Best Electrical Light Switches
Plug in a Wemo Insight Smart Plug, download the Wemo app, and control your lights and appliances right from your phone and even your voice through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Nest’s “home” and “away” modes sync with Wemo Insight for automatic control.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This light switch and the other outlet style plug has worked reliably for over 3 years. However, you are at the mercy of your internet connection and if you happen to be away while the network crashes, you won't be able to communicate with the switches. They do support security password keys, but if you want an extra layer of protection, turn on your router/basestation's MAC address control to enable only recognized and authorized devices access to your wireless network. IFTTT will integrate all the functionality of your smart devices with WEMO and ALEXA (NEST and others too). The GPS in a smart phone can be used to create an invisible fence that can turn WEMO switches on/off as you pass in/out of its perimeter."
"After receiving two defective units from Amazon, and before returning the second, I decided to play around with it more and do some more research online. I spent over an hour with WeMo tech support, who offered no solutions, and made me jump through a bunch of hoops in the process. The issue with these early units lies in the fact that they seem to get "confused" if you have other WeMo devices in your home. So long story short, if you have other WeMo devices in your household, and have trouble getting this WeMo mini to connect, try unplugging as many of the other devices as you can (they will automatically reconnect online after you plug them back in), factory reset the mini, and go through the setup process again."
Style: Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini. Remote Access: Control devices connected to the Smart Plug wherever you have Internet using the free Kasa app on your smartphone.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I set this up on my Alexa and the Kasa app in less than 30 minutes start to finish."
"Go to the TP-LINK support site for full instructions and to the Alexa app if you're using an Echo to control the switches. That menu is accessed in Kasa with this process after the controller is initially set up: From Kasa's home page tap the device name; a screen for that device appears, with selections for Schedule, Away, Timer, an off/on button and at the top right corner an icon that looks like three little sliders."
"TP-LINK Wi-Fi Smart Plug HS100 Review. A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a Smart Plug (HS100) to confirm that the product works with Alexa (Amazon Echo) and provides easy, reliable, secure remote control of plugged-in devices. A Smart Plug contains a microprocessor which can be programmed and controls a power switch which may be monitored using an app. * * *. [...]. How to connect my TP-LINK Smart Plug to my home network via Kasa? If you want to use the Smart Plug with Alexa (Remote Control), setup a TP-LINK (Cloud / P2P registry server) account; and, after receiving an email activation message, login; otherwise, you may Skip setting up an account for just local control. With your iPhone on a local 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, open Kasa and then: (a) plug Smart Plug into an AC outlet; (b) Add Device > SMART PLUG and follow the instructions; (c) which say to go to your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and connect to the Smart Plug's Wi-Fi network and then return to Kasa; (d) customize your Plug -- with a unique name, etc. ; and (e) connect the Plug to your local Wi-Fi (with or without Remote Control, but Alexa requires Remote Control enabled). To use a Smart Plug with Alexa: A. B. Scroll down Smart Home and near the bottom tap Discover devices (search your Wi-Fi LAN) to add your named Smart Plug, which will then be listed. • Covers both outlets if plugged into bottom outlet; covers upper edge of bottom outlet if plugged into top outlet, making bottom outlet unusable. I searched UL's Online Certifications Directory (database) and found a listing: XACN.E481494 Miscellaneous Controls Operating Control, Smart Plug, Model(s) HS100, HS110 Last Updated on 2016-03-29. The manufacturer stated: "In order to control your Smart Plug remotely, a TP-LINK Cloud Account is required. Your Cloud Account is safe and secured, and remote access to your Smart Plug is controlled solely by you through the Kasa App. Cloud accounts and Cloud servers are an industry standard for Smart Plugs and Smart Home devices." "The Smart Plug does not hand over or transmit any password information to us; It receives Wi-Fi profile information from your phone during setup, in order to connect the Smart Plug to your router." New packaging has UL certification mark, as well as new graphics and description: old "Wi-Fi SMART PLUG" vs. new "Smart Wi-Fi Plug;" old FC and RoHS marks vs. new UL and RoHS marks; model and part number unchanged. The Smart Plugs work with Alexa."
Note1: Please don’t twine two Live Lines (Live Line and Load Line), and connect them to your socket powerline. Turn electronics on or off from anywhere with your tablet or smartphone using the free Kasa app (Compatible w/ Android 4.1 or higher & iOS8 or higher).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I set this up on my Alexa and the Kasa app in less than 30 minutes start to finish."
"Go to the TP-LINK support site for full instructions and to the Alexa app if you're using an Echo to control the switches. That menu is accessed in Kasa with this process after the controller is initially set up: From Kasa's home page tap the device name; a screen for that device appears, with selections for Schedule, Away, Timer, an off/on button and at the top right corner an icon that looks like three little sliders."
"TP-LINK Wi-Fi Smart Plug HS100 Review. A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a Smart Plug (HS100) to confirm that the product works with Alexa (Amazon Echo) and provides easy, reliable, secure remote control of plugged-in devices. A Smart Plug contains a microprocessor which can be programmed and controls a power switch which may be monitored using an app. * * *. [...]. How to connect my TP-LINK Smart Plug to my home network via Kasa? If you want to use the Smart Plug with Alexa (Remote Control), setup a TP-LINK (Cloud / P2P registry server) account; and, after receiving an email activation message, login; otherwise, you may Skip setting up an account for just local control. With your iPhone on a local 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, open Kasa and then: (a) plug Smart Plug into an AC outlet; (b) Add Device > SMART PLUG and follow the instructions; (c) which say to go to your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and connect to the Smart Plug's Wi-Fi network and then return to Kasa; (d) customize your Plug -- with a unique name, etc. ; and (e) connect the Plug to your local Wi-Fi (with or without Remote Control, but Alexa requires Remote Control enabled). To use a Smart Plug with Alexa: A. B. Scroll down Smart Home and near the bottom tap Discover devices (search your Wi-Fi LAN) to add your named Smart Plug, which will then be listed. • Covers both outlets if plugged into bottom outlet; covers upper edge of bottom outlet if plugged into top outlet, making bottom outlet unusable. I searched UL's Online Certifications Directory (database) and found a listing: XACN.E481494 Miscellaneous Controls Operating Control, Smart Plug, Model(s) HS100, HS110 Last Updated on 2016-03-29. The manufacturer stated: "In order to control your Smart Plug remotely, a TP-LINK Cloud Account is required. Your Cloud Account is safe and secured, and remote access to your Smart Plug is controlled solely by you through the Kasa App. Cloud accounts and Cloud servers are an industry standard for Smart Plugs and Smart Home devices." "The Smart Plug does not hand over or transmit any password information to us; It receives Wi-Fi profile information from your phone during setup, in order to connect the Smart Plug to your router." New packaging has UL certification mark, as well as new graphics and description: old "Wi-Fi SMART PLUG" vs. new "Smart Wi-Fi Plug;" old FC and RoHS marks vs. new UL and RoHS marks; model and part number unchanged. The Smart Plugs work with Alexa."
Best Tools & Home Improvement
Features low profile earcups for firearm stock clearance; adjustable headband for secure fit; compact folding design for convenient storage; classic green color.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There is a reason these Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs are probably the most popular model of their type on the market -- they're dirt cheap and work very well. We're also big into the night vision world, so I was pleasantly surprised when the Team Wendy ComTac headset adapters worked with these muffs almost PERFECTLY (see photos I've attached to this review). They Howard Leights -- in our extensive experience -- are: MORE durable, MORE comfortable, have MUCH better battery installation, LOOK better, FEEL like they're higher quality, PERFORM better, and now that we've discovered they can use the Peltor helmet mount adapters, there is simply NO reason to ever get another set of the cheap Peltors."
"feel free to Check my references, I am a 15 year veteran of Live sound and own a recording studio in Maui. [...]. I am a Life member of the NRA and a member of the Valley Isle Sport shooters."
"It's been mentioned in one or two other reviews but I would like to emphasize that this earmuff is for outdoor shooting ranges or other unenclosed areas."
"You can thank 12 years of awful grocery store music (you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy) incessant ad/jingles or other unpleasant noises when exposed to the public."
"On the plus side, the low-noise sound amplification was excellent, allowing me to hear a conversation upstairs at my home, so hunting in the woods, these would be great to have."
Best Wall Timer Switches
Compatible with LED and CF Bulbs, this easy-to-install Honeywell 7-day programmable timer switch handles motors, all types of lighting (compatible with electronic ballasts, compact fluorescent lights and tungsten lights up to 5 A), and offers the flexibility of 7 programs per week. This easy-to-install Honeywell 7-day programmable timer switch handles motors, all types of lighting, and offers the flexibility of 7 programs per week Works with motors and all types of lighting (compatible with CFL and LED bulbs) LCD shows time, day and load status Manual override enables load to be turned on/off without affecting program. For use with lights and motors up to 2400 W.Light switch timer functions on a 120 Volt line wire, load wire, one neutral from line side and one from the load side joined together with a wire nut.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If I were to purchase it again I'd spend a couple extra bucks to get the version that adjusts to dawn and dusk times throughout the year. The photo compares this basic version (center) vs. an automatic one I bought from Home Depot a couple years ago (far right, with light)."
"Unit had black wire (line) and blue wire (load) reversed coming out of switch."
"I wanted something that I could use to put my porch light on a timer with a CFL bulb, and this works perfectly. There is another model that works with CFLs -and- can be set to vary its on/off times to match your local daylight calendar (Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch) but for the extra cost, I didn't need that feature. As a side note, this switch has some sort of capacitor inside that saves your programs during power outages. Edit: Lost power for over a week from some nasty storms this summer (July 2012), but the timer remembered all of my programs and the clock was still correct."
"It was easy to install. The directions were easy to follow."
"There is a sticker that states to use a paper clip to reset the switch. There are seven separate programs, so each day the light can come on at a different time if required. I will save a ton on the electricity as earlier we would not realize we've left the light on for so long."
"A programmable light switch that easily transitions between Manual and Automatic just by holding down the button for a few seconds. Used it while we were on vacation and two nights out we got a call from our neighbor asking if we had returned already...they saw the lights come on."
Best Dimmer Switches
Wemo Light Switch seamlessly replaces your old wall light switch. Control you lights from Wemo Light Switch on the wall, the Wemo app, and even your voice with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Pair Wemo Light Switch with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant built-in devices like Google Home to turn your lights on or off with just the power of your voice.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This light switch and the other outlet style plug has worked reliably for over 3 years. However, you are at the mercy of your internet connection and if you happen to be away while the network crashes, you won't be able to communicate with the switches. They do support security password keys, but if you want an extra layer of protection, turn on your router/basestation's MAC address control to enable only recognized and authorized devices access to your wireless network. IFTTT will integrate all the functionality of your smart devices with WEMO and ALEXA (NEST and others too). The GPS in a smart phone can be used to create an invisible fence that can turn WEMO switches on/off as you pass in/out of its perimeter."
"In my experience, most switches don't require the extra "white" constant power line. It's rare enough, it has never caused any trouble for me, but assuming it is the fault of the switch, it could be a problem for some."
"Connecting to the WiFi was also not difficult for me. The initial firmware update took quite a long time and the initial iPhone app version that I downloaded was *very* slow to detect the switches each time I loaded the app, but they seem to have fixed the latter issue. In between each question, she would tell me to "hold on a second" and mute her line, before often (at least 10 times, no exaggeration) returning and asking me a question I had already answered. For now, I have two switches that cannot connect to WiFi and one that cannot even turn the lights on. To make it worse: they only provide (poor) customer service for free for 90 days! I really wanted to like the product, and I would have if there was some quality control or better customer support, but unfortunately for me it didn't work out."
Best Motion-Activated Wall Switches
This 2 pack of Lutron's Maestro Occupancy Sensing Switches is a simple way to save energy and add light automation to any room of your home. Uses advanced XCT sensing technology, offering the most reliable on/off performance up to 30 ft. Works with all bulb types; 150-Watts of LED/CFL, 250-Watts of incandescent/halogen, 200-Watts of MLV, 2 Amp Ballats.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This switch will allow your lights to turn on when a person's movement is sensed, or alternatively, turn it off when there's daylight. Its settings allow you to have the light stay on for 1,5,15, or 30 minutes after it no longer senses movement. Unlike many earlier sensor switches on the market, this one works with fluorescent, incandescent and LED lights. Although it requires a ground wire, which typical standard switches may not have, it doesn't need a neutral (white) wire, unlike many sensor switches. The switch senses when a person is in the room and if it's dark enough, the light goes on. I had a twin Decora plate from a previous sensor switch, but in one location I changed from a standard toggle switch and used a Leviton 2-Gang 1-Toggle 1-Decora Combination Wallplate. UPDATE 9/2012: This switch allows you to set the amount of time after sensing no activity before the lights turn off. So if you use one in a room where you sit very still such as while working at a desk with your back to the switch and a high chair back, a short setting could leave you in the dark until you wave your arm around."
"I installed these in my laundry room, stairway and garage."
"From the light switch location on the bedroom wall, the motion sensor will pickup any movement in the hallway if the bedroom door is left open. When I initially installed the switches in the bedrooms three months ago, I set the time to leave the lights on after there was zero motion for 10 minutes. But if you quickly hit the switch within 5 seconds of turning the light on, the switch will remember the environment (how light it currently is in the room) & the next time you enter the room with the same environment (or lighter even), the switch will leave the light off."
"I'm hoping it will be sensitive enough to detect the motion of a cat, so the light turns on when it's out there to do the duty. If I had to do this purchase over again I think I would have spent a couple extra dollars on something with a bit more quality feel to it."
"I felt like a burglar hunkering down behind my car in the garage and moving around slowly, trying to trip the sensor."
Best Ceiling Fan Wall Controls
Style: In-Wall Paddle Fan Control. ALEXA COMPATIBLE - REQUIRES AN ALEXA SUPPORTED HUB for voice control with Echo Products (Alexa device and hub sold separately).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Unlike the others out there, your house wires plug into the switch. The others out there have wires coming off the backs of the switch and add more of a mess inside the electric boxes."
"Some of my light switch boxes do not have a neutral and our electrician could not get the switch to work."
"My only complaint is that when I installed one of the units, the head snapped off the screw to re-attach the switchplate which is now unfortunately forever stuck inside the device. I may be able to remove the entire switch and remove from the back end, but for now I intend to use "super glue" and attach it to the switchplate itself since it was only one of the 4 attaching to the wall."
"The GE primary switch is the only switch in the circuit that has 110V in it. What this means is if your 3 or 4-way wiring has power on one end, and the light on the other, you need to wire it up to pass the power all the way to the switch with the light, directly, and then wire up the low voltage communication wire to reach the switches in the other direction. On 4-way you will have two wires coming into the switch and two going out called travelers, these are used to switch the four way circuit. So, for all the 4-way switching in your circuit connect the red in to red out with a screw cap, then black to black. So, connect ground to the white ground bundle in the outlet, connect the red wires to your only other terminal (low voltage signal) in your add on switch, and you're done with this switch. Connect the incoming black traveler to the 110V terminal, white bundle ground to ground, connect the wire to the light to the light terminal, and the incoming red traveler to the low voltage signal terminal after you remove the tape. You will use an add on switch here, and connect the red traveller to the low voltage terminal."