Want to brighten up your life with a HomeKit light switch, but don't know where to start? There are quite a few options to choose from, each featuring their own unique designs and features. HomeKit support built in means that you will be speaking commands to Siri, or toggling your lights through the Home App in no time. Here is our list of the best switches and dimmers that are currently available. Staff Favorite The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch is a solid light switch that uses Lutron's clear connect technology for wireless communication to the Caseta Hub (required), making connections fast and reliable. The Dimmer Switch has brightness controls built in and can be adjusted with Apple's Home App or the Lutron Caseta App. The Lutron Dimmer is also the only light switch available in North America that does not require a neutral wire, which older homes may not have. $80 at Amazon One of HomeKit's first light switches, the Eve Light Switch, features a clean, minimalistic design … [Read more...] about Best Smart Light Switches for HomeKit in 2019
3 wires in light switch
How to install a smart light switch
It sucks to have to wrestle with shopping bags while trying to find your house key and unlock your door in the dark. If you arrive home at night to a dark front porch, it’s nice to be able to turn on the porch lights with your phone before you get out of the car. When you want to turn off a light when you’re sitting comfortably on the sofa, it’s pretty sweet when you can just say “Alexa, turn off the hall light,” or “OK, Google, turn off the kitchen lights.” Smart light switches allow you to control your lights remotely with your voice or with your smart phone. Some people like smart light switches better than smart light bulbs because you can turn any light or ceiling fan into a smart device, and you don’t have to keep spending cash on expensive smart light bulbs when they run out of juice. You can buy regular (non-smart) bulbs, which tend to be more inexpensive. Installing a smart light switch is a one-time ordeal. Once you install … [Read more...] about How to install a smart light switch
Grab a pair of TP-Link 3-way smart light switches for $45 ($15 off)
Sure, you've been reading about smart home stuff. Think maybe it's time to jump in, adopting (well, almost literally) a laissez-faire approach to lighting controls? This could be your chance, at minimal cost and with no fancy electrical wiring required. This TP-Link kit contains a pair of 3-way wall switches that you can control manually — the relatives will like that — or remotely. TP-Link says they work with any device using Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, or some 3rd-party home platforms (e.g.: IFTTT, Nest). [We pause, here, to note the absence of Apple's HomeKit.] TP-Link switches get mostly happy reviews on Amazon, with this kit averaging 4.2 stars. One major caveat: your switch-box must have a neutral (white) lead. Also, some older boxes could be too small, so check for proper fit before you disconnect the extant wiring. Some reviews cite issues with the latest revision of Google Home. A few people complained about TP-Link's proprietary app (Kasa) in … [Read more...] about Grab a pair of TP-Link 3-way smart light switches for $45 ($15 off)
Leviton’s Decora Voice Dimmer puts Alexa in a light switch at CES 2019
We've already seen Alexa housed in one cloud-connected light switch, but that one, the Ecobee Switch Plus, wouldn't dim the lights. Now, at CES 2019, it's Leviton to the rescue with a new Decora Voice Dimmer. With a built in microphone, a tiny little speaker, and a built-in Wi-FI radio, the new Decora switch is a smart dimmer that doubles as an Alexa access point. All you need is a neutral wire. No word on final pricing yet, but Leviton says to expect it by this summer.Once you've wired it in, just sync it with the My Leviton app on your Android or iOS device, then link your Amazon account to bring Alexa into the mix. In addition to offering full dimming controls and Alexa access right from your wall, the Decora Voice Dimmer also supports 3-way switch setups where more than one switch is wired to the same light.I'll be curious to see where Leviton lands on the cost of this thing. Ecobee's Alexa switch felt overpriced to me at its debut price of $100, and now sells for about $80. I … [Read more...] about Leviton’s Decora Voice Dimmer puts Alexa in a light switch at CES 2019
TP-Link Kasa announces smart video doorbells, in-wall outlets, light switches, and more
TP-Link sells a plenty of smart home devices under its Kasa brand, like the power strip we recently reviewed, an outdoor camera, various outlets, and more. All of them connect to the internet over Wi-Fi, instead of a dedicated hub, and all of them can be managed from the Kasa app. TP-Link has now announced seven more smart home products, including a video doorbell, an in-wall power outlet, and even a light switch with a voice assistant. First is the Smart Video Doorbell (KD100), a product very similar to the Nest Hello. It has a 2K camera with HDR support, infrared LEDs for night vision, two-way communication, and face detection. TP-Link will save two days of video history for free, while the Nest Hello requires a paid subscription to save any video. The doorbell will likely launch in the first half of 2019, and pricing is unknown at this time. Speaking of outdoor security, TP-Link also announced the Wire-Free Outdoor Security Camera System (KC300). It's sold in a pack of one, two, or … [Read more...] about TP-Link Kasa announces smart video doorbells, in-wall outlets, light switches, and more