Are you looking for the best Z-Wave light switches? Check out this comprehensive article to make a wise and well-informed decision.
Z-waves are called mesh wireless networking protocols used in different home appliances. The best thing about them is that they consume less power and repeat the command signs via a networking system.
The Z-Wave Light Switches are easy to replace with a standard light switch so you can control your room’s lightning from your voice or smartphone if connected to smart voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa.
In this article, we will discuss the best Z-Wave light switches out there to help you find the most suitable product.
1. GE 46201 Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch with QuickFit and SimpleWire
This product features an advanced and space-saving QuickFit design. It has a rounded housing and 20% less depth as compared to the predecessor models.
This feature’s function is the elimination of heat tabs to deliver convenient installation and user-friendly working without decreasing electrical rating.
Thanks to its SimpleWire technology, you have many smart control features such as auto-line load sensing terminals. It helps prevent the conjecture related to loading wires and testing lines.
Two offset ground ports simplify the installation, save your time, and decrease wire congestion in the multi-switch arrangement.
You can control the connected devices with your voice. It supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Though it is also compatible with Echo Plus, it might only work through Z-wave certified hub. The compatible Z-wave hubs include Wink, SmartThings, Ring, Honeywell, and Nexia.
The best thing about GE 46201 is its changeable paddles in a wide range of colors such a brown, black, and ivory. You can purchase one according to your house match with your home’s decoration.
This switch can control indoor and outdoor fixtures and repeat the devices’ signals up to 150 feet range.
Pros
- Extended signal range
- Easy installation
- 2D generation model
- Advanced design
- Voice control features
Cons
- Replacing these switches can be complicated
2. Leviton DZ15S-1BZ Decora Smart Switch with Z-Wave Technology, Ivory, 1-Pack, White/Light Almond
This smart dimmer switch can light up to 600 watts of LED lights. You can pair it with other smart kits and use different voice assistant features like Alexa and Google home to control the house’s lights.
The Leviton DZ15S-1BZ is a Z-wave plus enabled switch made for all of your residential lighting applications. It utilizes the company’s latest technology for smart lighting control in the house.
The switch is engineered to work with highly-sensitive and low-wattage light sources like LED bulbs.
The biggest benefit with Leviton DZ15S-1BZ is that the switch is compatible with SmartThings, Wink, and other relevant Z-wave controllers. You can attach single or multiple devices to the controllers and get remote access or automation to your house.
The switch supports CFL and LED technologies up to 600W, along with legacy incandescent lighting loads of 1800Watts.
This product ensures increased communication range, advanced design, over the air updates, and network-wide inclusion. With an all-new appearance, the Leviton DZ15S-1BZ allows you to push the pedal to turn on/off the lighting.
To fulfill your house’s décor demands, many color-changing kits are available in ivory, white and light almond colors.
Pros
- Z-wave plus certified product
- Works with voice control features
- Requires a neutral wire
- Supports multi-functional switching
- Six color changing kits
Cons
Controlling the switch with a dim level paddle is hard
3. UltraPro Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch, In-Wall White Paddles Built-In Repeater Range Extender
Honeywell is one of the most prominent brands when it comes to consumer products. They have a wide range of unique and convenient household items and accessories to make your life easy.
The UltraPro Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch is built with life in mind that helps control, automate, and schedule your house’s lighting.
Installing the switch is very easy, after which it takes control of your home’s lighting despite your location in the house. This smart switch allows you to enjoy wireless control of your hardwired lights from any smart device.
You can control it through Z-wave enabled remote using a Z-wave certified hub or gateway.
With this unit, you can automate your lights and make your life very easy. Doing so will not only save you cut costs and energy but also boost your home’s overall security.
You can schedule lighting according to your morning routine, using lights as a signal to indicate bedtime, set timer for on/off at different times.
Its lighting controls feature an integrated signal repeater and range extender. It helps improve and strengthen the Z-wave network of your house. Every smart control can replicate the signal up to 150 feet.
Pros
- In-wall installation
- It can be controlled from anywhere
- Manual control
- Voice control features
- Works with all Z-wave hubs
Cons
- Cannot work with Echo products
4. GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch with QuickFit and SimpleWire, 3-Way Ready
The GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch is voice control, i.e., Alexa and Google Assistant compatible. It can work with a wide range of Z-wave certified hubs such as Ring Alarm, SmartThings, Wink, Trane, ADT Plus, Honeywell, Nexia, and ADT command; it also works well with Vivint, Harmony Home Hub Extender, Home Seer and Vera, etc.
Thanks to its advanced design and second-generation model, it has better and improved components to reduce your housing depth compared to other products in the market with a similar price range. This unit eliminates your need to use any heat tabs for efficient working.
With the QuickFit feature, you can use this smart switch with old-styled switch boxes. It is an ideal solution when it comes to multi-gang configurations and applications with tight spaces.
There are auto line-load sensing terminals to facilitate easy and fast installation by configuring the dimmer accordingly. For more convenience, a toggle backlight is given to deliver a soft glow based on your preference.
You can control the device remotely with your smartphone or use voice commands after connecting it to a compatible hub.
Pros
- It gives full home coverage
- Affordable
- Smart controls for in-wall configuration
- S2 security and Smart Start features
- Easy installation
Cons
- It does not work with a three-way switch
5. GoControl WA00Z-1 Z-Wave Scene-Controller Wall Switch (White)
Technology is coming up with new and unique things to make our routine lives more convenient every day. With a high-quality and Z-Wave light Switch, you can control the lighting of your house without having to move physically to turn on/off the in-wall switches.
The GoControl WA00Z-1 Z-Wave Scene-Controller Wall Switch allows you to control the house’s lights by using any smart device within the vicinity.
You can either use your phone, tablet, laptop, or other smart gadgets to get paired with the light using a wireless mean. The biggest benefit of this unit is you get to manage your lights without moving from one room or another if you are simply in bed and don’t feel like moving around.
The GoControl WA00Z-1 Z-Wave Scene-Controller Wall Switch allows you to set up the light on or off according to the morning routine. The device will automatically take care of your demands without wanting any care from you.
Doing so will not only help you save a significant amount of electricity but your hard-earned money as well.
This unit controls Z-wave light bulbs, dimmers, and switches wirelessly. It also comes with integrated Z-wave radio. There is a simple, convenient plug n play set up where the unit can fit over any standing wall switch.
Pros
- Manual turn on/off
- Powered by lithium coin cell batteries
- Plug and play working
- z-wave radio
- Inexpensive
Cons
- It doesn’t work with a toggle switch
6. Z-Wave Plus Smart Dimmer Light Switch 3 Way | Built-in Z-Wave Repeater
This smart –way dimmer switch is designed for people who want convenient off/on and dimming regulation of their home’s lighting. The unit allows for manual control as much as it allows remote control of the switch.
It comes with an integrated Z-wave signal repeater to augment your Z-wave network and overall working speed.
You can fully control the switch with a Z-wave compatible hub, thus enabling you to have remote access to the unit from anywhere in the house. You can also use a voice control command to operate the switch.
It needs Alexa supported hub for voice control in combination with Amazon echo items.
The product connects to a pre-existing light switch for two-point control. You don’t need any special companion switch to carry out the job. It offers the best dimming abilities for any type of lighting with a dimmable feature.
You can work it with the most famous dimmable CFL, LED, and halogen products. Adjustable brightness allows you to choose from 10%-100% to improve bulb life and cut back on energy cost.
The switch can also be used as a normal light switch, and you can long-press to adjust brightness. The unit is built with a strong aluminum plate and fire-resistant plastic, so it has amazing build quality.
Pros
- Simple manual control
- Three-way working solution
- Best dimming capacities
- Alexa compatible
- Integrated signal repeater
Cons
- It does not work with the SmartThings hub
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Z-wave Switches Work and Pair with?
Z-wave is a sort of wireless technology that any smart device can use to communicate with one another. Z-waves work by creating wireless mesh networking.
It is a collection of different devices that connects and communicate with each other without using any wires.
Thanks to this technology, the smart devices mesh together and send signals on low-energy radio waves over a decided frequency. You can control your devices with a controller. The controller sends the command and routes it to the desired destination.
The network here has a proper Network ID to ensure there is no security risk if someone else is using Z-wave products near the house.
Do I Need A Smart Hub For A Z-Wave Plus Switch To Work?
A smart hub is actually the brain of your house. It controls and sends commands to the connected devices in the home. The hub needs Z-waves to send commands to all the related devices.
It is important to have for your Z-wave switch to work as it can communicate with your smart devices and allow you to have access to your home’s lighting while you are away.
Do These Work With Alexa Or Other Smart Home Assistants?
Many Amazon Alexa or smart home assistant owners can add voice control features to their Z-wave devices within their smart network. With these technologies’ unification, you can control the lighting system in your house and unlock/lock doors and use other smart devices in the house.
How Much Area/Range Can These Switches Cover?
A Z-wave enabled switch to allow the distance of about 50-60 feet between different hops (when a signal is repeated to an extended range). Considering this figure in mind, expect a good 20-foot range for your Z-wave light switch if you own a very strong mesh network.
Are These Wired Into My Main Electricity Line?
It depends on the device you want to buy for your house. If you want to regulate lighting in your house, you can install a Z-wave switch that needs some electrical wiring. But, many devices out there don’t need any extra wiring and can be reinforced into a standard wall outlet.
Do Smart Light Switches Need Neutral Wires?
Yes. Smart light switches do need a neutral wire because they need a regular source of power to work. Smart switches have to stay powered at all times to have a stable connection with the hub.
To do this, having a neutral wire is very important. It allows the device to flow power into the circuit even if it is turned off. It completes the overall circuit by permitting the path to carry current to its source of power.
Final Thoughts
There you go! These are our best Z-wave light switches for the year. All the products in this list are affordable, best-selling options, but the clear winner is GE 46201 Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Switch.
It gives full home coverage and comes with many distinctive features such as a voice control feature, manual on/off working, and easy installation.