Best Z Wave Switch
Z Wave Switch Comparison: I have these Z Wave switches installed in my home. We used these smart home switches as part of the testing and comparison process.
If you're looking for the best Z Wave Switch for your home you've come to the right place. I've had Z-wave smart light switches and Z Wave dimmers installed in my home for years and learned a lot from when I first started installing smart light switches in my home.
Below I cover the top Z Wave light switches for you your home, and cover the things I've learned.
What Is Z-Wave?
Z-Wave is a mesh wireless networking protocol that is used for many smart home devices. The unique thing about Z-Wave is that it uses very low power, and it's a mesh network, meaning that each device in the network can repeat the command signals throughout the network. So each device can communicate with others and create a mesh network. Effectively each device is a range extender.
What Can A Z Wave Light Switch Do?
Z Wave light switches replace your existing light switches and then allow you to remotely control your light switches from your phone or with your voice when connected to smart voice assistants like Alexa, Google Home or Siri.
Z-Wave light switches don't require any kind of special wiring and can be installed in 5-30 minutes depending on your skill level. Once installed, you connect the Z Wave switch to a smart home hub like Smartthings that relays commands from your phone to the Z wave lights switches.
Leviton Z Wave Switch
Best Z Wave Switch Comparison
I compared the best Z Wave smart light switches based on their functionality, looks, reliability and my in home testing. What I've found is that my favorite Z Wave light switch are the ones that I currently have installed in my home and have worked for years without issue.
Even though there are other options on the market, the looks, reliability and function of the Z Wave switches I have installed in my home are still in my opinion the best Z wave light switches on the market. So what do I have in my home? Keep reading to learn more.
#1 Leviton Z Wave Dimmer Switch
These are the Z Wave smart home dimmer switches that I have installed in my home and have had for years. When I initially picked these lights switches I did a ton of research and purchased almost every Z-wave light switch that was available on Amazon.com at the time to test and then returned the lights switches I didn't like. So why do I like these Z wave smart dimmers?
Because they are simple to use and reliable. I can't remember a time where the Z Wave switches failed. The hub has gone out for updates once or twice but the Z wave switches functionality has never been an issue and they have always had a fast response time.
What I like about this Z Wave dimmer switch is that that you can turn the switch on or off by tapping the main light switch and it will turn on at the dimming level you had the switch previously set too.
On the side of the light switch there is a small dimming toggle that fits in within the frame of the lights switch and allows you to adjust the dimming level from 0-100% on the Z Wave dimmer.
The dimmer is back lit with a LED indicator that tells you the approximate dimming level of the light switch.
These smart Z-wave dimmers can also be used in 3 way and 4 way smart switch configurations which is unique as not all Z-wave light switches offer this option.
I have my Leviton Z Wave dimmer switch connected to a smartthings hub and control it from my phone or with my voice using Alexa or Google Home Voice assistants.
Overall this is a great smart light switch and I will continue to use it in my home as a smart Z-wave light switch.
Pros:
Easy To Use
Separate Dimming Adjustment
Dimming Level Indicator
Works With LED, Incandescent and Fluorescent light bulbs
3 way, 4 way and 5 way capable smart light switches
Phone, Alexa & Google Home Voice Control Compatible
Cons:
Requires a Neutral wire.
#2. Inovelli Smart Light Switch
The Inovelli Z wave switch is newer to the market but is packed with features. What's unique about this smart Z wave dimmer switch is that it does not require a neutral wire which can make it easier to install in older homes that may not have an existing neutral wire. If your home was built after 1985 you most likely have a neutral wire in your electrical switch box and won't need to worry about this. However if your home was built prior to 1986 you might not have a neutral wire.
Related Video Post: How To Identify A Neutral Wire?
To turn on and off the light switch you press the paddle switch and it will turn the smart light switch on and off to the previous settings. To adjust the dimming levels of the light switch you can press and hold the light switch to turn up or down the dimming levels. The top of the switch will increase the lighting levels and the bottom of the light switch will decrease the lighting levels.
The dimming adjustment works well, but is somewhat different than traditional dimmers. It's takes a couple of times to get used to and is the only drawback I see to this smart Z-wave light switch. I prefer having separate dimming control but it's a personal preference more than anything.
The Z wave switch has a LED dimming indicator on the side and the light switch can be controlled from your phone, or with voice assistants like Google Home or Alexa. The dimming levels can also be remotely controlled and will be displayed on with the dimming level indicator.
The major advantage I see of this smart light switch is that it can be used in homes that don't have a neutral wire. Because adding a neutral wire to a switch box for a smart light switch can often be a big task.
Setup and installation of this smart switch is straightforward and easy, there is a small button on the front of the light switch that makes pairing the switch with a Z wave hub a quick task.
Pros:
No Neutral Wire Required
Dimmer Indicator
3 Way Switch Compatible
Phone, Alexa & Google Home Voice Control Compatible
Cons:
No Separate Dimming Toggle
#3 GE Enbrighten Smart Dimmer
These simple Z wave dimmers don't have all the extra features that some of the other smart switches we reviewed have but they are reliable and get the job done.
The smart switch has simple paddle to turn on and off the lights, and then you can adjust the dimming by pressing and holding either the up or down button on the paddle.
On this switch I'm not a huge fan of the dimming control as it seems a little clunky and less precise than the dimming when compared to the other smart dimmers we reviewed. It works but it's just not ideal and seems to confuse visitors to my home and first time users. However using the on off functionality of the switch works great and it's easy to adjust the dimming levels from my phone or using voice commands with Alexa.
These smart switches are 3 way capable and can be controlled with your phone or voice commands using voice assistants like Google Home or Alexa. It should be noted that these smart dimmer switches do require a neutral wire for installation so you should make sure to check if your wiring has a neutral before you get started.
Pros:
Simple
Phone, Alexa & Google Home Voice Control Compatible
3 way compatible
Cons:
No dimming indicator
Dimming adjustment not as intuitive
Neutral Wire Required
GE Enbrighten Toggle Switch
This switch is unique in that it looks like an old style switch but it's packed with smart tech. This is a great option if you want to match your existing light switches or like the look of the toggle style switches. If you have existing toggle switches you can reuse your existing switch plate cover which can be an advantage in many cases.
The smart light switches offer on/off functionality and dimming control. To adjust the dimming you just hold the toggle switch up or down. The lights will turn on or off with a flick or push of the switch. These smart dimmers do require a neutral wire but they are also 3 way switch compatible if you want to pair them with other smart light switch dimmers.
The light switches can be controlled from your phone or with smart voice assistants like Google Home and Alexa.
Pros:
Simple
Phone, Alexa & Google Home Voice Control Compatible
3 Way Compatible
Cons:
No dimming indicator
Neutral Wire Required
Z Wave Smart Light Switch Summary :
Leviton Z Wave Switch: In my opinion the Best Z Wave Switch, these are what I chose to install in my home.
In my opinion adding smart lighting is one of the best smart home upgrades you can make to your home. I use smart lighting everyday to turn on and off the lights throughout my house and save energy. My favorite feature of smart lighting is being able to turn on and off the lights with my voice using Alexa.
My personal favorite Z wave smart light switches are the Leviton Dimmer switches however any of the options we listed above are good options for automating your home.
If you plan on adding Z Wave light switches to your house, you will need a hub in order to control them remotely.
I currently recommend the smartthings hub which is what I use to control the Z Wave switches in my home. You should also check your existing wiring to see if you have a neutral wire when ordering your smart switches or just get the Inovelli light switches which don't require a neutral and will work with standard home wiring even without a neutral in the switch box. We have a video that teaches you how to identify a neutral wire on youtube that you can watch if you are unsure if you have a neutral wire.