Amazon is launching four shockingly affordable smart switches

You don’t have to spend a fortune on smart lightbulbs just to bring voice control, dimming, or planning functions to a room. In fact, smart light switches are often a better and cheaper option than smart lightbulbs because they add smart functionality to cheap, “dumb” lightbulbs. And now that Amazon sells smart switches for under $ 20, I see no reason to keep buying smart lightbulbs.

As discovered by Dan Wroclawski and reported by The edge, Amazon is now selling four Basics Smart Switches. Customers can choose from a simple single pole switch ($ 18), a single pole dimmer switch ($ 19), a simple three-way switch ($ 19), or, if you’re crazy enough, a 3-way dimmer ($ 21). .

I suggest buying one of the switches with a built-in dimmer, although you can stick with the standard models if you just want to control the lighting of your home with schedules or voice commands.

However, these smart switches have some drawbacks. The biggest problem is they need neutral wires that you won’t find if you live in an old house or apartment. Plus, they only work with Alexa. (GE sells smart switches that don’t require a neutral, but they’re about twice as expensive as Amazon’s smart switches.)

TIED TOGETHERForget about smart lightbulbs, buy a smart switch

I’ll say it’s strange that Amazon is just bringing out a smart device with only Alexa. The company recently expressed its commitment to Matter, the universal smart home standard set to hit the market in 2022. While I hope these smart switches will support Matter next year (which in turn would support Google Assistant and HomeKit), Amazon didn’t comment on the topic.

You can now order Amazon Basics Smart Switches for under $ 20. I also suggest trying out Amazon’s new smart thermostat which may be an even better bargain than the new smart switches.

Source: Dan Wroclawski over the edge