Smart light switches are one of the most popular devices that people look for when they are automating their home. Their features make it possible to turn on lights from your phone or smart hub or dim lights with just a voice command.

Smart switches are also great for helping you save money on your electric bills, and can help improve home security and safety. If you’ve got small children, smart switches can also help with controlling their access to the lights.

Smart switches are also one of the more affordable upgrades if you are ready to have a smart home but don’t have the funds to make big changes all at once.

Your question now is likely: Which is the best smart light switch for my smart home?

There are a lot of options on the market, so we’ve made the process simpler for you, by doing the research. We’ve narrowed our list down to just the best products on the market, and the ones that you’ll find the most helpful.

We’ve also compiled some frequently asked questions about smart switches, to help you better understand the technology.

Our Comparison for the Best Smart Light Switch​

Experience the ultimate convenience with the Lutron Caseta wireless dimmer and Pico remote control.

The wireless dimmer gives you the ability to set the right light for any activity whether it’s reading, watching TV, entertaining, or having a casual dinner.

Control your lights in a 3-way application by mounting the Pico remote to the wall with the included Pico wall box bracket, for multi-location dimming.

With the Lutron smart bridge and app (sold separately), you can control your Caseta wireless dimmers with your smartphone from anywhere.

The dimmer works up to 600-watt of incandescent or halogen and 150-watt of dimmable LED or dimmable CFL.

Turns on, off, dims or brightens lights. Available in White, Ivory, Light Almond and Black.

Extra features

Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri compatible (Smart Bridge required).

Buying Advice

We recommend you also get the Smart Bridge in order to make the most of your light switch and connect it to your favorite smart hub.

You can check some of the capabilities of the Lutron Caseta in the video below.

Benefits

  • Unlike other smart dimmers on the market today, Caseta doesn’t require a neutral wire. That makes it the ideal solution for homes of all ages. No cutting holes or wiring required.

Drawbacks

  • Not compatible with all light bulbs. Smart bridge sold separately​.

Technical specifications​

  • Dimensions: 1.5 x 3 x 4.8 inches​
  • Weight: 6.8 ounces
  • Number of switches in the package: 1​
  • Connectivity: Mobile control via an App with Caseta Smart Bridge L-BDG2-WH​​​
  • Works with Alexa: Yes​
  • Dimmer: Yes​
  • Scheduling: Yes but Smart Bridge L-BDG2-WH is required​


Wemo Light Switch

The Wemo Light Switch uses your existing home WiFi network to provide wireless control of your lights from anywhere in the world.

Quick and easy way to start controlling your lights from your phone or tablet.

Using the free Wemo app, you can switch your lights on and off and set worry-free schedules no matter where you are.

The Wemo Light Switch also functions like a normal switch: simply press the switch to toggle your lights on or off.

Feature Specs

Using the free Wemo app, you can schedule lights to turn on at sunset or keep your house comfortable by scheduling the ceiling fan to turn on before you arrive.

Extra Features

Protect your home using Wemo Light Switch’s ‘Away Mode,’ you can create the illusion that you’re home even when you’re away. ‘Away Mode’ turns lights on and off in a random pattern.

Buying Advice

Before buying this device be you’re your WiFi is strong and reliable to avoid connectivity issues.

You can check some of the capabilities of the Wemo Light Switch in the video below.

Benefits

  • Simple install, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Nest, no subscription or hub is required.

Drawbacks

  • Not compatible with 3-way and requires a neutral wire, some connectivity issues.​

Technical specifications​

  • Dimensions: 1.5 x 3 x 4.8 inches​
  • Weight: 6.8 ounces
  • Number of switches in the package: 1​
  • Connectivity: Mobile control via an App with Caseta Smart Bridge L-BDG2-WH​​​
  • Works with Alexa: Yes​
  • Dimmer: No (They do have a dimmer model)​
  • Scheduling: Yes​


Control your lights, ceiling fans, and other fixtures from anywhere with the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch.

The smart switch installs as easily as a traditional light switch and connects to your home Wi-Fi in no time through the Kasa Smart App.

Kasa Smart also lets you manage connected fixtures with your smartphone including setting schedules.

White, One Way, Single pole.

Extra Features

Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana.

Buying Advice

The best feature is that it is more energy efficient than competitive switches.

Benefits

  • Simple install, Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and Nest, No subscription or hub is required.

Drawbacks

  • Not compatible with 3-way and requires a neutral wire, some connectivity issues.

Technical specifications

  • Specs: 5.1 x 3.31 x 1.7 in. 4.8 ounces.
  • Electrical Ration: 120V/15A/60Hz/1800W
  • Number of switches in the package: 1
  • Connectivity: WiFi + App
  • Works with Alexa: Yes
  • Dimmer: No (They do have a dimmer model)
  • Scheduling: Yes


Other Contenders​

Eufy Smart Light Switch By Anker

The Eufy Smart Switch is a multi-functional light switch that lights up your life using smart technology and innovative design to make your life easier.

The three modes ensure your home is perfectly illuminated for any occasion.

Whether it’s setting the lights to gently wake you up in the morning or timing them to signal dinner is done cooking, and when you’re out, away mode intelligently illuminates the home to simulate activity inside.

With Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility illuminating your home can all be done by voice. Perfect for when your hands are full of kids are already tucked into bed.

White, 1800 watts 100~120V AC, 15A.

Extra Features

Flame-retardant and comes with a 18-month warranty.

Buying Advice

Tech Support is rubbish so be sure to install correctly.

Benefits

  • Easy install, three modes – Schedule, Timer, and Away Alexa and the Google assistant compatible you don’t need to buy a hub

Drawbacks

  • Can have connectivity issues due to design

Technical specifications​

  • Dimensions: 5.02 x 3.31 x 1.71 inches ​
  • Weight: N/A​
  • Number of switches in the package: 1​
  • Connectivity: App with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network​​
  • Works with Alexa: Yes​
  • Dimmer: No​
  • Scheduling: Yes​


GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch

Transform any home into a smart home with the GE Z-Wave Plus In-Wall Smart Switch.

You can create custom scenes and schedule timed events either when you’re at home or when you’re away.

Control your lights, fans, and appliances, schedule a timed event or create a custom scene from anywhere in the world, at any time of the day.

It enables wireless control of on/off functions for CFL, incandescent, LED and halogen lighting.

N/A

Extra Features

Includes white and light almond paddles.

Buying Advice

A Z Wave Hub is required. Ensure your home has a neutral wire before purchasing.

Benefits

  • Easy to install, compatible with a variety of Z-wave hubs, works with all bulbs

Drawbacks

  • Requires in-wall installation with hard-wired connections, wall plate not included. CANNOT connect directly with ECHO PLUS

Technical specifications​

  • Dimensions: 1.8 x 2.2 x 4.1 inches​
  • Weight: 1.28 ounces​
  • Number of switches in the package: 1​
  • Connectivity: Requires a Z-Wave certified gateway​
  • Works with Alexa: Yes​
  • Dimmer: No​
  • Scheduling: Yes​

Smart Light Switch FAQ​

Best Smart Light Switch

There are a lot of smart switches on the market, and each has its own unique features and requirements.

This variety in product creates a lot of questions from consumers, like you, about what is the best product for your smart home.

It also creates questions about the basics of smart switches and smart lights.

We’ve compiled this shortlist of questions that are frequently asked by people who are starting down the path of upgrading to a smart home.

Doing the research to answer your questions can be more work than installing your smart switch, so we’ve done the work for you, to help make your smart home adventure a little easier.


How Does a Smart Light Switch Work?

A smart switch is a direct replacement for the traditional light switches in your home.

They work to turn off and on lights and other appliances in your home that are traditionally operated using a “light switch”.

Smart switches rely on a radio transmitter to send signals to other switches in your home, as well as allowing you to connect them to your home network, 
smart hub and smart phone or tablet.

This radio transmitter is similar to the radio transmitters that are installed in things like your smart thermostat, smart irrigation timers, and even your video doorbell.

This connectivity allows you to control your light switches in a couple of ways.

First, and fortunately for your guests, a smart switch looks just like your normal light switch, so you can toggle the switch up and down to turn on or off your lights or other appliances.

The second way you can control your smart switches is using an app on your phone. Some switches have their own app, while others utilize an app like Amazon’s Alexa.

These apps allow you to remotely access your light switches from across the room, or from across the globe.

This remote ability gives homeowners a greater sense of safety, since you can easily turn on lights, even when you’re not home.

The third way that smart switches function is through your smart hub.
Doing your research before you buy, will ensure that you purchase switches that easily sync with your smart home hub.

From this hub you can easily request that lights are turned on or off, dimmed or even your ceiling fan is turned on, with a simple voice command.

For individuals that have limited mobility, this feature can be a real life changer, when it comes to safety in their home.


Do all Smart Light Switches Need a Neutral Wire?

No, not all smart light switches need a neutral wire.

This is good news if you live in an older home that was built before the National Electric Code required all light switches have a neutral wire.

However, not having a neutral wire adds extra challenge when you are trying to connect your switch to your home network. It’s not impossible but will require a bit of additional work.

Most smart switches require a neutral wire because they are powered all the time. This is how they are able to communicate with your home network or connect to apps like Alexa.

The neutral wire allows the circuit within the switch to stay on for the networking capability, even when the toggle for the switch that powers the light is off. Without the neutral wire, when you turn off the light, the smart switch can no longer communicate with the network.

Smart switches that do not require a neutral wire, have a microprocessor inside of the switch that allows them to maintain connectivity with the network.

There can be some challenges with installing these sorts of switches, so before you go pulling out the switches in your older home, consult with an electrician.

And lastly, if you aren’t confident with doing electrical work in your home, whether its older or fairly new, make sure you hire a good electrician to do this work.

You can cause harm to your home’s electrical system and potentially cause serious injury to yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing.


Do Smart Bulbs Use Electricity When They’re Off?

Yes, smart bulbs do use electricity, even when they are turned off.

So why, you might ask, would you install smart bulbs as a way to improve energy efficiency in your home?

Well, first, you need to understand that the amount of energy that your smart light is using when it is off, is less than your television or DVD player uses when it is off.

For the most part, all appliances still use a bit of electricity even when they appear to be turned off. Your smart bulbs are kind of like tiny appliances.
They have electronics inside of them that allow them to maintain connectivity to your network and apps like Alexa or Google Home Assistant.

This tiny bit of electricity, is so small that you likely wouldn’t notice the demand on your normal electric bill.

What you do need to remember is that almost all smart bulbs are LED, which are highly efficient.

The amount of energy savings that you are receiving from the switch to LED lights in your home, more than makes up for the slight increase in demand from both your smart bulbs and your smart switches.


Do I Need a Hub for Smart Switches

First, when answering this question it is important to distinguish between the two different types of hubs that your smart switches might need.

Understanding this distinction is the difference between getting the things you need to make your smart switches work, and getting added item that may or may not be necessary, depending on the switch brand you choose.

So, let’s look at the first scenario, the hub that is necessary to make your smart switches work.

This is a specific hub that is necessary if you are installing smart switches that do not require a neutral wire for installation.

These switches also require a hub that sits in the box with your switch that keeps the power to your smart switch, so that it can be continuously connected to your home’s network.

In this situation, without this particular hub, your smart switches will not work, and you’ve spent a bunch of money on an extra fancy, normal, light switch.
In the case of a switch that doesn’t need a neutral wire for installation, a hub is a must.

Now, for the other scenario, the hub may or may not be necessary. In this case, we’re talking about a home smart hub.

This is a kind of central control unit for all of your home automation devices. Most smart switches do not require a smart hub for their operation.

Conclusion

We hope this guide will help you in selecting the best smart light switch for your smart home. Make sure you check our other articles to help you make your home a smart one.