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Jan 02, 2024

7 Best Smart Light Switches of 2023

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Lutron's smart switch works with all major smart assistants, can be installed in minutes, and is the perfect choice for whole-home smart lighting, Read More

Geeni's TAP smart switch is affordable, quick to install, and offers two-factor authentication and support for Alexa and Google Assistant. Read More

Kasa's smart light switch is a popular choice that supports hands-free voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant. Read More

The Gosund smart switch is a basic light switch that works well with Alexa and Google Assistant, but it has a cheap look and feel. Read More

The Meross Smart Switch is reliable, works with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, and is a pleasure to use despite its cheap build quality. Read More

Updated March 3, 2023

Tired of fumbling for the light switch? A smart light switch provides hands-free voice control using modern conveniences like smart speakers and assistants to turn your aging house into a futuristic home of tomorrow. Not only can you can use smart switches for lighting (alongside smart dimmers), but most are also compatible with bathroom fans, ceiling fans, humidifiers, garbage disposals, and even electric fireplaces.

We’re confident the best smart light switch you can buy is the Lutron Caséta Smart Switch (available at Amazon for $59.95) . Though it requires a hub, it offers plenty of versatility like support for single-pole or three-way light switches (when paired with Lutron's Pico Remote), compatibility with all three major smart assistants, and convenient smart features like geofencing. The Geeni TAP Smart Light Switch (available at Amazon) is also a great, value-packed single-pole option for those on a budget. However, there are plenty of other top picks to choose from.

The Lutron Caséta Smart Switches are the best you can buy, especially if you're looking for a remote-controlled whole-home smart lighting system.

Lutron is one of the leading names in smart home lighting and this smart light switch is the best it gets. Its dependence on a hub is something we usually frown upon due to the additional cost, but Lutron's lighting system is worth paying more. Here's why: It was the easiest to install and set up. It's wired for single-pole, but can be turned into a three-way switch when paired with Lutron's Pico remote. It's also quick and responsive to voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

In addition to lights, the 120-volt switch can be used for ceiling and exhaust fans, and unlike some switches, it works with LED, incandescent, and halogen bulbs. The Lutron app is full of convenient smart home features like geofencing to turn the lights on when you get home (a rarity for smart switches), scheduling, and scenes, which all work well. Another reason to buy this switch is that it supports a plethora of popular smart home systems like Sonos, Samsung SmartThings, Ring, and IFTTT. You can even manage your entire Lutron Caséta lighting system from an Apple Watch. Lutron also has a full suite of smart home gadgets like smart dimmers and outdoor smart plugs to help you build out a more connected home.

The light switch requires a neutral wire, but if your home doesn't have one, check out the Lutron Caséta Smart Dimmer, which also works as an on/off switch but does not require a neutral wire. (The light switch can handle a larger electrical load than the dimmer, so we’d only recommend pairing the dimmer with lights and not exhaust/ceiling fans or other outlets that may draw too much power.)

Despite all of its great qualities, the Lutron app lacks two-factor authentication, a privacy feature that helps keep your account secure (though it's something a lot of switches don't support). As mentioned above, the switch needs a Lutron Pico remote control or a Lutron Caséta Smart Bridge to operate, which is an additional cost to mull over. But this system is really smooth and, unlike other switches, integrates with many different smart home platforms, making the extra cash worth spending if you’re whole-home smart lighting is what you’re after.

Geofencing

Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri

Supports many smart home ecosystems

Hub required

Geeni's single-pole TAP Smart Light Switch is a value-packed device that can automate your home's lighting system.

If you only need a switch or two, we recommend the value-packed Geeni TAP Smart Light Switch. It supports hands-free voice control with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. This single-pole switch is easy to install and maintains a reliable connection. Additionally, Geeni's companion app is one of the only ones we tested that offers two-factor authentication, an important privacy feature that helps keep your smart home secure.

Within the app are useful features like scheduling, remote control, and the ability to group the switch with other Geeni products for easy home automation. We had no issues installing the switch, which is designed to handle 120 volts, thanks to the clearly marked wires on the load box. As is the case with most smart switches, a 2.4 GHz internet connection is required for use. It does not work as a three-way switch, though Geeni does make one. It is designed to control a single light only and a neutral wire is required.

Now for the downsides: Geeni's switch has a budget look and feel to it, but that's part of the trade-off for a low-priced switch. It also lacks compatibility with Siri, so we don't recommend it for Apple smart homes. But if you need a dependable smart light switch that offers remote control, good security features, and integration with Alexa and Google Assistant, the Geeni TAP switch offers great bang for your buck.

Easy to install

Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

App offers two-factor authentication

No support for Siri

From indoor security cameras and smart plugs to smart light switches, Kasa is no stranger to reliable smart home devices. We’ve been living with TP-Link Kasa's Smart Light Switches for more than a year and can confirm they are responsive in both the Kasa app and via voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. One fairly unique feature of this switch is that you can also check out the current and total runtimes, broken down by day, week, and month in the Kasa app.

There are a few downsides to this switch, though. The switch sometimes randomly goes offline (but manages to reconnect itself), and the Kasa app does not offer two-factor authentication for increased account security. The switch also doesn't work with Apple HomeKit, so if Siri is your smart assistant of choice, check out other options in our guide.

Like other switches, Kasa's works for single-pole switches and needs a neutral wire. The app, available for both iOS and Android, supports features like remote control, timers, scheduling, and away mode.

Easy installation

Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

Data breakdown of total runtime

App lacks two-factor authentication

Goes offline randomly sometimes

No support for Siri

Gosund's Smart Light Switch works well for remote management and hands-free voice control via smart assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (but no support for Siri). It's a simple, budget smart switch that can be installed in just a few minutes.

The app is polished and works well on both iOS and Android. In the Gosund app, you can access scheduling features like timers and a countdown, which shuts off the lights after a certain amount of time. The app doesn't offer two-factor authentication, but verification codes are sent during account creation and if you reset your password.

On the downside, the switch's materials feel cheap. For example, the included wall plate feels exceptionally flimsy like it could break while removing it, so be gentle during installation. The aesthetics could be better, too. The Gosund logo takes up a sizable portion on the bottom of each switch plate and looks gaudy. We’d recommend using your own switch plate for more of a low-key look and feel.

In short, there's nothing wrong with this light switch, but nothing remarkable about it either.

Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

Simple

Reliable

Materials feel cheap

App lacks two-factor authentication

No support for Siri

The Meross Smart Switch is easy to install and comes with labels so you can mark your wires during setup (an especially helpful extra if you’re new to understanding your home's wiring). This is a single-pole light switch that requires a neutral wire. Overall, we found it to be responsive to voice commands and via remote control in the Meross app.

It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. However, you can't use all three smart assistants in tandem like you can with other switches that support the big 3. It also works with Samsung SmartThings. An Apple Home Hub like the HomePod Mini is needed to control the plug using Siri when you're away from home.

One annoying feature about the app is that it asks to confirm if you want to turn the light on/off when you press the power button. This was automatically turned on for us during setup, but can be turned off in the app's settings. Like a lot of switches, Meross's companion app also lacks two-factor authentication, a security feature that alerts you to attempted account logins. It also doesn't feel as luxurious as our No. 1 pick and when you physically press the switch, it makes a pretty loud "click" sound.

Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri

Comes with helpful wire labels

Reliable

App lacks two-factor authentication

Budget build quality

The new generation Decora from Leviton streamlines everything into a single switch for hands-free voice control with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. The switch is compatible with single-pole or three-way installations and requires a neutral wire. However, for an additional cost, you can add the wire-free DAWSC Anywhere Switch Companion. The companion switch is a really nice supplement for areas of the home that lack proper wiring, like a hallway or base of a staircase.

The switch is slightly smaller than other smart switches, which is nice if you have a crowded in-wall electrical box. The installation itself was quick and easy, and we had no issues integrating it with all three smart assistants. However, after a successful setup, the switch randomly lost connection and needed to be reconnected several times during our testing.

Work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri

Great build quality

Slimmer than other switches

Sometimes unreliable connection

Wemo's second-gen smart light switch has one of the slimmest, most modern profiles of the light switches in our guide. It is responsive and works well for remote control, as well as voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, which can all be used in tandem.

The Wemo app offers useful automation features like scheduling, an auto-off timer, and remote control. However, if you’re using HomeKit, make sure to create Rules in the Apple Home app and not in the Wemo app to avoid potential conflicts and ensure your automations go off as intended. One bummer with the app is that it does not offer two-factor authentication so you won't be alerted about unwanted login attempts.

This switch supports one-way connections only and is not compatible with 3-way switches. A neutral wire is required. The Wemo app offers useful automation features like scheduling, an auto-off timer, and remote control. Away Mode, a feature that randomly turns lights on and off to give the appearance you're home when you're not, is also available in the Wemo app.

One thing to note is that, if you’re hooking the switch up with HomeKit, make sure to create Rules in the Apple Home app and not in the Wemo app to avoid potential conflicts and ensure your automations go off as intended. An Apple Home Hub like the HomePod Mini is needed to control the plug using Siri when you're away from home.

Attractive design

Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri

Reliable

App lacks two-factor authentication

Sarah Kovac

Editor, Accessibility

Sarah Kovac is an award-winning author and accessibility editor for Reviewed. Previously, she worked with a multitude of outlets such as Wirecutter, TIME, PCMag, Prevention, The Atlantic, Reviews.com, CNN, GOOD, Upworthy, Mom.me, and SheKnows.

Rachel Murphy

Editor, Home

Rachel Murphy is Reviewed's home editor. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a freelance writer for publications like Insider and Mashable, and as an associate editorial producer for Good Morning America. Aside from smart home tech, her interests include food, travel, parenting, and home renovation. You can usually find her sipping on coffee at any time of the day.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Lutron Caséta Smart Switch Geeni TAP Smart Light Switch
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