The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Double gang European deisgn lighting switch
Light and electrical switches buying guide
Fitting a light switch can be a simple or complex task, depending on what light switches you're replacing or adding.
For example, carrying out a like-for-like replacement of a 1-way switch is a simple task for a competent DIYer. It involves removing the faceplate of the old switch and fitting the new one. You can take a photo of the wiring in the old switch to make connecting light switch wires in the new one easier. Also, keep hold of the old screws &#; modern switches come with metric-sized screws, while old fittings use imperial-sized screws. So, you may need to use the old screws to fit the old backplate.
Three or two way light switch wiring may be more complicated. A like-for-like replacement should be easy for a competent DIYer. However, caution should be taken when working on multi-way switches. The lights they control should be connected to the same circuit, but there may be live cables on another switch if they're wired incorrectly.
Swapping a 1-way switch for a multi-way switch is more complicated. It involves replacing the original switch, installing other multi-way switches at the other control points, and running a cable between them to connect them. This is a job that's best carried out by a qualified electrician.
The best smart switch
The best smart switches let you control your lights and any other device in your home with voice controls, or an app. Some are wireless, acting as a convenient and portable switch for your smart lights, while others are wired, replacing your existing switch and bringing smart control to the lights already fitted to your property.
We've tested plenty of smart light switches and dimmers on the market, so we used our expertise to guide you through finding the best one for your needs. Our list should have something for different needs and budget.
Some of the switches in this guide are designed to work with specific lighting systems, but we also included a couple that work differently, by controlling the non-smart lights you already own like the Tapo Smart Switch, which replaces your existing wired wall switches and works as a regular light switch but also connects to the internet for remote control of your lights via smartphone or voice assistant.
There's also the SwitchBot Bot, which is a device that attaches to almost any switch (for illumination or otherwise), then pushes or pulls it using an electric motor. Controlled by an app or voice assistant, it&#;s a versatile way to add smart functionality to almost any switch in your home.
The quick list
The best smart switches
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The best smart switch overall
(Image credit: Future)
1. Philips Hue Tap Dial
The best smart switch overall
Our expert review:
Specifications
Color options:
Black and white
Dimensions:
6 x 6 x 2 cm
Battery:
CR (included)
Hub required:
Yes, Hue Bridge
Works with:
Hue lighting, Alexa, Apple HomeKit
View at NeweggView at AmazonReasons to buy
+
Highly configurable
+
Easy to set up
+
Wireless with magnetic mount
Reasons to avoid
-
Pricey
-
Only two color options
-
Overkill for simpler Hue systems
The ultimate controller for Philips Hue smart lighting systems, the Tap Dial has four buttons and a rotating dial for picking between different preset scenes and adjusting brightness. Despite all of its features, the Tap Dial is a relatively compact lighting controller that attaches magnetically to an included wall plate.
Available in black and white, the Tap Dial has a premium feel and is highly customizable, thanks to the option for assigning two controls to each of the four buttons. Add in the dimmer dial and you have a total of nine control options from a single, wireless switch. We like how the buttons can be assigned to individual lights, rooms, floors, zones or even an entire home, making it easy to quickly change the lighting anywhere in your property.
As with other Hue products, the Tap Dial is easy to set up within the Hue smartphone app. Although a great option for owners of large and complex Hue lighting systems, those with simpler smart lighting systems might want to consider the smaller Hue Wireless Dimmer Switch instead.
Read our full Philips Hue Tap Dial review
The best wired smart switch
(Image credit: Future)
2. TP-Link Tapo Smart Switch
The best smart switch to replace your existing wired wall switches
Our expert review:
Specifications
Color options:
White
Dimensions:
12.85 x 8.46 x 3.58 cm (US) / 8.7 x 8.6 x 4.1 cm (UK)
Battery:
2xAAA (included)
Hub required:
Yes, Tapo Hub
Works with:
Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT
Visit SiteReasons to buy
+
Easy to install
+
Uses existing switch wiring
+
Discreet design
Reasons to avoid
-
No dimmer switch
-
Single-gang switch only
-
Can't directly control Tapo light strips
We love smart lighting systems here at TechRadar, but what if all you want is to add smartphone or voice assistant control to your existing lights? That&#;s where the Tapo Smart Switch comes in. This replaces your existing wall-mounted light switch with one that functions in just the same way, but can also be controlled by app and voice.
You&#;ll need a Tapo hub to make this switch work, which plugs into a spare wall socket and connects wirelessly to both your Wi-Fi router and Tapo accessories like this light switch. From there the switch can be controlled via the Tapo smartphone app, or by speaking to Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant.
The switch can be operated manually, and in this case it&#;s a single-gang switch capable of turning a single light on and off. When controlled via the app, the switch&#;s internal mechanism is powered by a pair of included AAA batteries, which are neatly concealed within the switch. Installation is easy enough, but does require a basic understanding of home electrics.
Read our full Tapo Smart Switch review
The best smart switch for Wiz lighting
(Image credit: Future)
3. Wiz Smart Button
The best for Wiz lighting
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Specifications
Color options:
White body, grey buttons
Dimensions:
1.85 x 6.4 x 6.4 cm
For more information, please visit Sager.
Battery:
2xAAA (included)
Hub required:
No
Works with:
Wiz lights only
View at AmazonReasons to buy
+
Minimalist design
+
Easy to set up and use
+
Magnetic mount
Reasons to avoid
-
Limited functionality
-
Strange app behavior
-
Expensive
A switch specifically for Wiz smart lighting systems, the Smart Button is a simple controller that comes with a magnetic plate that can be mounted to the wall using screws or included adhesive strips. The button itself is battery powered and has two buttons for turning the lights on or off.
The switch is easy to add to an existing Wiz system, but has fairly limited functionality. It can only be used to turn the lights on or off with a press, and to raise and lower their brightness with a long press of each button. There&#;s no option for enabling preset lighting scenes, and we encountered a couple of strange issues with the Wiz app during the setup process.
That said, if you&#;re looking for a very simple and portable switch for Wiz lighting, this is what you&#;ll need. We can see it being particularly useful if your traditional wired light switches are poorly located, perhaps behind some furniture, and you want a replacement switch that is easy to install (providing you also have some Wiz smart bulbs, of course).
Read our full Wiz Smart Button review
The best universal smart switch
(Image credit: Future)
4. SwitchBot Bot
The best universal smart switch
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Specifications
Color options:
White and black
Dimensions:
4.3 x 3.7 x 2.4 cm
Battery:
2xAA (included)
Hub required:
No, but adds further functionality
Works with:
Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, SmartThings (all require hub)
View at AmazonView at WalmartReasons to buy
+
Versatile
+
Easy scheduling
+
Turns dumb devices smart
Reasons to avoid
-
Hub required for voice control
-
Unattractive
-
Setup can be fiddly
Now for something a bit different. The Bot by SwitchBot is a little gadget with a robotic arm designed to press (or pull) just about any button or switch around your home. It&#;s a little bit fiddly to set up, as the moving arm is quite small and you need to position it just right, but once you&#;ve put the effort in it works really well, at least on the standard single-gang light switch we tried it with.
As well as light switches, the Bot can be positioned to turn on other devices, like fans, heaters, lamps and air conditioning units. As long as the appliance itself powers up and starts working with a press of the power button, and the Bot can be stuck in the right position, it&#;ll work. This brings smartphone and voice assistant control to lots of otherwise unconnected appliances around the home &#; as long as you don&#;t mind an army of rather unattractive Bots stuck everywhere.
Aesthetics aside, we liked the versatility on offer here and how the Bot can easily be scheduled to switch things on and off each day. Be aware that the SwitchBot hub, sold separately, is required for voice control.
Read our full SwitchBot Bot review
The best smart switch for simpliicty
(Image credit: Future)
5. Philips Hue Smart Button
The best switch for simplicity
Specifications
Color options:
White
Dimensions:
1.5 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm (including wall mount)
Battery:
CR (included)
Hub required:
Yes, Hue Bridge
Works with:
Hue lighting, HomeKit (but with limited functionality)
View at AmazonReasons to buy
+
Compact design
+
Easy to set up and use
+
Two wall-mounting options
Reasons to avoid
-
Limited functionality
-
Hue Smart Wireless Dimmer is cheaper
Another switch from Philips Hue, but this time it&#;s the Smart Button. This one really doesn&#;t need much explaining, as it&#;s a button that is pretty smart and controls your Hue lights. You can assign two commands to the button, for a brief press and a long press, and that&#;s about it.
A press can change a certain light (or set/room/zone of lights) to a specific scene, then cycle through a handful more scenes with subsequent presses. Or, the Smart Button can be configured to cycle through a set of scenes depending on the time of day, switching from cool, blue light in the morning and daytime, through to warmer, softer and more yellow/orange shades in the evening and through the nighttime.
A long-press can be used to either dim whichever lights the Smart Button is programmed to control, or turn all of your Hue lights off. The latter can be useful if the Smart Button is fitted by the front door, ready to be pressed when you head out. We&#;d like to see the option to set a certain scene with a long press, such as one that turns all the lights out apart from a couple of lamps that act as a burglar deterrent, but that isn&#;t currently possible.
The button itself is small and feels like a high-quality Hue accessory. It&#;s wireless and attaches to the included wall plate magnetically. You can use either the larger, square plate or a much smaller circular plate that is the same size as the button itself. Both attach to the wall with adhesive strips, or the larger plate can be mounted with screws if you prefer.
Read our full Philips Hue Smart Button review
Written by
Written by
Alistair Charlton
FreelancerAlistair Charlton is a freelance technology and automotive journalist based in London. His career began with a stint of work experience at TechRadar back in , before gaining a journalism degree and working in the industry ever since. A lifelong car and tech enthusiast, Alistair writes for a wide range of publications across the consumer technology and automotive sectors. As well as reviewing dash cams for TechRadar, he also has bylines at Wired, T3, Forbes, Stuff, The Independent, SlashGear and Grand Designs Magazine, among others.
How to choose the best smart light switch for you
Despite being such a simple device, there are a few key questions you need to ask yourself when buying a smart light switch. Firstly, do you want a wireless switch for controlling a smart lighting system like Philips Hue? Or, do you want a wired switch that replaces your home&#;s existing wall-mounted switches and controls the regular light bulbs already installed?
Once you have that worked out, the next key consideration is which smart home system you use, or plan to use. This is because some smart switches don&#;t work with every type of smart home platform. If you already own some smart light bulbs, then you&#;ll generally be restricted to only buying smart switches from the same manufacturer. If you don&#;t own any smart lighting yet, we recommend you pick a system that is compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit or whichever smart home platform you plan to use.
From there, you&#;ll need to think about what functionality you want from the switch. Does it simply need to turn a light on and off, but with the option to be controlled remotely from an app or voice assistant? Or, do you need a switch with multiple buttons for power, brightness control and the ability to pick between different preset lighting scenes? How about a wireless button that simply acts as a way to turn the entire lighting system off with a single press? There are switches designed to perform best in each of these use cases, and they are priced accordingly.
For this guide we&#;ve picked a range of switches that cover off all of these scenarios. Some perform a single task, some have multiple buttons for more granular customization, and others, like the highly versatile SwitchBot, are designed to work with almost any switch in your home.
Frequently asked questions about smart light switches
Can smart light switches control normal bulbs?
Yes, but only some can. As you may have seen from the above products, some are designed to work only with certain smart lighting systems, like those by Wiz or Philips Hue. Others, however, like the Tapo Smart Switch by TP-Link, are designed to control your existing, non-smart lights. They replace your existing light switches and operate just like a manual switch, but with the added ability to be controlled remotely with a smartphone app, voice assistant, or pre-programmed schedule.
Which type of switch you buy depends on what you want from your lighting. Do you want color-changing bulbs, or do you just want remote control of your existing bulbs? If it&#;s the latter, then a smart switch like the Tapo will be perfect for your needs.
Are smart light switches hard to install?
Some require more effort than others. Wireless switches from companies like Philips Hue come with a base plate that you simply stick to the wall with included adhesive strips, and the switch itself then fixes to the plate magnetically. But we must urge caution here, as if you ever need to remove the wall plate, pulling at it will likely tear the wallpaper beneath and ruin the wall. It may also remove the paint from a painted wall, but that&#;s somewhat easier to fix. You might want to consider mounting the plate with screws instead.
As for wired smart switches, these require a basic understanding of home electrics. You&#;ll need to turn off the power at the fuse box, then remove your old switch, detach the wires and fit them to the smart switch. It&#;s all relatively simple, as long as you&#;re aware of which wire is which. Someone with basic DIY skills should be able to sway a regular wall switch for a smart one in just a few minutes.
Are smart light switches battery powered?
Yes. Wireless smart switches tend to use either coin-style or AAA batteries. Wired switches also use batteries, so they can operate when there&#;s no power going to the light fitting itself. In the case of the Tapo Smart Switch mentioned earlier, two AAA are included. They fit inside the switch itself, which then takes up a fair bit of space in the back box, which is where the wires come from inside the wall cavity.
This can make installation tricky, especially if the wires have previously been cut to precisely fit the terminals of the old switch. We managed to fit the Tapo without changing the wiring, but cramming the battery compartment into the back box along with the existing wiring made it a tight fit. For more, read our guide to smart light switch installation.
How we tested these smart light switches
Smart light switches are relatively easy to test. In each case, we added the switch to a lighting system (such as Philips Hue or Wiz), then configured the switch using the companion app. We played around with each switch to see what options were available and how it responded to different circumstances. We also set them up with voice assistants and other smart home systems, where applicable.
We experimented with using the switches in different rooms and with different combinations of lighting fixtures. With wired switches, it was a case of removing an old switch and wiring up the smart one, ensuring we carefully turned off the power and fitting the wires to the correct terminals of the new switch.
Each switch was used for several days before we began writing our review, giving us plenty of time to understand how they work and determine what&#;s good or bad about them.
For more information, please visit Double gang European deisgn lighting switch.
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