Not only can smart lighting systems save you money on electricity consumption, but they can also enhance security. You can schedule smart lighting systems to periodically turn on when you’re not home, so it looks like someone’s home. Smart light switches make it so you don’t have to get off the couch when you want to turn off the lights to watch TV, and they can give you the ability to turn off all of your lights at once if you have them installed throughout your home. The smart switches on our list are easy to use and install yourself.
Philips Hue Dimmer
Already got a set of Philips Hue bulbs? Make them even more powerful with the Philips Hue dimmer, which can be used wirelessly as a remote control or attached to your wall as a switch. The neat thing about this dimmer is that there’s no installation process, unless you count peeling the adhesive cover. Setup is so easy that all you have to do is turn on the lights where your Philips Hue bulbs are installed, then immediately start using the Dimmer. There’s absolutely no interference between the Dimmer and your traditional wall switch.
With the Philips Hue Dimmer, you can get creative with your lighting and play around with all the interesting controls that it offers. You can also set schedules that let your home know exactly when you want to turn the lights on or off. Got Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit? You can control the lights with voice commands. Keep in mind that a Philips Hue Bridge is required for anyone who uses a Philips Hue lighting system though.
Why we love it:
- Easy to use and install
- Works with multiple smart home interfaces (Google, Alexa or Apple)
TP-Link Kasa Smart Switch
Part of the Kasa family of smart devices, this light switch allows for detailed schedule setting via app. It’s a simpler switch than some on our list, but an excellent pick for those who want a minimalistic model or those who like TP-Link’s devices and want to keep it all in the family. It also has great voice control options, offering compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and even Cortana. The Kasa app has a walkthrough specifically designed to help homeowners to install this switch themselves–which is really something more of these switches should offer.
Why we love it:
- Simple, minimalist and effective
- Great voice control options
- Easy to install with comprehensive, step by step instructions
Lutron Caseta Wireless Dimmer
As far as smart lighting systems go, this one by Lutron is one of the easiest to install and most feature-heavy on the market. This smart light switch doesn’t require a neutral wire. Plus, it offers geofencing capabilities, which means your lights will automatically turn on when you arrive home and turn off when you leave. You can also schedule them to turn on or off by themselves at certain times of the day. The switch itself is highly functional, with different buttons indicating exactly what your options are, whether you want to turn out the lights or adjust the brightness. Want to use voice command to control the lights? Integrate the Lutron switch with Amazon Alexa or Google Home to get started.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to get the Lutron Smart Bridge in order to use any Lutron products, including the switch. But you can purchase a starter kit, which includes the bridge and a remote control. The bridge must be plugged into your home’s router in order for you to control the lights from your electronic devices, such as a smartphone.
Why we love it:
- Geofencing functionality to turn lights on and off automatically
- Voice control options
Gosund Smart Dimmer Switch
Program your lights to turn on and off at specific times of the day with the Gosund Smart Dimmer Switch. Using the Gosund app, Google Home app, or Amazon Alexa, you can automate your home lighting system and set up scenes to match your daily routine. This has a dimming range of 0% to 100%, allowing you to set the perfect brightness you want. Share the app with your family, and let everyone enjoy convenient access to your home lighting system.
Why we love it:
- Ultra customizable brightness and schedule settings
- Compatible with different 3rd party technologies and native Gosund app
Leviton Decora Smart In-Wall Switch with Wi-Fi Technology
The no-frills design of this light switch makes it perfect for someone who is just beginning the process of upgrading their home to “smart” status. The large paddle switch is no-nonsense and straightforward, and the small toggle on the right-hand side makes it easy to adjust the brightness in increments. Thanks to a row of LEDs, you’ll know how much dimmer or brighter you can go. There’s also a small LED on the bottom of the switch, so you’ll be able to find it in the dark — although it’s not so bright as to disturb your sleep.
Got a large room where you want to add a smart light switch? This one by Leviton supports three-way switches, and since it connects straight to your Wi-Fi, you won’t need a bridge. As for the compatible app, you can use it to set how long the dimming LEDs and bottom LED (the one that stays on in the dark) remain on. You can also create schedules for when the lights should automatically turn off or on, meaning you can even use your lighting to wake you up in the morning. Integrate this Leviton switch with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or IFTTT for a smarter, more connected home.
Why we love it:
- Great for beginners on their ‘smart home’ journey
- Create and customize different lighting schedules
A smart home is the way of the future. Not only is it more convenient, but it saves energy and it is safer. Program lights to come on and off when you need them, including when you’re not at home. Save on your energy bill, and feel good about doing a small part to use less electricity to save our planet. Upgrade your home lighting — it’s the smart thing to do!
