When you’re installing smart sensor lights it’s only natural to wonder whether or not a switch is really necessary since they turn themselves off and on. Still, this question is really important because it could determine the quality of use you get from your smart lights.
Smart sensor lights do not require a switch to function properly. However, there are many benefits to having one anyway. With a switch, you can set timers, adjust brightness and improve maintenance. Using a switch is one of the most cost-effective ways to get the most out of your smart light.
If you’re trying to weigh out whether or not you should get a switch to connect with your smart light, this is for you. In the following sections, I’ll lay out how a switch can improve the functionality and maintenance of your smart sensor light. I’ll also cover any potential cons so that you can make the best decision for yourself.
Can a Smart Sensor Light Work Without a Switch?
Smart sensor lights are designed to pick up on specific cues like motion to activate. Many of them actually have a built-in manual switch as well. They, therefore, don’t absolutely need a switch to perform their basic functions.
That said, there are many benefits you can enjoy if you do decide to get a switch, that you otherwise wouldn’t receive without one.
The Benefits of Using a Switch
You may be wondering why exactly you would want to buy a switch if your light will work okay without one? Well, at a fundamental level it comes down to the switch’s ability to optimize the functionality of your lights while aiding in maintenance and problem solving when issues arise.
In the following sections I’ll give you a brief overview of the specific benefits you can expect to receive from using a switch with your smart sensor light:
Automate Your Home and Give You More Control
When it comes to functionality, switches afford you a greater degree of control over your how and even when your smart sensor lights work. With a switch, you’ll be able to connect your smart device and set things like timers so your lights aren’t turning themselves on when you don’t want them to.
Additionally, you can use the app that goes with your switch to control things like the brightness of your lights. Depending on the sensors your smart light has, you may even be able to make your lights automatically adjust based on specific triggers.
Aide in the Maintenance of Your Smart Sensor Light
With a switch, you’ll be able to monitor exactly what your light is doing, even when you’re not around to examine it yourself. This is especially useful if you’re traveling and you use your smart sensor lights for security purposes.
It can also help with some niche situations where there may be confusion over whether the light isn’t working or it just isn’t receiving the power it needs.
For example, sometimes the sensor on the light gets dirty or gets covered up–especially if it’s an outdoor smart light–and it can appear like the bulb went out or the whole light is malfunctioning. With a switch, you can simply check your app to see if the bulb should be receiving power or if it has just become disconnected.
You Won’t Have to Replace Your Bulbs to Use Smart Features
Though they have some great functions of their own, replacing all your old bulbs with smart bulbs can be a pricey affair. With a switch, however, you can keep the bulbs you already have and still enjoy the control you get from connecting your smart device.
This becomes exponentially more important the more smart lights you decide to put into your house, as alternative options like smart bulbs can end up costing you a considerably greater amount of money.
Switches Ensure Your Smart Lights Receive the Power They Need
Smart lights need a continuous flow of power in order to be able to function properly. For example, a smart light with motion-sensing technology will still need some current going to it when the light is off so that the sensor can work to pick up on movement.
This means that if they’re connected to a regular old light switch and someone accidentally turns it off, they’ll become useless and without power. That’s no good.
With a smart switch, on the other hand, the control is done remotely via your smart device. Meaning you can see when it’s not receiving power and act accordingly.
Halogen bulbs: When used with dimmer switches, halogen bulbs consume up to 20% less energy than when they’re undimmed. blog.constellation.com
How Do You Pick the Right Switch?
It’s important to note that not all switches are completely the same in the way they work. Here I will break them down into two basic categories, but know that there is even more variation when it comes to the way certain brands work.
- Direct WiFi Switches: There are switches that connect directly to your WiFi and whatever smart device you have connected to it. These tend to be great if you’re only using one or a handful of switches in your house because of their direct connection with your network.
- Hub Based Switches: These don’t directly connect to the WiFi even though they require it to operate. Instead, it’s a hub that connects to the WiFi and then sends out a signal to each of the switches in your house. These tend to be better if you’re planning to use smart lights throughout your whole house because they will not be as taxing on your WiFi.
The best switch is really contextual to what you’re trying to accomplish and how you’re going to go about it. Hub-based switches are usually better for bigger projects, whereas a switch connected directly to your WiFi will be better at a smaller scale.
Ensuring Compatibility Between Devices, Bulbs, and Smart Switches
Many switches can connect to devices like your Alexa, Google Home, or any other comparable product. This is great in that it can further integrate all of the smart technology in your home.
However, the only catch is that certain brands of smart switches are only compatible with specific devices. Ensure that the one you pick will work with your device before buying.
Similarly, there are features like gradual dimming (setting your light to slowly turn off so you can make it to your room before it’s too dark to see) that may only be compatible with specific light bulbs.
Other features will still work but those will not be quite as effective. If you want a feature like this to work best, using LED bulbs is the right way to go.
Does a Smart Sensor Light Actually Need a Switch?
In short, the answer is no. Still, if you aren’t using a switch for your smart sensor light, you’re missing out on a lot of features that could make your life easier and save you money in the long run. Essentially, you really aren’t going to get to see all that your smart light is capable of without the connectivity of something like a smart switch.
With a switch, you can further integrate the existing smart technologies you have in your house with your smart light. You can also improve functionality by having more control over things like brightness and timing, while also giving yourself an easier time with maintenance via online monitoring. If you want your smart light to be the best it can be, a switch is an excellent option.
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