The app is very easy to use, making it great for senior customers and those inexperienced with technology.
Gets quite hot during operation.
A 3-way dimmer for those that want to wire their illumination controls their own way. Of course, you also get the same convenience of dimming and turning off the lights from your own bed or, for that matter, anywhere in the world. A pretty solid choice for DIY lovers looking to customize their in-home lighting system.
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
No Hub required
600W Incandescent / 300W CFL/LED (at 120V)
Android (4.1 or higher), iOS (9.0 or higher), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Adjustable brightness, LED indicator, white and light almond paddles included
1.4 x 2.1 x 4.1 inches
5 years
Compatible with practically all SmartHubs that use the Z-Wave Technology, perfect for those that already have one of these hubs.
Relatively low power when coupled with CFL/LED bulbs.
If you're looking for a smart switch that will be not only convenient to use but also allow you to prevent energy waste, the GE 14294 is a great choice. Though it's a bit pricier than many average switches out there, it will allow you to save more in a long run.
Z-Wave™ wireless technology
Requires Z-Wave™ compatible hubs
600W Incandescent / 150W CFL/LED (at 120V)
Depends on Z-Wave compatible hub
Adjustable brightness, LED indicator, white and light almond paddles included
1.25 x 1.85 x 3 inches
Amazon's 30-day return policy
Using the Kasa app, you'll be able to control not only smart lamps, sockets, and switches, but also wi-fi extenders and some routers. That way, you won't need to clog up your gadget's memory.
The LED indicator is a bit too bright and might disturb your sleep.
This Kasa switch is the perfect storm of features and quality for owners of smart homes. With this switch, you'll be able to adjust illumination, shut off electricity, turn wifi on and off, or take control of any other appliances that support this technology.
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
No Hub required
600W Incandescent (at 120V)
Android (4.1 or higher), iOS (9.0 or higher), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
LED indicator, face plate and wire nuts included
3.3 x 1.5 x 5 inches
2 years
Fitted with a powerful Wi-Fi module, it will ensure reliable strong signal with minimal interference even if your router's placed in some distant corner of your home.
The dimmer might function not correctly at times.
The Gosund smart light switch is an easy way to save energy and cut down electricity costs. You can create a customized schedule to adjust the speed of your ceiling fans or automatically turn on and off your light. For your maximum convenience, two switches are included in the set.
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
No Hub required
400W Incandescent / 150W CFL/LED (at 120V)
Android (4.4 or higher), iOS (9.0 or higher), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Adjustable brightness, LED indicator, face plate and wire nuts included
2.76 x 1.49 x 4.72 inches
2 years
A special Away Mode will let you turn your device on and off at random intervals that gives an illusion that someone's at home when you're away for an extended period of time.
An iOS app is compatible only with 12.0 and later OS versions
The Wemo smart light switch is a great safety solution for those who have to travel for business a lot. With a though-out functionality, the model has to offer, you can rest assured your home is smartly protected from burglary. Besides, it boasts an impressive power capacity of 1800 watts (at 120 Volts).
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
No Hub required
1800W Incandescent (at 120V)
Android (5.1 or higher), iOS (12.0 or higher), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
LED indicator, face plate and wire nuts included
1.72 x 1.64 x 4.1 inches
3 years
Affordable Choice
Automatizing is good but can cause troubles if you immediately shift from a full-on lighting system in your home to a single dimmer. If you worry that Wi-Fi might get spotty and you’d have to trek all the way to the dimmer, which may be placed in another room or even another floor of your home, what you need is a smart 3-way light switch, such as the Leviton DW6HD-1BZ.
Of course, while the Leviton DW6HD-1BZ allows you to ease into the transition towards a smart house, it still offers the same possibilities that you’d get with other high-tech models. You can control illumination with a special app, as long as your smartphone supports Android 4.1+ or iOS 9.0+, or with your voice if you have the Amazon Alexa. Plus, the interface of the app is quite basic and even inexperienced users will be able to gain full control of the lights without studying the instructions.
One thing you definitely need to be aware of is that the Leviton DW6HD-1BZ tends to heat up when it’s on. If you want to ensure that you’re using the smart dimmer safely, you should install some insulation to protect both the device and your walls.
In the end, though, this is a pretty affordable option for those looking to take their house into the future without jumping in headfirst. Try it out and see for yourself how convenient these illumination controllers can be!
Cut Your Energy Bill with the Z-Wave Dimmer
One of the main reasons to modernize your home is the pretty substantial savings you can make with smart technology. If that’s exactly what you want from your wireless light switch then the GE 14294 Z-Wave Plus could be the right pick for you. Using the synergistic Z-Wave Technology, this dimmer helps you control the illumination in your home and, if you have any other Z-Wave compatible appliances, create a network that keeps your home under your full control.
Couple this with any Z-Wave-supporting hub and you can use Alexa, your smartphone, tablet, or PC to dim lights, turn them off, set schedules for certain events, and, of course, turn the illumination in your home or separate rooms off from anywhere in the world.
A word of warning, though, the GE 14292 Z-Wave Plus works with CFL/LED, incandescent, and halogen bulbs but the former offer relatively low power and won’t let you take full advantage of the dimming capabilities. If you want to save money while still getting dimmable illumination that can be customized to your liking, we’d advise using the incandescent or halogen bulbs only.
Other than that, though, the GE 14292 Z-Wave Plus is a pretty solid choice. It may cost a bit more than the competing products but you’ll save money in the long run and extend the life of your light bulbs.
Shining Example of Quality
Modernizing your home means getting the most out of every appliance and device liked in your home network, so it only makes sense to want the same from the lighting system. Which is precisely why we recommend getting the TP-LINK smart Wi-Fi light switch HS200. Made by the renowned TP-LINK company, this small tool alongside its control app that can be downloaded from Play Market will let you do much more than simply dim the illumination.
The TP-LINK HS200 is coupled with the Kasa smartphone application, which provides control over most of the devices produced by TP-LINK, including lamps, bulbs, sockets, as well as wifi routers and extenders. You don't need to make any additional purchases or downloads, this single app will allow you to turn the Internet on/off, shut down electricity, turn the lights up or down remotely provided that there's Wi-Fi coverage in your house and Wi-Fi is enabled.
If you wonder about control types, you have more good news coming. The TP-LINK switch is compatible with Android 4.1 and up, iOS 9.0 and up, and, most importantly, Amazon Alexa. What this practically means is that you can be laying in your bed preparing to drift off to sleep and, instead of having to stand up to go to the switch, simply ask Alexa to turn the light off for you. Handy, isn't it?
Honestly, we even tried specifically to find some fault with the TP-LINK HS200 but the only thing that came that close was the LED indicator that some users may find to be too bright. Nonetheless, we do not consider it a big of a problem and those who don't plan to place it right in front of their eyes should not have an issue with it either. One of the other things that might slightly mar your impression of this product is its fairly high price, however, in view of the type of quality the product offers and the number of convenience features it includes, it's certainly worth it. So if you want more bang for your buck, the TP-LINK HS200 is the right choice for you.
Give Your Home a High-tech Makeover
If you’re thinking of adopting smart home technology, lighting makes a good starting point. And the Gosund smart light switch is a great option to give your home a high-tech makeover.
The benefit of this smart switch is the added functionality you’ll definitely enjoy. You can remotely set timers and control your electrical appliances, adjust the speed of your ceiling fans and the brightness of your lights. Beyond this, you can bundle all your smart devices in a single group for smart and convenient voice control. Wherever you are, you are free to schedule the light to automatically turn on a few minutes before you arrive or schedule your fan to keep your home cool. On top of that, with the full-range dimming, you’ll be able to create the right ambiance in your home and make the light pleasantly bright in the morning or fill your room with soft, comforting light to accompany you to sleep peacefully at night.
To add more, the brightness memory function enables saving the last light setting even in case of a power outage or switching on the light with a previously set brightness. In the meantime, the desired brightness can be adjusted manually via an LED touch panel by pressing a button as well as via a phone app or voice-controlled smart speaker. The dimmer smart switch is also compatible with Alexa-enabled devices and Google Home Assistant providing you with hands-free control of your home lighting from literally anywhere.
All in all, the Gosund smart light switch is both a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for those who want to upgrade their home to a “smart” status.
Keep Your Home on the Cutting Edge
Smart technology means extra convenience, security, and energy efficiency. And what can be better than having a virtual assistant close at hand? That’s exactly what you can expect from the Wemo smart light switch.
Whether you're working at the office, relaxing on a couch, or visiting some resort hotel, you will be able to control your home lighting remotely. All you need is to install your light switch and download the Wemo app, which is available for free. After that, you will get access to the lighting system of your home and will be able to manage it either by voice or through your mobile as you find more confident. Besides, you can schedule your ceiling fan, for example, to turn on automatically at a set time so that it can provide comfortable ambience when you come back home. Or you can schedule your porch light to switch on and off to meet the sunrise and/or sunset schedule. Additionally, this switch offers the long-press feature. Owing to this, you can bundle multiple devices into a single group and turn them on/off at a single press of a button.
Moving on, if you are going to be away for a long time, the switch allows for setting the light to turn on and off at random intervals. This is a very useful feature that can give an illusion that someone's at home, thus deterring burglars away from your property.
In conclusion, this smart light switch from Wemo is, undoubtedly, specifically designed for those who want to keep their home on the cutting edge. So, if you’re looking to get full remote control over your home's visibility and atmosphere, this no-nonsense smart light switch with a no-frills design is well worth the investment!
What Is a Smart Light Switch?
Flicking the lights on when you come home isn’t too much of a chore but as everything in our lives gets automatized, it's become possible to skip this step, thanks to the invention of smart home light switches. These small devices look just like regular lamp controls but unlike them, they are Wi-Fi-compatible and can be controlled via your smartphone or, in case the model you have supports Alexa or similar systems, via voice controls. Having such a smart dimmer in your home you could be pulling into your driveway and get your home lit up instantly with a single tap of your finger. Plus, many of these remote control models offer an option to dim the illumination instead of turning it off completely which makes them perfect for installation in bedrooms allowing you to create an intimate mood.
After you buy your first smart lighting system and step on the road towards modernizing your house, consider getting smart locks that will allow you to secure your house in a smart way. And, of course, even the best smart light switch won't be able to demonstrate its full potential to you if you do not pair with the right set of bulbs.
Sources:
1. Renée Lynn Midrack What is a Smart Light Switch? Lifewire. April 10, 2018.
2. Elyse Betters Smart lighting explained, Pocket-lint. August 8, 2014.
3. Ry Crist Smart bulbs vs. smart switches: The pros and cons of connected, CNET. September 22, 2015.
4. Gary Marshall What is smart lighting? Everything you need to know for your connected home, TechRadar. July 09, 2017.
5. THREE-WAY AND FOUR-WAY SWITCHES--HOW THEY WORK, Instructables.