Home | Smart Home | Best Smart Light Switches of 2024
We compare smart light switch brands to find the best. Find out how our top pick holds its own.
Best overall
Best switch selection
Best for budgets
Best for HomeKit
Best motion sensor switch
By John Carlsen
Feb 08, 2024
8 min read
SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review. We may earn money when you buy through our links.
Smart light switches offer an easy intro to home automation. They can light up the house with a voice command or turn the lights off from bed when we're too lazy to take another step (we've all been there). But among the top options, Lutron Caseta stands out.
It works with the dominant smart home platforms, making it a flexible option for smart home beginners and veterans alike. We also like its switches with distinct buttons since they're easier to learn for people who aren't familiar with smart switches.
Lutron Caseta might be more expensive than the competition, but it earns high praise from users—more than any other brand. Get a full comparison of the best smart light switches below.
Best smart light switches
- : Best overall
Lutron Caseta
- : Best switch selection
Leviton Decora Smart
- : Best for budgets
Kasa Smart
- : Best for HomeKit
Wemo
- : Best motion sensor switch
Kasa Smart Motion
Compare the best smart light switches
Product | Best for | Price | Smart home compatibility | Dimmer switch | Requires neutral wire | Works in 3-way setups | Learn more |
| Best overall | $99.95 | Amazon, Apple, Google |
|
|
| View on Amazon | |
| Best switch selection | $49.04 | Amazon,Apple, Google, Z-Wave, Zigbee |
|
|
| View on Amazon | |
| Best for budgets | $19.99 | Amazon, Google, SmartThings |
|
|
| View on Amazon | |
| Best for HomeKit | $49.99 | Apple |
|
|
| View on Amazon | |
| Best motion sensor | $39.99 | Amazon, Google, SmartThings |
|
|
| View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Smart light switch reviews
1. Lutron Caseta: Best overall
Best overall
Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Lutron’s long history with light switches culminates in Lutron Caseta. The switches have a distinctive design with multiple buttons that can control power, dimming, and lighting scenes.
Many rivals perform similar tasks with fewer buttons, but we're not mad about Lutron Caseta’s approach. It’s more natural to learn thanks to helpful icons showing what each button does.
We also like that the Lutron Caseta dimmer doesn't require a neutral wire to install. Most smart light switches need a neutral wire (neutral wires power the smart features when the lights aren't on), limiting the number of homes in which they work. Neutral wires are standard in newer homes, but you don't typically find them in older homes from the early- to mid-20th century.
Pros
Easy to use
Separate buttons
No neutral wire needed
Cons
Pricey
Requires hub
Hardwired Caseta switches don't work as three-way switches (when two or more switches control the same set of lights). But Lutron gets around this problem with the Pico remote that links to the Caseta bridge. The remote even has a nifty mounting plate you install in place of an existing switch.
Unlike other brands, Lutron switches don't work without a hub, but the hub has a big leg up by keeping a whole house's worth of switches, smart plugs, and remotes off your Wi-Fi network. Fewer devices on your wireless network means more bandwidth for your favorite action movies. There's also less clutter, making network maintenance easier.
The hub also handles the smart functions for Caseta switches, so they work without a neutral wire. It comes in a starter kit, making Lutron more expensive than stand-alone brands.
Even with the added expense of a hub, we think Lutron Caseta is the best smart switch for most people thanks to its handy buttons. If you want a more traditional design, check out Leviton Decora Smart below.
Lutron Caseta smart home compatibility
Caseta works with all three major voice control platforms: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri (HomeKit). It's also compatible with many other smart devices and platforms like Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT. Visit the Lutron Caseta website to find other compatible brands.
4. Leviton Decora Smart: Best switch selection
Best switch selection
Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Leviton Decora Smart light switches have a massive advantage over the other brands on our list: selection. You can choose from Wi-Fi dimmers, ceiling fan controllers, standard switches, a remote control, and even a switch with a built-in Alexa smart speaker.
We also like that these switches come with two interchangeable colors to match your existing trim: white and almond.
For more color options, you can get a color change kit with black, gray, brown, or ivory faceplates. This is a welcome change from the white switches of most brands. Building a custom smart home doesn’t have to mean compromising on style.
Even with as many options as Leviton offers, it isn't nearly as expensive as its closest rival, Lutron. You can expect switches from Leviton to cost around $45 on average, though the switch with Alexa built-in costs around $100.
Pros
Large selection of switches
Excellent smart home compatibility
Customizable faceplates
Cons
Above-average price
Requires neutral wire
While Lutron Caseta switches cost about the same, Lutron's required hub raises its overall price.
Although Leviton has many advantages over Lutron, it doesn't hold up in user reviews. Leviton Decora Smart Switches still earn high ratings, but Lutron is consistently higher. Leviton requires a neutral wire, so it's not a match for homes with older wiring.
Overall, Leviton Decora Smart is a good alternative to Lutron, especially if you have a newer home and want a variety of switches and colors.
Leviton Decora smart home compatibility
Decora Smart also sells switches that use Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and HomeKit, so you have plenty of smart home choices. Check out the Decora Smart website for more information about these smart home solutions.
3. Kasa Smart: Budget pick
Budget pick
Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Kasa Smart sells three smart light switch models for under $30, making it the most affordable brand in our top five. Its base model, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch, usually costs $20 or less but lacks a dimmer feature and compatibility with 3-way switches.
Fortunately, Kasa Smart sells dimmer and 3-way variants if you want those for your home. Even with fewer features, this switch is ideal for controlling lights with a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa.
We also like that the Kasa Smart app allows you to create a lighting schedule, but the best feature of this switch is its away mode. When you set your devices to away mode, they randomly toggle lights to give the appearance that someone’s still home.
Pros
Affordable
Doesn't require hub
Away mode security feature
Cons
Inconsistent quality
Poor customer service
Requires neutral wire
As with most budget brands, these switches can feel cheap and fail unexpectedly in some cases. If you have a problem with your light switch, you can take advantage of Kasa Smart's two-year warranty.
Unfortunately, the company has less-than-stellar customer service according to some user reviews, so using the warranty to its fullest can involve jumping through hoops.
Don't forget that Kasa Smart requires a neutral wire, meaning it doesn't play nicely with older homes. Overall, Kasa Smart is a great way to add smart light switches to an Alexa- or Google-controlled smart home without busting your budget.
Kasa Smart also works with Microsoft Cortana
It's not often that we come across a smart device that works with Microsoft's voice assistant, but it's a nice addition to Kasa Smart's resume.
4. Wemo: Best for HomeKit
Best for HomeKit
Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
The Wemo Smart Light Switch with Thread and Bluetooth isn't as affordable as Kasa and Amazon Basics, it has an overall higher build quality and a longer warranty.
But its best feature is that it works with Apple HomeKit, making it one of the most affordable smart switches for that platform.
Pros
Good build quality
Apple HomeKit support
Option to group multiple devices
Affordable
Cons
No dimming
Cheaper options exist
Requires neutral wire
We like that the Wemo app is easy to use. It allows you to set timers, schedule lights, and even activate lights on a randomized schedule when you use its Away Mode. Away Mode is a convenient feature to deter burglars. It's a good way to help supplement—but isn't a replacement for—smart home security systems.
This light switch has a simple on/off design, but if your inner geek craves more, you can group multiple Wemo switches in the app. That way, one device can control others with a long press. Managing multiple rooms at once means you can create a lit path between the garage and the kitchen after a grocery run.
In the end, we think the Wemo light switch has a lot to offer, especially if you use the Apple Home app.
5. Kasa Smart Motion: Best motion sensor light switch
Best motion sensor
Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
The Kasa Smart Motion Sensor Switch is one of the precious few smart light switches with built-in sensors. These sensors can detect motion and ambient light levels so the light can automatically activate when needed.
We like that the motion detector gives you hands-free lighting—like your kitchen reacting as you wander in for a midnight snack.
Even more impressive is the ambient light sensor, which can dim the lights based on how bright a room is. This is a great feature for saving energy and helps you take advantage of natural lighting as much as possible.
Pros
Built-in motion sensor
Detects ambient light levels
Reasonable pricing
Cons
Occasional sensor delay
Buggy app
Requires neutral wire
Even with its sensors and wiring options, the Kasa Smart Motion switch isn't perfect. Some user reviews report that its sensors are too sensitive or that it doesn't keep the lights on long enough.
It can also be difficult to set up using the mobile app. The problems seem to affect a small percentage of customers but can be deal-breakers, especially when the sensors are the main attraction. Plus, this switch requires a neutral wire, so it's not suitable for older homes.
Overall, we think this switch has a lot of potential for folks who want to automate their lights in a hands-off way.
More brands we considered
Philips Hue
Philips Hue is the king of smart lighting, but its smart light switches aren't handy unless you have Hue smart bulbs. We like that the Philips Hue Smart Button is affordable, battery-powered, and comes with a wall mounting plate. But its limited compatibility with other brands holds it back from taking over the smart home.
Lutron dimmer for Philips Hue
The innovative Lutron Aurora dimmer switch can instantly convert toggle-style light switches (not rocker switches) into a smart dimmer without wiring. It even solves a big problem with smart bulbs: people turning off the light switch accidentally. The only downside is that it's exclusive to Philips Hue.
Ecobee
We want to like the Ecobee Switch+ with its built-in Alexa voice controls and presence detection, but online reviews can't decide if it's worth $80. The smart switch also misses out on a big opportunity by not integrating with Ecobee's excellent smart thermostats. Compared to the Leviton Decora Alexa Voice Dimmer, Ecobee’s a slightly more affordable option that gets the job done for most Alexa megafans.
Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics recently jumped into the budget smart light switch category. While its Amazon Basics Single Pole Smart Switch is around the same price as the Kasa Smart, its one-year warranty pales compared to Kasa's two-year coverage. Unlike Kasa, this switch is exclusive to Amazon Alexa, though we have high hopes for future Matter smart home support improving its compatibility.
Final word
Lutron Caseta tries something new with buttons instead of putting smart technology into a traditional design, which pays off handsomely with easy controls and a unique look.
While it's more expensive than anything else in our top five, we think the design and positive user reviews prove its worth. If you're looking for an alternative to smart switches, check out our favorite smart light bulbs.
Smart light switch FAQ
Yes. Smart light switches are indeed more expensive than traditional ones by a wide margin. But you get added convenience and more ways to control your lights.
The biggest risk from smart light switches is if a manufacturer decides to end software support for a device so you can't control it with a smartphone. This is especially true for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart switches. Switches using Z-Wave and Zigbee are more future-proof since a compatible smart hub controls everything.
It depends on the wireless technology the switch uses:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: these smart switches don't use a hub since they can directly connect to your smartphone.
- Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Lutron Clear Connect: you need a compatible smart hub to use these smart devices.
Yes, some brands sell switches that don't require neutral wires. Neutral wires are common in newer homes (1980s or later), but many older homes don't have them.
Both types of smart devices may perform similar tasks but have different advantages:
- Smart bulbs are simpler to install since there's no additional wiring but are much more expensive in large rooms where you want to control more than a few lights. You can also control an individual smart bulb within a light fixture, and plenty of models can change color.
- Smart switches control normal light bulbs from a central location, making them ideal for large rooms. Replacing individual light bulbs in this setup is much cheaper since you can use any compatible product.
Physical switches keep working, even without software
Even without software to control them, most smart switches still work as regular light switches and retain features that don't rely on software (like dimming).
How we reviewed the best smart light switches
Although smart light switches might seem simple on paper, a lot went into choosing our top five. We considered installation and switch types to select switches with different strengths.
We also looked at smart home compatibility. While you can expect all our top picks to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, some brands go the extra mile by offering more smart home connections.
Lastly, we researched online reviews—especially those from verified customers—to gauge how well each switch works independently and as part of a larger smart home. You can learn more about our ranking practices in our full methodology.
Related articles on SafeWise
Disclaimers
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Safewise.comutilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
Written by
John Carlsen
John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020.John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.
Recent Articles
By
03/06/2024
See which medical alert system is the best to keep you and your loved one...
By
03/06/2024
Best Apartment Security Systems
These renter-friendly apartment security systems help keep you safe and require less commitment than your...
By
03/06/2024
Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2024
SimpliSafe is the best DIY home security system because it's cost-efficient, effective, and easy to...
02/27/2024
After thousands of hours of tests and research, we picked Vivint and SimpliSafe as the...
Stay Safe!
Subscribe to SafeWise for updates on safety news, product releases, and deals!
By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy | Cookies Settings
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | How We Rank and Review |
*SafeWise has conducted impartial research to recommend products. This is not a guarantee. Each individual’s unique needs should be considered when deciding on chosen products.
©2023 SafeWise. All rights reserved.
Back To Top
