Smart Light Switches Recommendations

I've had the white Sonoff M5 connected for a couple weeks now and it's been 100% reliable but I still just can't get used to the way the switches feel. Pressing the buttons just doesn't feel very satisfying as the microswitches just don't give you that same feedback as a lever style switch.

The Legrand Arteor switches + Shelly relay combo I installed in my bedroom are almost the perfect solution. For 1 gang switches it's absolutely amazing but it cannot scale up past that unfortunately as the Legrand switches take up quite a bit of space in the wall box not leaving enough room for the relay and the wiring.

I would pay good money if Legrand made a smart version of this specific switch but unfortunately their smart home switches don't use the same switch mechanism and they have a silly proprietary ecosystem as they expect you to get certified installers to put them in (for an exorbitant price).

For now, I'm going to watch the market and see what new stuff comes out to see if fulfils my oddly specific needs for a light switch. I don't think I'm going to get any more of these M5s.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
I've had the white Sonoff M5 connected for a couple weeks now and it's been 100% reliable but I still just can't get used to the way the switches feel. Pressing the buttons just doesn't feel very satisfying as the microswitches just don't give you that same feedback as a lever style switch.

The Legrand Arteor switches + Shelly relay combo I installed in my bedroom are almost the perfect solution. For 1 gang switches it's absolutely amazing but it cannot scale up past that unfortunately as the Legrand switches take up quite a bit of space in the wall box not leaving enough room for the relay and the wiring.

I would pay good money if Legrand made a smart version of this specific switch but unfortunately their smart home switches don't use the same switch mechanism and they have a silly proprietary ecosystem as they expect you to get certified installers to put them in (for an exorbitant price).

For now, I'm going to watch the market and see what new stuff comes out to see if fulfils my oddly specific needs for a light switch. I don't think I'm going to get any more of these M5s.
Click to expand...
I've gone through a few options, before the m5's I had the veti 2 switches from major tech which don't have a specific state connected to sonoff minis that I put in the ceiling space. I hate the idea of switches being the wrong way on/off.

It worked well but it was a lot of effort installing junction boxes in the ceiling and pulling all the cables

The m5 is definitely the best option out there for local LAN control, that I've seen at least available locally.

We all just want the same thing I reckon, a proper tactile smart switch.

Wife is happy with the m5 so I reckon I'm going all in on them now, and be done with it.
 
Finished my NSPanel and M5 install in the entertainment room yesterday, I'll still fiddle with the NSPanel to see what I want on there, but for now it's just weather, some lights and QR code for guest wifi

1719209380439.png

Edit: Plugs in the entertainment area are all grey, main house is white so will use white inside
 
Ma’bad said:
I use the Aqara Single Switch Module T1 (No Neutral). This device sits behind your light switch and allows you to use your regular light switches to operate the lights as usual, while also enabling smart control.
www.geewiz.co.za

Aqara Single Switch Module T1 (No Neutral)

Even if your wall box doesn't have a neutral wire, the Aqara Single Switch Module T1 can be installed and used. Enjoy the benefits of the fastest, most stable, and energy-efficient smart home technology. Can be connected to your existing 2-way switches and make them smart. You will be able to...
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za

Aqara also offers a single or double rocker switch that replaces your existing light switch. However, you will need to purchase a plate to fit South African sockets, as the switch is sized for EU standards.

Smart Plugs & Switches

Buy Smart Plugs & Switches online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery. Voted the best online store in SA. View Here
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za
Click to expand...
Question on this one - how does this work:

Switch light on manually at switch
Switch light off remotely
The light switch is now in the "on" position, but the light is off.
1) If you now flick the manual switch back to the "off" position, does the light turn on? Or,
2) You have to flick the switch twice, back to "off" and then "on" again, to turn the light on?

I'm just thinking it would drive my crazy if the on/off of the manual switch can be either up or down.
 
I apologise in advance for the Lehman terms about to be used, but light switch terminology is not my strong point.

I currently have a two level (gang I assume) light switch connect to lights on my patio, and am using an an old standard dimmer module. The swithc currently works as follows, one switch turns the main light one, the other switch (which i think is a momentary switch) turns on the drop down lights with a quick press, and then dims by holding the button in - long hold and lights dim, stop, long hold again the lights brighten. Quick press for off.

The dimmer has now stopped working and I am considering replacing it with a smart dimmer - looking at the Shelly Dimmer 2 but open to any suggestions if there is a better alternative (I don't have a neutral wire).

My question is, can i use the dimmer to keep the buttons working as above? If so, how would I connect it?
Or would I just connect both lights (main light plus dropdowns) to the output (can i do this?) and connect Shelly to the momentary switch? I do understand that if i did it this way then both sets of lights would dim at the same time which i am fine with, just need to check with the wife :)

I guess another option would be to get two Shellys, and a light switch with two momentary switches and connect each set of lights individually?
 
RobSquirrel said:
I apologise in advance for the Lehman terms about to be used, but light switch terminology is not my strong point.

I currently have a two level (gang I assume) light switch connect to lights on my patio, and am using an an old standard dimmer module. The swithc currently works as follows, one switch turns the main light one, the other switch (which i think is a momentary switch) turns on the drop down lights with a quick press, and then dims by holding the button in - long hold and lights dim, stop, long hold again the lights brighten. Quick press for off.

The dimmer has now stopped working and I am considering replacing it with a smart dimmer - looking at the Shelly Dimmer 2 but open to any suggestions if there is a better alternative (I don't have a neutral wire).

My question is, can i use the dimmer to keep the buttons working as above? If so, how would I connect it?
Or would I just connect both lights (main light plus dropdowns) to the output (can i do this?) and connect Shelly to the momentary switch? I do understand that if i did it this way then both sets of lights would dim at the same time which i am fine with, just need to check with the wife :)

I guess another option would be to get two Shellys, and a light switch with two momentary switches and connect each set of lights individually?
Click to expand...
I apologize for not knowing what a Lehman term is. :-(
 
Hey All, not sure whether to fit this in here or make a new thread.

Need to get some of my lights onto a timer / basic smart control fairly quickly. Going away on holiday and would like the lights to switch off and on and optionally be able to manually switch from my phone from time-to-time.

Wondering what's the easiest / quickest way to do this. From what I can tell, the 2 main options are:
  1. Replace some of my normal light switches with Smart switches.
  2. Replace one of my switches on my DB board with a smart switch and wire several lights through it.
Both options will require an electrician.

Number 1 seems like the most expensive as I'll need to buy 3 or 4 smart switches and that's more work for the electrician too.
However number 2 seems more risky as the only DB switches I've seen so far have reviews like "not a circuit breaker just a switch" and "not the rated current" etc.

But I'm hoping you clever people may know which brands are reliable and also may be able to suggest options I haven't thought of.

Thanks
 
K3NS31 said:
Hey All, not sure whether to fit this in here or make a new thread.

Need to get some of my lights onto a timer / basic smart control fairly quickly. Going away on holiday and would like the lights to switch off and on and optionally be able to manually switch from my phone from time-to-time.

Wondering what's the easiest / quickest way to do this. From what I can tell, the 2 main options are:
  1. Replace some of my normal light switches with Smart switches.
  2. Replace one of my switches on my DB board with a smart switch and wire several lights through it.
Both options will require an electrician.

Number 1 seems like the most expensive as I'll need to buy 3 or 4 smart switches and that's more work for the electrician too.
However number 2 seems more risky as the only DB switches I've seen so far have reviews like "not a circuit breaker just a switch" and "not the rated current" etc.

But I'm hoping you clever people may know which brands are reliable and also may be able to suggest options I haven't thought of.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Why not just get some smart bulbs? Sounds like that's maybe more what you're after?
 
K3NS31 said:
Hm, I wonder... maybe
Do they work well?

Anyone have suggestions regarding brands that they've used?
Click to expand...
Philips Hue is the gold standard but you pay for the privilege. Some other familiar brands available locally are ones like TP-Link and Xioami which will be cheaper.

There are hundreds of other options which are all mostly Tuya based and will be very similar, these will have varying quality with some being pretty bad. Best is to find a popular one with many good reviews.
 
Just realised I have loads of candle bulbs - I think I'm gonna try a DB board switch for those, plus a couple of smart bulbs for the other fittings.
 
K3NS31 said:
Just realised I have loads of candle bulbs - I think I'm gonna try a DB board switch for those, plus a couple of smart bulbs for the other fittings.
Click to expand...
I would not replace your DB breaker switches with the smart switches. If you have space in your DB board then you can place a smart switch after the breaker switch and attain the same result.
 
Syphonx said:
I would not replace your DB breaker switches with the smart switches. If you have space in your DB board then you can place a smart switch after the breaker switch and attain the same result.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll inquire about that.
 
I have 6 * GU10 bulbs in my study, linked to a live only switch with the switch placed where I want to build a cupboard (behind a door of all places) and I don't want to cut up walls and ceiling to move the light switch to the other side of the room.

Ideally I want to install a remote switch to control the lights on the other wall, with physical switches, that I can use to control the lights. I want to avoid using using use an app on my phone to turn the lights on and off every day.

Is this possible? Yeelight have something a bluetooth remote this but links to their bigger ceiling fittings not GU10 bulbs as I understand
 
Sonoff Scene Controller on your wall and wire the lights to a Sonoff device that can be used as a base for the scene controller. Then just program the scene controller buttons as needed
 
I am currently using the Sonoff T0 wifi for all the light switches in the house. We are moving to a much larger place at the end of the month so I would like some suggestions on what to install in the new place. I am leaning towards the Sonoff M5. I like the looks and with my mom's failing eyesight a tactile switch would be better. I can do a few smart bulbs but some of the rooms have downlights.

Requirements

Fully compatible with home assistant.
I would like some lights to be dimmable
Tactile switches will be a bonus
Neutral wires will be installed so it's not an issue
 
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