Why We Love the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Dimmer for 2025

Why We Love the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Dimmer for 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter

The Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Dimmer is presented as a significant upgrade from traditional light switches, transforming basic utility into a more sophisticated and convenient lighting experience. This smart dimmer allows users to control household lights remotely via a smartphone, regardless of their physical location, whether within the house, across town, or globally. Its ease of installation is highlighted, requiring only the ability to swap out a standard light switch. The article provides a personal anecdote, illustrating how the author uses two Caséta dimmers—one for the living room and another for an outdoor light. This setup enables remote control, ensuring lights are only on when needed, thereby preventing energy waste and offering convenience when returning home after dark. The ability to schedule lights to turn on and off automatically addresses household habits, such as a partner forgetting to turn off lights when leaving for work. A key technical advantage of the Lutron Caséta dimmer is its compatibility, being the only in-wall smart dimmer tested that does not require a neutral wire. This feature is particularly important for older homes, specifically those built before 2011, which often lack neutral wiring in their switch boxes. The historical background of Lutron is also mentioned, noting founder Joel Spira's patent of the first solid-state dimmer in 1959 and the company's long-standing reputation among commercial installers and home automation professionals. The Caséta lineup, launched in June 2014, is credited with making professional-level lighting control accessible to DIY enthusiasts. For potential buyers, the article advises purchasing the Lutron Caséta during major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Week, or Prime Day to secure the best prices, noting an average street price of $100 for the single switch starter kit and a historical low of $64. Regarding bulb compatibility, it recommends pairing the Caséta dimmer with standard bulbs rather than smart bulbs, as combining smart switches with smart bulbs can lead to an undesirable humming sound. The dimmer is versatile, working with various bulb types including CFL, halogen, incandescent, and LED, but emphasizes the necessity of using dimmable bulbs if the dimming function is desired. This piece is part of a larger series, "52 Things We Love," celebrating enduring Wirecutter product recommendations.