What is a smart switch?
A smart switch is a wall switch that controls your lights and connects to your home internet network. It replaces the standard light switch you already have in your wall. Once installed, it lets you turn your lights on and off using a smartphone app or your voice. You can also press the physical button on the wall just like a regular switch.
Most models look very similar to standard paddle switches. Some have small indicator lights to show you if they are connected to your network. You can install them in bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. They work great for outdoor floodlights too.
The word switch comes from a 1590s term for a slender riding whip. People later used the word to describe mechanical levers. Tech companies created the first internet connected light switches in the early 2010s to help homeowners easily automate their lighting.
These devices talk to your home router using wifi or a smart home hub. They give you total control over the lighting in your house from anywhere in the world. You can check if you left the porch light on while you are sitting at your desk at work.
Why it matters to you
Smart switches add a lot of comfort to your daily life. You can turn off all the lights in your house from your bed before you go to sleep. If you have a smart speaker, you can link it to your switches. This lets you walk into a room with your hands full of groceries and simply ask your house to turn on the kitchen lights.
They are also great tools for Home Security. When you go on vacation, you can set your indoor lights to turn on and off at random times. This makes it look like someone is home. You do not have to rely on old mechanical plug timers anymore.
Smart switches also help you save a little bit of electricity. You will never accidentally leave the basement lights on for a week because you can set a rule to turn them off automatically after an hour.
What to watch for before you buy
Before you buy a smart switch, you need to check a few things in your house:
- Neutral wires: Most smart switches require a white neutral wire in the back of the box. This provides a constant trickle of power to keep the switch connected to your wifi even when the light bulb is off. Check our Electrical guide for more details on home wiring.
- Wifi signal: Your phone needs to show a strong wifi signal standing next to the switch location. If you put a switch in a detached garage, it might drop offline if the router is too far away.
- Box space: Smart switches are bulky. You need enough room inside your plastic or metal wall box to fit the switch and all the connected wires.
How much does it cost?
The price of a smart switch depends on the brand and the features. A basic wifi smart switch usually costs 15 to 40 dollars. Dimmer switches and fan controllers cost a little more. You might pay 30 to 60 dollars for those.
If you feel comfortable working with wires, you can install a smart switch yourself in about 15 minutes. If you hire a licensed electrician to install them for you, expect to pay 75 to 150 dollars per hour for labor. Costs and ranges vary based on where you live. Many electricians have a minimum service fee just to show up at your house. This minimum fee is often 150 to 250 dollars. It is best to have them install several switches at the same time to make the visit worth the cost. You can read our DIY vs. Hiring a Pro guide to help you decide if you want to tackle this project yourself.
