Best Smart Light Switches of 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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