Best Z-Wave Switches of 2024: Top Picks for Smart Home Automation and Control - Smart Home Perfected (2024)

Having trouble finding your light switch in the dark? With Z-Wave switches, you've got a straightforward answer to controlling your lights. With an easy tap or swipe on your mobile device, you can alter the brightness according to your preference. We invite you to enhance your comfort level and augment the quality of your surroundings with us!

There are lots of ways to control your lighting fixtures with a Z-Wave hub. You can swap out your existing wall switches with Z-Wave compatible smart paddle, toggle or dimmer switches. Some switches support 3-way and 4-way for hallways and large rooms.

Micro-controllers can be installed to retrofit your existing switches or fixtures. Scene and remote controllers give a tactile lighting experience, while weatherproof switches are available for controlling outdoor lighting.

Updated February 2023 to remove the GE Enbrighten No Neutral switch: It appears the 14299 has been out of stock for more than 6 months. I don't know if it has been discontinued however I, unfortunately, cannot find an alternative “no neutral” Z-Wave switch.

What is a Z-Wave Light Switch?

A Z-Wave light switch is a smart home device that allows you to remotely control and automate the lighting in your home using a Z-Wave network. It can be controlled through a smartphone app or a voice assistant, and can also be programmed to turn on or off at specific times or in response to certain triggers.

Best Z-Wave On/Off Switches

The Leviton smart switch can be connected to a Z-Wave hub, like SmartThings or Wink, to enable remote control and scheduling. This makes it easy to control your lights from anywhere in your home or even when you're away.

Light Bulb Compatibility

This smart switch is compatible with different types of light bulbs, including LED and CFL bulbs up to 600 watts and incandescent bulbs up to 1800 watts. This means you don't need to worry about whether your bulbs will work with the switch.

Installation

To install this smart switch, you will need a neutral wire, which is usually found in most newer homes. If you're not sure whether you have a neutral wire, it's best to hire an electrician to check and install one if necessary.

Voice

You can use your voice to control the Leviton smart switch with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, but you will need to connect it to a hub that supports voice control. This feature makes it easy to turn your lights on and off without having to use your hands.

Multi-location switching

If you need to control your lights from multiple locations, you can use the Leviton smart switch with a coordinating remote to enable 3-way switching. However, you will need to make sure you have the coordinating remote to use this feature.

Insights

Many users appreciated the easy installation and setup process of the Leviton Z-Wave switch, with some saying it was the easiest of all the brands and models they have tried. Some users also found the switch to work seamlessly with their smart home systems, such as Samsung SmartThings, Vivint Security, and Ring Alarm Z-Wave.

One of the major concerns that users have with the Leviton Z-Wave switch is its durability. Many users reported that the switch broke physically or lost its programming over time, leading to unreliable performance. Some users also noted that it requires a neutral and traveler wire that older homes may not have.

To use this switch, you'll need a Z-Wave system that's compatible with it. The switch works with Z-Wave systems like SmartThings, Vera, and Wink.

Installation

This switch needs a neutral wire to work correctly. So, before you buy this switch, you need to make sure you have a neutral wire available. If you don't have one, you may need to ask an electrician to install one for you.

It's essential to check that the switch can handle the current and voltage of your lights before you buy it. This switch can handle a maximum load of 960W for incandescent bulbs, 150W for LED bulbs, and CFL bulbs. The switch has a current rating of 15 Amps and works at 120 Volts, which should be suitable for most lighting setups.

Single or 3-way

This switch can work as a single pole switch or a 3-way switch. If you're using it as a 3-way switch, you need to ensure that you have a neutral wire present for correct installation. You don't need an additional Z-Wave switch for this switch to work in 3-way mode.

Features

It comes with some extra features, such as scene control, smart bulb mode, and an adjustable LED indicator. However, you need to make sure that your Z-Wave system supports these features for them to work. Additionally, this switch has the latest security features, including S2 authenticated security protocol and SmartStart for instant and safe pairing, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.

Insights

Users of the Zooz Smart Switch have praised its value for money, quality, and ease of installation. They appreciate the variety of features, such as the customizable LED indicator, which can be controlled via SmartThings routines. The switch is also noted to work well in a 4-way configuration.

While the majority of users have had positive experiences with the Zooz Smart Switch, there are some reported issues. One common problem is the switch going offline, requiring the power to be reset to get it working again. Another issue is that the switch may only last a little over a year, with some users experiencing constant cut-outs.

Best Z-Wave Dimmer Switch

When choosing the Enbrighten Z-Wave Dimmer, it's important to make sure that it will work with your smart home system. You need to check if your Z-Wave certified hub, like SmartThings or Wink, is compatible with the device.

Installation

You’ll need to ensure that you have the necessary wiring and tools to install it in the wall, and that a neutral wire is available. The Enbrighten Z-Wave Light Dimmer has a QuickFit design and SimpleWire technology, making it easy to install in even the smallest switch boxes.

Auto line-load sensing terminals detect line and load wires and the dual offset ground ports support multi-switch setups.

Bulb Types

The dimmer works with many different types of bulbs, including incandescent, LED, CFL, and halogen. You can also adjust the brightness level from 0-100%, saving energy and extending the life of your bulbs.

There are various ways to control it also. You can use your voice with Alexa or Google Assistant, control it remotely with your smartphone, or manually with the dimmer switch. This makes it easy to operate the device, whether you're at home or away. You can also create custom scenes, personalized schedules, and convenient alerts.

Design

The Enbrighten comes with white and light almond paddles, but you can change them to a different color to match your home's décor. The device makes it easy to replace existing switches and create a cohesive look throughout your home. You can even customize your lighting with personalized scenes and scheduling to suit your preferences.

Insights

Positive feedback on the dimmer included notes on easy installation, great functionality with SmartThings and Hubitat, graduated on/off experience, and the ability to control their lights via a smart home hub.

However, there were also negative comments regarding the product's reliability and customer service, particularly with regard to a high failure rate and poor dimming performance with LED lights. Some users reported issues with flickering or buzzing lights, difficulty with pairing the switch with their smart home system, and problems with the switch failing after power outages.

Overall, most feedback is positive.

This dimmer switch can be used with most Z-Wave hubs, but you need to make sure that your hub is compatible with it or you'll need to get a compatible hub separately.

Wiring

The dimmer switch needs to be wired into your electrical system, so you need to check that your wiring will work with it. If you have two switches controlling the same light, that's called a 3-way circuit and this switch is designed to work with that. If you don't have a 3-way circuit, you can still use the switch by capping off one of the wires. It's important to get a qualified electrician to help you if you're not sure about the wiring or installation process.

Lighting Fixtures

This dimmer switch is designed to work with most indoor and outdoor light fixtures, like ceiling lights, wall lights, and accent lights.

It is also designed to be easier to install in switch boxes that don't have a lot of space. The components have been made smaller, which means that the switch is not as deep as in older models. So it’s easier to install in places where you don't have a lot of room, like if you have a lot of switches next to each other.

Insights

Overall, users had mixed experiences with the product, where some found it to be a good value, while others did not recommend it. On the positive side, some users found it easy to install, reliable, and cost-effective. They were able to control their lighting fixtures and automate their home with ease.

Others, however, experienced flickering lights, difficulty pairing with their Z-Wave hub, and slow response times. Some found that the product failed after a few months of use or did not work at all. The blue LED light on the switch was also a common complaint, as it was too bright and not adjustable.

Best Z-Wave Toggle Switch

The UltraPro Z-Wave Toggle is a switch that lets you control your home's lights or fans wirelessly, without leaving your couch!

You can use individual commands or set programmed settings to manage everything with ease. All you need is a compatible hub to get started, and you can control everything with your voice using Alexa or Google Assistant.

If you prefer to go old school, you can also control the device manually by tapping the switch up or down. An optional light on the switch lets you know its location and status.

Plus, the device also extends your home's Wi-Fi signal, ensuring that your network stays strong and your devices stay connected. Installing the device is a breeze thanks to its QuickFit and SimpleWire technologies, so you can get everything set up in no time.

Best 3-Way Z-Wave Switch

This Enbrighten kit lets you operate 3-way indoor or outdoor lighting fixtures without physically touching the switches.

You can control them using your smartphone or computer from anywhere, which means you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn the lights off before leaving your house. The kit includes a toggle-style smart switch and a matching add-on switch that will help you upgrade your regular 3-way switches to smart switches.

They work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and a compatible Z-Wave Hub, so you can use voice commands to operate your lights. The switches have a unique space-saving design that fits easily into small spaces, and their auto line-load sensing terminals make installation a breeze.

With these devices, you can schedule your lights to turn on or off automatically, giving you more control over your home lighting.

Best 4-Way Z-Wave Switch

This multi-way switch is a great way to upgrade your home lighting. It lets you control wall, ceiling, and accent lighting from your phone or another compatible hub.

QuickFit and SimpleWire tech make installation easy, and Z-Wave Plus with S2 security plus SmartStart makes this switch more reliable than ever.

It's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant so you can control the lights with your voice, and it works with lots of hubs like Honeywell, SmartThings, and more.

Plus, you can manually control the lights with the switch itself if you don't have your phone or have visitors. In short, this switch is a cinch to install and is a great way to make your home smarter and more efficient.

Best Z-Wave Outdoor Switch

This switch is a great way to give your home and garden a smart upgrade. It'll let you wirelessly turn on and off hard-wired devices like landscape lighting from anywhere, plus it's weatherproof so it won't be fazed by outdoor elements.

You can keep track of energy usage with it too, monitoring watt and kilowatt hours. Its universal design supports up to 120-277VAC with 40A and can control two 120VAC devices, plus it's compatible with LED, CFL, and a variety of other bulbs.

It's easy to install with easy-access wiring and secure connections. So, if you're looking to make your home smarter, this switch is a great way to do it.

Best Z-Wave Switch Remote

This wireless controller features a sleek, simple design and lets you control up to sixteen different scenes and devices. You'll get a responsive and easy-to-use control with its haptic feedback and lithium-ion battery, plus it's super easy to install you can use mounting tape or a wall-mount plate.

So, you get the convenience of a remote control with the convenience of a wall switch. Whether you want to control your lights from the couch or any other room, this product has you covered.

Best Z-Wave Micro Switch

This device is a Z-Wave Plus light controller that helps you get the atmosphere just right! You can dim the lights from 0-100%, making it perfect for unwinding or getting the right amount of light to work.

It also has energy monitoring, so you can keep track of your energy usage and save money on bills. It comes with safety features like protection from overheating, overload and voltage drop, so it'll protect your bulbs and help you save energy.

The best part is, you can control it remotely or with your voice, so you can set the mood from anywhere. All in all, it's great for setting the atmosphere and saving energy.

Best Z-Wave Motion Sensor Switch

This gadget is perfect for making your home lighting more automated. It'll turn your lights on and off based on motion, so you don't have to do it yourself.

Plus, you can connect it with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice commands, and you can use compatible hubs. It can even be used as a 3-way switch with add-on switches, giving you extra control.

It's got five time-out options, a range of up to 150 ft, and works with all types of bulbs. So if you want to upgrade your home, this is the way to go.

Methodology for Choosing the Best Z-Wave Light Switch

When it comes to choosing a Z-Wave light switch, there are several factors to consider. Z-Wave switches offer an easy way to control your lights from anywhere, but it's important to choose the right switch for your needs. Factors such as compatibility, features, design, and price should all be taken into account before making a decision. In this section, I'll break down the decision-making process and provide tips on how to choose the best Z-Wave light switch for your home.

Installation and Wiring

When it comes to installing a Z-Wave light switch, you have two options: hiring a professional electrician or doing it yourself. If you're not comfortable working with electrical wiring, it's best to hire a professional. They can ensure that the switch is installed correctly and safely.

However, if you're confident in your DIY skills, installing a Z-Wave light switch is relatively straightforward. Make sure you turn off the power to the circuit you'll be working on, and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Hub Compatibility

Before buying a Z-Wave light switch, it's important to make sure that it's compatible with your home automation system or hub. Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol that many home automation systems use to control smart devices like light switches.

Some popular systems that use Z-Wave include Samsung SmartThings, Wink, and Vera. Check the manufacturer's specifications to see if the switch is compatible with your system.

Features

Z-Wave light switches come with a variety of features, so it's important to choose one that has the features you need. Some common features include dimming, scene control, energy monitoring, and voice control.

Dimming allows you to adjust the brightness of your lights, while scene control lets you program multiple lights to turn on or off together. Energy monitoring can help you track your energy usage and reduce your electricity bill.

Voice control allows you to use voice commands to control your lights, which can be especially useful if you have mobility issues or want to control lights without using your phone.

Bulb Compatibility

It's important to make sure that the Z-Wave light switch you choose is compatible with the type of light bulbs you have in your home. Different types of bulbs have different power requirements, and not all Z-Wave switches are designed to work with every type of bulb.

For example, some switches may only work with LED bulbs, while others may be compatible with incandescent or CFL bulbs. Check the manufacturer's specifications to ensure that the switch is compatible with the type of bulbs you have in your home.

Range

The range of a Z-Wave light switch is the distance between the switch and the hub or controller that it communicates with. The range can be affected by a variety of factors, including the layout of your home and the materials used in your walls.

If you have a larger home or want to control lights from a distance, it's important to choose a Z-Wave light switch with a longer range. Some switches may also have a repeater function that can extend the range of your Z-Wave network.

Check the manufacturer's specifications to see what the range of the switch is and whether it's sufficient for your needs.

Z-Wave Light Switch FAQs

Sources

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