What Is a Smart Light Switch?
A smart light switch connects to your home WiFi network, letting you control your lighting from a phone app, voice assistant, or schedule — in addition to using the switch itself. This is different from a smart bulb, which puts the smart technology in the bulb rather than the switch.
How does a smart light switch work?
A smart switch connects to your home network, either directly over WiFi or via a hub, and pairs with an app on your phone. Once set up, you can turn lights on and off, dim them, or schedule them to come on and off at set times — all without needing to touch the switch itself, while the physical switch still works exactly as normal for anyone in the room.
Smart switch vs smart bulb — what's the difference?
A smart bulb puts the smart technology inside the bulb itself, and is controlled independently of the wall switch — in fact, the wall switch needs to stay on at all times for a smart bulb to be controllable via the app. A smart switch instead puts the smart technology into the switch itself, meaning any ordinary bulb can be used, and the switch continues to work normally alongside app or voice control.
Do smart switches need a neutral wire?
Many smart switches require a neutral wire at the switch position to power their internal electronics — something older properties don't always have wired to the light switch. This is worth checking before buying, as it can mean an electrician needs to run an additional wire. Our Retrotouch Crystal Touch range, however, is designed to work without a neutral wire required, making it considerably easier to retrofit into older properties.
What about touch switches and Philips Hue compatibility?
Alongside WiFi smart switches, we also stock feather-touch switches from Retrotouch, including a range certified as Friends of Hue, designed to work reliably alongside Philips Hue smart bulbs. See our Retrotouch Friends of Hue guide and our LED compatibility and touch switches guide for more detail on how these work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a smart light switch?
A smart light switch connects to your home network, allowing you to control lighting via an app, voice assistant, or schedule, in addition to using the physical switch as normal.
What's the difference between a smart switch and a smart bulb?
A smart bulb has the smart technology built into the bulb, and needs the wall switch left on at all times to be controlled remotely. A smart switch has the technology in the switch itself, so any standard bulb can be used.
Do I need a neutral wire for a smart switch?
Many smart switches do require a neutral wire at the switch position. Our Retrotouch Crystal Touch range is designed to work without one, making it easier to fit in older properties.
Related guides: LED compatibility and touch switches and Retrotouch Friends of Hue switches.