Wyze Switch Review | PCMag

Smart plugs are ideal for controlling lamps and other plug-in devices, but if you want to add smarts to traditional ceiling fixtures and fans, you need a smart wall switch like the (aptly named) Wyze Switch. This Wi-Fi-enabled switch ($32.99 for a pack of three) responds to both voice and mobile app commands; supports IFTTT applets; and works with other Wyze devices. It doesn't keep track of your energy usage, and if you simply want to add smarts to any indoor light that isn't hardwired, the Wyze Plug and Wyze Bulb Color are both easier to install. But the Wyze Switch is an affordable option for easily smartening up your ceiling lights and more.

A Traditional Design

The Wyze Switch is a paddle-style, 15-amp single pole switch that measures 4.6 by 1.7 by 2.9 inches (HWD). Both the switch and its faceplate have a white finish. The paddle controller sports a tiny LED indicator that glows white when the switch is on and blinks white during setup. The rear of the switch has clear markings for push-in terminals (Line, Load, and Neutral wires). Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radios are onboard for setting up the switch and connecting it to your home network. At the time of this review, Wyze only offers the switch in a pack of three, but we expect that single switches will be available soon.

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The switch doesn't support dimming, but it does have multi-press functionality. For example, in addition to turning the connected fixture on and off with a single press, you can program the switch to control other Wyze devices such as bulbs, cameras, and locks by double- and triple-pressing the paddle. You can also create rules for the switch to trigger other Wyze devices and vice versa. The Wyze Switch supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, and works with IFTTT applets that enable integrations with tons of third-party smart home devices. That said, you can't use the switch in your Apple HomeKit system, and it doesn't generate power usage reports like some smart plugs, such as the Wyze Plug Outdoor and the ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2.

To control the switch from afar, it uses the same Wyze app (available for Android and iOS) as every other Wyze device. The switch appears on the app’s home screen in a panel with a small power button. Tap the panel to open a screen with On, Off, and Control buttons. The screen background is orange when the switch is on and gray when the switch is off. The Control button lets you enable Vacation mode; in this mode, the switch turns on and off at random times to make it look like you're home. Here, you can also configure a timer for turning the switch on or off after a set time. 

The gear icon in the upper right corner opens the settings screen. Here, you can configure the switch to work in Classic Control mode (to control regular light bulbs) or in Smart Control mode (to control fixtures that use Wyze bulbs). In Smart mode, you can set the switch to turn all Wyze bulbs in your household on or off. Head to the Additional Control menu to change double- and triple-press settings.

Simple Setup (If You Don't Mind Working With Wires)

I had the Wyze Switch up and running in a matter of minutes. That said, the installation requires working with high-voltage wiring and you need a neutral (white) wire for it to work. If you're not comfortable working with wiring or are unsure if your home wiring is compatible, let a professional install it.

If you decide to tackle the project on your own, you must first download the Wyze app and create an account. Then, tap the plus button in the upper left corner of the home screen. Tap Add Device, choose Power & Lighting, then select the Wyze Switch from the list. At this point, you can follow along with the on-screen instructions or forge ahead on your own if you’re familiar with installing switches. 

I turned off the circuit breaker that powers the old switch, took a picture of the wiring for reference, and removed the old switch. I connected the load, line, and neutral wires to their respective terminals on the switch; tightened down the terminals; and tucked the wiring back into the junction box before securing the switch to the box. I then attached the faceplate before restoring power to the circuit.

After I restored power, the LED began to flash and the app found the switch immediately. Next, I selected my Wi-Fi SSID from the list and entered my Wi-Fi password; the switch instantly showed up in the Wyze app and on my Alexa device list. After that you simply need to give the switch a name and install any firmware updates to complete the installation. 

The Wyze Switch worked well in testing. It reacted instantly to app commands to turn the fixture on and off, and the paddle control was equally responsive. It responded to Alexa voice commands as intended, and followed my schedules and routines without issue. I programmed the switch to turn on a Wyze Plug Outdoor with a double press and created a rule to have the switch turn on when a Wyze Cam V3 detected motion, too. Both integrations performed perfectly. 

A Smart Fix for Fixtures

The Wyze Switch lets you easily and affordably smarten up traditional ceiling fixtures. It’s relatively easy to install (as long as you don’t mind working with high-voltage wiring), performed admirably in testing, and supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls. However, it can’t generate power usage reports and doesn’t work with Apple’s HomeKit platform. And if you don’t want to deal with wiring, the Wyze Plug remains a very affordable and easy-to-install alternative. But for a relatively simple way to add smarts to your ceiling fixtures, the Wyze Switch is a terrific value.