Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Dimmer Light Switch review

This review evaluates the TreatLife Smart Switches, focusing on their functionality, installation process, smart home integration, and cost-effectiveness. TreatLife offers a range of smart plugs, LED bulbs, and switches that operate on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection and are controllable via an app or voice commands. The switches require a neutral wire for installation, making them incompatible with older wiring setups that only use two wires. The review specifically examines three models: the Light & Ceiling Fan Dimmer Switch, the Smart Light Switch, and the Smart Dimmer Switch. All models feature a sleek design and can be configured for single-pole or 3-way use. For 3-way installations, TreatLife switches do not require a companion smart switch from the same manufacturer, potentially saving costs, but they must be installed at the input end of the 3-way line, which can be challenging to identify without detailed instructions. Installation of TreatLife switches is generally straightforward but requires careful consideration of existing wiring and junction box space. Smart switches are typically deeper than conventional switches and necessitate more room for their four wires (Line/Load, Traveler, Neutral, and Ground) and wire nuts. Insufficient space can lead to wires disconnecting or even fire hazards. Users are advised to photograph existing wiring before removal and label wires using supplied stickers to facilitate connection. The installation process usually takes about 20 to 25 minutes. The TreatLife app, available on iOS and Android, guides users through the setup, including adding and naming new switches. For smart home integration, TreatLife switches are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Users must pair their switches with these voice platforms through their respective apps. While Alexa integration is seamless, pairing with Google Assistant is more complex, as it initially requires linking via the Smart Life app (by Tuya) before connecting to the TreatLife account, a process the company acknowledges as needing streamlining. Once connected, users can create schedules and scenes for their lighting. TreatLife switches are competitively priced, with multi-pack options further reducing the per-unit cost. For example, a four-pack of Wi-Fi Dimmer Switches costs $74.99, while a four-pack of 3-Way Smart Light Switches costs $65.99. The Smart Ceiling Fan Control and Light Dimmer Switch is priced at $47.99 and does not require a separate hub. The products are available on the TreatLife website, Walmart, Home Depot, eBay, and Amazon. While the switches performed reliably during a multi-week test, consistently connecting to the router even from an upstairs location, the review highlights some drawbacks. The primary issues include the complicated pairing process with Google Assistant and a lack of broader smart home integrations, particularly with security systems, smart cameras, and video doorbells. TreatLife has indicated plans to expand integrations in early 2021. Despite these limitations, TreatLife switches are recommended for users seeking affordable smart lighting solutions, especially those who primarily use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for home automation and do not require extensive third-party integrations. #SmartSwitch #DimmerSwitch #TreatLife #SmartLightSwitch #SmartHome #HomeAutomation #SmartLighting #ProductReview #WiFi #InteriorDesign

Smart plugs have evolved significantly since their introduction, moving from bulky, expensive devices to smaller, more affordable, and feature-rich options. This review focuses on the Enbrighten Plug-in Zigbee Smart Dimmer Switch, a device designed to enhance smart home automation. The Enbrighten Smart Dimmer functions as a smart plug, allowing wireless control of appliances, devices, or lamps connected to it via a smartphone, tablet, computer, or voice commands. Its operation, however, is contingent on being paired with a compatible Zigbee 3.0 hub or gateway, such as the Samsung SmartThings (3rd Gen) hub or the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), which incorporates Zigbee technology. A key design feature of the Enbrighten plug is its compact and sleek form factor, which ensures it only occupies a single wall outlet while providing two functional outlets on its sides. This design maximizes utility by effectively converting one standard outlet into two smart outlets. Additionally, the device includes a manual on/off program button for direct control. Beyond its primary function as a smart plug, the Enbrighten Plug-in Zigbee Smart Dimmer also acts as a range extender for Zigbee networks. When integrated into a Zigbee hub, it can amplify the wireless signal up to an additional 150 feet, thereby expanding the coverage and reliability of the home's Zigbee wireless network. Another significant capability of this smart dimmer is its energy-saving potential. By enabling users to dim lights from zero to 100 percent, it helps reduce energy consumption and can prolong the lifespan of light bulbs. The device supports the creation of customized lighting scenes that can automatically adjust brightness levels throughout the day, whether residents are home or away. Setup requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection and involves scanning a QR code or entering a code to add the device to a Zigbee 3.0 hub, a process described as intuitive and quick, typically taking only a few minutes. For smart home integrations, the Enbrighten Smart Dimmer's compatibility with Zigbee 3.0 hubs makes it versatile. Amazon's newer Echo devices, including the 4th Gen Echo, Echo Plus (1st & 2nd Gen), Echo Show (2nd Gen), and Echo Studio, all serve as Zigbee hubs, allowing seamless control of Enbrighten devices. Jasco, the parent company of Enbrighten, offers a comprehensive range of smart home devices that operate across various wireless protocols, including Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth, catering to diverse smart home systems. The Enbrighten Plug-in Zigbee Dimmer Switch is priced at $37.99 and is available through the Jasco website and Amazon. Testing of the Enbrighten Dimmer Switch involved pairing it with a Zigbee hub and assessing its performance in different locations and distances within a test house. The device consistently performed as expected, responding to both app and voice commands without any connectivity issues, even at extended ranges. When evaluating smart plugs, key considerations include design (size, number of outlets), manual control options, energy monitoring capabilities, and compatibility with existing smart home systems. The Enbrighten line addresses these concerns by offering well-designed products that support various wireless protocols, making them suitable for different smart home setups. The Enbrighten Plug-in Zigbee Smart Dimmer is particularly suited for users with existing Zigbee hubs. Without a compatible Zigbee 3.0 hub, remote control features are unavailable, limiting integration with voice platforms like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as other smart home systems for creating scenes or scheduling. The device's ability to act as a range extender and its energy monitoring feature are notable advantages. Smart plugs have advanced considerably, offering improved design, increased functionality, and enhanced integration into customized connected lifestyles, particularly useful for renters who cannot install permanent smart switches. The Enbrighten Plug-in Zigbee Dimmer Switch can effectively simulate a smart switch for lamps, provided a compatible Zigbee 3.0 hub is present. The primary drawbacks include its price, reliance on Zigbee 3.0 hubs, and the necessity of a hub for voice control via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. #SmartHome #SmartPlug #Zigbee #DimmerSwitch #HomeAutomation #ProductReview #EnergyMonitor #RangeExtender #Jasco

The Eaton Halo Home Anyplace Bluetooth Dimmer Switch is a slim, wireless smart dimmer designed to offer flexibility in controlling Eaton's smart lighting system. Unlike traditional smart switches that require complex electrical wiring, this device can be placed anywhere in a room, mounted on a wall, or left mobile for use as a remote control. It operates on three coin-cell batteries and connects to Halo Home lights via Bluetooth mesh, offering a range of up to 100 feet from the nearest Halo Home device. The switch features an oblong slider for dimming, with taps on the top or bottom of the slider to turn lights on or off. While the concept of a portable light switch is appealing, especially for those who prefer not to deal with electrical installations, the product faces several significant drawbacks. A primary issue highlighted is the setup process and its limited compatibility. The Anyplace Switch works exclusively with Eaton’s Bluetooth-based Halo Home products and requires the use of the proprietary Halo Home app for both light and switch setup. This contrasts with Eaton’s ZigBee-based Halo Connect line, which supports third-party hubs like Wink and SmartThings, making the Bluetooth version less versatile for users with existing smart home infrastructures. The review details a problematic app experience, including a mandatory email registration and confirmation process that proved buggy, with confirmation emails failing to arrive. Even after successful registration, the app was found to be unstable, struggling to discover lights and displaying cryptic error messages, ultimately leading to a frustrating setup journey. Beyond setup, the switch’s performance in actual operation is also criticized. While the on/off function works reliably with a tap, the dimming capability is described as erratic and jerky. The range of dimming achievable through the switch is surprisingly narrow compared to the smooth and full-range dimming offered directly through the mobile app. This suggests a significant disparity in functionality between controlling lights via the physical switch and the application. Furthermore, the design presents a practical challenge: if the traditional in-wall light switch remains installed and is accidentally turned off, the mobile Anyplace Switch becomes non-functional because the lights lose power. This issue might lead users to permanently set the in-wall switch to the 'on' position, potentially detracting from home aesthetics. Finally, the product's price point, at nearly $50, is considered high given its limitations. Its exclusive compatibility with Eaton’s system, combined with the reported setup difficulties and inconsistent dimming performance, makes it a less attractive option for consumers seeking a seamless and efficient smart lighting solution. The review concludes by emphasizing that despite its innovative 'anyplace' functionality, the Halo Home Anyplace Bluetooth Dimmer Switch falls short in terms of user experience and value, particularly when compared to the quality of the lights it is intended to control. #SmartHome #SmartLighting #BluetoothDimmer #EatonHaloHome #ProductReview #HomeAutomation #WirelessSwitch #TechGadget

The C by GE Wire-Free Dimmer + Color Control Smart Switch offers a solution for integrating smart lighting control without the need for complex electrical wiring, a significant advantage for both homeowners and renters. This wireless smart switch is designed to work exclusively with C by GE smart bulbs, enabling users to turn lights on and off, dim and brighten them, and adjust color temperatures from warm to cool directly from the switch or its accompanying mobile application. The product, first introduced at CES 2020, comes with an instruction manual, two screws, two anchors, two 3M strips, and the switch itself, which consists of three parts: the switch, a plate, and a cover. Installation of the C by GE Wire-Free Dimmer + Color Control Smart Switch is designed to be straightforward. For those who prefer not to drill into walls, the switch can be mounted using the included 3M strips, requiring a clean surface and firm pressure for proper adhesion. The device is battery-powered, with a pre-installed coin battery that typically lasts about two years, after which it can be easily replaced. To set up the switch, users must download the C by GE app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. Both the switch and the C by GE smart bulbs need to be added to the app and assigned to the same room for them to communicate effectively via Bluetooth. The switch itself does not require a Wi-Fi connection, relying on its Bluetooth capability to interact with the bulbs. Key features of this smart switch include its ability to control light intensity (dimming and brightening) and adjust the white color temperature of compatible bulbs. A notable benefit is the elimination of re-wiring, which simplifies smart switch adoption for many users and makes it particularly appealing for renters or individuals in living situations where wall modifications are restricted. Unlike many smart devices, the C by GE switch does not require an additional hub, as it communicates directly with other C by GE devices through its dedicated app. Its wireless nature also allows for flexible placement anywhere in a room. However, the C by GE Wire-Free Dimmer + Color Control Smart Switch has certain limitations. It is only compatible with C by GE smart bulbs, restricting its use within a broader smart home ecosystem. A significant drawback is its lack of integration with popular digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home. This means users cannot control the switch via voice commands, and, in some cases, may need to uninstall existing C by GE bulb integrations from these assistant platforms to ensure proper functioning within the C by GE app. The dimming mechanism, while functional, was noted to be somewhat slow, which is attributed to its Bluetooth connection. Additionally, changing color temperatures is a sequential process, and the switch does not support changing to a full spectrum of colors, only different shades of white. Despite these constraints, the product's affordability, priced at $23.36, and its drill-free installation method make it an attractive option for those seeking an accessible entry point into smart home lighting control without permanent alterations. In conclusion, the C by GE Wire-Free Dimmer + Color Control Smart Switch addresses the common hurdle of complex installation associated with traditional smart switches, offering an easy-to-install, battery-powered solution. While its exclusive compatibility with C by GE bulbs and lack of voice assistant integration may limit its versatility in some smart home setups, its ability to provide basic smart lighting controls—on/off, dimming, and white temperature adjustments—without requiring electrical work makes it a viable option for users looking for a simple and non-invasive way to enhance their home's lighting experience. #SmartHome #CbyGE #SmartSwitch #SmartLights #InteriorDesign #DigitalAssistants #WirelessSwitch #HomeAutomation

The second generation of the Philips Hue dimmer switch introduces significant improvements over its predecessor, making it a noteworthy upgrade for smart home enthusiasts. The design has undergone a complete overhaul, featuring rounded corners and a shift from a matte plastic to a more premium material, elevating its aesthetic from a 'cheap copy' to a 'real Hue product.' A key functional enhancement is the redesigned mounting plate. It is now one centimeter wider, measuring approximately 8 centimeters, which allows it to fully cover standard European wall switch boxes. This wider plate can be glued directly onto the wall or screwed into empty sockets thanks to its precisely matched holes, offering more versatile installation options. Another clever design change involves the magnets, which are now integrated directly into the dimmer switch itself, rather than the holder. This innovation enables users to attach the switch to any magnetic surface, such as a refrigerator, without needing the mounting plate, adding to its convenience and flexibility. The button layout has also been rethought. The new dimmer switch features an on and off button at the top, and a dedicated 'Hue button' at the bottom for cycling through five configurable scenes. This separation of functions is presented as a more logical and intuitive approach to scene management within the Hue ecosystem. For instance, the Hue button now specifically controls lighting scenes, which streamlines user interaction. Beyond hardware changes, the accompanying Hue app offers expanded configuration options for the new dimmer switch. Users can activate a time-based mode, allowing the light to adjust automatically to the appropriate setting based on the time of day when activated. Additionally, a long press on the on/off switch can be configured to turn off all Philips Hue lamps in the entire house, providing a convenient master control feature. Despite these numerous enhancements in design, installation flexibility, and functionality, Philips Hue has maintained the price point at 19.99 euros, making the upgraded dimmer switch an even more appealing proposition. This review suggests that the second-generation dimmer switch is superior to its predecessor in all aspects, offering a more refined user experience and greater integration possibilities within a smart home setup. #PhilipsHue #DimmerSwitch #SmartLighting #HomeAutomation #HardwareReview #SmartHomeAccessory #HueApp #LightingControl #ProductUpgrade