Installing smart devices in your home not only makes your life more convenient, but they also make your home safer. We love our smart light bulbs, smart air conditioners, smart thermostats, and smart plugs. Our latest home addition is the smart light switch, which also has convenience and safety as its top features with an affordable price tag to make them accessible for renters and homeowners.
Smart light switches are easily installed over your existing light switch. The three smart light switches we’ve included on our list don’t require a professional electrician to install them, which saves a ton of money upfront. Once you’ve installed the smart light switch yourself (look at how handy you are!), the next step is to connect your smart light switch to your WiFi.
Now that you’re online and have downloaded the corresponding app for your light switch, it’s time to make your life easier and your home safer. Schedule your lights to turn on before you arrive home or when you’re away for an extended period of time. Use voice commands to turn lights on and off when you walk into a room. Access lights through your app even when you’re away, ensuring your kids and guests arrive home to a brightly lit house.
For the elderly or those with mobility issues, smart light switches mean being able to use voice commands and smart devices to control lights even if you’re unable to reach your light switch, which can help people stay in their homes longer.
Check out our top picks for the best smart light switches below!
1. Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Dimmer Switch
Control your lightbulbs with your voice or smartphone thanks to the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Dimmer Switch. The three-way kit comes with the switch and remote to give users handsfree wireless control over their lights. Using the free Lutron app, users can pair the switch with their smartphone or smart home devices, like Alexa or Sonos, and control the lights from inside their home or while they’re away, a great safety feature to ensure your house is well lit when you arrive home or when you’re away for an extended period of time.
Pros: The Lutron has various settings that users can preset to get the perfect lighting in each room. We also like that the set has a traditional light switch cover and a remote that makes it easy to use without a smartphone.
Cons: Lutron does not recommend using smart bulbs with the set, which can cause interference. The set is also only recommended for indoor use.
2. Wemo Light Switch
Schedule your lights to turn on before you arrive home with the Wemo Light Switch, which easily fits over your preexisting light switch and pairs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Use your voice or the Wemo app on a smart device to control your lights and sync lights to sunrise and sunset. The Wemo can also be used as a regular light switch.
Pros: Wemo comes with an ‘Away Mode,’ a smart safety feature that will randomly turn lights on and off, making it appear as though someone is in the house.
Cons: The Wemo Light Switch doesn’t have a night mode and doesn’t allow users to dim the lights. The Wemo only works on a single light switch and isn’t three-way compatible.
3. Kasa Smart Light Switch by TP-Link
Set schedules, use voice control, and more with the Kasa Smart Light Switch by TP-Link, which works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. The Kasa also functions as a traditional light switch.
Pros: The Kasa works with outdoor lights, giving users the ability to turn porch lights on and off at certain intervals or through the Kasa app.
Cons: The Kasa requires a neutral wire and works in single pole setup only. Like the Wemo, the Kasa doesn’t include a dimmer function and isn’t three-way compatible.