Smart light switches are one of the best ways to enhance your home automation capabilities. But there are lots (lots) of options with different connection styles and features. We’ve selected the best ones according to connection technology — WiFi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee. If you need a primer on those, check out the Networking Technologies section in our Introduction to Home Assistant.
Best Z-Wave Dimmer: Leviton Decora Smart Z-Wave
- Z-WAVE PLUS CERTIFIED: requires Z-Wave hub such as SmartThings or Wink
- VOICE CONTROL: works with Alexa (Z-Wave hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately)
- STYLE: familiar Decora form factor accepts optional wall plates and 6 color change kits
- RATINGS: requires Neutral Wire; Dimmable LED and CFL loads up to 300W and incandescent loads up to 600W.
- MULTI-LOCATION: facilitates multi-location (3-way) dimming with up to 4 remote units (DD00R).
The Leviton Decora Smart line is our choice for the best smart light dimmer switches. They look good, are reasonably priced, and are highly configurable. Best of all, Leviton separated the dimmer control from the main on/off control, which is much easier for people unfamiliar with your home (guests) to operate. We’ve found that with single-paddle designs, like GE and many other manufacturers use, people either don’t realize there’s a dimmer function or they inadvertently trigger it when they just want the light to turn on.
If you don’t need a dimmer or are controlling something other than lights, get the switch version.
Runner up: GE Z-Wave Dimmer — works great and is a reliable, popular option, if you’re ok with the dimmer function being integrated into the main paddle.
Best WiFi Dimmer: Leviton Decora Smart WiFi
WiFi switches get a little more complicated, because you often have to choose whether you want your switch to be compatible with Apple HomeKit or with Amazon Alexa/Google Home. Few products can do both. Fortunately, our favorite has a version for both camps.
For the same reasons as the Z-Wave version (above), we like the Leviton Decora for its easy-to-understand design and configurability. It’s not the cheapest WiFi dimmer out there (it’s about in the middle, price-wise), but it performs well and Leviton is an established brand that is unlikely to go anywhere — an important consideration for WiFi switches, since many can only be controlled and configured by going through the manufacturer’s cloud services. If the company goes under…your smart switches may become dumb.
Runner up: TP-Link HS220 Kasa dimmer — a very affordable option that is quite popular and works well, as long as you’re ok with its somewhat unconventional design.
