Design: Is it an attractive switch? The best will come in multiple colors to best match your decor. To test smart switches, we either installed them ourselves, or had an electrician install them in our house. We then evaluated the switches based on the following criteria: Signify’s Philips Hue bridge is another solution, but it’s generally limited to supporting Philips Hue smart bulbs and accessories. Zigbee is widely support among smart dimmer manufacturers, including Jasco, Sinopé, and Sengled. Lutron also makes an ingenious Zigbee gadget for Philips Hue smart bulbs— the Lutron Aurora—that attaches to an old-fashioned toggle light switch and not only prevents the switch from being turned off (instantly rendering a Philips Hue smart bulb dumb), but it wirelessly controls all the Hub bulbs connected to that switch—complete with a rotary knob for dimming and brightening those bulbs and turning them on or off. The Lightwave LP21WHMK2 is a smart dimmer switch that allows you to control the lighting in your home through your smartphone or voice-controlled assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. The dimmer switch is simple to install and requires no extra wiring – it can work without a neutral or earth wire.

Relatively few manufacturers make smart switches that look like this type of old-fashioned toggle switch. Smart switches are often bulkier than their traditional counterparts, however; so if they don't fit in the electrical box properly, you may need to get a new box, which is probably a job for an electrician. Similarly, some older homes don't have the right wiring, so an electrician is a good idea here, too. How we test smart light switches Depending on the light switch design and capacity, this feature doesn’t only allow you to remotely switch your lighting on and off. You can also use this feature to set up timing schedules and tailor your home lighting habits based on your needs. Technology Control From Anywhere: Whether you're at home or on the go, the Lightwave app empowers you to control and monitor your lights from anywhere. Illuminate your space before you even step in or create the illusion of occupancy. With Lightwave, you're always in control.While the previous Hue Smart Dimmer had separate on/off buttons, the v2 Switch has them as one. The switch also detaches from the wall mount itself, doubling as a convenient remote control. Aesthetics aside, we liked the versatility on offer here and how the Bot can easily be scheduled to switch things on and off each day. Be aware that the SwitchBot hub, sold separately, is required for voice control. The button pusher requires the SwitchBot app that allows you to schedule built-in timers without requiring a hub or Smartphone. The battery-operated switch pusher is built with an extended battery life based on Bluetooth low energy (BLE) – allowing you to use it for up to 600 days. Brilliant’s touchscreen panel lets you see and talk with a person at your door when a visitor activates your Ring Video Doorbell. Installation: How easy was it to install the physical switch, and how easy was it to connect to our home network?

Generally speaking, you have the choice between smart on/off and dimmer switches, if you are replacing your existing switch. I know that in the UK we are not very flush with smart light switches, when some come along they are generally expensive or require some kind of hot fix to make them work because of there being no neutral. For those who have one of the best smart home hubs, the Jasco Enbrighten Z-Wave dimmer is a very good smart light switch. It's a cinch to install, as there's no neutral wire needed and the terminals are agnostic. A simple paddle switch handles both on/off duties as well as dimming functions.

Functionality: Does it support three-way or four-way connections? What other features does it have? Generally, a smart light switch will be compatible with at least an iPad, android device, Nest, or Ecobee in your home. For example, Apple Homekit devices such as Ecobee or iPad are perfect for iDevices and in-wall outlets. SmartThings technology on the other end supports Z-Wave and Zigbee devices. Switch or Plug That said, if you’re looking for a very simple and portable switch for Wiz lighting, this is what you’ll need. We can see it being particularly useful if your traditional wired light switches are poorly located, perhaps behind some furniture, and you want a replacement switch that is easy to install (providing you also have some Wiz smart bulbs, of course). The first thing you'll notice about the Eve Light Switch is its simplistic (and stylish) design. It doesn't draw attention to itself with multiple buttons or dozens of LED lights, but instead opts for a single large button and a single LED indicator. And since all your schedules are saved locally on the Eve Light Switch, you won't need an external hub or internet connection to keep things running smoothly.