Meross has a Smart Switch for Homekit that won't break the bank!

Affordable MEROSS Dimmer Switch for Homekit with Remote!
Looking for a budget friendly yet functional smart light switch? In this video, I'll give you a product overview, install the switch and walk you through the different options and costs so you can figure out which one is right for you. I'll show you how I integrate this into my automations and scenes. I installed this one in my Ensuite bathroom and use it to automate my bathroom fan and lights. If you want to add this to your smart home, I've got affiliate links below:
I use Apple Homekit but it's compatible with Google Assistant & Alexa too. In this video, I'll review the Meross dimmer switch and give you some practical uses for the remote!
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:17 Reliability
2:17 Meross Wifi Switch Options & Prices
2:47 3 & 4 Way Switches
3:26 Works with....
3:55 Neutral Wire Required
4:23 Wifi Connectivity
5:03 What's in the box
5:47 Installation
7:27 Adding to HomeKit
7:47 Pairing the Remote
9:20 So far, so good
9:32 Compatability Test
10:18 Button Noises
10:28 Scenes & Automations
11:27 Conclusion
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🛒 Affiliate Links:
Below are links to some great products for your Smart home. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you and this would help support my channel. The below genius links are set up to direct you to the correct Amazon store based on the country you live in.
Meross Smart Ambient Light: geni.us/kIf3MS
Meross Smart Plug 2-Pack: geni.us/ObgA
Meross Smart Dimmer Switch: geni.us/ptzI
Meross Smart Bulbs 2-Pack: geni.us/wjGahE
Meross Smart Outdoor Plug: geni.us/sT97Cr
Meross Floor Lamp: geni.us/yaQIN
Meross Desk Lamp: geni.us/bShulE
Balolo Tripod:
www.balolo.de/?ref=9incxpey27
10% OFF with code: BRADLLOYD
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#Homekit #Meross #SmartHome #TheBradLloyd @Meross

[@felinefinetessaslegacy2878]

Excellent and informative. You covered all the bases, and this is coming from a retired general contractor of over 30 years. Thanks for your video. 👍 🇨🇦

[@TheBradLloyd]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@Polkster13]

Just be careful when you have multiple switches going to a single box, as I have found that there were more than one breaker feeding the switches in that box. You should use a power indicator probe to check and make sure there are no live circuits in a box before pulling out the switches and removing wire nuts. You can get shocked easily or short something out if there happened to be a second circuit that is still live after turning off the circuit to the switch you are replacing. If you don't have a probe, you can cheat by turning all of the switches on, verifying that all of the lights controlled by these switches are on, then turning the circuit breaker off, and then checking to see if all of the fixtures are now off. If there is one or more fixture still on, then you have another circuit breaker supplying power to that box that needs to be turned off before you proceed any further. Another tip you can do is to label the inside of the plate cover with a permanent marker the circuit breaker number/numbers feeding that box location. Then, in the future, if anyone needs to work on that location, they will have the circuit break number(s) that need to be turned off.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Great tips Frederick! Definitely important to know your wiring and proceed with caution! ⚠️ Thanks for sharing for everyone’s benefit!

[@charleslaine]

I have about 20 Meross switches installed in my house. They work great. I also like the tactile feedback that you get when clicking them.

[@Dra6nheart]

I have a MEROSS Dimmable light switch. Manually the switch worked, but using my phone wouldn’t. I had to hold the power button till the lights turned off, then on and THEN my phone would detect the light switch to add. THANK YOU for showing how to pair the remote. Nothing was on my directions about pairing the remote. I put the remote in my closet so I could turn the light on from inside and not wake my wife in the morning with the light.

[@Sugafull27]

Thank you!! I was searching for how to link the switch to remote switch and it was so hard to find!! Thanks 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@noquestions7443]

Very informative 👍

[@TheJLMDT]

Awesome video! I'm always curious with channels like yours. Do you work on KZbin full-time? I have friends trying to get into the tech review space, but haven't made the full move yet and you seem to be doing a great job!

[@TechUpChannel]

Love the video. Merros have some great products. The switch looks great and is so cheap!

[@TheBradLloyd]

Thanks Josh, totally agree.

[@sergeemond]

The Wemo Stage *is* available in Canada… I purchased a non-thread one about 2 weeks ago, knowing it becomes thread once you update the firmware. Works quite well and fast. (And it updates through the Home app, no need to install a 3rd party junk app) I also have a bunch of Meross switches (a 3-way dimmer, a few normal dimmers, and a fer normal switches), and they work quite well. It's annoying to have to configure them in their app (and thus their cloud) to update, however it only communicates with a specific host on AWS in the us, and you can remove them afterward from the cloud (not sure I see the point however). Can't compare with other switches, because I only have Meross switches. My second purchase, got non-homekit versions and realised my mistake AFTER installing them. I decided to bridge them with Homebridge instead of returning them and they work just as well.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Hi Serge, yes, someone else also pointed out to me that Wemo Stage is available in Canada, I didn't even realize, so I'm going to check that out! Good idea using Homebridge with the non-HomeKit version!

[@homekittechy]

Hey brad loved the video like always. Do you know if this switch once you turn it off does power continue running, don’t know if I make sense but I have a ceiling fan in my master bedroom with a smart plug but if I turn off the fan the lights come off and when I turn the fan on the lights turn on as the fan is a pull chain. I want to know if there’s a way to get this resolved and if this switch would do the trick. Thanks

[@TheBradLloyd]

Hello, I don't believe this switch would be a good solution for you. If you have separate switches for light and fan then you can get a smart switch for each (Lutron sells one just for fans). If you only have a single switch you would need an electrician to separate the circuit. The other option is to use a Hunter Fan. I'll have a review coming soon for that!

[@sethalton205]

Really glad you did this walkthrough. While I like Lutron (if the caseta line was made in the USA, I'd stick with them), It's hard to eat that $50 a switch. I'm only looking for a few circuits to be on a schedule like the exterior house lights. I also plan on putting one of these along with a 40A relay to power my pool pump (Cause Pentair wanted some $2400 for their pool pump that did the same thing). This is so I don't forget to turn on/off the pool pump. Eventually I'll toss some chemical testing probes into the pipes where it can start/stop early based on chemical content (Like if it has run for more than two hours to get the majority of the stuff filtered, it doesn't need to continue to run reducing cost of electricity and the chlorine injected into the pool filter stream)

[@jokyjang]

Great video and great product. Does Meross have 4way dimmer switch? I have a set of hallway lights controlled by 3 switches.

[@regularnerd]

Haven’t tried anything Meross yet, but maybe I’ll check one of these out. Thanks!

[@TheBradLloyd]

Yeah, totally worth checking Meross out - they've got some pretty cool devices to choose from, at great prices.Thanks for watching!

[@jharsh3376]

Great vid! Not a HomeKit user but have been using Meross switches for a couple of years and haven’t had a problem with any of them. Currently running 40-50 of them both single and 3 way. With the 3 way, you’re able to install only one switch while still retaining the dumb switch on the other side. Just fyi.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Great point on the 3-way switch. Thanks for sharing!

[@shadow.banned]

What happens when the power goes out, does it remain linked like Lutron?

[@TheChappellFamily]

I love homkit and its the only smart home platform I use but sometimes the like to brake the bank with products that come out so its nice to something cheeper.

[@TheBradLloyd]

100% agree. And even at lower price point, they still work well.

[@TheChappellFamily]

@@TheBradLloyd love the video and will be pick one up to give it a try thank you for the amazing review

[@TheBradLloyd]

@@TheChappellFamily Thank you, I think you will like it!

[@muhammeduwaisebrahim9348]

Question if Wi-Fi router stops working what happens??? Can you still on and off the light?

[@PJ-ee5mc]

I have several of these Mss560x Meross dimmable switches. Despite multiple setups they simply will not dim to anything below approximately 90%. The previous version had a great dimming range. I have been wiring switches and dealing with Smarthome installations from day one and cannot get these to dim. Any thoughts on why?

[@BK-pc3ei]

What Apple Watch band are you using

[@RuossFamilyAdventures]

My issue is that I live in a old farm house and it has the old cloth wiring and the old small steel outlet Boxes and the switches are to beg to install them you guess on switch

[@matthewferguson5133]

Hi there solid video, very thorough! Are these switches smart bulb compatible? When switched off, do they act like dumb switches and cut power to the smart bulbs (so voice assistances won’t find them)? Thanks!

[@GreeniusGenius]

Philips Hue is probably what you want. Since they offer loads of wireless switches, eg; the Lutron Aurora, or their dimmer switch which can be mounted over existing switches with adapters on Amazon. Alternatively, Smart Home Solver has a video on smart switches, and he mentions some options that work with smart bulbs, (I think Zooz and Innovelli).

[@samerman2538]

Hi, I love this video and what you do. I have just a little question. At 8:22, there is your yellow HomePod mini on a very cool stand. Did you have its name, because I love it. Thanks !

[@TheBradLloyd]

Hi Sam, Thanks so much! I love this Balolo Tripod stand as well. Here is my affiliate link: www.balolo.de/?ref=9incxpey27 10% OFF with code: BRADLLOYD

[@samerman2538]

Thanks !

[@Rollingstone2009]

I have one Meross light switch, multiple power strips, plugs, and outdoor plugs. Never, not once, not ever have they failed. I wish I could have all my light switches Meross but I only have a neutral wire in the one place I use one. On par reliability with Lutron. Every other brand I have (Phillips Hue, Nanoleaf, Aqara, Wemo - especially Wemo!) have all failed on occasion and some much more than others (Wemo, Nanoleaf, including with thread!).

[@tonywitt]

Great video as usual. I want smart switches but thinking of waiting till there are reasonable thread smart switches. Does that make sense?

[@TheBradLloyd]

Thank you Tony. It depends on how long that will take. Wemo is $50 US and I expect Eve will be priced similarly. I'm sure we'll see lower priced options in time, though not sure how when that will be. Thanks for watching.

[@GoFastGator]

I think it makes a ton of sense to wait for thread. In my house, I’d have at least 72 devices and that seems like a lot to add to my WiFi. I really don’t want to setup a dedicated IIoT WiFi either if I can avoid it. Thread makes a lot more sense for IIoT just in how it routes traffic over the mesh network vs WiFi polling 70+ devices. Caseta is limited to 75 devices per hub, and the ONLY way to use two hubs and have those devices talk across hubs is to use a 3rd party API like HomeKit/Google/Alexa/Home Assistant/etc.

[@thebees6337]

Do you know if a ground wire is required?

[@yinping2010]

how comes pairing remote to switch doesn't work on mine switch by press up and down buttons together? it's not blinking.

[@WingAddict]

Thanks for the video. I have used Lutron versions of this but not this one. Can you pair more then one remote line you can with the Lutron picos? I don’t see the remote sold separately on Amazon.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Such a great question. I’m not sure but let me try to find out!

[@TheBradLloyd]

Meross says you can pair up to 4 remotes to 1 switch, which is really cool. Though unfortunately they don't sell a 'stand-alone' switch, so you would need to buy the full kit.

[@WingAddict]

@@TheBradLloyd good to know. Hopefully they will sell the remotes on their own one day!

[@bbruce65]

Great video. Unfortunately these switches will not work in my post WWII home. No neutral wire. I guess I will keep my Aqara switches for now.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Yeah, unfortunately not Bryan. Hopefully we'll see more options in the future that don't rely on a neutral wire. Thanks for watching though!

[@Polkster13]

Look into Lutron. They are the best and are rock solid. They also have switches that don't require a neutral wire.

[@aprildonahoo8650]

I can't decide if I want a smart switch or just a motion sensor for my kitchen. I can't really think of uses for a smart switch except to tell Suri to turn the lights off and on.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Hi April, it depends on how it's being used. The advantage of using a smart motion sensor with a smart switch is having the flexibility to move the motion sensor where it works best. You could also setup time of day automations such as having lights turn to 100% when motion is detected during the day, and perhaps only 50% during the evening. There are some places where a standard (non smart) light switch with a built in motion sensor can make sense. For me, this is what I use in my powder room. That is definitely the more cost effective option, though you will have less options. Hope that helps.

[@YachtEventHorizon]

Typically in the UK a combined twin and earth cable is taken from the ceiling rose to the wall switch. The cable has the code 6242Y. This cable provides a live at the switch point. The other core is termed the switched live. Not having a neutral at the wall switch point limits the choice of smart switch that could be used. I’m suggesting the following although I’m sure many will frown on my suggestion. If you use or replace your steel wall box with a plastic wall box and also use a plastic smart switch then the earth to the wall switch becomes redundant and is not used. On this basis, why not use this cable to carry a neutral to the wall switch. You will need to insulate the earth cable with blue sleeping. You will also need to modify the wiring at your ceiling rose where you remove the wire from the earth terminal and connect it to the neutral terminal. I can see no reason why this method can’t be used and will try it in one of my switches. Of course should I ever move I would reinstate the wiring to the original configuration. Let me have your thoughts.

[@Rollingstone2009]

The biggest issue I find with deciding what light switches to use is that need for a neutral wire. It’s a make or break issue. That’s why I use Lutron. Aqara has them but no dimmable options.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Sorry for the late response but I agree. Simple On/Off is fine some of the time, but I typically prefer the option to dim the lights. Lutron works great for that.

[@Polkster13]

Another tip: Test all of the switches to see if they are working properly before screwing the face plate back on as having to take all of those screws back out is a pain.

[@TheBradLloyd]

👏🏼 Yes!! Agree with this Tip! Lots of saved frustration!

[@stimeon]

Thank you for your excellent videos. I don't think Meross has a no-neutral dimmer, do they? Does anyone that you know of?

[@TheBradLloyd]

Thanks for the feedback! Meross does not offer a non-neutral wire option. Aqara and Lutron Caseta do though.

[@stimeon]

@@TheBradLloyd Thanks. I couldn't find an Aqara dimmer without the neutral so ordered the Caseta. I was trying to avoid another hub, but what can you do? I appreciate your channel - I'm in Ontario as well so its nice to have someone in the local market.

[@TheBradLloyd]

@@stimeon I hear you about the extra hub but Lutron is worth it. 2nd to none!! Thanks for watching, nice to hear from some local viewers!

[@Dalek_genocide]

In my bedroom I have a ceiling fan light combo that has only one dumb switch and chains. So the fan doesn't have it's own control. I'm trying to find a switch that lets me control the fan and light if possible. Do you have any reccomendations on what switch would help?

[@TheBradLloyd]

To my knowledge, your best option would be to have an electrician wire a second switch to separate the light from the fan. Or, you can do what I did and purchase a smart fan. I did a review on Hunter Simple connect fans. Not likely the answer you were looking for but something to check out.

[@neilsmith4184]

@@TheBradLloyd I appreciate it. Thanks!

[@gregorypierce2697]

It looks like when you turn it on it goes quickly too 100% and then dims to your previous level is this correct?

[@TheBradLloyd]

I think that was just how it appeared in the video - using auto ISO when filming. The lights turn on to the previous light level. I'm loving this switch!

[@eugeniocastro2432]

Hello, I know this is an old video, but is it possible to run a light and an exhaust fan from this switch? Thank you.

[@TheBradLloyd]

As far as I know, it’s one or the other. I wouldn’t recommend the dimmer option for the exhaust fan though. I’m not an electrician, so it’s always possible there’s a work round.

[@eugeniocastro2432]

@@TheBradLloydthanks for replying, yeah I figured, I’m going to be installing the single gang two rocker from aqara then, I was trying to avoid a hub.

[@mencibenci]

why are these things only compatible with 2.4ghz? what would it take to make them support 5ghz? a tiny-ass chip meross is too cheap to include?

[@TheBradLloyd]

Yeah, good questions. 2.4 is much more common for smart home products. I expect it helps keep the cost down… 🤷‍♂️

[@GoFastGator]

2.4Ghz makes a lot of sense for an IIoT wi-FI network. Plenty of bandwidth, longer range with much better wall penetration vs 5Ghz.

[@tarnesh88]

QUESTION is your bathroom exhaust fan smart or did you connect it to the smart switch.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Good question, my bathroom exhaust fan is connected to a Lutron Caseta smart switch.

[@clinton675]

I have installed a light switch. A router has 2.4/5. It was installed and working for 15 minutes. Reinstalled the same thing keeps dropping off.

[@garrettnelson1384]

Is meross ever going to have thread devices?

[@TheBradLloyd]

I think thread will be the norm before long, though no indication if or when Meross will adopt Thread, though I know they are committed to being Matter certified.

[@garrettnelson1384]

@@TheBradLloyd I love you channel thanks for responding! Do you know if their new current products are built to support matter with a firmware update?

[@TheBradLloyd]

@@garrettnelson1384 Thank you for your feedback. I don't believe so, but I'll ask Meross about this and see if I can get more info.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Here is what Meross told me "We are developing Matter in Q2 but do not have a concrete timeline for Thread.". So I wouldn't expect Thread any time soon.

[@garrettnelson1384]

@@TheBradLloyd thanks so much for looking into that! You have no idea how much of my house has became automated because of watching your channel for ideas and inspiration

[@BondByPythons]

Can that be turned on if you are away from home?

[@TheBradLloyd]

Yes! As long as you have a home hub (HomePod (OG or mini), Apple TV or iPad).

[@BondByPythons]

@@TheBradLloyd awesome. How would it work with Apple TV?

[@TheBradLloyd]

@@BondByPythons It’s not that it specifically works with an Apple TV. But your Apple TV can be used as your home hub. It’s a local and centralized location that HomeKit uses to store all your scenes and automations, and allows your devices to be controlled remotely.

[@BondByPythons]

@@TheBradLloyd Thank you so much 🤝

[@GoFastGator]

Yet another incomplete stab at smart lighting. Not to totally disparage this product, but some of us want consistency in the way our physical controls look from room to room vs having three or more different designs/brands of control to accomplish smart lighting. Caseta gets close, but the 75 device limit per proprietary hub and no compatibility mode for smart bulbs really sour the hefty investment. My dream devices would be dimmers and switches that function like Lutron Maestro units, for synch’d indicator bars on each device and multi location dimming controls. They would work with Pico remotes and scene controllers, and use the Sunnata design. Add a smart bulb mode to the master dimmer/switch (or even a dedicated device to run smart bulbs on a given circuit) and you have a product that can do what very few others can and nobody offers as a complete design family. I don’t such a thing would take much, if anything, away from higher end system that use custom luminaries and proprietary controls (yes, the high-end Lutron systems are HomeKit compatible!) for those willing to make that investment. However, Caseta, while being the most complete family of products by far, is starting to show its age both in aesthetic design and automation capabilities.

[@TheBradLloyd]

Thanks for sharing this feedback! I do love Lutron Caseta but can appreciate there is a demand and benefit for a fully integrated suite of products that are high end, offer higher child device limits and more flexibility while maintaining consistency through the house. Will be interesting to see if there is more competition in the smart home space in the coming years and if a company steps it up with a design family! I’m on board with your dream scenario!

[@Alfareview9]

Keep losing the network, has to reset and setup multiple times, and then it died…

[@andredarnell4862]

All cap. It won’t pair with HOMEKIT!!! None of the 10 switches I have will not add to HomeKit. Only error code is “Unable to Add Accessory An unknown error occurred”. I get this for all 10. The support page basically leaves you on your own.

[@TheBradLloyd]

That's not good.... Make sure you have a good wifi signal, and you want to be on 2.4GHZ. Give the switch a factory reset and try again. Also try adding in Home directly (in case you are using the Meross app). Otherwise you may need to reach out to Meross for support.

[@Erik-ep7yg]

This made me happy! You need to research P R O M O S M!!

[@gaylordfocker7288]

Assuming you can still control the lights with Siri with these switches??

[@TheBradLloyd]

100%!

[@roymwale1967]

Do you know if a ground wire is required?

[@TheBradLloyd]

Sorry Roy, I'm not sure. There is a ground wire cord, but I don't see anything saying if it's required or optional.

[@roymwale1967]

@@TheBradLloyd thank you though I managed to get mine installed caption off the ground so woohoo!