Smart Switches Offer a More Inclusive Smart-Home Upgrade Than Bulbs, Engadget Says

The report said smart bulbs depend on continuous power to stay connected to Wi-Fi. When someone flips a standard wall switch out of habit, the bulb goes dark, drops off the network and stops responding to apps or voice assistants until power is restored. After an outage, many smart bulbs return at full brightness, which the report describes as unsuitable during nighttime storms.

Smart switches replace the wall switch and remain wired into the home’s electrical system. That lets guests, children, older parents and roommates turn lights on and off the usual way without an app or a new interface, the report said. A smart switch controls power to a light or fixture rather than making each bulb intelligent.

For multi-bulb fixtures, the report said one smart switch can manage every bulb on a circuit. Outfitting a six-light chandelier with smart bulbs would require buying, pairing and eventually replacing six devices, at $5 to $50 each depending on brand and color capability, while a single smart switch can cost as little as $11 in a bundle.

The report said smart switches can also be more reliable over time because they draw their connection from home wiring and are not vulnerable to someone cutting power at a standard switch. It cautioned buyers to check compatibility and neutral-wire requirements before purchase.

The two products can be used together. If a smart switch cuts power to a smart bulb, the bulb loses app and voice on/off control until power returns; when powered, those controls can still adjust color or brightness. The report warned that smart dimmer switches should not control fixtures with smart bulbs.

Engadget said smart switches are the stronger choice for primary overhead lighting in high-traffic shared spaces such as kitchens, hallways, bathrooms and living rooms, and many models can also control ceiling fans and other wired loads if load ratings match. Smart bulbs still make sense for renters who cannot alter wiring and for lamps that remain plugged in. The report said neither technology makes the other obsolete and described the most functional setup as putting smart switches in shared rooms and reserving smart bulbs for spaces where their creative lighting effects are desired.