, we recommend returning the dimmer to the retailer or reaching out directly to Kasa, which offers a two-year warranty.
The Kasa Smart HS220 supports up to 300 watts of ability, while our other picks are able to back up twice that. Why does that wattage thing? If you employ low-wattage LED bulbs (a 75-watt equivalent draws around x watts) or lights with merely ii or three incandescent bulbs, it probably doesn't affair. But if y'all hope to control multiple high-wattage lights using the same switch, y'all should confirm that information technology can support your needs.
Like many of the switches and dimmers on our listing, the HS220 requires a neutral wire. That means installing information technology may be a trouble in homes with old electrical wiring (houses built before 2011 weren't required to have a neutral wire for switches). If you have an older house or aren't sure whether it has a neutral wire, we recommend our upgrade choice, the Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Smart Dimmer.
Runner-upwards: Monoprice Sew together Smart In-Wall On/Off Light Switch With Dimmer
Runner-up
Uniform with: Amazon Alexa, Google Banana
If our top pick is sold out or you prefer a traditional rocker-fashion switch, we recommend the unmarried-pole Monoprice Run up Smart In-Wall On/Off Low-cal Switch With Dimmer. It also connects directly to Wi-Fi without the demand for a hub, and it works with Amazon Alexa and Google Banana. The Run up is like shooting fish in a barrel to ready and control, but it doesn't offer every bit much customization equally the Kasa. Likewise, we encountered a few quirks with the app that pushed it simply below our meridian choice.
The Sew dimmer has one tiny bluish LED on the lesser, which turns on or off along with the switch. (The LED'due south lite level isn't adaptable, which we would have preferred, but at to the lowest degree it doesn't flood a room with light.) To turn lights on and off at the switch, just push; a longer printing adjusts dimming levels. We were too very impressed by the build quality of this model—it'south i sturdy switch, and it delivers a really satisfying snap when pressed.
The Stitch app is no-frills, with on/off functionality available on the habitation page and under the main page for the dimmer. On that dimmer folio, you'll also detect the Schedules option. The Smart tab at the lesser of the primary folio allows for Scenes and Automations, which allow you schedule the dimmer based on fix times, local sunrise/sunset, and even weather weather condition. Just know that for some of those Automations to work, you will need to grant access to your location.
Our one gripe with the app is that the Scheduling feature turns the switch on or off only. To schedule the calorie-free to become on at specific dimming levels, you need to use the Automation field. On the same tab, you tin also gear up timers, which can plough lights on and off afterwards y'all leave the room. It'south good that both features are present, merely considering how user-friendly this dimmer is otherwise, it but seems odd that they are on a separate folio.
Unlike our height choice, the Stitch is a bit more no-frills. The switch offers no way to prepare it to do annihilation special, no customized fade times, and no dimming scale. If those things don't matter to you lot, and if you prefer a standard rocker, the Stitch dimmer is a reliable, affordable alternative to the Kasa Smart HS220. And if yous don't need dimming, the Monoprice Sew Wireless Smart In-Wall On/Off Lite Switch delivers the aforementioned features (except the dimming) for a few dollars less.
Also dandy: Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Moving ridge Smart Dimmer
Besides great
Compatible with: Z-Moving ridge and Z-Wave Plus hubs and compatible devices
The Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmer is a dandy in-wall dimmer for anyone who already uses a Z-Moving ridge smart-domicile hub, such as a SmartThings, Band, Wink, Vivint, Honeywell, or HomeSeer hub. Many basic lighting features, such as dimming and scheduling, are standard across most hubs. But information technology'south important to annotation that special features, including support for vocalisation platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, are contingent on the hub you lot choose to use. As well, because the Enbrighten connects to a third-party hub, it won't ever receive whatsoever firmware updates that might bring new or improved features or security fixes, should any be needed. The hub may get updates, simply the actual dimmer does not.
Similar our runner-up from Monoprice, the Enbrighten is a sturdy, traditional rocker-way switch. The actual switch delivers a squeamish snap and allows you to dim the lighting with a long press. It also has a tiny blueish LED on the bottom, which you lot can conform to be ever on, off, or contingent on the status of the switch.
We paired the Z-Wave dimmer with the SmartThings Hub and our Ring Alarm system. The dimmer performed well in our tests, reacting rapidly to commands. Of course, your mileage may vary, depending on the hub you lot apply. Speaking of which, depending on your hub, you tin pair the dimmer with other smart-home devices, equally well as create Scenes, and so you can take one-bear upon access to your favorite dimming levels. For instance, we created a Dinner Scene that would turn the light on to 50%. Yous can practice the same in Alexa or Google Assistant; using both, we frequently barked out orders to plow the switch on and alter the dimming level, and the switch responded accordingly.
Upgrade selection: Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Smart Dimmer
Upgrade selection
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, Ring, Samsung SmartThings
After years of testing and using the Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Smart Dimmer, we still think information technology's a smart pick, since information technology provides reliable remote on/off, dimming, scheduling, and grouping by room. It's also the only one of our picks that is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Unlike most of the models we tested, the Caséta doesn't connect to your home'south Wi-Fi and instead relies on Articulate Connect wireless, Lutron'south proprietary radio-frequency protocol. (Clear Connect is far more reliable considering it doesn't disharmonize with the wireless bespeak of all the other Wi-Fi devices you may have effectually your firm.) That also means you need to buy and install the Lutron Caséta Smart Span, which connects to your router with an Ethernet cable and enables your smartphone to talk to the wall units. This organization costs more than and might be a problem if you keep your router in an out-of-the-way place, since the Smart Bridge has to be inside thirty feet of each dimmer to maintain a reliable connexion. (If you lot have a larger home, a Lutron plug-in smart dimmer or the Caséta Smart Wireless Repeater tin can besides exist used to deed as a wireless extender.) Several Wirecutter editors utilize this model and report that they haven't experienced any range issues.
Lutron sells a starter package containing the Smart Bridge, one dimmer, and one remote control, and we recall it's a bargain—it'due south cheaper than some of the standalone switches we've tested. Lutron'southward Caséta Smart Bridge is part of a larger lighting ecosystem that includes plug-in switches, wireless remotes (which can act like three-way dimmers or switches), and fifty-fifty wirelessly controlled window shades. The Smart Bridge too makes information technology possible for this in-wall dimmer to piece of work with more than smart devices and platforms—including Alexa, HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, Sonos, IFTTT, and many other third-political party devices—than whatever other switch on our listing. So although the Caséta setup needs the Smart Bridge, information technology does a lot with that.
The Lutron Caséta switch is one of the few models we tested that doesn't require a neutral wire. That makes installation a little easier. And it's great if you have an older dwelling or older switches, since many homes don't have the extra wire inside their existing boxes. Instead of having a single rocker, slider, or button, this dimmer features iv split keys for yous to plow lights on or off or to raise or lower brightness. Those keys are slick and sturdy, they lie flat parallel to the wall (dissimilar a rocker switch), and they emit a nice piffling snap as y'all press each ane. The Caséta switch also has a strip of LEDs along the side to signal the brightness level.
Lutron'south app is like shooting fish in a barrel to utilise, but turning the calorie-free on or off takes an extra tap. Everything else is clearly marked, then you lot can enable Scheduling, geofencing, and the Smart Away characteristic, which can trigger lights randomly during a customizable window of fourth dimension. Scenes are equally simple to set with a few taps, so you tin grouping dissimilar devices as well every bit ready dimming levels that you lot can turn on and off with one affect. And you may want to do that, since this switch doesn't recollect the concluding used setting; information technology goes on at full brightness every time you plough it on from the app or via vox commands. There are two workarounds for this. You can program the favorite button on the pico remote, or y'all can create a Scene for that switch that sets it to your preferred dimming level (but we'd rather not have to exercise that for every switch).
Sustainability and in-wall smart switches and dimmers
Many Wirecutter readers are concerned virtually how the world is impacted past the manufacturing, shipping, and normal use of the products we recommend. Wirecutter takes this seriously, too. That's why we're looking into the overall sustainability of all of our picks.
Our product recommendations are based completely on the criteria outlined in How we picked and How we tested. But nosotros also offer the following information for anyone who may want to utilise ecology impact as a deciding cistron in their purchases. We also recognize that the following may not pigment a complete moving picture of a product'due south supply chain and overall environmental touch on.
In-wall smart switches and dimmers have the potential to save energy by taking a frequently used device and putting it on a customizable schedule, relieving you of having to recall to turn off the lights and ideally trimming the corporeality of time they're on. They can likewise be paired with other smart-domicile devices, such every bit sensors or cameras, so that they're in utilize only when needed. And when the lighting levels are lowered, dimmers reduce the amount of energy consumed by the fixtures they control. That may not add together upward tremendously when it comes to a single bulb or room, merely beyond a household the effect can go more substantial, especially over fourth dimension.
Although warranties average almost 1 to two years (with Enbrighten standing out for a 5-yr warranty), these devices are long-term purchases because they're upgradeable via firmware. (Enbrighten is the solitary exception hither again; it doesn't get software upgrades, since it relies on a third-party hub.) This ways they may receive new features, security fixes, and other improvements to stay current.
Nosotros asked all of the companies backside our picks about sustainable practices, recyclable materials, and recycled packing. The companies that responded noted that all of the assorted packaging and the documentation are recyclable, but TP-Link was the standout, claiming that the packaging besides every bit the chassis of its dimmer are both made from recyclable material. We're still waiting on responses from Lutron and Monoprice.
What to wait forwards to
We accept already started testing new models and plan to update this guide again shortly. In the side by side round, we will include the Feit Electrical Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer, the TP-Link Kasa Smart ES20M Dimmer Switch, and the Wyze Switch. All three of these utilize Wi-Fi to connect and include back up for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Wyze Switch is the simply non-dimming model of the trio. And the ES20M as well includes a built-in motility sensor.
We as well plan to test the HomeSeer HS-WX300. This is the company'southward latest Z-Wave model, which means it needs a hub. If you have that, yous can use information technology equally a switch, a dimmer, or a 3-way switch, both with or without a neutral wire. Information technology volition also back up Alexa and Google Assistant. HomeSeer expects this model to be in stock in July 2022.
Wemo has announced both a new smart switch and a smart dimmer. Expected to arrive in summer 2022, both are new versions of its existing switch and dimmer, but with back up for Matter over Thread.
Other good in-wall smart switches and dimmers
If you want a iii-manner Wi-Fi switch or a HomeKit culling to Lutron: The Leviton D26HD works with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and IFTTT. It tin can as well be used in a iii-way installation (with the addition of the Dimmer Companion, about $27). At almost $50, this model is more than expensive than all of our Wi-Fi picks. Also, nosotros just don't love the experience of this one as much equally we do the first-gen model; information technology's as well worth mentioning that the company swapped out the previous terminal connections for wire leads (similar to most of our picks).
If you're all-in with Aqara: Aqara doesn't offer a dimmer switch, only single- and double-rocker Zigbee models, available with neutral or no-neutral wire installation; both require an Aqara Hub. Nosotros tested the single, which felt flimsy, and the internal relay made an abnormally loud click when triggered, whether using the app, voice control, or transmission control. Otherwise, functionally the Aqara works fine, supports all 3 of the major smart-home platforms, and includes stats for wattage and kilowatt-hours in the app (but only with neutral-wire models).
For a cheaper HomeKit model: Meross makes several models, including dimmers and non-dimming switches. We tested the MSS565 Smart Dimmer Switch and Remote Kit, which comes with an RF remote. Despite having pb wires, this model was yet noticeably smaller than other smart dimmers nosotros tested, making information technology easier to fit into an existing electrical box. Unfortunately, we had problems with it staying continued to our mesh network, though when it was continued to a standard (not-mesh) network, it performed fine. Dissimilar most models, this 1 doesn't let y'all to set custom dimmed levels when making a Schedule (although you lot can gear up that by using HomeKit or another smart-home platform). Also, we didn't find the push button configuration to be intuitive; the dimming buttons are large and are typically the outset matter most users would touch. Nevertheless, you tin can't power or dim the lights without first touching the less obvious on/off switch.
The competition
The Eaton WFD30 Wi-Fi Smart Dimmer works fine in both single-pole and iii-way configurations. Beyond that, it doesn't offer annihilation special, even though it'due south near twice the toll of our top selection, the Kasa HS220. When yous are using this model manually, information technology feels fine, but it responds only if you hit it in but the right spot. Information technology should also be mentioned that there's no Eaton app, and then you'll need to connect and operate this dimmer through Alexa.
Much like the Eaton dimmer, Schneider Electric's Square D x Series Dimmer doesn't offer much beyond the power to fit into single-pole and three-way setups. It'south a few dollars more than than the Eaton (and over twice as much as the Kasa HS220). And this dimmer was constantly logging us out of the app—at least viii out of every 10 times we launched it. The company says information technology is working on that, and we volition update this guide with any changes.
The Legrand Tru-Universal Wi-Fi Enabled Dimmer is expensive. And it's a bit trickier to work with than other models we tested, due to a required QR code (on a little sticker affixed to the front—ameliorate hang on to that), a slightly larger (ane.77 inches full) depth, and longer wires (which oversupply the switch box).
The C by GE Smart Switch Motion Sensing + Dimmer is pretty, but we can't recommend information technology. This model is interesting because information technology'southward one of the few switches nosotros've tested that don't require a neutral wire. However, in our tests it constantly asked us to connect to Bluetooth and had a handful of connectedness problems. And nosotros constitute the app to be more confusing than necessary.
We dismissed the Treatlife Smart Dimmer and the Treatlife 3-Mode Smart Dimmer Switch because we thought our picks performed improve. All of them have better apps, and we had issues with this single-pole dimmer delivering a painfully slow response, through both the app and vox commands, over multiple days of testing.
Providing single-pole, three-way, and 4-manner functionality, the iDevices Wall Switch includes a night-lite feature (which you can turn off or tweak to bear witness a variety of colors using the company's iOS or Android app), as well equally HomeKit. However, it's very expensive for a non-dimming smart switch.
The Eve Light Switch is iOS-merely and uses HomeKit, so yous'll need an Apple Tv, HomePod, or iPad at home for control exterior the house. During testing, nosotros had a few connection issues. But the existent dealbreaker was that the response time was mixed, with the switch sometimes turning on and off quickly and other times taking a few seconds, whether we used the app or the bear on-sensitive switch.
We have yet to find a switch with Alexa congenital in that works successfully—and we've reviewed three of them to appointment. The Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Voice Dimmer had problems with Alexa often failing to recognize commands, as well as frequent connectedness issues. The iDevices Instinct doesn't dim, feels a little inexpensive for the coin, and doesn't use the same app as other iDevices products. And the Ecobee Switch+ also doesn't dim, is overpriced, and was often buggy during our testing.
Privacy and security: How our picks compare
Does it require a username and a password?
- Kasa HS220: Yes
- Monoprice Sew together: Aye
- Enbrighten: Depends on the hub used.
- Lutron Caséta: Yes
Is two-gene authentication available and/or required?
- Kasa HS220: No/No
- Monoprice Sew: No/No
- Enbrighten: Depends on the hub used.
- Lutron Caséta: No/No
Is user data encrypted in the cloud?
- Kasa HS220: Yes
- Monoprice Stitch: Yes
- Enbrighten: No, there is no direct cloud access; depends on the hub used.
- Lutron Caséta: Yes
Will this device still operate if my internet goes out?
- Kasa HS220: Without a connection, the switch will operate the light, but it won't be remote controllable.
- Monoprice Stitch: Without a connexion, the switch will operate the light, but it won't be remote controllable.
- Enbrighten: Without a connection, the switch will operate the light, but information technology won't exist remote controllable.
- Lutron Caséta: Yes; the dimmer can work as a non-smart, standalone dimmer (no hub, net, or app being required to dim lights). The dimmer'southward smart features like pre-programmed Scenes and Schedules will work even if internet service goes downwards.
Do you share data with third parties?
- Kasa HS220: Limited data is shared with service providers for sunrise/sunset scheduling, but not for marketing.
- Monoprice Sew together: No
- Enbrighten: No
- Lutron Caséta: Yes, limited data is shared with service providers in order to provide product functionality. No sharing of data with third parties for marketing. App location data is provided by the user's device locally; the company doesn't rails or store information technology.
Is location information recorded or shared?
- Kasa HS220: Yes, GPS lat-long is stored in-device for sunrise and sunset time calculation.
- Monoprice Stitch: Yes, some automation features require location, such as geofencing. Still, it is not a specific address or tied to specific devices or customers' accounts.
- Enbrighten: No Z-Moving ridge devices record or share location information.
- Lutron Caséta: User inputs country during setup. Gauge span location is recorded (not shared with third-political party apps) for optional fourth dimension clock characteristic. Users are able to understand the use of longitude and latitude in their app if you go to settings, advanced, fourth dimension and location and type in that lat/long into Google maps. The optional geofencing feature requires access to the phone's location also as the concrete location of your home to trigger the lights when yous enter the zone you specified. The phone location and dwelling accost is non recorded or shared by Lutron.
Does this device offer ability-outage alerts?
- Kasa HS220: No
- Monoprice Stitch: Yes
- Enbrighten: No
- Lutron Caséta: No
Often asked questions
How do I know if I have a neutral wire?
Houses built before 2011 weren't required to have a neutral wire for switches, per the National Electric Lawmaking. Nevertheless, nearly built after 1980 may have them anyway. The only style to truly know whether yous take a neutral wire or not is to turn off the circuit, remove the wall plate and switch, and check the switch box. (Information technology'south typically the white wire spliced with some other white wire that isn't continued to the existing switch.) If yous're looking to buy smart switches and aren't certain whether you take a neutral wire, opt for one of the models that don't require a neutral wire (like the Lutron).
Which bulbs work best with in-wall smart switches?
Most standard light bulbs piece of work with in-wall smart switches and dimmers. However, information technology's always a good thought to check the specs before you make a buy, to be sure the dimmer will be compatible with your choice of bulb blazon (we adopt LED) and the maximum load expressed in watts (which could be an issue if you have one switch that controls high-wattage bulbs or multiple banks of lights).
Never employ a dimmable and/or smart dimmable light switch with smart calorie-free bulbs. Those dueling technologies volition cause the bulb to wink, flicker, or buzz and otherwise malfunction. And fifty-fifty though some companies (such as C by GE) do make smart-bulb and smart-switch products that can exist paired, nosotros don't recommend them.
Why does my in-wall smart switch need to know my location?
Many smart-home devices ask you to enable location services on your smartphone to enable their smart features. For instance, geofencing is a characteristic that turns your smart switch on and off based on the location of your smartphone—then, for case, your lights can come up on automatically when you lot make it abode. Also, many smart lights tin can exist triggered based on local sunrise and sunset times, which are determined by your location. If you aren't interested in these types of features, it's typically fine to disable location awareness or just opt to enable information technology simply when the app is in use.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
Sources
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Michael Brown, The best smart switches and dimmers: Lighting is the foundation of the smart home, TechHive , December xiii, 2021
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Ry Crist, Smart bulbs vs. smart switches: The pros and cons of continued lighting, CNET , September 22, 2015
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Nicole Van Zanten, The Best Smart Wi-Fi Light Switches and Plugs to Brand your Habitation Lighting Smarter, Ideaing , Jan 1, 2021
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-in-wall-wireless-light-switch-and-dimmer/
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