Recommended Zigbee Wall Switches for Smart Homes

Recommended Zigbee Wall Switches for Smart Homes

When setting up a smart home, one of the most critical decisions you’ll face is how to upgrade your existing wall switches. Wall switches are a fundamental part of your daily routine, controlling lights, heaters, and other appliances. Unlike sensors or devices tucked away in cupboards, wall switches are always in sight, and you’ll interact with them daily. Therefore, when selecting smart wall switches, it’s essential to consider not just functionality but also aesthetics. This blog post will guide you through the options, share my personal experiences, and provide recommendations for the best smart wall switches, including when to make exceptions for aesthetics or other needs.

Understanding Your Options: Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and RF

When it comes to smart wall switches, you have three main options: Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and RF.

  • RF Switches: In my previous home, I used RF wall switches. These came with a tiny remote control, much like a car key remote or garage opener, and I used an RF transmitter (Broadlink RM) to connect everything to the smart home system. However, RF switches have a significant drawback—they don’t report their status back to the system. This means that if someone manually turns off a light using the switch, your smart home might still think it’s on, creating a frustrating experience. After trying various hacks to detect the actual light status using sensors, I cannot recommend RF switches for a modern smart home.
  • Wi-Fi Switches: Wi-Fi switches can be a good option, but there are a couple of important considerations. First, many Wi-Fi switches require a neutral wire, which may not be present in older homes. Secondly, if you have many switches, adding a large number of Wi-Fi devices to your network can become cumbersome. For these reasons, I’ve moved away from Wi-Fi switches in most cases, but I still make exceptions when necessary, especially for aesthetic reasons.
  • Zigbee Switches: Zigbee switches are my preferred choice for most applications. Since I already use Zigbee for other smart home products, it made sense to standardize on this technology for wall switches as well. Zigbee operates on a mesh network, ensuring reliable communication across your home. Additionally, it minimizes the strain on your Wi-Fi network. Below, I’ll recommend specific switches based on my experience.

The Importance of Aesthetics in Smart Home Design

While functionality is crucial, aesthetics play a significant role in your choice of wall switches. Unlike many smart devices that you can hide away, wall switches are always visible and are a part of your daily routine. This means they need to look good and fit the overall design of your home. Aesthetics are subjective, and what appeals to one person may not appeal to another. Therefore, your choice of wall switches should reflect your personal taste.

For example, when I was selecting a high current switch for my home, I wanted something that stood out visually. I found a switch with a unique design featuring wavy lines that I loved, but it was only available as a Wi-Fi switch. Despite my preference for Zigbee, I decided to make an exception for this switch because I valued its design so much. I’ve made a few similar exceptions throughout my home, either due to the lack of a Zigbee alternative or because I prioritized the aesthetics.

It’s challenging to be 100% loyal to one smart home technology, but with tools like Home Assistant, it doesn’t really matter. Home Assistant allows you to control all your devices—whether they’re Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or another technology—through the same dashboards, buttons, and automations. This makes it easy to integrate devices from different technologies into a seamless smart home experience.

My Recommended Smart Wall Switches

After experimenting with various types of switches, here are my top recommendations:

  • Zigbee Light Switch: Zigbee Wall Switch
    This switch is available in white or black and can control 1, 2, or 3 different lights. Be mindful of the sizing: when they mention “US” version, they are referring to the size, not the voltage. The US model is wider than the European one, but both will work fine in terms of electricity in either the EU or US. I use the US model, and it fits perfectly in my home. No neutral wire is required, making this switch compatible with your home setup, regardless of whether you have a neutral wire or not (If you want to learn more about what is a neutral wire, I really recommend this article that explains it very well).

Zigbee Wall Switch

Aliexpress
  • Wi-Fi High Current Switch: Wi-Fi High Current Switch
    This switch is ideal for controlling high current appliances like space heaters or water boilers. While I prefer Zigbee for most applications, I made an exception for this switch due to its unique design, which I find visually appealing. It integrates well with Home Assistant’s ZHA network and works reliably with no quirks or tweaks required. It also features power usage reporting, which is great for setting up automations and tracking energy consumption through your dashboards. Like most Wi-Fi switches, this one requires a neutral wire. Even if your regular switches don’t have it, there’s a good chance your high-current switch does. However, I strongly recommend verifying your setup before making a purchase.

Wifi Water Heater / Boiler Switch

Aliexpress

Conclusion

Choosing the right smart wall switches for your home involves balancing aesthetics with functionality. While Zigbee is my preferred technology for its reliability and ease of use, I’ve made exceptions for devices that offer unique designs or where no Zigbee alternatives exist. Thanks to Home Assistant, integrating multiple technologies into a cohesive smart home system is easy, allowing you to focus on what matters most—creating a home that reflects your style and meets your needs.

Safety First: Professional Installation Recommended

When installing these smart wall switches, it’s crucial to remember that they involve handling high-voltage electricity. For your safety, and to ensure everything is set up correctly, it’s strongly recommended to have the installation done by a qualified professional.


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