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In-Wall Switches Lighting Uncategorized

Leviton Smart Light Switch Review + Pros & Cons

Leviton is a popular brand that offers a wide range of smart home products, including smart light switches. Here’s a review of Leviton smart light switches, along with their pros and cons.

Pros:

  1. Easy to install: Leviton smart light switches are easy to install, even for people who are not particularly tech-savvy. They come with clear instructions and are compatible with a wide range of wiring setups.
  2. Works with multiple platforms: Leviton smart light switches work with multiple smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. This allows you to control your lights with your voice, smartphone, or tablet.
  3. Customizable settings: Leviton smart light switches offer customizable settings, allowing you to set schedules, create scenes, and adjust dimming levels. This means you can create the perfect lighting for any occasion, whether you’re relaxing at home or entertaining guests.
  4. Energy efficient: Leviton smart light switches are energy efficient and can help you save on your energy bills. They also come with built-in timers, allowing you to turn off your lights automatically when you’re not using them.

Cons:

  1. Price: Leviton smart light switches can be more expensive than other brands. However, their high quality and ease of use make them worth the investment for many homeowners.
  2. Requires a neutral wire: Leviton smart light switches require a neutral wire, which may not be available in some older homes. This means that installation may be more challenging or require additional wiring.
  3. Limited color options: Leviton smart light switches are only available in a limited range of colors, which may not match your decor. However, the white color is a neutral option that can blend with most interior designs.

Overall, Leviton smart light switches are an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home’s lighting system. With their easy installation, customizable settings, and energy efficiency, they are a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. While the price may be a bit higher than other brands, the quality and ease of use make it worth the cost. The only real downside is that they require a neutral wire and come in limited color options.

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In-Wall Switches Lighting Uncategorized

TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Switch Review + Pros and Cons

The TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Switch is a high-quality, affordable option for those looking to add smart lighting to their home. Here are some pros and cons of the TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Switch:

Pros:

  1. Easy installation: The TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Switch is easy to install and comes with clear instructions. You do not need any additional hubs or wiring.
  2. Voice control: These switches work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your lights with your voice. You can also use the TREATLIFE app to control your lights remotely from anywhere.
  3. Customizable: The TREATLIFE app allows you to customize your lighting system according to your preferences. You can set schedules, create scenes, and adjust the brightness of your lights.
  4. Energy-saving: With the dimming feature, you can adjust the brightness of your lights and use only the amount of light you need. This can help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill.
  5. Compatible with different bulb types: The TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Switch is compatible with a wide range of bulb types, including incandescent, LED, and CFL.

Cons:

  1. Limited compatibility: These switches are only compatible with Wi-Fi networks that operate on a 2.4GHz frequency. If you have a 5GHz network, you may need to create a separate network to use these switches.
  2. Limited color options: The switches are only available in white, so they may not match the color scheme of your home.
  3. Not a 3-way switch: The TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Switch is not designed for use in a 3-way switch configuration, which may limit its use in some households.

In summary, the TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Switch is an excellent choice for those looking to add smart lighting to their home. They are easy to install, customizable, energy-saving, and compatible with different bulb types. However, the limited compatibility, limited color options, and lack of 3-way switch compatibility may be a drawback for some users.

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In-Wall Switches Lighting Uncategorized

Amazon Basics 3-Way Smart Switch Review + Pros and Cons

The Amazon Basics 3-Way Smart Switch is a budget-friendly option for those looking to add smart lighting to their home. Here are some pros and cons of the Amazon Basics 3-Way Smart Switch:

Pros:

  1. Budget-friendly: The Amazon Basics 3-Way Smart Switch is one of the most affordable smart switches on the market, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.
  2. Easy installation: These switches are easy to install and come with clear instructions. You do not need any additional hubs or wiring.
  3. Voice control: These switches work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your lights with your voice. You can also use the Amazon Alexa app to control your lights remotely from anywhere.
  4. Customizable: The Amazon Alexa app allows you to customize your lighting system according to your preferences. You can set schedules, create scenes, and adjust the brightness of your lights.
  5. Compatible with different bulb types: The Amazon Basics 3-Way Smart Switch is compatible with a wide range of bulb types, including incandescent, LED, and CFL.

Cons:

  1. Limited compatibility: These switches are only compatible with Wi-Fi networks that operate on a 2.4GHz frequency. If you have a 5GHz network, you may need to create a separate network to use these switches.
  2. No dimming feature: The Amazon Basics 3-Way Smart Switch does not offer a dimming feature, which may be a limitation for some users.
  3. Limited color options: The switches are only available in white, so they may not match the color scheme of your home.

In summary, the Amazon Basics 3-Way Smart Switch is a budget-friendly option for those looking to add smart lighting to their home. They are easy to install, customizable, and compatible with different bulb types. However, the limited compatibility, lack of dimming feature, and limited color options may be a drawback for some users who are looking for a more advanced or aesthetically pleasing option.

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In-Wall Switches Lighting Uncategorized

The Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmer Review + Pros & Cons

Enbrighten is a well-known brand in the smart home industry, and their In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmers are an excellent addition to any home automation system. Here are some pros and cons of the Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmers:

Pros:

  1. Z-Wave compatibility: The Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmers are compatible with Z-Wave home automation systems, allowing for seamless integration with other smart devices in your home.
  2. Voice control: These dimmers work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your lights with your voice. You can also use the Enbrighten app to control your lights remotely from anywhere.
  3. Customizable: The Enbrighten app allows you to customize your lighting system according to your preferences. You can set schedules, create scenes, and adjust the brightness of your lights.
  4. Energy-saving: With the dimming feature, you can adjust the brightness of your lights and use only the amount of light you need. This can help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill.
  5. Easy installation: The Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmers are easy to install and come with clear instructions.

Cons:

  1. Compatibility limitations: The Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmers are only compatible with Z-Wave home automation systems. If you do not have a Z-Wave system, you will not be able to use these dimmers.
  2. Limited color options: The dimmers are only available in white, so they may not match the color scheme of your home.
  3. No three-way switch option: The Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmers do not offer a three-way switch option, which may be a limitation for some users.

In summary, the Enbrighten In-Wall Z-Wave Smart Dimmers are an excellent choice for those looking to add smart lighting to their Z-Wave home automation system. They are customizable, energy-saving, and easy to install. However, the compatibility limitations, limited color options, and lack of a three-way switch option may be a drawback for some users.

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In-Wall Switches Lighting Uncategorized

Monoprice Stitch Smart In-Wall Light Switch Review + Pros & Cons

Monoprice is a popular brand in the home automation industry, and their Stitch Smart In-Wall Light Switch With Dimmers is a great addition to any smart home. Here are some pros and cons of the Monoprice Stitch Smart In-Wall Light Switch With Dimmers:

Pros:

  1. Easy installation: The Monoprice Stitch Smart In-Wall Light Switch With Dimmers is easy to install, and it does not require any additional hubs or wiring. The installation process takes around 10-15 minutes and comes with clear instructions.
  2. Voice control: The switch works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your lights with your voice. You can also use the Monoprice app to control your lights remotely from anywhere.
  3. Customizable: The Monoprice app allows you to customize your lighting system according to your preferences. You can set schedules, create scenes, and adjust the brightness of your lights.
  4. Energy-saving: The dimming feature allows you to adjust the brightness of your lights and use only the amount of light you need. This can help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill.

Cons:

  1. Limited compatibility: The Monoprice Stitch Smart In-Wall Light Switch With Dimmers is only compatible with Wi-Fi networks that operate on a 2.4GHz frequency. If you have a 5GHz network, you may need to create a separate network to use this switch.
  2. Limited color options: The switch is only available in white, so it may not match the color scheme of your home.
  3. No three-way switch option: The Monoprice Stitch Smart In-Wall Light Switch With Dimmers does not offer a three-way switch option, which may be a limitation for some users.

In summary, the Monoprice Stitch Smart In-Wall Light Switch With Dimmers is an excellent choice for those looking to add smart lighting to their home. It is easy to install, customizable, and energy-saving. However, the limited compatibility and color options, as well as the lack of a three-way switch option, may be a drawback for some users.

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In-Wall Switches Lighting Uncategorized

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer Review + Pros & Cons

TP-Link is a well-known brand in the smart home industry, and their Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmers are an excellent addition to any home automation system. Here are some pros and cons of the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmers:

Pros:

  1. Easy installation: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmers are easy to install, with no additional hub or wiring required. The installation process takes around 10-15 minutes and comes with clear instructions.
  2. Voice control: These switches work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your lights with your voice. You can also use the Kasa app to control your lights remotely from anywhere.
  3. Customizable: The Kasa app allows you to customize your lighting system according to your preferences. You can set schedules, create scenes, and adjust the brightness of your lights.
  4. Energy-saving: With the dimming feature, you can adjust the brightness of your lights and use only the amount of light you need. This can help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill.

Cons:

  1. Limited compatibility: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmers are only compatible with Wi-Fi networks that operate on a 2.4GHz frequency. If you have a 5GHz network, you may need to create a separate network to use these switches.
  2. Limited color options: The switches are only available in white, so they may not match the color scheme of your home.
  3. No three-way switch option: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmers do not offer a three-way switch option, which may be a limitation for some users.

In summary, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmers are an excellent choice for those looking to add smart lighting to their home. They are easy to install, customizable, and energy-saving. However, the limited compatibility and color options, as well as the lack of a three-way switch option, may be a drawback for some users.

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In-Wall Switches Lighting

Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer Review + Pros & Cons

The Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer is a sleek and modern addition to any home. It allows you to control the brightness of your lights with ease, using either the Wemo app on your smartphone or tablet or by using your voice with compatible devices such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Importantly. these switches can also be used with Apple HomeKit, if you’re into the Siri universe of smart home voice control. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the features and benefits of the Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer, as well as its pros and cons.

Features and Benefits:

Easy Installation: The Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer is easy to install and fits into standard electrical boxes. It comes with wire nuts and mounting screws, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. If you’re comfortable working with electrical wiring, you should be able to install this switch without any problems.

Wireless Control: Once installed, the Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer can be controlled wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet using the Wemo app. You can turn your lights on or off, adjust their brightness, and even set schedules or timers for your lights to turn on and off automatically. This is especially handy if you’re away from home and want to give the appearance that someone is still there.

Voice Control: The Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control your lights with your voice. Simply ask Alexa or Google to turn your lights on or off, or adjust the brightness, and the switch will do the rest.

Customizable LED Night Light: The Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer also features a customizable LED night light that you can adjust to suit your preferences. You can choose from a range of colors and brightness levels to create the perfect ambiance in your home.

Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Easy to install and fits into standard electrical boxes
  • Wireless control with the Wemo app
  • Voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Customizable LED night light
  • Schedule and timer settings available
  • Can control multiple lights with one switch
  • Allows for precise dimming of lights

Cons:

  • Requires a neutral wire for installation
  • Some users report issues with the Wemo app
  • May require a firmware update for full functionality
Like most smart light switches, the Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer only works as a single pole switch. If you have 3-way switches, you may want to consider Lutron Caseta switches, which include a remote that can be mounted in place of the second swtich.

Comparable Options:

If you’re considering the Wemo WiFi Light Switch Smart Dimmer, here are a few comparable options to consider:

  1. Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Dimmer Switch: The Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Dimmer Switch is another popular option for controlling your home’s lighting. Like the Wemo switch, it can be controlled wirelessly with a smartphone or tablet, as well as with voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Lutron switch also has a sleek, modern design and comes with a remote control for added convenience.
  2. Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer: The Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer is another option worth considering. It offers many of the same features as the Wemo and Lutron switches, including wireless control and voice commands. It also has a slim profile and customizable LED lighting. However, some users have reported issues with the Leviton app.
  3. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch is a budget-friendly option that still offers many of the same features as the more expensive switches. It can be controlled wirelessly with a smartphone or tablet, as well as with voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a slim design and customizable LED lighting.

Overall, the Wemo In-Wall Dimmer Light Switch is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home’s lighting. It’s easy to install, offers wireless and voice control, both of which are a must for any smart home lighting system!

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Smart Home Hacks

How to Use Apple AirTags to Find Your TV Remote

Losing your TV remote is one of the most frustrating things that can happen when you’re settling down to watch your favorite show. And if you have children, you likely know this problem all too well.

Fortunately, with the simple addition of an Apple AirTag to your setup, you can keep track of your TV remote and, when it goes missing, use the FindMy app on your iPhone — or voice commands to Siri via a HomePod or HomePod Mini, to easily find your remote.

In this article, we will explore how to use Apple AirTags to keep track of your TV remotes.

Firstly, you need to ensure that your TV remote has a some way to attach an Airtag to it. This isn’t something that comes out of the box, so to speak, so if your remote doesn’t have a hole or other natural attachment point, there are a number of third-party remote covers that are specifically designed to hold an AirTag.

Apple TV Remote AirTag Attachment

For example, if you use an Apple TV, this simple remote case available on Amazon lets you attach an AirTag to the remote. Why Apple didn’t include the ability to track the Apple TV Remote’s location in the remote itself is a mystery to us, but this is a simple workaround.

This simple remote case has saved us hours of digging through couch cushions looking for our Apple TV remote.

This is the Apple TV AirTag remote case we use, and we love it! It have a nice feel in your hand and hold the airtag securly. Best of all, it’s super affordable. We have these on both Apple TV remotes in our home, and use the FindMy app to find the remotes literally every day.

Amazon Fire TV Remote AirTag Attachment

Just because you aren’t using an Apple TV doesn’t mean you can’t use an AirTag to keep track of your remote.

You don’t have to use an Apple TV to take advantage of AirTags to find your remote.

This Amazon Fire TV Stick Remote AirTag Case is what we use in the rooms where we’re using Amazon fire sticks for our TVs. It’s cheap, hold the Airtag securely and generally does the job. One downside is it makes the remote sit a bit awkwardly due to the bulge from the AirTag, while the Apple TV remote case above has a sleeker design. But for the functionality it provides, this is a minor downside.

Attaching an AirTag to Other TV Remotes

If you use a remote other than an Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV remote, don’t worry, there are still plenty of options for you.

First, there are a number of options for attaching an AirTag to, well, anything. These stick-on silicone AirTag cases are great for this use case or any other where the device or item you want to track doesn’t have a natural place to attach the AirTag.

Keep track of your TV remote — or anything else — using these simple stick on AirTag holders.

Of course, eventually that stickiness is going to fail, and potentially leave a messy residue on your remote. So if that’s something that’s going to bother you, search around Amazon for an AirTag holding remote case that works with your specific remote.

Setting up an AirTag

Like so many other Aple products, setting up an AirTag is a delightful experiences. To set up your AirTag, you will need to have an iPhone or iPad running on iOS 14.5 or later. Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad and select the “Add” button at the bottom of the screen. You will be prompted to place your AirTag close to your iPhone or iPad to initiate the pairing process. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup process.

Finding Your Remote Using Find My

Now, every time you misplace your remote, you can use the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad to locate it. Open the Find My app and select the “Items” tab at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of all your connected AirTags. Select the AirTag attached to your TV remote and select the “Play Sound” button. Your remote will emit a loud sound that will help you locate it.

The Find My app makes it super easy to locate any device with an AirTag attached to it, even when it’s not within Bluetooth range.

If you are unable to locate your remote using the “Play Sound” feature, you can use the Find My app to view the last known location of your remote. This feature works by showing you the location of your remote on a map when it was last connected to your iPhone or iPad. You can use this information to retrace your steps and find your remote.

The sky is the limit on what you can do with Apple AirTags. We even have them in the trunk of all our vehicles, so we can easily find them in a parking lot. But of all the use cases we’ve seen for these little devices, finding your lost remotes has to be the most useful!

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In-Wall Switches Lighting

Aqara Smart Light Switch Review + Pros & Cons

We’ll come right out and admit we love Aqara smart home products. The company, which is part of Lumi United Technology, owned by Xiaomi, produces a whole slate of simple and affordable smart home products, all of which integrate with Apple HomeKit, as well as Alexa and Google Assitant. It’s that HomeKit compatibility I really love — it’s tough to find a more cost-effective suite of HomeKit products than those made by Aqara.

We’ll do a whole series on Aqara’s smart home products (including their wireless mini switch, which is a favorite), but for today we’re looking at the Aqara Smart Light Switch, an in-wall smart switch meant to compete with Lutron, Wemo and the rest of this crowded space. is a high-quality and reliable smart switch that offers a wide range of features.

Here’s a quick diagram from Aqara to help determine if you need a neutral wire switch or not.

To start off, the Aqara Smart Light Switch comes in two varieties: One with a single rocker, and one with a double rocker. Each of these is available with a neutral wire, or without, depending on your needs.

Whether you want a single or double rocker switch for your Aqara Smart Light Switch is really just a matter of your preference.

Pros & Cons of Aqara Smart Light Switch:

Pros:

  1. Easy installation: The Aqara Smart Light Switch is easy to install and comes with clear instructions. And the ability to support neutral wire setups is a plus, if that’s your situation.
  2. Voice control: These switches work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Sire, via HomeKit integration, allowing you to control your lights with your voice. You can also use the Aqara app to control your lights remotely from anywhere, as well as set schedules and automations (though you may want to handle this in your smart home aggregator app of choice).
  3. Apple HomeKit Compatibility: The Aqara Smart Light Switch is compatible with Apple HomeKit, allowing you to control your lights with Siri voice commands or the Apple Home app. We mentioned this earlier, and it’s a huge plus for Aqara products in general.
  4. Price: These are some of the most affordable options for those looking to setup a HomeKit-powered smart home system. Your don’t have to use HoimeKit — you can use Alexa of Google Assistant or just use the Aqara app, but we love HomeKit so this is a huge plus.
  5. Zigbee protocol: All Aqara smart home products use the Zigbee home automation protocol, which gives you flexibility to integrate with other Zigbee devices.
  6. Safety features: The Aqara Smart Light Switch has built-in protection against overloading, overheating, and short-circuiting, ensuring the safety of your home and family.

Cons:

  1. No dimming functionality: These switches are simply on/off switches, meaning you can’t dim your lights with them, such as you can with Lutron Caseta smart light switches.
  2. Limited Wi-Fi compatibility: These switches are only compatible with Wi-Fi networks that operate on a 2.4GHz frequency. If you have a 5GHz network, you may need to create a separate network to use these switches.
  3. Hub Required: The Aqara Smart Light Switch does require a Zigbee hub, which may be a drawback for some users. But we’ve found the hub to be super reliable and easy to stick in a closet where it quietly does its thing. Also, Aqara hub itself will only run you about $50, which is less than many other smart home hubs, and once you have the hub installed, you can add as many additional Aqara or Zigbee-enabled devices to the hub.
  4. Limited color options: The switches are only available in white, so they may not match the color scheme of your home.

If you’re like us and you’re looking to fully automate your hoe in a reliable and cost-effective way, Aqara products are definitely worth a look. While Lutron Caseta switches are higher quality and offer the ability to dim your lights (rather than simoly turn them on or off), the Aqara switches are a simple, affordable option to get all your in-wall switches online and start building automations between them and other devices.

The best part is, once you get up and running with your Aqara hub, you’ll open yourself up to all the additional products Aqara offers, like motion sensors, door and window sensors, and wireless mini switches, and more.

For example, we have an automation setup between door and window sensors, Lutron light switches, and Airplay-enabled Sonos speakers, to create a home-grown alarm system. In our setup, the Aware hub “arms” itself every night at 11 p.m. and then disarms at 5 a.m. When the system is armed, if any of the door and window sensors are triggered (such as the one on our front gate), a series of indoor and outdoor lights turn on and the Sonos speakers play an alarm sound to ward off any would-be intruders. This is all configured via Apple Homekit, so even though I’m dealing with three different device manufacturers, everything works perfectly well together. (We’ll do a deep dive on our security setup down the road.)

Best of all, all of the devices in the Aqara lineup are very reasonably priced, so it’s easy to go down a deep rabbit hole of Aqara smart home products.

Categories
In-Wall Switches Lighting

Lutron Caseta Smart Light Switch Review + Pros & Cons

One of the proudest moments of my life was when I bought my first home, and no sooner had I gotten the keys than I started installing Lutron Caseta smart dimmer switches in all the common areas. Truly, I still had boxes to unpack when I was already hard at work wiring these up, much to my wife’s chagrin.

Lutron is a hugely reputable brand when it comes to light switches in general, and their Caseta line of smart switches are. arguably, the industry standard for smart switches and dimmers.

Lutron Caseta switches are designed to replace your existing wall switches and give you full control over your lighting system from your phone, other mobile device, or via a very long of smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Homekit.

It’s that latter compatibility that was a key driver for my decision — I’ve long been a huge fan of the Apple Home mobile app and the HomeKit ecosystem, so the combination of this integration and the high quality of the Lutron Caseta switches themselves made this move a no-brainer for me.

That said, Lutron Caseta switches might not be for everyone. Let’s dig in on some of the pros and cons of the switches:

Pros & Cons of Lutron Caseta Smart Light Switches

Pros:

  1. Easy to install: The Lutron Caseta switches are straightforward to install, even for someone with minimal electrical experience. The installation process takes around 15-20 minutes and comes with clear instructions. That said, you will be doing minor electrical work here, so make sure you understand the basics (like turning off the power at the breaker box, and using a voltage tester to ensure you’re not working with hot wires).
  2. Bulb compatibility: These switches are compatible with a wide range of bulbs, including incandescent, LED, halogen, and CFL. Just note that if you plan on using the dimmer switches (as opposed to the simple on/off switches), you’ll ned to make sure you buy dimmable bulbs. While all standard incandescent bulbs are dimmable, since you’re just modulating the amount of electricity you pump through them, not all LED or CFL bulbs necessarily are dimmable. Just make sure when you’re buying bulbs that they say “dimmable” on the packaging, and you’ll be all set.
  3. Smart home ecosystem compatibility: Decisions, decisions. Building out your smart home capabilities comes with a number of these, and none is perhaps more important than the ecosystem you want all your devices to be able to communicate with. So when a device offers as much flexibility as Lutron Caseta does, you can rest easy that your Amazon Echo devices and Apple’s Siri will both be able to control your lights. All in all, Lutron Caseta is compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Sonos voice commands, as well as platforms IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, Logitech Harmony, Yonomi, Ring, Xfinity Home, AT&T Digital Life and Wink. That’s a huge range of compatibility you just won’t find with most other smart switches.
  4. Customizable: The Lutron app allows you to customize your lighting system according to your preferences. You can set timers, create schedules, and adjust the brightness of your lights. I tend to run custom automations like these via the HomeKit integration, but there are some nifty features in the Lutron app itself, if you prefer to manage your lights that way.
  5. Energy-saving: With Lutron Caseta dimmer switches, you can save energy and reduce your electricity bill. The switches have a dimming feature that allows you to adjust the brightness of your lights and use only the amount of light you need. And of course, being able to your lights completely off, either on a schedule or on command (say, when you’ve just left home and forgot to switch everything off) can be a massive energy savings boon.

Cons:

  1. Price: Lutron Caseta switches are not cheap. The switches themselves run about $60 each (including a remote, which can be used as a second wall switch) and the required hub will run you another $80. Look out for deals for starter packs that include one or two switches and the hub, at a decent discount compared to buying them individually. Still, the whole home move to Lutron switches can be costly, especially if you have larger home or one with a ton of light switches.
  2. Requires a hub: Everyone loves to hate hubs, but for now at least they’re a necessary part of the smart home world. (In my home, for instance, I have a Lutron hub, an Aqara hub and a Eufy Security hub all buried in the same closet, doing their thing behind the scenes. But, yes, to use these switches, you need to have a hub.
  3. Limited color options: The Lutron in-wall light switches are only available in a limited range of colors, so you may not be able to find a switch that matches your home decor.

At the end of the day, all your smart home decisions will likely involve some trade-offs. Do you want ultimate compatibility and reliability? It might cost you a bit more upfront, but in my opinion this is money well spent for all the headaches it saves you down the line!