Hey everyone, I’m on the hunt for an affordable smart switch that lets me turn on lights with a simple button press but keeps the power on to let my smart bulbs show their colors and react to commands. I’ve heard about the Innovelli switches, but they’re a bit pricey at around 50 bucks each. I currently use Kasa switches which are great but they do cut the power to the bulbs. If anyone could drop a link to a cheaper alternative, that would be great!
You’ve got a few options like Innovelli, Zooz, and Sonoff which all have a ‘smart bulb mode’ allowing you to maintain power for features while still being able to cut power if needed. If you want to stick with Kasa, you might not find this feature. One workaround is to rewire so that the power to the bulbs is always on by connecting to the ‘line’ terminal instead of ‘load’. Alternatively, consider using Sonoff mini modules which let you keep a regular switch for manual control.
@SentinelSanctuary
Thanks for the tip! Do you have a link to the Sonoff models that support this? I’m looking to integrate them with Zigbee and Home Assistant but having a hard time figuring out which ones would work.
@SentinelSanctuary
With this setup, could I program it so a button press at the switch toggles the bulb on or off, while also having automations like changing the bulb color if the fridge door is left open at night? Just making sure I’ve got this right.
@Eleanor
Exactly, the setup I described wouldn’t use the switch to control the bulb directly at all. For manual control, you would use automations based on the switch’s state. You can indeed set it to change color or adjust brightness based on different conditions like time of day or specific events. The Zooz and Innovelli switches also offer multi-tap and hold functions for even more control options, which might be worth the investment for their flexibility.
@SentinelSanctuary
That sounds like what I need, though I’m trying to stick with Zigbee devices. Do you know if Innovelli or another brand offers a Zigbee switch?
I solved a similar issue by bypassing the switch altogether with a wire nut to keep it ‘on’ permanently, then installed a smart switch directly on the fixture to control the smart bulbs. In one case, I moved the smart switch to a more convenient location and covered the old one.
@Randall
That sounds like a neat solution. How exactly did you manage to maintain power to the bulbs while having the switch functionality?
You might want to check out Leviton Decora smart switches available on eBay for a good price. They support a feature that keeps the bulb powered while using the switch to send commands only. I haven’t set mine up yet so I can’t guarantee it, but it sounds like what you need.
@ashionaa
I saw something about their companion remotes. Would those work as standalone controls for Zigbee bulbs like Sengled?
Eleanor said:
@ashionaa
I saw something about their companion remotes. Would those work as standalone controls for Zigbee bulbs like Sengled?
The companions are generally for multi-way setups and might not suit your setup on their own. Here’s the model I bought, though I still need to install them to confirm they perform as expected: Leviton Decora Dimmer Wall Switch - White (DNKIT) Open Box A3 78477574348 | eBay
@ashionaa
Thanks, keep me updated once you get them set up!
Eleanor said:
@ashionaa
Thanks, keep me updated once you get them set up!
Sure thing, will do!
For a budget-friendly option, consider Hue or Ikea remotes which can be mounted over an always-on switch. No need for additional hardware, just the remote if you’re running Zigbee.
Wade said:
For a budget-friendly option, consider Hue or Ikea remotes which can be mounted over an always-on switch. No need for additional hardware, just the remote if you’re running Zigbee.
Could you provide a link to the Ikea remote that would work with Zigbee?
I use a custom setup with Esphome on my bulbs and switches where the switch acts as a sensor rather than a power controller. This lets me control the bulbs via WiFi without physically switching them off—ideal for keeping them responsive to automations.
Why not just hardwire the bulbs to always have power and use a smart switch to communicate with Home Assistant to control them? That way, the switch doesn’t cut power, but it still allows you to turn the lights on and off as needed.
@FortifiedFamilies
Can you elaborate on how to set that up? I’m new to Home Assistant and want the switch to still act like a normal light switch for guests but have the smart capabilities for myself.
Eleanor said:
@FortifiedFamilies
Can you elaborate on how to set that up? I’m new to Home Assistant and want the switch to still act like a normal light switch for guests but have the smart capabilities for myself.
Picture this: you replace your regular switch with a smart one but keep the bulbs always powered. Now, use the switch just for sending signals to Home Assistant, which then controls the bulbs based on your setup. You can have simple on/off controls or more complex automations without ever cutting power to the bulbs.
Eleanor said:
@FortifiedFamilies
Can you elaborate on how to set that up? I’m new to Home Assistant and want the switch to still act like a normal light switch for guests but have the smart capabilities for myself.
Try setting this up on a small scale first. Place the smart bulb in a regular lamp, leave it on, and then set up the smart switch separately to see how it interacts with Home Assistant.