The ONE HomeKit Light Switch that NEVER Fails

[@argee55]

Stephen, I agree with you 100%. I have never had a Lutron switch fail tot connect. I wish I could say that about the half-dozen brands that I have. I'm currently in the process of replacing all my smart switches with Lutron. Thanks for another great video. Randall in Kentucky.

[@beardfm]

It seems everyone has the same Lutron experience, that is to say, an amazing one! Thanks for writing in and watching!

[@carldevans1]

I just started installing Lutron switches at my house. Replacing my Leviton switches, which were by far the worst HomeKit accessory in my house. So far, they are amazing! The fact that you can use ONE dimmer as a 3-way switch with a standard mechanical switch is a game changer.

[@beardfm]

Yes! 3-way setups with other brands is a challenge

[@stevevlahos1]

I just bought some Leviton. Based on your comment, I will return them and buy the Lutron. Thanks.

[@justinohara7215]

Great video. I saw the new Lutron switches and just am glad to see you have tested and are satisfied with them. My wife has put her foot down that they have to look like regular switches. So I will start slowly swapping the out…🎉

[@beardfm]

They’re super solid and the new ones look great 👍🏼

[@archero0714]

Straight to the point with facts and no fluff,,,, I love your format! Thank you!!

[@beardfm]

Appreciate that 🙏🏻

[@SmartHomeTech1]

LOL I remember commenting about how you should go with Lutron; glad you finally came around!

[@beardfm]

They’re literally undefeated

[@timhaisch5275]

If you can adjust the screws so that the slots are all vertical I would really appreciate it. And yes, as a master electrician and and an electrical contractor for 35 years Lutron is the best!

[@dwfindley]

Love this video. Did you insert the link to the USB multi-bit screwdriver? I guess I missed it.

[@beardfm]

Thank you! And I forgot! Thanks for the reminder: amzn.to/467YMYo

[@AJF4Me]

I have Lutron throughout my house plus their Serena shades for about 6 years now and love it! So glad they FINALLY added a paddle switch and replaced their button switches with them mainly in our bedrooms where you tend to feel for the switch as you walk in. I wish they would share many of their Radio Ra hardware and functionality with Caseta but I guess they don't want to canibalize that system.

[@ektataneja1747]

Which one is the best one planning to buy smart wifi switch

[@chadunderwood]

Lutron switches are the best.

[@beardfm]

So good!

[@GregMapes]

Thanks for your experience. I’ve had same. What was reliability on Aqara switches? Also link to screwdriver? I don’t see it.

[@beardfm]

Aqara has been ok, but still not as solid as Lutron. And here's the link! amzn.to/467YMYo

[@Buharialtinee]

Thanks for sharing

[@beardfm]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jack-yi2gt]

Love your shirt brotha

[@beardfm]

Haha thanks! atp.fm sold it at one point

[@xtracredit]

Great video! I had Insteon switches and outlets, and they rarely worked, even with the Insteon app. After experimenting with Leviton and others, I finally got fed up and replaced all the light switches in my home with Lutron Caseta. Lutron is rock solid. I haven't experienced any issues since installing them over 2 years ago.

[@beardfm]

It's truly incredible how good they are. Wise choice!

[@michaelwerbick]

I started with Lutron but needed a double rocker in a location and tried an aqara. The Aqara works well, but when I tried others of theirs I've had issues. Lutron just works. Ill pay the money

[@beardfm]

Aqara is second when it comes to reliability I think. But Lutron is the top.

[@techhealthandfood9952]

I installed a variety of Leviton switches/dimmers motion sensor switches outlets and scene controllers in a 2 story commercial building. About 22 devices Still installing more to automate the entire building. I am an electrician by trade, and I exclusively use Leviton. Anyway, the last update from Apple(iOS 17.3) and the latest firmware from Leviton has made the devices rock solid. Curious if you’ve had the same results.

[@AlternateSolutions1]

It is possible to use Siri to control scenic lighting? for instance, I have a room that has several sets of recessed lights on 3 separate circuits and I'm looking to be able to simply say siri set lights to theatre mode, and simultaneously all 3 sets of lights will dim to a predefined setting?

[@morells09]

2:51 the old version of the on/off only switch still required a neutral wire, it's not exactly optional and there is an electrical reason why the dimmers don't need a neutral and on/off ones do

[@beardfm]

Ah thanks for the clarification, it’s been a while since I installed those

[@morells09]

@@beardfmno worries! Love the HomeKit content and would love to see more 👊

[@The-Friendly-Grizzly]

I had a no-neutral area where I wanted a switch. There is a jumper capacitor that, added to just one fixture, (in case you are switching more than one on the same circuit) solves the problem. It was rock solid in operation, either directly or via signals from my Hubitat system.

[@phillechill]

Just wanted to say I love your videos. Super informative, super likeable and great production.

[@beardfm]

Really appreciate that 🙏 thanks for watching!

[@supereldian]

Are smart switches better than smart bulbs? On a different note: the video looking extra crispy! A “KZbin gear” video would be interesting 🤩

[@beardfm]

I prefer switches! In general I find them dropping connectivity less, plus you don’t have to think about someone flipping off a switch and cutting power to your bulb. And it needs an update, but here’s what the studio looks like! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5Cnf6xvl96MnpIsi=JKdRq0HrzcAIFPao

[@ricardoramirez1552]

I followed your advice and I’m slowly switching from Wemo to LUTRON for switches and dimmers. They work perfectly. What would be your advice for plugs? I’m sick of my Wemo plugs “not responding” every now and then.

[@faradaycool4058]

Great video again, Steph. Thanks for all your hard work in trying (and installing) so many products for the benefit of your viewers.

[@beardfm]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@iownu92]

Have you ever tried the Kasa ones from TP-Link?

[@teddymutterperl5492]

Can you do another with smart plugs and light strips!

[@beardfm]

For sure! Will discuss in my whole-home tour soon as well, but Wemo smart plugs with thread is the way to go, and the Eve light strip is my favorite.

[@TheTinRam]

How do you add the Lutron hub to HomeKit? Do you have a video on that?

[@ortiz3m]

I wish Lutron made smart plugs. I use the caseta and it's awesome!

[@beardfm]

As a matter of fact: amzn.to/3QBHywO

[@cheapme1850]

I’m getting tired of resetting all of my many Meross switches. At least once a month, one or more of them drop off and now I’m looking at a reasonably priced replacement but looks like there isn’t one. I’m assuming it’s the switches because all of my other HomeKit devices work fine, including my Meross garage door opener.

[@exploderider9840]

Your video was great and straight to the point. I did have a question for you. Do I need a special kind of recessed lighting for the dimming feature to work? I gave up on the idea of smart recessed lights and decided to go with a smart switch instead. I will be adding recessed lighting to my home but don’t know which to buy that will work with the diva switch and have the dim feature function properly

[@beardfm]

Hm I think as long as the kind of LED used in the fixture is dimmable, you don't need anything else "special." We recently built our house and the standard dimmable can lighting works well.

[@scottdavis9667]

Hey Stephen: Sometimes it's true that you really do get what you pay for. Totally agree on Lutron reliability and I feel it's well worth the cost. You have to ask yourself, how much is your time worth?

[@beardfm]

For real. Slowly going to upgrade all non-Lutron switches in the house…

[@VioletTheCamaro]

So I bought Kasa light switched because they worked with Alexa, however, I’m switching to Apple home kit. Are the Lutron switches the same (basically) just works with HomeKit? Thanks love the videos. I also have hue bulbs in some lights so can’t dim via the switch.

[@beardfm]

Yes Lutron needs a hub, but if you have that all the Caseta switch line works with HomeKit!

[@VioletTheCamaro]

@@beardfm yeah I see I have to buy a hub for Aquara too? Haven’t seen started packs like hue where it comes with the hub and products. Everything is à la cart.?

[@AZ_Baggin]

Thank you for your video, how do you pair the switch to a door sensor?

[@beardfm]

It's all done in the Home app. Once you've added accessories to HomeKit you can automate them together!

[@AZ_Baggin]

@@beardfm 1 last question what door sensors work best with apple homekit. Thanks again.

[@luisarsuaga7637]

I was set on buying Leviton switches for my new home, mainly because they are cheaper and I prefer their style. But I kept reading that Lutron is more reliable than Leviton and now I'm not sure. What type of issues did you experience with Leviton switches?

[@mkpears]

Leviton Gen 1, I bought 6 of these years ago, steadily theyhav ebeen failing, about one per year. I have received 2 Gen 2 replacements from Leviton support, but they quit replacing them. Not sure how long the Gen 2 wil l last, dissapointing, always thought Leviton were high quality.... I hate dealing with proprietary birges, so used Leviton because I coudl just use Wi-Fi and like to my HomeAssistant. Searching for a good Wi-Fi switch...

[@xavi-23]

STEPHEN!!! THERE IS A TYPO IN THE TITLE OF THIS VIDEO!! IT SAYS "The ONE HomeKit Light Switch the NEVER Fails" but it really should say "The ONE HomeKit Light Switch *that* NEVER Fails." I don't know if this was truly an accident but I thought I'd let you know.

[@beardfm]

Wow, you’re the first to say something, THANK YOU! Fixed 👍🏼

[@davidgomez5116]

Lol

[@koshmiah6070]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I’m thinking to upgrade to Lutron, they don’t sell these in the UK so I’d need to get them shipped. Would they work in the UK if I got them shipped?

[@beardfm]

That's a good question, I'm not 100% so maybe reach out to their support.

[@daktusdurggery5505]

Okay have you tried the new Kasa matter compatible dimmer switches?

[@beardfm]

I have not! Will try to get one to review

[@ektataneja1747]

Best home switches, I m in canada

[@huubjoanfranssen8980]

Wonder if also PLC is a reliable solution. I mean the powerline is right there.

[@beardfm]

What's PLC?

[@huubjoanfranssen8980]

power-line communication. I used in our old family home. It was very reliable.

[@d1gga383]

It’s a pain in the ass we can’t get lutron in Australia.

[@MrMarco7ify]

Now do one for sensors🎉

[@beardfm]

That's a good one, will do it soon!

[@tommiegreen]

Hello, do you know if there are any smart switches that meet these three requirements?: Homekit - No Neutral - No Hub Thank you!

[@beardfm]

Unfortunately, that doesn't exist to my knowledge. Meross doesn't require a hub, but needs neutral. Aqara doesn't require neutral, but needs a hub. Same with some Leviton models. Eve, no hub but needs neutral. At my older home I used all Lutron because of the no neutral ability.

[@BrienGerber]

Inovelli White series might do the trick

[@jpileggi1]

Stephen, I really appreciate your review, but the cost associated with Lutron is waayyy out of my league. Even if I added switches over time (which would be a necessity because of the cost), I may as well wait for more Matter over Thread switches to become more common. (I have been experimenting with a couple of Inovelli zigbee switches that I brought into Homekit with Hubitat. The result has been rock solid.) Ultimately, as I say, my Utopia will be to wait out for Matter over Thread switches that will hopefully be commonplace over the next 12 months.

[@beardfm]

I get it, that’s why I haven’t fully transitioned to Lutron yet either. I’m hoping we see more Thread switches soon, possibly announced at CES in January

[@jrtoy704]

lets see a video on Inovelli white series

[@beardfm]

Would love to try those!

[@griffindavidson8156]

How did you make the HomeKit Wallpaper?

[@beardfm]

This great app called HomePaper! apps.apple.com/ca/app/homepaper-for-homekit/id1560790119

[@Moonchilling]

I’m new at this. How long do these Lutron switches last?

[@beardfm]

I've had several switcher for 5+ years and still going strong.

[@Electrum]

an you onfigure de Lutron to not cut the power and instead just set scenes or simply turn the lights off via the network.. but not cut the power. Otherwise anyone entering the room and press the switch will cause the smartbulbs to reset every time.

[@pacificadventures9919]

That gang box made my damn eye twitch!!!

[@beardfm]

haha everybody struggles with the screws

[@steelersboi7]

Does the switch come with a fan button?

[@beardfm]

Lutron makes a ceiling fan switch specifically.

[@zookini]

You forgot Kasa by TP link

[@ragtop63]

Guaranteed a lot of the disconnect issues you’re experiencing are because of your WiFi hardware. Lutron’s implementation most likely has more failure scenarios programmed into them. Which explains why they are the most expensive, more development time.

[@beardfm]

I have a pretty robust Unifi Wi-Fi system with multiple access points, and no other devices (including wifi light strips and smart plugs) have issues like this.

[@ragtop63]

@@beardfm That’s a bit conflicting from what was stated in the video. The video stated that only the Lutron seems to never have problems with connectivity. It stated that you’ve tried “all” of them. If the majority of the devices are experiencing connectivity issues and 1 specific brand isn’t, that points to sub-optimal access point configurations and design. It also suggests that the software design in the Lutron is smarter than the other brands. Unless what was being stated in the video wasn’t 100% accurate.

[@Redridge07]

leviton on homekit with a leviton hub?

[@beardfm]

Leviton doesn't require a hub.

[@Redridge07]

@@beardfm without the hub, I cannot add to homekit.

[@MrRichbrll]

What about tp link with Kasa

[@beardfm]

Actually haven’t tried those, but I believe they connect over wifi so would have the same connectivity issues

[@madkins1816]

Do you need the Lutron hub if just adding one Claro Lutron on/off switch? Can the switch be added directly to Homekit or do you need the hub?

[@beardfm]

Hub is required for any HomeKit access

[@vanha5311]

Hey, do you know why my lutron switch not working when i say siri turn the light on, but it work when i say turn the light off? ( i have to turn the light on by hand)

[@אתהברטון]

The only thing is: the Lutron hub is required, right?

[@beardfm]

Yes, Lutron hub required

[@The-Friendly-Grizzly]

@@beardfm The hubs are not that expensive, and oftentimes you can get a "Starter kit" where the combination of whatever you buy plus the hub makes the hub about US$10 more than the price of all the other pieces. That is how I started.

[@Exclusive-Studio]

Does it work on Android?

[@beardfm]

Lutron supports Google home so it would work!

[@The-Friendly-Grizzly]

Works on Android, Alexa, and you can add it to Hubitat automation with a built-in - and free - app that Hubitat offers. I'm running Lutron through Hubitat, and "talk" to it with Alexa. (I'd rather use Apple Home, but the "dot" speaker from Apple is so quiet I can barely hear it, and its response to commands is met with chatty acknowledgements rather than just a tone.

[@landypog]

Brilliant is just as reliable

[@gregg5958]

Ha! That post didn’t age well. Not only is the switch not as reliable, neither is the company: “Brilliant, maker of smart home controllers and smart light switches, is out of money. CEO Aaron Emigh confirmed in an exclusive interview with The Verge that the company has laid off the majority of its staff, shut down its support center, and is no longer selling its products”.

[@progression_decibel]

@@gregg5958 That's a super shame - I had their Brilliant multi-gang smart hub/screen thing in my Amazon list for a while and was going to recently purchase one and was wondering why it wasn't shipping anymore.

[@jpramos5959]

Do only thing I don't like is the looks.

[@Bigglare]

Non-Wifi, go figure.

[@beardfm]

Yeah, needs to be thread or zigbee

[@sturmbreakers7817]

You’ll that having problems just have garbage WiFi!

[@beardfm]

I mean… kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJOxXnZ_d9l1qpIsi=oB_DVpUmBGT8sxU-