The best smart light switches that don’t require a neutral wire

Source: Jerry Hildenbrand / Android Central

Smart switches never sleep

Many homes were wired before the National Electric Code required every light switch junction box have a neutral wire. If you own such a home, many of the best smart switches won’t work for you. Every smart switch needs a neutral wire attached because they need to stay powered all the time.

Without a neutral wire, there is a single circuit between the bulb, power source (or junction box), and light switch. If you switch off the lights, the electric current is broken because no power is passing through the bulb. That’s why you typically need a neutral wire, which directly connects the power source to the switch: If you turn off the lights, the circuit still breaks, but the neutral wire gives the switch its own persistent source of power.

There’s a reason why almost every smart switch needs a neutral wire attached.

If your house doesn’t have neutral wires, your options are to rewire your home to add neutral wires, buy and add microcontrollers inside the switches to smarten them up, or buy smart light switches that work without a neutral wire or microcontroller. We recommend you consult with an electrician before pulling out switches or starting any rewiring in your home. There’s always the potential to get hurt, so be safe instead of sorry.

The easiest option is to simply buy compatible smart switches, but keep in mind that these only work by connecting through a compatible bridge or hub, which stores programming data like your wireless network details and login. These hubs won’t cost as much as an electrician, but they’re still fairly costly.

Our two favorite smart light switches without a neutral wire are the Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch and Insteon Smart Dimmer. Of these two, the best switch for your home depends on what else you might want to make “smart” in your home.

Lutron’s smart switches and hub cost more, but are compatible with more smart home tech. Insteon switches are best served for dimming bulbs.

Lutron’s Caseta system is more expensive, but its SmartBridge Pro hub connects with things like powered window blinds, ceiling fan controllers, wireless “pico” switches that you carry around, and even motion sensors. So if you plan to use any other Lutron equipment, the extra cost is worth it because you won’t need another bridge.

If you only want smart switches, or you already have the rest of your house wired up, you can save a bit of money by going with the Insteon system. Its Central Controller Hub is about half the price of the SmartBridge Pro, while the Insteon and Lutron Caseta smart switches cost the same.

Both choices work with Amazon Alexa, have smartphone apps, and work with almost any light fixture you have in your home. The biggest difference is the price.

Otherwise, if you decide that smart switches and hubs aren’t worth the hassle, keep in mind that most smart bulbs don’t require a hub, and they’re fully compatible with any power outlet regardless of the neutral wire.

The best alternative for your neutral wire-less smart home is to check out the best smart bulbs or best Alexa-controlled light bulbs instead. They’re generally more expensive per bulb but save money by not requiring a hub, and they also offer app controls and Alexa voice commands.