Main powered Zwave button in light switch housing?

I’m looking for a way to control my MQTT powered LED strips from a spare outlet space I have in my kitchen. Ideally I’d use something like this, but it seems awfully expensive and I’m also not 100% sure it works with OZW/Home Assistant (I had read about OZW not fully supporting CentralScene operations)

Are there cheaper ways to achieve my goal? Can I buy a cheaper Zwave switch and install it with no load attached and just use the on/off signals to trigger automations?

Yes you can, or just a battery powered one like this.

Just check that your device is Z-Wave Plus, and that when you search here the Controlled Command Class includes at least one of:

  • Hail
  • Association
  • (Central Scene - in a pinch)

Ignore the Supported Command Class section, it’s not what you need to read.