Key Points
- Smart light switches save energy and money, increase home security, and are often more convenient than traditional ones.
- Smart light switches can be controlled with an app or a voice assistant, and can be used with any bulbs you already have in your home.
- Smart light switches can be programmed to turn on at different times, increasing home security by making it appear as if someone is home.
- Controlling your lights with a smart light switch can lead to reduced energy bills by ensuring lights are not left on when not needed.
- Key features to look for in a smart light switch include a time-based schedule, additional control functionality, and multi-device integration.
Saving energy and money is on almost everyone’s mind. We look for ways to maximize savings in our daily lives. We turn off lights when we leave a room and ensure electronics aren’t left on. However, it’s also easy to forget to do these things. If we had a more innovative way to save energy while saving money, most of us would do it if we could. So why not invest in a smart light switch? Smart switches save energy and money, increase home security, and are often more convenient than traditional ones.
This article will explore smart light switches, how they work, and the top three reasons why you may want to buy one. Also, we’ll look at the best switches you can buy today.
What Are Smart Light Switches?
A smart light switch is similar to your existing light switches. However, they work a bit differently. These switches connect to your home internet to control your lights. You can control smart light switches with an app or a voice assistant. Also, you won’t need to invest in special bulbs. You can typically use any bulbs you already have in your home.
Reasons to Buy a Smart Light Switch Today
While you may have various personal reasons to buy a smart switch, most causes can be narrowed down to the top three: convenience, better security, and reduced energy bills. These are the three we’ll focus on today.
Convenience
It’s no secret that our modern life is all about convenience. From appliances that save us hours on household chores to virtual assistants that we control with our voices, our homes look very different than they did just a few decades ago. If we can adjust our lives to do our tasks better and faster, most of us will.
Smart light switches are one of the easiest ways to take advantage of modern conveniences. For example, smart light switches can toggle on and off based on timers, motion, or even ambient light. Also, many smart switches are relatively easy to install and use. Their ease of use means once purchased, you can install a smart switch without needing a professional electrician.
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Increased Security
You may have heard that thieves will sometimes “case” your house. This means they will spend the time to learn your habits, including things you do when you’re home and things you do when you’re gone. Some of the most obvious ways you advertise you’re not at home is by either leaving lights completely off or leaving certain lights on the entire time you are away.
Fortunately, you can program most brands of smart light switches to turn on at different times, making thieves question whether you’re home or not. Just changing the time your lights turn on when you’re not home could possibly deter a break-in.
Reduced Energy Bills
On average, running a 10W LED light bulb for two hours a day will use 0.21 kWh of electricity per week. This would cost you around $1.04 per year. That may not sound like much, however, we typically use more than one light bulb at a time. Plus some lights are on much longer than two hours per day. Over time, this can add up.
The best smart light switches allow you to control them with an app. Within the app, you can turn your lights on or off. You never have to worry whether you’ve left your lights on because you can turn them off remotely. This control translates into reduced energy bills. The less time your lights are on, the more energy you’ll be saving.
The Top Features of a Smart Light Switch
Choosing a smart light switch can be daunting. Here are a few key features most people look for. These features include:
- A time-based schedule
- Additional control functionality
- Multi-device integration
A Time-Based Schedule
One of the best things about a smart light switch is the ability to put your lights on a schedule. Putting your lights on a timed schedule has a few benefits. These benefits include saving money, additional security, and peace of mind. For example, some intelligent light switches have an away mode setting. This setting toggles chosen lights on and off at different times of the day, mimicking a human going about their daily life at home. This added level of security adds peace of mind when you’re away for any length of time.
Additional Control Functionality
When buying light switches, remote control is one of the top features most people want. Some of the best smart light switches include several lighting control methods. For example, most smart switches have an app that allows you to control everything remotely. Some of them include helpful buttons on the actual device as well. Additionally, the best smart light switches will allow you to control them with your voice using a virtual assistant.
Multi-Device Integration
Some of the best smart light switches integrate with other smart devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Integration doesn’t just mean virtual assistants. Some of the best smart light switches also include grouping several switches, making it easy to control your entire home’s lighting with a few taps on the app. Also, some intelligent switches allow you to control other devices, such as a ceiling fan.
The Best Smart Light Switches Today
Our picks for the best smart light switches all have at least two features mentioned above. In addition, we’ve included light switches that have an easy setup and an easy-to-use interface and app. Also, keep in mind that many smart switches require a neutral wire, but homes built before 1985 may not have one. If you have an older home, you may need an electrician to install one.
Lutron Caseta Deluxe Smart Switch Kit with Caseta Smart Hub
- Works with Alexa, Google Assitant, Apple Home, and Ring
- Requires neutral wire
- Control from your smartphone, using your voice, the wireless remote, or directly from the switch
- Geofencing allows your smart lighting to know when you are home and when you leave
- 120 Volts
We like the Lutron Cuseta Deluxe because it has all you need to get started with smart light switches. The Lutron Caseta has an easy-to-use app and helpful buttons for better control. For example, you can easily adjust the power and lighting from the app or the actual light switch. For added control, the intelligent Cuseta Lutron light switch integrates well with Alexa, Siri, Ring, and Google Assistant.
The Cuseta works on an included hub or bridge, so it doesn’t consume your Wi-Fi bandwidth. This smart switch also knows when you come and go thanks to geofencing. Be alerted when you leave that you’ve left the lights on or you can automatically set your lights to turn off based on your location.
Finally, setting the Cuseta to turn on outdoor lights at dusk is easy, so you always come home to a lighted home. This feature automatically adjusts based on your local seasons, too.
Wemo Smart Light Switch
- Smart switch for Apple HomeKit
- Compatible with 3-way switches
- Requires neutral wire
- Uses thread technology so smart home products can connect faster and more reliably
- Can be integrated with Wemo Smart Video Doorbell
We like the Wemo Smart Light Switch because it’s easy to use, has a simple app, and is a great budget pick with decent features. For example, you can schedule your lights on timers, including away mode, which will toggle different lights at varying times. Also, the Wemo lets you group multiple Wemo switches within the app. This grouping enables you to control all your switches in one convenient place. It integrates with Wemo Smart Video Doorbell as well, so it will turn on lights when motion is detected.
While the Wemo Smart Light requires a neutral wire, it works using your home’s Wi-Fi, so no bridge or hub is needed. Finally, the good folks at Wemo designed this one to integrate nicely with Apple HomeKit and Siri for added convenience.
Kasa Apple HomeKit Smart Light Switch KS200P3
- For single-pole circuit types
- Requires neutral wire
- Uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi so no hub required
- Works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Home
- Apple HomeKit compatible
We like the Kasa Apple HomeKit Smart Light Switch KS200P3 as another easy-to-use, HomeKit-ready budget pick. You can set this affordable smart switch on a schedule, including our favorite, the away mode. As with other brands and models, away mode will alternate the turning on and off different lights. Alternating lights off and on gives the appearance of a full house, which may make potential thieves think twice.
You can control the Kasa with your voice using Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant. Although customer reviews say it may feel cheap, the Kasa is an affordable entry-level option with great features.
Kasa Smart Motion
- Smart dimmer switch is hands-free
- For single-pole circuit types
- Requires neutral wire
- Uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi so no hub is needed
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
Our pick for a smart light switch with a motion sensor is the Kasa Smart Motion. The Smart Motion isn’t just a smart light switch. It’s also a dimmer and motion detector all in one. Since the Kasa Smart Motion is one of the few smart switches with a built-in motion sensor, we had to include it on this list.
This Kasa sensor detects motion and will turn the lights on when it sees movement. Also, the sensor measures ambient light and will turn itself off when the environment no longer calls for additional lighting. Because the ambient sensor takes advantage of natural light, you’ll save energy and money.
Like the other Kasa on our list, you can control the Smart Motion using Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant. A few customer reviews indicate the movement sensor is a little delayed when activated, however.
Using Smart Light Switches
Before buying a smart light switch, be sure you understand what type of wiring your house has. If it has a neutral wire, as most newer homes do, you will be fine getting a smart switch that requires one. However, if your house was built before 1985, you may need to call an electrician to install one.
Also, look for switches with an easy-to-use app and DIY setup process to save money. Finally, consider getting a smart light switch with an away mode setting for added security when you’re not home. Whichever smart light switch you choose, it is a good investment for any home. Smart light switches are not only convenient, but they can help you save money and provide added security while you’re away.
- $127.95Buy Now
- Works with Alexa, Google Assitant, Apple Home, and Ring
- Requires neutral wire
- Control from your smartphone, using your voice, the wireless remote, or directly from the switch
- Geofencing allows your smart lighting to know when you are home and when you leave
- 120 Volts
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11/27/2023 12:42 am GMT - $64.99Buy Now
- Smart switch for Apple HomeKit
- Compatible with 3-way switches
- Requires neutral wire
- Uses thread technology so smart home products can connect faster and more reliably
- Can be integrated with Wemo Smart Video Doorbell
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 12:42 am GMT - $39.99 ($13.33 / Count)Buy Now
- For single-pole circuit types
- Requires neutral wire
- Uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi so no hub required
- Works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Home
- Apple HomeKit compatible
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 12:42 am GMT - $22.99Buy Now
- Smart dimmer switch is hands-free
- For single-pole circuit types
- Requires neutral wire
- Uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi so no hub is needed
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 12:42 am GMT
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