Which wall switches are you using?

I am beginning to decommission my fairly large Insteon network as it is becoming less and less reliable. I have been using HA with mainly Zigbee (with ZHA) and a few Z-Wave (with Z-Wave JS) devices for about 2 years for anything new.

But now I am in the market for about 12 Wall switches (with neutral) and about 6 WITHOUT neutral needed (Insteon called this 2-wire switches). All related info I have found on this forum is a now couple years old.

What do you recommend today in the US? I slightly prefer Zigbee, just for consistency, but will consider Z-wave also if necessary. Of course, price is always a consideration, too.

Thank you in advance for your insights!

What geography? Device availability and power requirements vary.

Great point… I’m in the USA

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If i were staying ZWave, I use GE Jascos for my workhorse dimmer /switches… Yes they used to fail just because someone sneezed (ok maybe not that much but close) but ever since they updated the warranty and Jasco redesigned them ive had good luck with the newer Enbrighten versions and haven’t had one fail since I switched off the pre Enbrighten ones. They also have a Zigbee line (red box) but I have not deployed any. I do have some of the GE zigbee outlets and they work fine if only a little weird to pair.

Lately I’m putting a GE motion dimmer or motion switch in place of standard ones just to also get the motion controls. (I would LOVE to see a Matter version of this device in the future)

For scene controls Im split between Innovelli Reds and Zooz Zen32s. Mostly Zen32s unless I need a dimmer.

Innovelli has the new Blue series which is Zigbee - ive heard good things but I have never installed one. For ‘no neutral’ I have reccommmended Inovelli in the past. But MAN they’re hard to source right now.

Ive never heard any significant issues with Lutron’s Caseta and of course they should float to the top of any no neutral smart switch list.

Thank you so much for your thoughts, @NathanCu !

I do have a couple of the Enbrighten red box Zigbee (one dimmer and on on/off) and they work well. They are near the top of my list so far, pending further info.

I also stumbled upon the Innovelli online for no-neutral, but can’t find them in stock, as you say. I think the no-neutral in Zigbee will be my biggest challenge, so here is where I may have to go Z-wave.

Do you know if the Lutron Caseta requires THEIR hub or if they will pair directly to my ConbeeII in HA?

Their hub. It isn’t zigbee or zwave.

But…

They have been 100% rock solid stable and reliable.

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Yep it’s is the one that requires their hub. Proprietary radio. …And why I listed them last in the list for you (you’re already in with Zwave and Zigbee so I figured that would be your goto and Wifi was probably out) Unfortunately they’re also built like tanks and nobody ever has a problem with them except when driving a lot of (read: many - like a bunch of cans) LED loads or some dimmable LEDs you may need to do something with bypass capacitors.

You’re probably right on the no-neutral Zigbee but I haven’t searched in that sector for a while.

If you need to go cheaper because you need a lot of devices, Jasco OEMs under the brand UltiPro, if you’re planning on getting a Quickfit Simplewire GE - it’s the same device.

I’m fortunately at a point where I can wait and see for the next few months to see what shakes out with Matter. Speaking of (because you didn’t ask - you’re welcome… :slight_smile: ) My DREAM switch would be a 5 button scene / load controller like the ZooZ Zen32 but with the build feel of Inovelli (they just feel well built). Give it softer lines than the Zooz’s buttons - I like the curved buttons on the GE Enbrighten Motion Switch / Dimmer. In fact - carry over that clicky button feel too… You KNOW when you pressed it. The Zen32 is ‘mushy’ in comparison. Make it a PIR like the GE Motion Dimmer and well, because we’re wishing - a dimmer. Run it on Thread / Matter.

Just, take my money. I would immediately replace every switch in this house. It’s also a pipe dream for probably 3 more years. That’s currently too much to stuff in a single gang housing.

edit: and folks who have the Caseta - love them… Example @jerrm

Thank you!

Insteon was “100% rock solid stable and reliable,” too, until just recently when it isn’t. :wink: I’ve had some of my switches and plugs in place since 2009/2010 and they are still working fine. My suspicion is that my PLM is what is beginning to fail (they are notorious for it). But at this point, there are just too many options to go backwards to a proprietary system.

Yes, I would love to wait for matter, and just might if things don’t fail too quickly. But with the increase in issues I’ve been having lately, I fear my system (PLM??) will fail totally one of these days and then this wholesale replacement of switches, plugs, door sensors, water leak sensors, and weather resistant outdoor plugs will all be necessary.

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Thanks agian @NathanCu !!!

Do you mean UltraPro? I see these on Amazon, but not UltiPro.

Sorry yes - typo. Big fingers, tiny mobile keyboard.

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I’d say I’m about 95% satisfied with Caseta.

Caseta was my very first “smart” product. When I started out, I wanted anything in the walls to be listed and solidly reliable with or without lan or internet. In that regard Caseta has performed 100%. Everything just works. Picos paired to switches do their job without the hub being online.

My biggest dislike is the form factor for the older switches and 4/5 button dimmers. I’ve always preferred the decora style paddles. The newer Diva/Claro dimmers and switches remedy that. I like the new units well enough I’m tempted to swap out some of the existing switches, but I use the actual wall switches so little now I can’t justify it. Hopefully they will come out with matching paddle style Picos.

My biggest functional issue is there is a small delay for automations based on the state of a physical switch. Basically if you physically turn on at the wired wall switch, the “on” event doesn’t pass to HA until the off-to-on transition is complete (2 seconds or so). Again, I touch a switch so rarely I can live with the delay for the few automation based on that. There is no delay when turned “on” via a Pico or automation.

If I were to move tomorrow, I’d probably stay with Caseta, but would look at zigbee/zwave options. There would be a lot less FUD now that I have experience, better understanding and comfort level with zigbee, zwave and their binding options, etc.

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