ipodmusicman
Senior Member
Hi folks,
I have been running Home Assistant since 2018 and I did all my lighting control using Qwikswitch. 8 years on, everything is still 100% and I've never looked back. Yes, as with everything, there are always cons (replacing batteries on the light switch panels, I had one relay fail, but that is it), but I'm happy with it as a whole.
Lately, I've had friends ask me who are getting into Home Assistant about lighting control and what I would recommend. The issue is that I haven't really kept up as to the technologies available today that I can comfortably recommend instead of Qwikswitch. The issue is that Qwikswitch no longer have the QS-USB device available for sale (but I did hear that they can custom make it, but at a cost though) and for me that local control is everything, no compromises and I'm not too sure if people are willing to put up with replacing batteries in the light switches (although many of mine have last for years as I don't use some of them). QS isn't perfect, but it is the best that I could get at the time based on my requirements. I would naturally recommend QS, but I also want to open my eyes as to what else is out there that would tick all the boxes as to give people choices.
So I am putting out to the SA smart home community and hoping that you can contribute to this discussion constructively. For lighting control, I have the following requirements and I need to know if there are any products that would tick all these boxes.
1. Local - I think it comes without saying in 2026 that local control is a requirement that doesn't even need mentioning, but should be mentioned.
2. Physical light switches MUST directly control the lights. Pressing the physical button must not trigger HA to toggle the light switch. If HA is down, the lights must still work. In my case, the button sends a signal to the relay that controls the lights - that is acceptable.
3. Dimmable. Must be able to control dimmable lights, not just on/off. In my case, 90% of my lights are dimmable.
4. Physical light switches must not hold state. There is NOTHING WORSE that coming to a light switch and it is in the on position, but the actual light is off. I know that many people are willing to let this one slide, but I'm sorry, I'm not one of them. In saying this, the ideal light switch should be physical push button doorbell style with no state - NOT TOUCH! Many people feel for a light switch to toggle it and touch just does not cut it, so don't even think of recommending those Sonoff touch light switches.
5. The light switch must allow for 1, 2 or 4 buttons as 2x4 light boxes are the norm in SA homes.
I'm just going based on my own experience in my home as I have all 5 of these boxes ticked. I'm so keen to find out what other products are out there - 8 YEARS LATER - that would tick these boxes.
Looking forward to the discussion
I have been running Home Assistant since 2018 and I did all my lighting control using Qwikswitch. 8 years on, everything is still 100% and I've never looked back. Yes, as with everything, there are always cons (replacing batteries on the light switch panels, I had one relay fail, but that is it), but I'm happy with it as a whole.
Lately, I've had friends ask me who are getting into Home Assistant about lighting control and what I would recommend. The issue is that I haven't really kept up as to the technologies available today that I can comfortably recommend instead of Qwikswitch. The issue is that Qwikswitch no longer have the QS-USB device available for sale (but I did hear that they can custom make it, but at a cost though) and for me that local control is everything, no compromises and I'm not too sure if people are willing to put up with replacing batteries in the light switches (although many of mine have last for years as I don't use some of them). QS isn't perfect, but it is the best that I could get at the time based on my requirements. I would naturally recommend QS, but I also want to open my eyes as to what else is out there that would tick all the boxes as to give people choices.
So I am putting out to the SA smart home community and hoping that you can contribute to this discussion constructively. For lighting control, I have the following requirements and I need to know if there are any products that would tick all these boxes.
1. Local - I think it comes without saying in 2026 that local control is a requirement that doesn't even need mentioning, but should be mentioned.
2. Physical light switches MUST directly control the lights. Pressing the physical button must not trigger HA to toggle the light switch. If HA is down, the lights must still work. In my case, the button sends a signal to the relay that controls the lights - that is acceptable.
3. Dimmable. Must be able to control dimmable lights, not just on/off. In my case, 90% of my lights are dimmable.
4. Physical light switches must not hold state. There is NOTHING WORSE that coming to a light switch and it is in the on position, but the actual light is off. I know that many people are willing to let this one slide, but I'm sorry, I'm not one of them. In saying this, the ideal light switch should be physical push button doorbell style with no state - NOT TOUCH! Many people feel for a light switch to toggle it and touch just does not cut it, so don't even think of recommending those Sonoff touch light switches.
5. The light switch must allow for 1, 2 or 4 buttons as 2x4 light boxes are the norm in SA homes.
I'm just going based on my own experience in my home as I have all 5 of these boxes ticked. I'm so keen to find out what other products are out there - 8 YEARS LATER - that would tick these boxes.
Looking forward to the discussion
